Pre-application information
We will be running two ‘Demystifying the PhD Application Process’ webinars in December 2025. We will talk about our application process for both the UNRISK CDT and YES•DTN followed by a Q&A session with current postgraduate students. The webinars are scheduled for:
- Thursday 4 December, 14:30 – 16:30 (GMT)
- Thursday 11 December, 10:00 – 11:30 (GMT)
If you would like to attend one of our webinars, please register to attend using the buttons below. Both webinars are exactly the same, so you only need to attend one.
Webinar #1: 4 December Registration
Webinar #2: 11 December Registration
You can watch the recording of the webinars from 2025 and 2024 here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What funding is available?
UNRISK will offer around 40 fully funded PhD positions (around 12-15 per year over three cohorts). Funding covers university fees, a maintenance grant, as well as research and training costs.
I’m an international applicant – am I eligible for funding?
Applications are open to UK and international applicants, although the number of awards for international applicants is limited by UKRI rules. Due to the small number of places available for international applicants these are extremely competitive.
- We cover all your university fees as well (regardless of home-international fee difference)
- We cannot cover costs associated with relocation to the UK which you may incur, e.g. accommodation, travel, student visa, health surcharge.
- See the UK Govt. website for more information on student visas (including costs) and the health surcharge. You can also get in touch with the Student Visa Advice service at the University of Leeds.
Some additional places are also available for students who have their own funding, such as scholarships, and whose research is closely aligned with UNRISK.
Do I need to have an English Language qualification in place before applying?
No, you can apply without having completed an English Language qualification. We expect that the best students at interview will demonstrate an appropriate level of English and we would be unlikely to appoint someone where this was in doubt. If offered a place (in March), you must have the required English Language qualification in time to register for the start of the programme in October – otherwise you will not be able to take up the studentship.
Can I design my own project?
No, unless you are self-funded. UNRISK offers a coherent programme of research topics that have been designed to span the full range of research challenges related to climate uncertainty and risk. However, you can discuss with potential supervisors whether the projects they are advertising can be shaped in any way. We encourage these discussions.
Can I join the UNRISK CDT if I have my own funding?
We can accept a small number of students on the programme if they bring their own funding. Your project would need to be co-designed with a member of academic staff in one of the UNRISK departments or schools and approved by the UNRISK Director. Your application would also need to be at a comparable level to other students who are appointed.
Do I need a Masters degree?
No. See entry requirements. A Masters degree may enable you to demonstrate a higher level of relevant academic experience than just a Bachelor degree. However, in evaluating applications we consider your full profile of skills and competencies that are relevant to the PhD project. Make sure you emphasise and evidence your depth of knowledge and the relevance of your skills in your application.
What if I am unable to discuss the project with the supervisor ahead of my application?
We appreciate this can happen, especially if you discover the PhD opportunity quite late. Making contact with potential supervisors will enable you to write as strong and relevant an application as possible. However, the application questions can still be answered thoroughly without these discussions. We advise you to make contact as soon as possible after submission because there will be a few days before the supervisor receives the applications from the UNRISK team.
Should I apply to two projects?
You should only select a second-choice project if you are genuinely interested in it.
Can I apply if I already have a PhD?
No, applicants who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered.
Can I study part-time on this programme?
If you are a UK student eligible for Home fees you can study part-time.
However please note that some of the UNRISK residential events last for a full week, so for those periods you would need to arrange to be present in person for a full week. There will only be a handful of these events during the programme, mostly during the first year.
International students are unable to work if studying part-time on a student visa, so this option is not viable for international students.
