Selection Process

1. Application Stage 

All applications are submitted via the online application portal and screened by the E5 admissions team to check eligibility criteria and completeness. Only complete and valid applications will be screened and only one application per candidate will be considered.

2. Supervisor Selection 

Supervisors review all applications and select up to 4 candidates from their pool of applicants (both Home and International). The Widening Participation panel may propose that a supervisor includes in their nomination a candidate for consideration where relevant. 

3. Shortlisting Panels 

Shortlisting panels review all candidates nominated by supervisors and recommended by the Widening Participation Panel, scoring each applicant on their application form, academic CV, transcripts, and references. Panel members do not see any Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) information or the Widening Participation forms submitted by applicants. Each applicant is independently scored by three panel members. 

4. Interviews 

The top 60-70 applicants are then invited for an interview which focuses on past research, future research and a wider discussion of science, its purpose and how best to do it. The interview is scored completely separately from the written application. 

5. Studentships Offers 

The top applicants are offered a place based on their combined score (written application and interview) and some other considerations (Widening Participation, gender balance). Any first supervisor can only have one student appointed.