Writing your PhD research proposal

What is a PhD research proposal?

Crafting a clear research proposal is an important part of your application. At its core, an effective research proposal outlines the what, why and how of your proposed study.

For potential supervisors, your proposal provides an important opportunity for them to understand your knowledge of the academic discipline, approach to research and to assess your ability to plan a programme of work that is coherent, meaningful and feasible.

It's your opportunity to articulate your research aim(s)/question(s), discuss their significance and contributions to the existing academic discipline and practice and chart the approach you intend to take. 

Your research proposal must be original and written by you.

We're here to guide you through the process of writing an effective research proposal that not only piques the interest of prospective supervisors but also sets the stage for novel and meaningful research.  

Research proposal statements for named PhD projects

This page provides guidance on proposing your own research. If you are applying for a named PhD project, you will need to detail your knowledge of the research area, how you would approach the project, a brief review of relevant literature, reflect on what you bring to the project and how your future career will be shaped by it.

Proposal preparation 

You don’t need to have all the answers yet, but you need to think about these elements: 

Also think about: 

• How does your research project fit with the interests of potential supervisors and the wider School, College and University? 
• Why are you the best person to carry out this project? Reflect on your strengths and qualities and describe how they will help you conduct this work. Why is Aston the best place to come to? How will this help you to develop further? 

You will not necessarily write about these final two issues in your proposal (although you will do so in the main application form), but you must consider these in the development to improve your chances of having your application accepted.  

Structure 

Title of the project

The title should be clear and succinct and should clearly communicate the focus and discipline of your research. 

Research aims and objectives

Set out the research aims/questions of your project.

Explain why these aims/questions are important, briefly outlining recent research in this area, outstanding gaps in knowledge, and why it is important to fill these gaps with new research (your research). 

Literature review

Provide a brief critical review of key contemporary literature informing your research aims/questions. This review should further develop the rationale for, and theoretical underpinning of, your proposed study.

Where relevant, this may include the development of more specific hypotheses you wish to test as part of your study.   

Data and methodology

Outline the methodological approach you intend to use and why. 

Indicate what data (if any) you plan to collect and how, including any ethical and practical considerations (e.g. access). 

Briefly discuss your proposed approach to data analysis including any software or tools you may plan to use.

Timeline

Outline the various stages of the project, including data collection or fieldwork, corresponding to the time available for the project (usually three years for a full-time and four to six years for a part-time PhD, including writing-up).

Budget and resources

Identify and justify the required resources, such as equipment, materials and travel expenses.

References

Presented consistently, in a standard and consistent format. 

Appendices (if applicable)

Include supplementary materials, such as survey questionnaires, interview protocols, or additional data.

Your research proposal should be no longer than 1000 - 1500 words (not including references).