Arts & Humanities vs STEM PhD Applications – What’s the Difference?

The process of applying for a PhD can vary hugely depending on the discipline you’re interested in and what kind of project you choose to apply for.

Whereas pre-designed projects are very common in STEM subjects, it’s much more common for applicants in the Arts & Humanities to propose their own research idea. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the main differences between the two.

Apply for an Arts or Humanities PhD

If you’re applying for a PhD in the Arts or Humanities, it’s more likely that you’ll be proposing your own research project. Once you’ve decided on a topic you’d like to research, you’ll need to find and contact a supervisor. You’ll need an academic to agree to supervise your project before you can submit an application.

PhD applications are usually made directly to the university department you’ll be studying at. You’ll generally need to submit a research proposal, cover letter, CV, transcripts, references and a writing sample.

In terms of funding, things can be a little more complicated than for STEM applications. There are some UKRI studentships available for self-proposed PhD projects, which will cover your full tuition and living costs. It’s common for students to say they’d like to be considered for whatever studentships the university has access to when completing their main application, meaning you won’t have to apply for funding separately. Occasionally, you may be required to submit a separate funding application once you’ve been accepted as a PhD student – your supervisor can help you with this.

UKRI funding is competitive, and many students will need to find alternative sources of funding. As for self-funded STEM applicants, students looking to fund an Arts and Humanities PhD will generally do this through the UK government’s doctoral loan combined with a university scholarship, funding from charities and trusts or part-time work.

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