Stage 6 · Lesson 3 of 9
A research proposal for PhD applications
Many research degrees, especially in the UK, Europe and Australia, ask for a of a few pages. It shows you can frame a question. It does not need to be your final plan.
A typical outline starts with a working title, the problem and why it matters. Then comes what recent work has done and what gap remains, meaning what is still unknown. Add your research questions, the method you would use, a rough timeline and key references.
Build it from papers you have read. Align it with the interests of your target and their , and keep it realistic for three or four years. Supervisors expect it to change.
Common trapa proposal so broad it could fill a career, or one copied from a template with no link to the group you are applying to.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 2 cheat sheet entries come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- GuideFreePurdue OWL: Graduate School Applications
Purdue University Online Writing Lab
A free, practical guide to statements of purpose and personal statements from a university writing lab
- CourseFreeGoogle Technical Writing Courses
Google
Short free courses that make your statement and proposal clearer and tighter