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Find A PhD (/) > Advice (/advice/) > Finding A PhD (/advice/1nding/) > PhD
Interview Questions (/advice/1nding/phd-interview-questions.aspx)
What is a
PhD?
(/advice/1
nding/wha
PhD Interview Questions
t-is-a- Your PhD interview (/advice/1nding/phd-interview.aspx) will be an important part
phd.aspx) of your postgraduate research application. This is your chance to meet your
Why a prospective department, discuss your project and show your potential as an
PhD? academic researcher.
(/advice/1
nding/why-
Of course, its also when that potential is going to be assessed.
do- Youll need to show an awareness of whats involved in a PhD project
phd.aspx)
(/advice/1nding/what-is-a-phd.aspx) and prove that you have the right aspirations
PhD and approach to work on one for three (or more) years. Youll also need to make it
Rankings clear that this is the right university (/advice/1nding/where-to-study-your-
(/advice/1 phd.aspx), department, research group or laboratory for you.
nding/phd-
rankings.a None of this has to be especially intimidating. Putting some thought into your
spx) project and your choice of institution can make answering PhD interview
questions quite simple.
PhD FAQs
(/advice/1 On this page weve put together a list of the questions you might be asked at an
nding/phd- interview. Weve also explained why the university might be asking each question,
faqs.aspx) with some tips on what to cover in your answer.
Writing a
research
proposal
(/advice/1 You wont necessarily be asked all of these questions and you almost certainly
nding/writi wont be asked them in the order here. Some of them also overlap with each
ng-phd- other. But theyre all topics that you should be prepared to discuss at a PhD
research- interview.
proposal.a
spx)

Choosing Contents
a research
project Interview questions about you
(/advice/1
nding/cho Interview questions about your PhD project
osing-phd-
Interview questions about your choice of university
research-
project.asp Asking your own questions at a PhD interview
x)

PhD
Interview questions about you
eligibility
(/advice/1 Your own personal qualities as a student, team-member and individual are some
nding/phd- of the most important factors in a universitys decision to accept you for a PhD.
eligibility.a
spx) Regardless of your subject area, you need to be the kind of person who can
dedicate themselves to a three-year project. You also need to be able to work
Quali1cati
alongside other students and academics in a positive and successful research
on
equivalenc
environment.
ies The interview is the best way for a university to assess this. Just as theres more
(/advice/1
to doing a PhD than research and writing, theres more to a prospective student
nding/phd-
than their academic record.
quali1catio
n-
equivalenc Tell us about yourself
ies.aspx) This popular opener can feel like an awkwardly open question.
Choosing Youll be prepared to explain your project, to say what a great 1t it is for the
a PhD
university, perhaps even reference some current research. But how do you
supervisor
answer an invitation to just introduce yourself?
(/advice/1
nding/cho By introducing yourself.
osing-phd-
supervisor. Your interview panel isnt trying to catch you out here. Theyre offering an
aspx) icebreaker to help ease you into the rest of the interview.

Criteria for Obviously your response should be relevant to the occasion. But it doesnt just
a PhD have to be a run-down of your academic achievements, interests and goals (the
(/advice/1 interview will get to those in time!).
nding/crite
ria-for- Say a little about your background, where youre from and what your interests are.
phd.aspx) Dont be afraid to relate these to your academic specialism and your choice of
university.
MPhil or
PhD? If something speci1cally inspired you to consider a PhD, mention it. If theres
(/advice/1 something thats attracted you to this city as well as the university, say so.
nding/mph
(Therell be plenty of time to talk up the institution and its research later).
il-or-
 phd.aspx) Do say:
Where to Ive always been interested in discovering how things work, but my
study your time as an undergraduate opened my eyes to the excitement and
PhD wider bene1t of science. I had the chance to do some original
(/advice/1 research on my Masters and thats inspired me to take up the
nding/whe challenge of a PhD. Im also a keen hiker and amateur naturalist, so
re-to- Id love to combine my studies here with the chance to visit the local
study-your- area.
phd.aspx)

The PhD
Interview Don't say:
(/advice/1
I was born in a house next to the local post-of1ce. My 1rst cat was
nding/phd-
called Timothy and he liked chasing string. At school my best friend
interview.a
was Kevin. My favourite colour is blue and my favourite gavour of ice-
spx)
cream is raspberry ripple*
> PhD
Interview
Questions *Please note: The PhD application process is not biased against people with cats called
(/advice/@ Timothy and friends called Kevin. Or those who like blue things and ice cream.
nding/phd-
interview- What made you choose to do a PhD?
questions.
aspx) At some point in your interview your panel is going to want to know whats behind
your decision to undertake a doctorate.
REF
Results This may seem like a simple question, but be wary of giving an overly simplistic
2014 answer. Just pointing out that youre good at your subject and a PhD seemed like
(/advice/1 the logical next step wont impress anyone at this stage particularly if theres a
nding/ref2 funding (/funding/guides/phd-funding-guide.aspx) decision to be made.
014-
guide.aspx The panel is already satis1ed that youre academically capable and interested.
) Youve demonstrated that by getting an interview (and turning up for it).
Attending Now they want to assure themselves that youve got the motivation and drive to
a see you through three or more years of hard work on a PhD project.
PhD/Postg
rad Event You need to convince them that youre doing the PhD for the right reasons and
(/advice/1 that youll still care about it in two years, when its just you, a cat, a cup of coffee
nding/post that went cold half an hour ago and a huge pile of results to write up. And the cat
graduate- is asleep on top of the papers.
fairs.aspx)

Postgradu Do say:
ate Study Ive enjoyed my academic work so far, but I really feel Ive got more to
Events offer as an independent researcher. Im also passionate about this
(/events/? subject and dont feel enough attention has been paid to the
v=2) questions Im looking to address.

Don't say:
I cant think of anything to do with my Masters, but my current tutor
says Im clever enough for a PhD.
What do you plan to do after you complete your PhD?
It might seem strange for your panel to ask about what your post-PhD plans. After
all, those dont have any really impact on your ability to do a PhD, do they? And
graduation is at least three years away in any case; should you really have thought
that far ahead?

The answers to which are yes and of course you should.

Universities want to make sure youre doing a PhD for the right reasons (as
above). Asking about your future plans is a great way to check this.

Students who sleepwalk into a research project are much more likely to come
unstuck or lose motivation when the going gets tough later on.

Its also the case that not everyone who gains a doctorate will go on to an
academic job. Universities want to recruit PhD students responsibly and provide
the kinds of skills and training they actually need.

This doesnt mean you have to have everything worked out, or that your ambitions
have to be unique. If your post-doctoral plans are to apply for a post-doc, say so.
But demonstrate an understanding of academic career paths and show that
youve put some thought into alternatives.

Equally, dont feel that you have to want to be a scholar to be accepted for a PhD.
Research training can prepare you for a range of career paths
(/advice/doing/phd-non-academic-careers.aspx). An appreciation of these will
impress your interview panel. (Particularly if youre applying for a professional
doctorate (http://www.1ndaprofessionaldoctorate.com/)).

Do say:
I feel my PhD project can open up new lines of inquiry for this 1eld
and want to use it as the foundation for a fruitful research career. But,
Im also interested in the wider development opportunities included
in this doctoral programme. I want to be an academic, but Im happy
to keep other options open.

Don't say:
I expect someone will give me a job doing more research. Thats what
PhDs do, right?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

A well-worn question, but a great opportunity to regect on your abilities - and
opportunities for further development during your PhD.
The important thing to remember about this question is that the panel isnt as
interested in judging your actual strengths and weaknesses as they are in your
ability to identify and regect upon them.

In practice, this means giving solid examples for strengths and showing how they
relate to the PhD project you have in mind.

Dont just say youre a good time-keeper. Point out when youve had to be well
organised and show that you understand the importance of self-directed study to
a successful PhD.

When it comes to weaknesses, maintain the right balance.

A PhD interview probably isnt the best time to wallow in existential self-doubt
(unless youre applying for a very speci1c topic in Philosophy*). Equally though,
answers like my only downfall is excessive perfectionism can sound a bit
contrived. If the panel is asking you about strengths and weaknesses, they want
you to identify and regect on both.

Be honest about the things you 1nd challenging, but identify them as training
needs and say how you expect to improve upon them as part of your PhD.

*Actually, its probably still a bad idea.

Do say:
I feel that Im a good written communicator. My existing academic
and professional work demonstrates an ability to put forward ideas
clearly and concisely. I think this will help me manage the weight of
information my PhD research needs to cover and the challenge of
producing an effective thesis. But, Im not always as organised as Id
like to be. I want to address this as part of my postgraduate training
and hope to take advantage of classes and development
opportunities early in my doctorate.

Don't say:
My greatest strength is that I have no weaknesses! And my only
weakness is that I have no strengths. Hang on...

Are there any training needs you can identify ahead of your PhD?
This question (and its answer) can be part of an invitation to regect on your
strengths and weaknesses (as above).

But, you may be asked about training needs more speci1cally. This is likely if
youre applying to a more structured programme, within a Doctoral Training
Partnership or similar.

Either way, this is a great opportunity to regect on your aims and aspirations as a
researcher and show that youve read up on the project and programme youre
applying to. If the university offers a series of training modules, mention them.
Say what you hope to gain from them and how you think theyll help you succeed
in your PhD.

You might also want to refer to any discussion of your aims and aspirations with
a doctorate. If youre keeping an open mind about non-academic career paths,
show an awareness of the transferrable skills this PhD can give you.

And dont worry about revealing a few gaps in the core skills required by your
discipline. A PhD is a training process, not a three-year exam.

Do say:
Im really interested in communicating my research to a wider
audience, but dont know how best to go about doing this. I think the
training module on public engagement will be a big help to me, both
academically and more generally.

Don't say:
Im really bad at interviews. Do you have a class for that?

Interview questions about your PhD project

This is the universitys chance to further assess your suitability for an advertised
PhD position, or the likely 1t between your planned project and the expertise it
has available.

Its also your chance to expand on your research proposal and show that you have
the skills, experience and understanding to complete a doctorate. For funded
places (or other competitive projects), this is the time for you to really prove that
you are the best student for this PhD.

Its a good idea to reference your research proposal (or other appropriate parts of
your application) when answering these questions. But expand upon what the
panel has already read. (And make sure there isnt anything in that proposal that
you arent con1dent enough to back up in your interview!)

Why this project?

The focus of this question will shift slightly depending on whether youre applying
for an advertised PhD project (/search/phd.aspx?TID=1) (more common in
Science, Engineering and Medicine) or proposing your own research within a
department's PhD programme (/search/phd.aspx?TID=2) (more common in Arts,
Humanities and some branches of the Social Sciences).

If youre being considered for a pre-de1ned project, make sure you know it inside
out. Say what it is that interests you about it. Compare it to similar opportunities
(if appropriate) and explain your particular choice.

If youre proposing your own project, this is your chance to show some passion
and enthusiasm for it. Refer to your research proposal and take the opportunity to
discuss and expand upon it.
In both cases you should point to some existing scholarship and show an
awareness of the 1eld youll be entering. Youll also want to re-iterate what makes
your project distinctive. After all, the PhD is de1ned as offering an original
contribution to knowledge.

This doesnt mean preparing a comprehensive list of key works or current

research projects (that literature review will be one of the 1rst things you do on
the actual PhD). At this stage the panel just wants to see that youve made an
informed choice, understand your proposed project and are enthusiastic enough
to see it through.

Depending on how the question is phrased you may also 1nd yourself talking
about your choice of university at this stage or explaining why your previous
work makes you a good 1t for this particular PhD (see below).

Do say:
This PhD appeals to my existing research interests. But Im also
attracted by the opportunity to specialise and develop new expertise.
Other projects didnt seem to offer the same possibilities to pursue
the questions that really interest me.

Don't say:
To be honest, Ill do anything if its funded.

What makes you the right candidate for this PhD?

If youre applying for a pre-de1ned PhD project (/search/phd.aspx?TID=1), youll
almost certainly be asked why you are the best candidate to undertake it
(particularly if theres funding available).

Remember too that some of these projects arent automatically funded. Their
1nancing can depend on the quality of the student they attract, so your panel will
be very keen to make sure youre going to be Dr Right.

You might still be asked about your suitability for a self-proposed PhD (in Arts or
Humanities, for example). This is another way for your interviewers to assess
those all-important motivation and commitment factors.

Whatever your situation, this is a good place to talk a bit about your previous work
at undergraduate or Masters level. The panel already knows the grades you
received, but now you have the chance to talk about what you actually did on
those degrees. Show passion and give examples.

If an undergraduate module on gothic literature inspired you to propose a PhD on

an under-researched aspect of eighteenth-century culture, say so. If your Masters
has given you skills in exactly the kind of statistical analysis required by this
doctorate, mention that.

Do say:
 Ive been interested in this topic since the 1nal year of my
undergraduate degree. This lead to my choice of Masters and helped
me pick my dissertation topic, which I really enjoyed. Im really
excited to now go on and do some sustained research in this area as
a PhD student.

Don't say:
Well, I really like books

What difculties do you expect to encounter during this project?

This is another fairly popular question topic. It might form part of a discussion of
your strengths, weaknesses and training needs. Or you might be invited to speak
more speci1cally about the challenges involved in your project.

The panel isnt trying to catch you out here, so dont be afraid to speak frankly. All
projects involve their own potential pitfalls and complications.

Overcoming them will be part of completing a PhD; recognising them will show
that you're ready to begin one.

Show that youve put some thought into the approach necessary for your
research and the methodology you might use.

Dont be afraid to identify problems you arent yet certain how to solve (the best
way to organise some data, the authors to include in your initial survey of texts,
etc) but suggest how you might go about investigating them.

This is also a good time to mention any training needs (if you havent already) and
speak about how you plan to take advantage of development opportunities within
your programme.

Do say:
I can see that some of the archival material Ill need to examine for
this project may be dif1cult to access. My 1rst task will be to request
permissions, arrange visits and develop a system for recording my
1ndings. Im hoping to undertake training in archival practices and
seek advice from my supervisor as I develop these key skills early in
my project.

Don't say:
Yeah, I know a PhD is hard, but Im just going to see how I get on.

What would you like the impact of this project to be?

Impact is an increasingly important factor in academic work and this applies to
PhD research too especially if youre funded.
Even if your panel doesnt explicitly ask about impact, its a good idea to mention
what you hope the wider outcome of your project might be. If you are asked this
question and are prepared for it this is a great chance to get a leg up on the
competition.

Impact essentially refers to the measurable effects of research outside

academia. Its a given that your PhD will have an effect on future work in your
1eld. But universities are increasingly focussed on the bene1ts of their work
beyond the ivory tower of higher education and research.

This is particularly important if your project is funded. The money supporting your
studies will probably have come from public revenues (via a Research Council
studentship) or from a large charity or trust. Those organisations will want to
make sure their investment is worthwhile.

Examples of impact differ a bit between 1elds.

If youre in the Social Sciences you may already have some idea of the outputs
from your project. These could be educational workshops, policy guidance, etc.

If youre in Science, Medicine or Engineering youll hope to provide economic

bene1ts to industry or to healthcare.

Arts and Humanities PhDs can have impact too. Think about the ways in which
you could take part in public engagement (teaching people about local history or
archival resources they might not be aware of) and ways you could partner with
local schools, or even media companies producing documentary work.

Do say:
Im keen to share my passion for this subject with a wider audience.
Im hoping to maintain a public-facing blog documenting my research
and would also be keen to approach local schools and museums to
discuss educational events.

Don't say:
To be honest, I cant really see how my work on medieval manuscript
preservation has any bene1t outside the university. Id still like some
funding though.

How will you fund this project?

This question is obviously more likely in interviews for non-funded PhDs. (It would
be somewhat strange for a university to ask you about funding
(/funding/guides/phd-funding-guide.aspx) for a project that carries a full
studentship).

However, you might still be asked about contingency plans if funding falls through
(particularly if funding hasnt been secured at this stage) or if your project over-
runs.
Self-funding students will obviously need to go into more detail here. Its not the
responsibility of your university to ask for a complete breakdown of your 1nances
(or for you to provide one). Yet the panel will want to be sure that you understand
the cost involved in doing a PhD and have some kind of plans in place.

Its 1ne to say that youll be looking for extra funding and part-time work as you
start the project. But make it clear that youll still have enough time to apply
yourself to the actual research.

Do say:
Ive shortlisted external funders and would be keen to investigate any
small bursaries or other forms of support through the university. Ive
also made arrangements to work part-time, with the option to adjust
this if my funding situation improves.

Don't say:
I have no idea how Im going to afford this. Are you sure I cant have a
scholarship?

Interview questions about your choice of university

Unsurprisingly, your interview panel will be interested to know why youve chosen
their university for your PhD.

If proposing your own project youll be asked about the 1t between your research
aims and the expertise of the department youd be entering.

If applying to a pre-de1ned PhD, youll be invited to say why this laboratory or

research group particularly appeals to you and what you yourself can contribute
to them.

Preparing for these kinds of questions is actually quite easy. Read up on your
prospective university, department and supervisors. Show that youre aware of
the kind of work they do and give examples.

Feel free to mention other aspects of the university that appeal to you its
reputation, its alumni, even its location but keep the main focus on the 1t
between your work and their research environment.

Why have you chosen to study a PhD at this university?

Whatever else your panel asks, you can be pretty sure a question about your
choice of university (/advice/1nding/where-to-study-your-phd.aspx) and
department will crop up at some point in a PhD interview.

Your answer gives you the opportunity to do several important things.

Most obviously you can talk about the university and its research. Say why youd
like to study with these supervisors in particular, when youve used their work
during your Bachelors or Masters (if relevant) and how you can contribute to their
 future projects.

This is also an opportunity to reiterate your awareness of the wider research

context for your project. If other departments or laboratories are undertaking
related work, mention that. Say what attracted you to this university in particular
and what you hope to achieve as one of its students.

If your PhD is part of a structured Doctoral Programme (as is increasingly likely)

you can touch on any training and development opportunities it includes. You
may mention these elsewhere in your interview, but make sure to include them
when speaking about the universitys appeal to you.

Finally, show an awareness of any relevant research facilities, resources or

collections.

Does the university hold a unique archive? Say how it might support your
investigations. Has the laboratory youre working in been equipped with any new
facilities? Show that you know about them and are interested in using them (as
relevant).

Universities spend a lot of money on facilities and resources. They want students
particularly postgraduate researchers who will make use of them.

Do say:
Ive looked at lots of opportunities in this area. I feel that this project
is the best of its kind, combining a unique research angle with a
training programme that will meet my professional needs. I was
already familiar with the work of my prospective supervisor and their
research has greatly informed my own development as a scholar. Im
eager to combine my work with theirs and make use of the facilities
the university has put together for this project.

Don't say:
I did my Masters here and already have a gat in the city.

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