FindAPhD

What it is

FindAPhD lists PhD opportunities advertised by universities and research institutes: individual funded projects with a named supervisor, doctoral training programmes that recruit a cohort, and self-funded project ideas. Its coverage is strongest in the United Kingdom and Europe, with listings from other regions too. Each listing usually gives the project description, the supervisor, the funding status, who is eligible for the funding, and a closing date.

Why it matters for international applicants

In the UK and much of Europe, many PhDs are advertised as specific projects rather than admitted through one departmental application. If you only look at university programme pages, you miss most of these. FindAPhD gathers them in one place and lets you filter by subject, country and funding type, which matters because a large share of UK studentships have historically been restricted by fee status. Always read the eligibility line carefully: "funded" does not always mean "funded for international applicants".

How to use it well

1. Search a narrow topic, such as "program synthesis" or "federated learning", rather than "computer science".
2. Filter by funding and read each listing's eligibility section.
3. Open the supervisor's group page and read two of their recent papers before applying.
4. Apply through the link in the listing, tailoring your statement and CV to the project.
5. Set up alerts for your topic so new positions reach you during the application season.

Is it worth it?

Yes, if you are aiming for a PhD or research masters in the UK or Europe. It saves hours of searching department pages and shows what types of projects are funded in your area. Its limits: listings depend on what institutions choose to advertise, some positions close quickly, and US-style PhD programmes, where you apply to a department and choose an adviser later, are less central to it.

Free or paid

Searching and applying through listings costs nothing to students; the site is paid for by institutions that advertise. It also publishes free guides on PhD applications and funding.

Common questions

Can I apply for a self-funded project? You can, but you must pay the fees and living costs, which is rarely sensible for international students without a scholarship.

What if my topic has no listings? Look at research group pages directly and at EURAXESS for European positions, and consider writing to a supervisor about externally funded routes.