Hi thanks for your replies
When you're applying for funding from funding bodies they require a proposal. Also, some universities welcome PhD applications but require a proposal too.
I'll check out the OU - thanks!

I've just finished my honours degree (I'm in the UK) and I'm hoping I'll get a 1st. I've also already had a paper published. I've been looking for PhD studentships to apply for but haven't had any luck.

I have a couple of ideas for research but I've not got a focused direction in that I'd be able to write a proposal. My tutors aren't any help because they don't have PhDs themselves and have no experience in writing proposals. I'm feeling kinda unsupported in this. I want to do a PhD really bad but need help in getting a proposal together. Any ideas on where I should go from here?

Thanks!