Thank you Abababa for putting a Supervisor’s perspective which was really helpful. I hope to attend the interview and see what happens. Thanks again.

Thanks Rewt! and sorry for responding late. I'm not very sure and I can't prove but the way he has been so silent lately has unfortunately led me to believe that perhaps he has lost interest after the first interview. However, it is a good idea to give it a shot. Thanks so much.

The PhD admissions committee wants to schedule a formal interview but i am no more interested in the prospective supervisor. I mentioned him in my SoP and he also showed interest initially when I submitted my application. I was even called for an informal interview by the professor (the prospective Supervisor) but later while applying for the funding he suddenly turned cold and indifferent despite his initial interest in my project. Applying for funding needed professor’s support and he was not supportive at all which is why I was not able to apply for funding. I understand he probably didn't find me as impressive or brilliant in the interview as he might have imagined but this doesn't explain his ignoring me. He could have simply said that and I wouldn't have hoped for his support anyway.

Now after almost 3 weeks of the initial interview (and losing an opportunity of funding), the admission’s committee has emailed me again for another interview. I don’t see why because the professor is clearly not interested. I'm so confused and in complete dilemma. Although I have applied to a few other universities, decisions are due in mid-March only. Tbh, I really don't want to work with this professor any more (though i know the decision is yet to be made) and there is no other person there who can be my supervisor. Will I be wasting time in interview if I already know the supervisor is not willing to support my project now? Or, will it be a mistake to avoid the interview? Do supervisors play any role (positive or negative) in getting admission in the UK universities? Any advise/information that can help me decide is appreciated. My discipline is social science and i am an international applicant if that helps. Thank you very much.

Thanks rewt for the response. I did inform that im applying to 3 universities and that they will receive 3 separate requests but I haven’t heard from one of them. I hope my application gets all three references by the deadline.

Hi! Can anyone please tell what they did if they have similar issue? I don’t have any undergrad referees so I have asked my Master’s supervisor and assistant professor and they have agreed. However, I am hesitant to ask them to write three letters as I will be applying to 3 universities. Is it too much to ask? But I don’t have any other option. What should I do?

Hi rewt! Thanks for the response. I did contact her but unfortunately she is unable to take up students. She also said that my topic sounds interesting and that she could have meetings but not full supervision so I should ask other professors. I’m not sure what she meant by ‘could have meetings’ though.

Hi! I plan to apply for PhD this year and I have heard that contacting a prospective supervisor is encouraged in UK universities. My research proposal is progressing and I want to contact a supervisor to check if he/she is interested in new students or my research plan. Could anyone please suggest if it’s ok not to send the full proposal the first time but just an email mentioning my research interests and academic achievements? Also, I want to know if there are any cases where prospective supervisors were able to direct the applicants to some new project or opportunities within their interests. Thanks in advance.