Ask yourself: Is there a specific question you’re curious about? Pin it down — once you do, you’re already halfway there!
Tips: Don’t have a research question yet? Start by reading academic literature extensively. And you’ll develop a clear understanding of the academic background and current research trends in the field. And that is what we call: standing on the shoulders of giants.
It depends on your research focus. If possible, studying locally is ideal — you’ll gain access to a wealth of primary sources, including materials in the original language and archaeological records. You’ll also have the chance to engage with local scholars and learn how they interpret their own history — something you might not get from secondary sources alone.
Tips: PhD application procedures vary from country to country. You can check the specific requirements of your target country on the FindAPhD website.
The most important factor when choosing a supervisor is how well their research interests match with yours. After that, you can filter based on other preferences like the title, university, personality, and supervision style.
Tips: There are two main ways to find a supervisor. One is to start with the authors of the papers you’ve read. The other is to look for faculty members with similar research interests. You can also explore platforms like Academia.edu and ResearchGate to discover potential supervisors.
Focus more on showing your research experience. Even if you don’t have published papers, you can highlight unpublished work, such as term papers, dissertations, or projects — especially those related to your proposed PhD topic. It’s best to emphasize continuity in your academic journey, showing how your previous work has led to your current research interests. Remember to add language abilities, particularly second modern languages (e.g., German, French) and ancient languages (e.g., Latin, Ancient Greek). Don’t worry about restricting your CV to just one page — this is not a job resume for HR. It’s an academic document for potential supervisors to assess your research potential and fit with their work.
A well-crafted research proposal should include the following key parts.
Research Question
Clearly define the key question you intend to discuss. This is the foundation of your proposal.
Literature Review
Demonstrate the research gap, and explain why your research matters. This section is crucial for presenting your academic writing ability — including logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and strong command of language.
Primary Sources
List and briefly introduce the main primary materials that will form the basis of your research.