Hello All,

I have submitted an application to my preferred university for a PhD placement. I have spoken to my potential supervisor and she is happy for me to apply however she is not sure whether she can get me any funding yet. She will not know until after I have (hopefully) been offered an interview and a place on the course. She will then start looking for funding for me.

However, there is another PhD studentship available at the same university which has guaranteed funding. The deadline is tomorrow and I have my application all ready to go but I am worried that applying for two different PhDs at the same university will be frowned upon & I will jeopardise my chances of getting either? Does anyone know whether it is acceptable to apply for two PhD's at the same university?

I can not do a PhD without funding so obviously I want to apply for the one with guaranteed funding incase I can't get funding for the first one. Both PhD's are within psychology but very different areas (they are both in research areas I am equally passionate about but I worry that the selectors will not know that & just think I am applying for any?).

I'd really appreciate any advice before I submit my second application.

Thank you :-)

I would apply, absolutely. Showing you're determined to do a phd can only speak well of you. With funding so tenuous and studentships so competitive, no one should reasonably expect you to put all your eggs in one basket. Get in there!

Thank you for the quick response & the reassurance. I'll submit my application tonight :)

I agree it shouldn't be a problem. I did a similar thing myself (and did get an offer from one of the applications), with so much competition for funding, most people will be applying for any available opportunities related to their area of interest, supervisors will understand this.

Anyway, if the 2 PhDs are not in exactly the same department/research group, it's entirely possible no one will even notice you've applied twice :)

hi psychgrad, another piece of advice, dont leave it til the last minute to apply coz they'll ignore your application. people who apply early have a better chance of getting an interview. I know this by getting some feedback from a few places i got rejected where they didnt even consider my application. good luck, fingers crossed!!