Practical note: for many Durham research studentships (including thematic schemes such as the “Global Grand Challenges” studentships), the studentship description explicitly states whether it covers “home and overseas fees” and details the stipend amount. Always treat the studentship advert as the contract and save a PDF.

The living stipend: realistic expectations (money matters)

A lot of applicants ask: “How much will I actually have to live on?” The UKRI minimum stipend is a useful benchmark. UKRI increased the minimum stipend to £20,780 per year from 1 October 2025 (this is the national reference and many universities — including Durham for UKRI-matched studentships — use it as the baseline).

• This stipend is tax-free and intended to cover accommodation, food, transport, and modest scholarly activity.

• Some Durham studentships provide small additional research allowances or top-ups, and cost of living in Durham (a smaller city) is typically lower than London — but plan conservatively if you support family members back home or plan long fieldwork trips.

Who is eligible — the short list

Durham runs many studentship strands; general eligibility tends to include:

• Academic qualifications: A strong bachelor’s and a relevant master’s degree (or strong evidence of equivalent research experience). Many studentships request a Master’s with substantial research components (dissertation or research project).

• Research fit: Your topic must fit supervisor expertise and departmental priorities; misfit is the most common early rejection cause.

• Funding-specific rules: Some funds require residency or nationality conditions (rare for Durham’s university-wide studentships, but possible for external-partner awards). Always read the eligibility section carefully.

• English language: You may be exempt from formal English tests if you completed a recent degree taught in English in a recognized country/institution — but you must supply evidence (a Medium-of-Instruction letter or transcript statement). Durham’s published entry rules explain accepted evidence and exemptions.

IELTS waiver cases — what actually works

Durham accepts that not every competent candidate has an IELTS score. The university’s online guidance says you may not need to prove English if you completed an equivalent qualification in certain countries or institutions; elsewhere a pre-sessional course is offered. The practical steps that reliably convince Durham to waive an IELTS requirement are:

1. Medium-of-Instruction (MoI) letter from your university explicitly stating that your degree was delivered and assessed in English. The letter should be on official letterhead and dated.

2. Transcripts or module handbooks showing assessment language.

3. Academic publications or long academic reports in English (if you have them, attach them).

4. Supervisor/Referee confirmation that you worked and wrote in English during your master’s research.

If you can assemble two or three of the items above, you improve your odds of getting an IELTS exemption — but the final decision is with admissions. If Durham requires the language test, you can usually complete an approved SELT (e.g., IELTS Academic for UKVI, PTE Academic, or LanguageCert).

How Durham selects students — what reviewers look for

Admissions panels and departmental leads read applications with three filters in mind:

1. Intellectual fit: Is the research question original, clearly framed, and aligned with departmental strengths?

2. Feasibility: Can the research be completed in the funded timeframe and budget? Does the applicant know the methods and contexts required?

3. Track record & potential: Do referees, prior work, and the applicant’s CV demonstrate capacity for independent research?

If you want to make reviewers smile, do two things well: (a) produce a focused proposal (avoid “global” ambitions that lack focus); and (b) show you’ve thought through fieldwork/logistics and ethics.

Step-by-step application guide (practical, from zero to submission)

Below is a detailed, chronological playbook. If you’re a beginner, follow this exactly.

Phase 0 — Preparation (2–6 months before application deadlines)

1. Decide on a research area (2–4 weeks)

   • Read recent Durham staff publications, departmental research themes, and recent PhD theses (available on Durham’s library repository). You want to write a title and short statement of intent before contacting potential supervisors.

2. Shortlist potential supervisors (2–4 weeks)

   • Use departmental staff pages. Make a list of 6–10 academics whose recent publications overlap with your interests. Look beyond big names: mid-career lecturers with active PhD supervision budgets are often more receptive.

3. Polish your CV & academic writing sample (2 weeks)

   • CV: 2 pages max, academic style (education first, then research).

   • Writing sample: 3–8 pages (a dissertation chapter or journal article). If you don’t have publications, polish a master’s dissertation excerpt.

4. Draft a 1–2 page research proposal (2–3 weeks)

   • Title, background, 3–4 research questions, method, timeline (year 1, year 2, year 3), and a short ethics/fieldwork paragraph.

5. Collect evidence for English language exemption (if needed)

   • Request a Medium-of-Instruction letter from your previous university at least 6 weeks before the deadline.

Phase 1 — Contacting supervisors (best practice)

Email template (short, polite, and tailored):

Subject: Prospective PhD student — [Your short project title] — funding enquiry
Dear Dr/Mr/Ms [Surname],
I hope you are well. My name is [Your name], and I hold an [MA/MSc] in [field] from [University]. My proposed PhD research is titled “[Short title]” and will investigate [one-line description]. I’m particularly interested in your work on [paper or theme], and I think [brief link to their work]. I have attached a 1–page proposal, my CV (2 pages), and a 3–page writing sample. I would be grateful to know whether you are currently taking students for 2026 entry and whether you think my topic could align with your supervision and any available studentship funding.
Kind regards,
[Name] | [Phone] | [LinkedIn or ORCID]

Key tips:

• Personalize each email with a sentence that references an exact paper and a sentence that explains why your topic complements their work.

• Attach only 3 files (CV, 1-page proposal, sample). Longer files get ignored.

Phase 2 — Preparing the formal application (portal submission)

When you’re ready to apply:

1. Use Durham’s online application portal. Fill in personal details, degree history, and upload documents. Save often and name files clearly (e.g., CV_Lastname.pdf).

2. Write a long research proposal (4–6 pages) for the application (expand the 1–2 page prospectus). Include: background, literature, gap, research questions, theoretical framing, methods, detailed timeline, budget estimate for fieldwork, and ethics considerations.

3. SOP/Personal statement (1–2 pages) — connect your biography to your topic: what personal or professional experience motivates you, how your background gives you a unique lens, and what you plan to do with the PhD afterwards.

4. Reference letters — Two academic referees are typical. Ask early and provide a concise brief (bullet points) so referees describe research aptitude and independence.

5. English exemption documentation (if applicable) — upload MoI letter and any supporting documents.

Phase 3 — After submission (interview, funding interviews, timeline)

1. If shortlisted you may be invited for an interview with the department or scholarship panel. This is usually a 30–60 minute conversation on your proposal and feasibility. Prepare to defend your methodology and timeline.

2. If offered a studentship, read the offer carefully — it will state stipend amount, fee coverage, start date, and obligations (annual reviews, teaching duties, and progression milestones). Some studentships require you to start in September/October.

Writing a strong research proposal — structure & examples

A high-quality proposal has clarity, researchable questions, and feasible methods. Below is a recommended structure with short examples that would fit Law & Politics themes relevant to Africa/Asia.

Recommended structure (4–6 pages)

1. Title (concise, focused)
   Example: “Transnational Arbitration and Access to Justice: Corporate Land Disputes in Ghana and Uganda.”

2. Abstract (150–200 words)

   • Short summary of problem, question, methods, and contribution.

3. Background & literature (500–700 words)

   • Map the key debates; identify the gap your study addresses.

4. Research questions / objectives (150–300 words)

   • 2–4 clear, answerable questions.

5. Methodology (700–1000 words)

   • Mixed methods? Comparative case studies? Legal doctrinal analysis + interviews? Explain sampling, data sources, and analysis techniques.

6. Feasibility & timeline (300–400 words)

   • Year-by-year plan, including fieldwork months and ethics approval timeline.

7. Budget & ethics (200–400 words)

   • Small table of estimated travel, transcription, and local research costs. State ethical approvals required.

8. Bibliography (up to 2 pages)

Example research question cluster for politics/law:

• How do domestic courts in [country A] and [country B] interpret international human rights verdicts?

• What institutional barriers affect the domestic implementation of regional human rights jurisprudence?

• How do legal aid organizations adapt strategies under restricted civic space?

Statement of Purpose (SOP) — quick, persuasive formula

Use four short paragraphs:

1. Hook & motivation (story) — Why this matters to you.

2. Academic & professional preparedness — Key achievements and skills.

3. Research plan — One paragraph summarizing what you’ll study and why it fits Durham.

4. Impact & fit — How Durham’s supervisors, methods, or centres (e.g., the Centre for Law & Society) will help and what you plan to do after.

Sample SOP opening (2 sentences):

Growing up in Lagos, I watched land-disputes quietly erode smallholder livelihoods; as a lawyer in Abuja I represented petitioners in public interest litigation. These experiences convinced me that rigorous comparative research on adjudication pathways can influence fairer land policy — the focus of my proposed PhD.

Common mistakes applicants make — and how to avoid them

1. Submitting a scattershot proposal — Keep questions narrow and methods matched. Avoid “I will study everything.”

2. Ignoring supervisor fit — If the supervisor’s work doesn’t overlap, your application will be weaker. Cite a supervisor’s specific article in your proposal.

3. Late referee requests — Ask referees early and give them a one-page summary to annotate.

4. Poor English evidence handling — If you want an IELTS waiver, upload the Medium-of-Instruction letter and an explanatory cover note. Don’t assume admissions will find it on your transcript alone.

5. Underestimating ethics and fieldwork logistics — Explain permissions and realistic timelines; if fieldwork is in conflict areas, explain contingency plans.

Real-world examples & use cases (what past students do next)

Durham PhD graduates from Law & Politics typically enter:

• Academic tracks (lectureships in Africa/Asia/Europe)

• Policy & think tanks (UN agencies, AU, ECOWAS, national ministries)

• Legal practice & public interest law (NGO legal units, international law firms)

• Research institutes / consultancy (policy advisory roles in development banks or donor agencies)

A well-crafted PhD that embeds fieldwork in home countries often provides immediate visibility to national policymakers — making your research both academically valuable and practically influential.

Ethics, fieldwork, and safety — practical guidance for Africa & Asia researchers

• Ethics approvals: Start Durham ethics paperwork early (often after admission but before fieldwork). Your proposal should include an ethics paragraph describing consent, anonymity, and data storage.

• Local permissions: Identify gatekeepers (ministries, councils) and estimate time for official letters.

• Safety & contingency: If working in fragile contexts, include remote interviewing options and clear contingency budgets.

Table — timeline & checklist for a first-time applicant (12 months plan)