PhD Reference Requirements / Guidance Notes
At least one of your references must be academic and from someone who has taught you at degree level. If you wish you may provide one professional reference in place of the second academic reference. Your referees must be able to comment on your ability to study for a research degree.
Appropriate people to provide your references would include a Personal Tutor (or equivalent) or another academic who has taught you at undergraduate or masters level. They should be able to comment on your potential to undertake research study.
Please consider the following points when composing your reference:
• Indicate how long have you known the applicant and in what capacity.
• Comment on the applicant's abilities can include: analytical reasoning; ability to grasp concepts; ability to work independently; ability to argue cogently; originality; ability to work with others; ability to organise work.
• Comment on the applicant's personal qualities can include: responsiveness to supervision/mentoring; responsiveness to constructive criticism, capacity for self-evaluation; motivation; perseverance; breadth of interest; technical competence.
• Comment on any notable academic or professional achievements that you consider relevant to the qualification applied for.
• Indicate how confident you are that the applicant is likely to complete successfully the qualification aimed for. Please indicate how strongly you are supporting this application: not strongly, strongly or very strongly.