School of Science, Engineering, and Environment
Guidance on Writing a Postgraduate Research (PGR) Proposal, Personal Statement, and CV
Crucial parts of research degree applications (PhD, MPhil, MSc by Research) are the research proposal, personal statement, and CV Together, they provide key information that the University of Salford uses to make decisions on whether to make offers of acceptance onto the postgraduate research programmes.
This document provides guidance on how to write a research proposal, personal statement, and CV.
I PGR Proposal
We strongly encourage applicants to identify a potential supervisor and consult with them when developing the proposal. SEE Supervisors can be identified here: https://salfordrepository.worktribe.com/people?Surname=J&page=1
Where a potential supervisor supported the development of a proposal as coach or as mentor, the applicant should name the potential supervisor on the cover sheet (see template below)
The proposal:
• outlines a research project briefly (3000 words, +/- 500 words, excluding bibliography) and offers a research idea. This can be developed with the support of a proposed supervisor, but the applicant must write the proposal and use his/her own words.
• offers a clear, relevant, and original research goal/question; this may take the form of a hypothesis to be tested, or an open-ended enquiry.
• references literature carefully and correctly by applying a recognised referencing style (preferably APA) and it includes a reference list/bibliography (not part of the word-count).
• justifies which methodology(ies) should be applied in conjunction with the proposed research question. Note: for any bench-based proposals applicants are required to consult with academic supervisors to ensure that equipment and materials are available at the University of Salford However, details can be discussed prior to or after sending a proposal.
• demonstrates awareness about any ethical concerns that might arise in the proposed research project
• considers potential risks, pitfalls, and challenges and suggest how these can be overcome/avoided
• provides a provisional timeline of research To demonstrate this, a Gantt chart including tasks and milestones should be supplied.
Some of the elements above cannot be fully determined at the stage of writing a proposal. It is nevertheless necessary to have thought about these elements.
Presentation/Contents of Research Proposal
The research proposal includes the following:
The Proposal, Personal Statement and CV must be typed, set on a white background with black text. The applicant’s name should be added to the top of all three documents. A sans serif font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Verdana) is recommended. The font size should be 11pt. Images and graphics with captions can be included where needed.
• A cover page (see appendix below) containing: The name of the applicant
Name of potential supervisor (if applicable)
A note indicating if the potential supervisor contributed as mentor/coach to the development of this proposal
A (working) title
Date of submission (month/year)
Declaration of Originality: “By submitting my proposal here, I declare that: This proposal is my own. I am the sole author. The contribution of others (e.g. potential supervisor, literature, etc.) used in its completion has been duly acknowledged using a recognised style of referencing (preferably APA).”
Note: All proposals are submitted to Turnitin as part of the proposal evaluation process The proposal must be written by the applicant in its entirety and in their own words (i.e. declaration of originality). Applications not written by the applicant are not acceptable
• Abstract/Lay project summary (300 words maximum). The abstract briefly explains the essence of a project in lay terms. It also provides a contextual overview, background or project description.
• The review of relevant literature demonstrates an awareness of current discourses, challenges, themes, and/or debates. It also showcases that the context of the proposed research question is well understood. PhD proposals need to establish that the proposed project hasn’t been done before, and that it will contribute new knowledge within an area of study.
• Proposed research question(s), aims and objectives: This part outlines and justifies the research question(s), the aims (what is proposed?) and objectives (how will this be carried out?) and how this research proposal is original It is also important that the scope of the project is realistic and not over-ambitious, vague, or too broad. The project needs to be achievable within timescale of a PGR thesis
• Research Methodology/Experimental Design: Here, a clear outline is provided on which methods are proposed for data generation and analysis (laboratory-based or using other e.g., qualitative/quantitative methods). This part also includes awareness of potential ethical considerations and an awareness of potential risks.
• Timescale: An annotated timescale (Gantt chart) shows the schedule of studies and how each element of research follows a train of thought. This part doesn’t need to be very detailed as it may change later, but it’s essential that it was considered from the outset.
• Expected outcomes/impact/contribution to knowledge: Here, a consideration is given to what kinds of results the project hopes to achieve and/or how a research project might affect or impact its subject area.
• List of References/bibliography: In-text citations and a complete bibliography are required All academic referencing styles are eligible. The university of Salford prefers APA https://www.salford.ac.uk/skills/referencing/apa-7th-edition
II Guidance on Writing a Personal Statement
It is customary for universities to ask applicants for a personal statement. It is a way to understand the motivations, interests, experiences, and backgrounds of applicants. A personal statement should be no longer than 500 words and should fit on one page. The research proposal considers the viability of a research project, so that the personal statement provides insights to the interests and capabilities of the applicant. It is an opportunity to outline elements of a biography that are pertinent to conducting the research project The personal statement should include work, research experience, and/or transferrable skills relevant to the proposed research project. It should not include e.g. hobbies or reports on activities/experiences such as holidays and private matters.
Contents
When preparing the personal statement these elements can serve as guidelines:
Academic experience: technical and transferrable skills related to the proposed research project (software, equipment, etc.) publications, conference contributions or attendance. This part of the personal statement should match items listed in the CV and is an opportunity to, for example, outline key successes and capabilities.
Motivation and greater goals: What ‘greater plan’ motivated the application? What is the driving factor that led to the decision to apply for a research degree? Which career goals support the application?
Additional information: Any additional information relevant to the proposal. This may include relevant work experience, incl. volunteering and internships. This can be another opportunity to expand on elements included in the CV.
III Guidance on Writing an Academic Curriculum Vitae
The CV should be 1-2 page long (A4) and include this set of information
Personal details and Research degree applied for NOT required on this CV are age, gender, marital status, disability, date of birth, a photograph of the applicant, or national insurance number.
However, applicants applying for the Widening Participation Scholarship may wish to outline their eligibility here as well as in the personal statement All information provided is confidential.
Education/Merits/Awards
Here, degree qualifications/certificates, etc. are listed in reverse chronological order (i.e. most recent one first) including start and end dates. If relevant, titles and details of dissertations or other relevant research projects can be included.
Relevant Work Experience / Other Work Experience
A list of relevant work experience (in reverse chronological order including start and end dates) is very important. This can include paid and unpaid/voluntary work. This list should be succinct and targeted to the research project application A list of successes and achievements for each role is beneficial as well.
Skills
The CV can include a section that lists relevant skills. Skills that are needed to execute the proposed research project should be outlined here and in the personal statement.
IV Admission Process
Once we receive a proposal it can take up to 10 weeks to receive a conditional offer. We submit proposals to Turnitin for similarity check to ensure the proposal demonstrates academic rigour. After this, applicants are invited to attend an interview where they are asked to give a 10 min presentation about their proposal.
Once a study offer is made, additional checks are carried out after which a conditional offer is made. To commence studies, applicants must be provided with an unconditional offer. To receive this, a deposit must be made, and ATAS has to be received.
Thank you for considering Salford. We are looking forward to receiving your application.
PGR-Director Team
Tanja Poppelreuter (PGR-Director)
Uche Ogbonda (PGR Deputy Director, Admissions and Recruitment)
Zeljka Krpetic (PGR Deputy Director, Training and Development)
Appendices
The document below serves as a template for the PGR Proposal. All sections in red should be deleted or replaced by text.
PhD/MPhil/MSc Research Proposal [delete degree as appropriate]
School of Science Engineering and Environment
University of Salford
Proposal Title
Proposal Subtitle [if required]
Author: [Name and surname]
Proposal-writing coach/mentor: [Names and surnames, if applicable]
Declaration of Originality:
By submitting my proposal here, I declare that: This proposal is my own. I am the sole author. The contribution of others (e.g. potential supervisor, literature, etc.) used in its completion has been duly acknowledged using a recognised style of referencing (preferably APA).
