PhD application & admissions FAQ
Questions
- Q: Do you hold Open Days so I could visit the Management School to find out firsthand about your PhD programmes?
- Q: Is the postgraduate application form on the web? and is there an application fee?
- Q: Do I need to provide confidential references and transcripts with my application form?
- Q: Is there a deadline for applications? and will I be invited for interview or Open Day as part of the selection process?
- Q: English is not my first language - do I need to take an English Language test such as TOEFL or IELTS before I apply for admission?
- Q: Do I need to take GMAT or GRE? and is there a time limit on when it can be used?
- Q: How long will it take for my application papers to be evaluated and a decision on my application taken?
- Q: If I am offered a place, how long will I have before I need to give you my decision? and will I have to pay a deposit if I decide to choose Lancaster?
- Q: Do you have any agents in overseas countries that I could talk to about the programme in which I'm interested and my application? and do your staff attend Recruitment Fairs in the UK and in overseas countries?
- Q: Are there any graduates in Management School subjects that I could contact for information about their experience of being a student at Lancaster?
- Q: If I want to apply for a PhD, do I need to provide a research proposal along with my application form?
- Q: Will you accept an email CV and research proposal instead of an application form?
Q: Do you hold Open Days so I could visit the Management School to find out firsthand about your PhD programmes?
We hold an annual Open Day at Lancaster, usually in early February. International students should see Q9 below for details of overseas recruitment fairs at which LUMS is represented.
We usually advise applicants to submit an application before they visit the campus. If an academic is potentially interested in offering supervision, you may be invited to an interview. This would be a good opportunity to visit the campus.
Q: Is the postgraduate application form on the web? and is there an application fee?
Applicants are now expected to apply online through our on-line application system.
If you apply online, you will be able to track the progress of your application after submission. When you apply online you can also upload scanned copies of your official degree transcripts and/or certificates, official English Language and GMAT scores (if required), research proposal (for PhD applicants) and any other supporting documents in respect of your application.
The supporting documentation screen will provide you with a list of required documents for the programme you are applying for.
There is no application fee.
Q: Do I need to provide confidential references and transcripts with my application form?
If you apply online we will contact your referees to obtain a reference. Your referees may also forward their references to us directly.
We also need to receive full transcripts for your degrees and language qualifications, and for MBA and Accounting and Finance, your GMAT test score, along with your application form. If you have not already graduated, please upload partial transcripts.
References can be provided on official notepaper with authorised signatories: referees do not need to use the University's reference forms. At least one referee needs to comment on your academic suitability for your chosen programme(s).
Q: Is there a deadline for applications? and will I be invited for interview or Open Day as part of the selection process?
You are advised to apply as early as possible, whichever subject area you select, and definitely before 30 June. This is to give time for us to try to find suitable supervisor(s).
There is an annual Open Day in February and UK-based applicants are usually invited to Lancaster for personal interviews with their potential supervisor(s).
Q: English is not my first language - do I need to take an English Language test such as TOEFL or IELTS before I apply for admission?
Normally we ask applicants whose first language is not English to take a test such as TOEFL or IELTS. Some exceptions can include students educated entirely in the medium of English, such as those from Singapore and India. Scores we currently require are TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7.0.
For PhD programmes in Accounting and Finance, you may also be asked to take the GMAT test.
Q: Do I need to take GMAT or GRE? and is there a time limit on when it can be used?
For PhD programmes in Accounting and Finance, GMAT is preferred but not a pre-requisite. The Department of Accounting and Finance views GMAT as a useful indicator of academic excellence and potential.
GMAT is not required for entry to our other PhD programmes. Nor do we require GRE for admission to any PhD programme.
Q: How long will it take for my application papers to be evaluated and a decision on my application taken?
This will depend on the time of year and on whether you have provided a good quality research proposal, all the necessary references and transcripts, but normally we aim to reach an initial decision within 4 weeks of receipt of your application form and other papers. This length of time is needed to circulate your papers to possible supervisors.
Q: If I am offered a place, how long will I have before I need to give you my decision? and will I have to pay a deposit if I decide to choose Lancaster?
Normally we ask you to reach a decision on our offer within 4 weeks after receiving the official offer. We do not ask for a deposit for PhD study.
Q: Do you have any agents in overseas countries that I could talk to about the programme in which I'm interested and my application? and do your staff attend Recruitment Fairs in the UK and in overseas countries?
The University has a number of agents based overseas who are very willing to advise on our programmes. Click here for details.
Management School staff also attend the UK and a wide range of overseas recruitment fairs. Click here for details.
Q: Are there any graduates in Management School subjects that I could contact for information about their experience of being a student at Lancaster?
We are very happy for you to contact former students about our programmes, and know applicants find this helpful. Click here for details.
Q: If I want to apply for a PhD, do I need to provide a research proposal along with my application form?
If you wish to be considered for registration through the 'Integrated' PhD a research proposal is not essential, although we still like to get an idea of the research areas which interest you. If you wish to register for the traditional PhD, then we do need a proposal of 3 - 4 pages outlining your interests and proposed methodology. Click here for helpful advice on how to develop a proposal.
Q: Will you accept an email CV and research proposal instead of an application form?
Due to the high volume of PhD enquiries we receive we advise all potential students to submit a formal application through our online system before we offer any advice about detailed research proposals. The key issue for us is that your research interests should coincide with those of staff in our School. Please check each department’s research pages for a summary of our expertise.
