Three Key Things You Need for a Fully Funded PhD Position: A Student’s Perspective!

If you love research and want to pursue a PhD in your respective field at a good place, then this article is for you. These days a lot of people want to pursue a PhD but the process confuses them a lot. It’s becoming more and more competitive with time to get to a good place. Meanwhile, if you do not have proper guidance, then you might have to go through a lot of hit and trial, which costs you a lot of time. I have been through the process as well, and I know how challenging and tiring it could be. And since I’ve been receiving lots of questions about this, I have decided to share it in the form of an article. If you’re hoping to get a PhD at a top university with full funding, there are a few things you’ll need to focus on. Keep in mind, though, that each university has its process, so you’ll have to customize your application for each one.

Also, I’m no expert—this is just based on my personal experience. I’m sharing what worked for me, and I hope it helps you too. There’s a big difference between applying for a master’s and a PhD, but some parts overlap. So, do not worry if you are a master’s student, this article will still be quite useful for you.

Here’s my advice on how you can secure a funded PhD at a university of your choice with funding.

What It Takes to Get a PhD Admission

In my experience, getting a fully funded PhD spot takes a little bit of everything. First, make sure you truly enjoy research. PhD work is intense, and it’s hard to stay motivated without genuine interest. If research isn’t something that excites you, maybe reconsider a PhD.

Besides passion, you’ll need a solid academic background, strong writing skills, and good guidance along the way from anyone you think can. You should have a good knowledge of your field and be able to answer questions asked in an interview. Similarly, having a strong CV, and putting effort into your application materials, like the statement of purpose (SOP) and cover letter, will help a lot. Many programs may also ask for an English test score, like TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS.

Three Key Things to Focus on!

After talking to so many aspiring PhD students, I noticed that most people are missing at least one of these three essentials. In my opinion, if you have all these 3 things, then getting a PhD in a good university is just a matter of time. Although other parts are important as well, I could tell this when I looked at my CV that these 3 things were the backbone of my CV. So through each of these.

1. Relevant Research Experience and Skills

The first thing you need is relevant research experience in your field. Without strong research skills, it will be tough for you to get into a good university with full funding. By “relevant skills,” I mean practical, hands-on experience that applies to your field. Having an unrelated skill might be of no use. For example, if you are a biochemistry student, lab skills, like PCR, microscopy, and genetic sequencing might be of great help. Similarly, If you are a computer science student, then programming languages like Python, R, and SQL might be your relevant skills. 

Having experience with surveys or interviews is useful, along with software skills in programs like SPSS or NVivo for data analysis might work for someone with social sciences. Similarly, if you are an ecology student, then R, SPSS, Arcmap, and QGIS might be of great help to you. 

If you learn these skills during your master’s program, that’s great. If not, consider taking time to develop them after your master’s. Having the right skills shows you’re prepared for PhD research and can strengthen your application.

2. Research Publications

Top universities look for applicants with published research. Many of the students I’ve spoken with are interested in PhDs but don’t have any publications, which does hold them back. I recommend having at least two publications in good journals (definitely avoid low-quality or “predatory” journals). If you’re new to publishing, start with research notes or review papers.

Some universities even have a list of journals they accept publications from. Getting published in a good journal boosts your application and helps you stand out. In my case, I had my first paper published during the first semester of my master’s degree in a Nature journal (IF: 37) and it strengthened my application. Start making connections and get some guidance from your teachers or supervisors in getting at least a few publications to strengthen your application.

3. Strong Letters of Recommendation

Good recommendation letters are a must. Most universities ask for two or three recommendations, and these can be game-changers. Admissions committees and supervisors take these letters seriously because they show an outsider’s view of your strengths, character, and research potential.

It’s best if your recommenders are people who know you well and can speak to your academic and research abilities. Professors, research supervisors, or mentors who’ve worked closely with you are ideal for this. Contact your recommenders well in advance, explain your goals and share materials like your CV and SOP. This way, they can write detailed, positive letters that truly help you.

Common Mistakes Most People Make While Applying!

While interacting with a lot of students and being a student myself as well, I could tell that we make a lot of mistakes. Sometimes, it might look like a small thing, but it has a great impact on your application. So, here are the most common mistakes that you might make while working on your application. 

1. You apply to a few universities:

   So, the first mistake that students make is they apply to very few universities and then expect to get selected easily. I am not saying you cannot, but the chances are very low. So go and apply to as many as universities possible. It’s very common for people to apply to a lot of universities and then receive replies from a few of them. Sometimes, a supervisor might not respond to your emails or select you because of reasons that are neither in their control nor yours. So, do not take it personally. 

2. Taking Rejections personally:

   As I said it’s not necessary that a supervisor might reject you because you are too bad at it. Most of the time, they will get a student who might be slightly better than you. That does not mean that you are not good at all. Moreover, different countries have different rules and regulations regarding research and funding issues. So they might not take students from particular countries. For example, I once saw a post where a supervisor was looking for a PhD student but from the US only, as their fieldwork was mainly to be carried out in a defense area and they did not want to take students from other countries for security reasons. So, in situations like these, it’s never your fault. Although, I will recommend you to always improve yourself as you might be lacking something as well, do not take the rejections personally. 

3. Use AI to write SOPs etc:

   AI is a good tool, but you need to use it smartly. You cannot just go and ask AI to write you an SOP or a cover letter. Remember, your application must have a personal touch and do not use tough English words. Be as simple as you can with the usage of words. Ultimately, your motive is to convey your message. A lot of supervisors use AI detectors to detect AI and they might just reject you straight if your SOP etc is entirely made from AI. 

4. Applying to unrelated projects:

   Remember, your CV must back your application. If you have skills and expertise in one field, and then apply to another field, it will be very difficult to get selected. For instance, if your skillset is in ecology and then apply to a cancer biology PhD position, then you might be rejected easily without having a lot of experience. So, remember, your application must be backed up by your skills. 

5. Applying for shorter periods:

   So, what I have seen is that we want good things to come to us easily in a short time. Sometimes, you might get what you want in a shorter time, but most of the time it does not. So, give yourself some time and apply to as many as places possible. If you are not selected in one year, go and get some experience and then apply again. So, you should not just apply few months and then feel like you are lagging now. Keep applying if you are interested in research and want to go where you want. It’s just a matter of time. Some people will get it easily while others might have to wait a little longer. 

Conclusion

If you’ve got these three things—research skills, publications, and strong recommendations—you’re well on your way to a funded PhD. But remember, everyone’s journey is different. Some people get accepted quickly, while others take longer. Don’t let that discourage you and do not compare yourself with others. Apply to a lot of positions (tens of them) to improve your chances, and make sure your CV and application materials are attractive.

Take the time to create a strong CV, even if it takes a month to prepare. Remember, your CV is a snapshot of your entire life so you should not hurry making it. Make sure your SOP is clear, honest, and shows your interest, and that your cover letter explains why you’re a great fit for the program. In Australia, I have seen a lot of people often start their PhDs only when they feel ready, so give yourself time to grow and don’t rush. I hope this advice helps you! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to help. Good luck, and don’t give up!