I'm applying for a PhD at one of the "top" UK universities. I'm a bit worried about the part of the application form that asks which other institutions you've applied to. I know that for undergrad degrees, it's not the done thing for example, to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge simultaneously. Does the same principle apply when applying for research degrees? Should I be concerned that I could be turned away because I have made applications to other universities? Why would the admissions people want to know where else I have applied to?

I am currently doing a PhD at a 'top' UK institute and I also found this strange. I heard the rumours too, but found it didn't matter. I think they are trying to find out what you are applying for to see if they are similar, so that you are generally interested in that field of research.

I`d agree in that they are just checking for consistency. I think what you also have to remember is are they likely to find out if you have applied somewhere else and not put it down?

I dont think they really care too much, its certainly not going to be a significant deciding factor is it??? If it is, then you want to be at that institute anyway. I think its just one of those things that they put on forms for the hell of it.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I agree with Steve that it at least shouldn't be a deciding factor, but my thinking was that at this particular institution, they would presumably only want people for who that institution would be their first choice, and, it is for me, which is why I'm a bit nervous!

FindAPhd team?

I wouldn't really worry about it. They are probably just looking for consistency in the projects you are applying for. Either that or they want to analyse who there competition is. They will only be interested in recruiting the best possible student - you won't offend them by applying to the competition.