How to Apply

*Important Notes:

We welcome top quality applications all year round. You are encouraged to apply for March, June or December but preferably September intake for induction purposes. To ensure you will be able to register on your intended date, please submit your application at least 2 months in advance. If you are applying for a PhD scholarship, please refer to each scholarship's deadline. Students applying for the Faculty of Business, please click here.

2019 Application Deadlines and Registration Dates

	Application Deadlines	Registration Dates
Mar Entry	14 Jan 2019	14 Mar 2019
Jun Entry	14 Apr 2019	14 Jun 2019
Sep Entry	14 Jul 2019	14 Sept 2019
Dec Entry	13 Oct 2019	13 Dec 2019

Step 1: Application Preparation

Applicants are strongly advised to prepare a detailed research proposal. You are encouraged to work and refine your proposal with the potential UNNC supervisor, who are listed on the website of each department/school. Your research proposal will also be used in assessing your application.

Step 2: Submit an Application

Please email scanned copies of the following documents to PHDadmissions@nottingham.edu.cn

A completed application form (all fields filled)
Copies of degree certificates for undergraduate and postgraduate studies with English translation (Xueli certificates are required too for applicants from Chinese universities). Applicants who obtained degrees from a Chinese university can provide the “online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate” in English obtained from China Higher Education Student Information (CHSI中国高等教育学生信息网) as an alternative of the English translation.
Official transcripts with marks for all individual modules/courses from undergraduate and postgraduate studies (with official university stamp)
Two references must be emailed to PHDAdmissions@nottingham.edu.cn directly by the referees and it’s the applicant’s responsibility to notify referees in advance.
English Language test score report (IELTS/PTE academic etc.) if applicable (not required for native English speakers).
A research proposal (For Ed.D applicants, one academic writing is required instead of research proposal).
A copy of passport (international applicants) or ID card (Chinese nationals, both sides of Chinese ID cards required).
An electronic copy of passport-sized photo taken within three months of this application.
A brief CV (required for Ed.D applicants only).
A Personal Statement (required for Faculty of Business applicants only)
A copy of your Masters’ dissertation, or a published paper or conference paper, or a sample of your writing work (required for International Studies applicants only).
Any supporting documents to demonstrate the research potential, if applicable, e.g. published papers, conference papers, patents, etc.

All documents must be in English except the copy of Chinese national ID. If original documents are not in English, a translated English version is required in addition to the original one. An application missing any of these document (except for English language score) is incomplete and will not be considered.

Please quote the scholarship reference number in your application form if you are applying for any UNNC scholarship.

Step 3: After Application Submission

A confirmation email will be sent to you after receiving the application
Graduate School checks if the basic entry requirements are met and the application is complete.
Relevant academic departments/schools assess applications and make decisions.
Graduate School will email you about the programme application result 5-6 weeks after your full application is received. If you apply for a UNNC scholarship, the result will be released via a separate letter 5-6 weeks after scholarship deadline.

Step 4: Admission and Registration

Faculty of Business (FoB) have different requirements, please check FoB website for details.
Graduate School will email you about registration information before the start date.
Registration in person is required on the start date.
A compulsory induction programme will follow the registration.