Faculty of Engineering and Design

How to apply for postgraduate research programmes

Play the video Staff and PhD students from the Faculty of Engineering explain everything you need to do to apply for a PhD at the University of Bath.

Application checklist

 

Step 1: Identify a possible supervisor for your research proposal

Explore the Faculty of Engineering and Design research centres to find an academic in a similar area of research who could supervise you through your research programme.

Make contact directly to discuss your research proposal.

Step 2: Apply online

Submit your online application, making sure that you upload supporting documents which will include

  • results of your English language assessment (if applicable)
  • your completed degree certificate
  • transcript (if you have not yet completed your degree, you will need to upload a copy of your most recent transcript: you will not be able to submit your application without one.)
  • an academic reference
  • name of your intended supervisor
  • full details of your proposed research

Step 3: Track your application

We will provide you with a username and password so you can upload further supporting documents if necessary.

You can follow the status of your application through our Application Tracker.

Please make sure you check this regularly.

Step 4: Await a decision

The Faculty of Engineering and Design Graduate School admissions staff will check your application. We wil send you an email to ask for additional documents if required.

Once your application is complete, we will send it to your named supervisor for a decision.

Step 5: Accept or decline your offer

We will inform you of the decision on your application via the Application Tracker.

If made an offer, you must accept or decline it through the Application Tracker.

Step 6: Meet your offer conditions

If your offer is conditional, you will need to supply evidence that you meet these conditions as soon as you can.

Upload any additional documents via the Application Tracker and email fedgradschool@bath.ac.uk to confirm that you have done so.

 

Step 7: For international students only

Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS)

The University's Central Admissions Office will send you a pre-CAS check by email. You must reply directly to this email.

Please ensure that all details are correct as this will be more difficult to change later and could affect your visa application.

Once your CAS is issued you will be able to view it through the Application Tracker ‘in tray’.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

You may also need to apply for an ATAS certificate before applying for a student visa.

Please be aware that these can take in excess of 20 working days to process.

You should apply for ATAS clearance no more than six months before the start of your programme.

To check whether you need an ATAS certificate, consult the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).

Upload your visa

When we can see that you have used your CAS, the University's Central Admissions Office will contact you to see if your visa application was successful and provide you with further instructions.

You can find advice about your student visas on the University's International Office website.
 

Step 8: Register online and pay your tuition fees

UK, EU and part-time international applicants will be asked to register online before the start of the programme, providing the offer has been accepted.

Full-time international applicants who need a visa will be invited to register once we know you have successfully obtained your visa for the University of Bath.

The final stage of the online registration will be the payment of your tuition fees through Student Finance.

Fees are available on this webpage and are updated annually. In addition to the tuition fee, all PhD candidates will be charged a £1000 per year Training Support Fee (also known as a bench fee), which is intended to cover incidental research and travel expenses. In rare cases, there is the possibility that this Training Support Fee could be higher if extensive experimentation beyond the norm is expected.

Step 9: Enrolment and document review

UK/EU postgraduate students will need to bring originals of their qualifications as listed on their Application Tracker.

International students will need to bring originals of their qualifications as listed on their Application Tracker, and their passport and visa.

Step 10: Obtain your University Library card

Once you have completed your University registration, you can go to the University Library and collect your Library card.

The Library card will give you access to the Library and other University services and facilities.

Welcome to the Faculty of Engineering and Design.

 
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