Indeed, it's probably best if they're not since almost all of the best research grows and evolves. But you need some idea of your interests and how they might be developed. And you also need to have a supervisor you want to work with - someone who'll help you and work with you once you arrive. Lancaster offers bursaries on a competitive basis. We publish details of these on this page when they are announced, but there is a permanent link about funding here .
Some students obtain a secondment from employers.
Some students finance themselves. Remember that it is possible to do PhDs on a part-time basis, and quite a lot of students work in this way. At any rate, once you're talking with us, we'll do our best to help you in your search for support. Note that if you are not a native English speaker you will need, in due course, to produce evidence of your ability to work in English. Please, then, feel free to contact any staff member of Science Studies.