PhD in biology

• How to apply

  1. Identify a supervisor

  The first step to applying for a PhD in the School of Biology is to find an academic who is willing to supervise your studies and, if required, to find a source of funding support.

  Funded PhD projects in the School are advertised on FindAPhD, but pay close attention to eligibility requirements, as not all studentships are available to students from outside the UK.

  If you are capable of self-funding and interested in working with a supervisor who does not currently have a project listed on FindAPhD, contact that person directly.

  2. Make a formal application

  For all projects, advertised or unadvertised, you should contact the potential supervisor to discuss the project before making a formal application. The School does not require you to submit either a sample of written work or a research proposal with your application, although the research supervisor may request that you prepare a project proposal building on information that has already been provided.

  3. Interview

  Applicants to advertised projects will be shortlisted by the project supervisor, who will then informally interview candidates before nominating one or two for formal interview by the School. Nominated candidates are then interviewed by a small committee made up of members of the Postgraduate Recruitment Committee and other appropriate members of academic staff.

  In the interview, you will have the opportunity to:

  • talk about any previous research experience that you may have had
  • explain why you want to study for a PhD and why the research question is one that you are excited by.

  The School admits around 25 PhD candidates per year but receives many more applications than that, meaning that the competition for PhD places can be quite intense.

• Application deadlines

  The School of Biology has no set application deadline. However, specific projects may have application deadlines. You can check whether the project you are applying for has a specific deadline for applications on FindaPhD. 

  You should contact the supervisors of projects you are interested in well ahead of any official closing date for applications. 

• Entry requirements

  You should have at least an upper second-class Honours degree (2.1), or a Masters degree, in a discipline relevant to the proposed project.

  For non-native English speakers, you may need to provide proof of your English language skills. See the English language requirements for postgraduate students.

• Fees and funding

  Funded PhD projects come complete with tuition fees and stipend. If you are considering a self-funded PhD, see information on current research postgraduate fee levels.

  Funding options

  • School of Biology PhD Studentships. The School has an annual round of recruitment for fully-funded (fees and stipend) PhD studentships. These are usually advertised in the Autumn, with interviews held in January or February.
    
    
  • School of Biology PhD Apprentice Scheme. The School periodically offers PhD studentships that include a formal role in undergraduate teaching. Recruitment to these runs alongside the School of Biology PhD studentship recruitment but includes an additional interview with the Director of Teaching.
    
    
  • School of Biology Tuition Fee Scholarships (Handsels). The School may periodically offer tuition fee scholarships (termed Handsels) to exceptional candidates who do not require a stipend. Please contact your potential supervisor to discuss this possibility.
    
    
  • EASTBIO. The University of St Andrews is a member of EASTBIO, the east of Scotland doctoral training partnerships. EASTBIO PhD studentships are advertised on FindAPhD and on the EASTBIO website.
    
    
  • IAPETUS2. The University of St Andrews is a member of IAPETUS2, a doctoral training partnership that spans universities in the south of Scotland and the north of England. IAPETUS2 PhD studentships are advertised on FindAPhD and on the IAPETUS2 website.
    
    
  • SUPER. The University of St Andrews is a member of SUPER, a Doctoral Training Partnership that spans several universities across Scotland. SUPER PhD studentships are advertised on FindAPhD and on the SUPER website.
    
    
  • China Scholarship Council. The School of Biology welcomes China Scholarship Council-funded PhD students. See the China Scholarship Council page for details of how to apply for funding through this route.
    
    
  • Additional postgraduate scholarships. More information on internally and externally funded PhD scholarships can be found on the scholarships for postgraduate programmes page.

• Skills training

  The University places great importance on improving the depth of knowledge of research students, on developing their transferable, generic and employment-related skills, and on preparing them to complete theses successfully within the allocated time.

  Presenting your work to a wider audience

  Every year, in Spring and Autumn, the School of Biology organises two postgraduate conferences that bring together the School’s research postgraduate community for one or two days of research presentations and discussion.

  First-year students are required to introduce their research question with a 5-minute talk, second-year students present a poster on their work, and third-year students give a 30-minute talk, with the sessions being chaired by final year students.

  The conferences offer an excellent opportunity to get critical feedback on your work as well as the opportunity to support your fellow postgraduates by commenting on their research and their presentation skills.

  There are prizes for the best talks and posters, and at the Spring meeting, there is a ceilidh organised by BioNet. Biology PhD students are part of a strong and welcoming community, and the student-run society BioNet provides a wide range of networking and social opportunities.

  Enhancing your transferable skills

  In addition to the project-specific training within your research group, PhD students also have access to a wide range of training in transferable skills through the Centre for Educational Enhancement and Development (CEED), including GRADskills, a suite of workshops and activities designed specifically for research postgraduate students.