How to Apply
The overall application process is described here: Application Process.
All applicants to UNRISK must complete and submit both a standard University of Leeds online application form (Leeds OLA) for administrative purposes and an UNRISK-specific form, regardless of whether your intended PhD is at Leeds, UCL or Exeter.
All forms must be submitted ahead of the deadline. Late applications cannot be accepted.
Please note that the standard Leeds OLA requests some information that is not required by UNRISK (namely, a research proposal, personal statement and references). Guidance on completing the OLA when applying to UNRISK is provided in Step 1.
Step 1 – Complete the OLA
Complete and submit the University of Leeds online application form (OLA). This will generate your unique Student ID (SID) which is needed for Step 3.
Content and guidance on completing the Leeds OLA form
You MUST select “NERC UNRISK CDT” as your “Planned Course of Study” in the OLA.
If you don’t, we will be unable to find your application in the system as we will not be able to identify it among thousands of applications for other programmes.
Once you have completed your University of Leeds online application (UoL OLA) you should receive an email confirmation which is automatically generated within 24 hours of you submitting your application. This email will be sent from [email protected]. Please check your email’s junk or spam folders if you think you have not received this email.
The confirmation email will provide you with:
- Login ID: Your login ID
- Web Login PIN: Your login PIN
- Student ID: Your 9-digit SID
- Applicant name: Your name
- Degree: NERC UNRISK CDT Understanding Uncertainty to Reduce Climate (PHP-ERSK-FT)
- Term: 202627
The information in the confirmation email allows you to manage your University of Leeds OLA via our application portal. You can view the status of your application and add further documents via the application portal.
Step 2 – Supporting documents
Required documents include:
- Copies of your degree certificates and transcripts (including official translations where these aren’t in English).
- Provisional transcripts if you are currently studying.
- Any English language test results (if taken).
All documents should be in English, or be accompanied by a certified translation into English.
If not submitted as part of the Leeds OLA, documents can be emailed to the Admissions team ([email protected]) after you have submitted your application. All emails to the Admissions team must include:
- Your Student ID (emailed to you on submission of your application)
- Your full name
- Your intended course of study (UNRISK CDT)
Please do not send original documents at the application stage, and only provide documents via email.
If you are not a native English speaker, please ensure you have checked the English language requirements for the University and School your project will be based in. Any studentship offers will be conditional on you meeting the minimum English language requirements (if not already met).
Step 3 – Complete the UNRISK application form
After you have completed the standard Leeds OLA and have your student ID number, you should then complete and submit the UNRISK application form (combined CV and structured personal statement). You can select up to two projects you would like to be considered for. Please put your preferred project as ‘Project 1’.
You do not need to provide your own personal statement, CV or academic references.
Details of the structured personal statement which forms part of the UNRISK application form are available as part of the Application Process.
