How to write a PGR research proposal
You will need to submit a research proposal with your PhD application. This is crucial in the assessment of your application and it warrants plenty of time and energy.
The research proposal is a key part of the assessment of your application. Your submission should be no more than 1,500 words in total (including references), formatted in Times New Roman, size 12 font. Please provide a word count with your submission. If over length, the submission will be returned to you.
You are welcome to discuss your ideas with a prospective supervisor; however, the proposal itself must be your own original work, written in your own words. Although research proposals can be structured in different ways, they typically include the following elements:
Title
A clear working title for your research project that expresses its essence well.
Overview of the research
An introduction where you identify the subject of your research in relation to theoretical contributions/hypothesis and relevant empirical applications, explaining why the project is important and highlighting why you wish to pursue this project.
Please also add a short paragraph stating why you want to apply to the School of Education, Environment and Development (SEED) at the University of Manchester, and how your research links to at least one of the four research priority themes:
- Global inequalities
- Cities and infrastructure
- Environmental change and sustainability
- Digital methods, perspectives, solutions; and/or the work of a specific research group
Positioning of the research
A short review of relevant literature and theories (or hypotheses) relating to your proposed research area, showing that you clearly understand the key arguments that have been developed and the ideas and findings of key researchers working on the topic. This should also demonstrate your familiarity with the subject area, and your ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely.
Research design and methodology
- A summary of the central aims and questions that will guide your research.
- An outline of the research methods you propose to use, explaining how you will conduct your research, and a justification of those. Also consider perceived challenges, and how these may be overcome, plus a short timeline.
Ethical considerations
- You should identify and address any potential ethical considerations in relation to your proposed research. Please discuss your research with your proposed supervisor to see how best to progress your ideas in line with University of Manchester ethics guidance, and ensure that your proposed supervisor is happy for you to proceed with your application.
References
- Include a bibliography highlighting the key references that you have drawn on in the proposal (this does not count towards the 1500 words).
Supervisors
It is strongly advised that you contact your desired PGR supervisor beforehand and discuss your proposed research with them. Please note that contact can only be informal, and no decision can be made on your application until it is submitted and processed through the Humanities Doctoral Academy.
If an academic is interested in supervising your project, make sure to include their name on your application form.
Flexibility
You will not be forced to follow the proposal exactly once you have started to study. It is normal for applicants to refine their original proposal, in light of detailed literature review, further consideration of research approaches and comments received from your supervisors (and other academic staff).
Plagiarism and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your research proposal should reflect your individual academic thinking. While generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT and similar) may seem useful, applicants are strongly advised not to rely on AI-generated content. Proposals that show limited independent thought or depend heavily on descriptive, AI-produced text are unlikely to be successful.
You are expected to demonstrate:
- A clear and original research idea
- Critical engagement with relevant literature
- Awareness of the broader academic context
- A well-reasoned approach to your proposed study
If AI tools are used (e.g. for background research or idea development), they must be used sparingly, and any content drawn from them must be:
- Critically evaluated
- Clearly acknowledged and cited according to academic referencing standards
Presenting AI-generated content as your own without appropriate attribution is considered plagiarism and will be treated as academic misconduct.
The University uses plagiarism detection tools as part of its assessment process. Your final proposal should reflect your own planning, reasoning, and academic voice. While it is natural for research proposals to build on prior studies or existing literature, it is essential that the work you submit is entirely your own and properly referenced.
Pitfalls to avoid
Applicants who meet the academic requirements but have not produced a satisfactory research proposal will be unsuccessful, therefore:
- Make sure that your research idea, question or problem is very clearly stated and well-grounded in academic research.
- Make sure that your proposal is well focused and conforms exactly to the submission requirements described here.
- Poorly specified, jargon-filled or rambling proposals will not convince us that you have a clear idea of what you want to do.