Edinburgh Napier University

If you’re applying for an advertised position, then your supervisor’s name will be on the advertisement. They will be on the panel if you’re invited for interview. Take some time to look at their areas of research and read what they’ve published. This background reading will help you understand how to pitch your proposal.

Once you’ve found someone who you think is a match, you should then contact them by email briefly explaining your idea. It may be that they don’t have the capacity to take on another research student – this is good to know in advance before you go further with your application.

However, if your idea interests them, they may be able to help you with your proposal and provide you with advice as you develop your idea. 

Learn more on how to choose a supervisor here

When applying for a postgraduate research degree at Edinburgh Napier University, writing a strong research proposal is crucial. If you’re applying for an advertised position, then the advertisement will include details about the research to be undertaken. This may be very clearly specified or it may just lay out an area for exploration.

If you’re applying based on your own research idea, then your research proposal should include details of your relevant experience and skills, then lay out your idea and how you would approach the research. Make sure you name your proposed supervisor in the proposal.

Find out more about how to write your proposal here.

It is advisable to provide references at the point of application. All students applying for a research degree will need to provide two references. An unconditional offer will not be issued until official and satisfactory references have been provided. 
Reference requirements for the different research degree options are:

• PhD/ MRes: Two academic references, but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference.
• DBA/Professional Doctorate: One academic reference and one professional reference.

Whatever degree you’re applying for, you should provide your referees with a copy of the reference form which you can download here 

• For an advertised position or if you have previously communicated with your intended supervisor: provide the referees with a copy of the advertisement and with the address of the academic to whom the reference should be returned.
• If you have not identified an academic you wish to work with, references should be returned to the address provided on the form.

Once you’ve written your research proposal and obtained two referees, then you’re ready to submit your application through our online system.

After you've submitted your application, the Doctoral College admissions team will send it to the appropriate school for consideration. Once the school has made a decision, the school administrator for research will email you to let you know whether you have been selected for interview. We aim to provide an initial response within seven weeks, unless you require additional information in which case this will be 9 weeks.