How to Apply for Admission as a Research Student

Prospective Research Students' Home Page >

The application procedure for research degrees is explained in full on the web pages of the University's Student Recruitment and Admission Service.

From there you will also be able to apply online or download an application form. Please read all of the instructions carefully before submitting your application and please pay special attention to the following points in respect of applications to the Law School:

• It can take up to eight weeks for a decision to be made on a research degree application. This is because applications must be considered by the Research Admissions Officer, by at least two potential supervisors and also by the Head of School before a final decision is reached.

• Decisions on applications are made by the Postgraduate Officer and the Head of the Law School. You may contact individual members of staff to discuss your research proposal in advance of applying if you wish. However, individual members of staff are not authorised to make formal offers. A formal decision on whether or not to offer a place to you will only be made upon receipt of a complete, formal application.

• It is possible to begin a research degree in February, June and October of each year. There is no formal deadline for submitting research degree applications. However, you should aim to make your application at least six months before you intend to commence your studies. The shorter the period between your application being submitted and your intended start date, the more difficult it will be for you to make all the necessary arrangements, particularly if you have to apply for a visa or if you intend to apply for funding. If you apply less than three months before your desired state date it is possible that your application will not be processed in time and that a later start date will be recommended to you by the School.

• When making your application, please complete the form in full and ensure that all of the supporting documentation required is submitted. Failure to provide required information will lead to delays in processing your application.

• The supporting documentation that the University must have before it will be possible to process your application is as follows:
• copies of your degree certificate(s) and a transcript of your academic results for all university level qualifications (if you have not yet completed a course of study, please provide a transcript of your results to date)
• two original references (including at least one academic reference from your current or most recently attended institution)
• proof of English language ability if English is not your first language (further information about minimum language requirements can be found here)
• your research proposal (further information about writing your proposal is available here)

Incomplete applications will not be passed on for consideration until all supporting documentation has been submitted. If documentation is missing the School will contact you directly by email. It is therefore very important that you provide an email address when you submit your application. If you are submitting your application by post and have hand-written your contact details, please ensure that the address and contact details are clear.

General enquiries about the application procedure should be directed to Postgraduate Admissions: e-mail: pgadmissions@abdn.ac.uk , tel: +44 (0)1224 273 506.

If you have any questions about admissions specific to the Law School, please e-mail: law-pg-enquiries@abdn.ac.uk, tel: +44 (0)1224 272 429.