I never imagined I’d be writing this at 4am after a long day at the office in School.
Just two years ago, I was waking up at 7 AM to clean offices in Liverpool for £10 an hour. I was a self-funded master’s student from Nigeria with less than £170 to my name, working three jobs simultaneously just to survive. Today, I’m a fully funded PhD researcher. Zero tuition fees. Full stipend. All expenses covered.
This isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a systematic approach that anyone can replicate.
In this guide, I’ll share the exact steps I took to secure a fully funded PhD scholarship as an international student, including the 47 rejections, the sleepless nights, and the breakthrough that changed everything. If you’re an international student who’s been told “it’s impossible” or “try the USA instead,” this post is for you.
THE BRUTAL TRUTH ABOUT PHD SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Let me be honest with you: securing a fully funded PhD scholarship as an international student is hard. Not impossible, but hard.
Here’s what I learned:
Most people fail because they:
- Apply to the wrong opportunities
- Use generic, templated applications
- Give up after 5-10 rejections
- Don’t understand what selectors actually look for
- Apply too late in the cycle
I made all these mistakes. Over 21 months, I submitted 50+ applications and received 47 rejections.
But those rejections taught me everything I needed to know.
MY 5-STEP SYSTEM FOR SECURING FULLY FUNDED PHD SCHOLARSHIPS
After 47 rejections and countless hours of research, I developed a system. Here’s exactly what worked:
STEP 1: STRATEGIC SCHOLARSHIP HUNTING
Don’t just Google “PhD scholarships.” That’s what everyone does, and you’ll find the same oversaturated opportunities.
Instead, I created a systematic approach:
University-specific funding pages
- Every UK university has a “Funding” or “Research Opportunities” page
- These are updated regularly with positions nobody else knows about
- I checked many universities weekly
Research council websites
- UKRI (UK Research and Innovation)
- Individual research councils (AHRC, ESRC, EPSRC, etc.)
- These have CDT (Centre for Doctoral Training) programs
Subject-specific databases
- FindAPhD.com (but be selective)
- Jobs.ac.uk (Research section)
- University announcement pages
Direct professor contact
- Find professors doing research you’re interested in
- Check if they have funding
- Email them professionally (I’ll share my template later)
The key: Create a spreadsheet tracking opportunities at once, with deadlines, requirements, and application status.
STEP 2: UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY ACTUALLY WANT
Most students write what they think sounds impressive.
I learned to write what selection committees actually need to see:
- Research potential (not past achievements)
- Clear, feasible research proposal
- Understanding of the specific program/professor
- Alignment with university research priorities
- Evidence you’ll complete the PhD (persistence, not perfection)
Here’s the shift: They’re not looking for the “best” student. They’re looking for someone who will successfully complete research that advances their department’s work.
STEP 3: CRAFTING APPLICATIONS THAT STAND OUT
After 47 rejections, I realized my applications were too generic.
Here’s what I changed:
For Statement of Purpose:
- Opened with a compelling personal hook (my story)
- Showed deep knowledge of the specific program
- Connected my background to their research priorities
- Demonstrated I’d researched their faculty
- Included specific outcomes I wanted to achieve
For Research Proposals (mostly for Arts & Humanities and Management Students):
- Start with a clear problem statement
- Show you understand existing research (literature review)
- Propose something feasible, not grandiose
- Demonstrate methodology knowledge
- Show realistic timeline
- Explain impact and contribution
The difference: Specificity over generalities. Names over positions. Examples over claims.
STEP 4: TIMING YOUR APPLICATIONS
This is crucial and often overlooked.
UK PhD funding cycles typically run:
- September-November: Most positions advertised
- December-February: Application deadlines
- March-April: Interviews and decisions
- September-October: Start dates
I made the mistake of applying randomly throughout the year. Big error.
Better approach:
- Start searching in July-August
- Prepare materials in August-September
- Apply in waves: September-October, then November-January
- Follow up professionally
- Be ready for quick turnarounds (some programs want interviews within weeks)
STEP 5: HANDLING REJECTION (AND USING IT)
Here’s what nobody tells you: Rejection is data.
After each rejection, I did this:
- Asked for feedback (politely)
- Analyzed what might have been weak
- Improved my next applications
- Kept a “lessons learned” document
- Never gave up
My 47 rejections weren’t failures. They were my PhD in PhD applications.
By rejection 30, my applications were dramatically better than rejection 1.
By rejection 47, I was ready for the “yes.”
WHAT FINALLY WORKED: MY WINNING APPLICATION
In May 2024, everything changed.
After 21 months of applications, I received not one but TWO offers for fully funded positions.
What was different about these applications?
- Perfect fit: The research aligned perfectly with my interests AND the professor’s current work
- Specific proposal: Instead of broad ideas, you should propose something concrete and achievable
- Demonstrated knowledge: I referenced the professor’s recent papers and showed I understood their research direction
- Personal connection: My statement opened with my authentic story (the cleaning jobs, the struggle, the determination)
- Clear value: I showed exactly what I’d contribute to their department
The lesson: Quality over quantity. My final applications took a few more hours each than the earlier ones.
TOOLS THAT HELPED ME SUCCEED
Here are the resources I wish I’d had from the start:
Scholarship Tracking Spreadsheet
Track opportunities with columns for:
- University/Program name
- Deadline
- Funding details
- Requirements
- Application status
- Follow-up dates
Email Template for Professors
Subject: Research Interest in [Specific Topic] – PhD Inquiry “Dear Dr. [Name], I am writing to express my interest in pursuing doctoral research in [specific area], particularly [reference their recent work]. [2-3 sentences about your background and why it aligns] [1-2 sentences about your research idea] Would you be accepting PhD students for [year], and if so, might you have time for a brief call to discuss potential alignment? I’ve attached my CV for your reference. Best regards,
[Your name]”
Application Timeline
- 3 months before deadline: Start research and drafting
- 2 months before: Complete first drafts
- 6 weeks before: Get feedback
- 4 weeks before: Revise and polish
- 2 weeks before: Final review and submit
Statement of Purpose Framework
- Opening hook (personal story)
- Academic background and achievements
- Research interests and how they developed
- Why this program specifically
- Your research proposal overview
- Career goals and impact
- Conclusion (circle back to hook)
WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN FROM DAY ONE
Mistake 1: Applying only to “prestigious” universities
Reality: Lesser-known universities often have better funding and less competition
Mistake 2: Using the same application everywhere
Reality: Every application should be customized for that specific program
Mistake 3: Waiting for “perfect” qualifications
Reality: They want potential and fit, not perfection
Mistake 4: Not following up
Reality: A polite follow-up email can make the difference
Mistake 5: Giving up too early
Reality: Most successful applicants faced multiple rejections first
Mistake 6: Not networking
Reality: Conferences, LinkedIn, and academic Twitter matter
Mistake 7: Ignoring smaller funding sources
Reality: Multiple small scholarships can add up to full funding
YOUR TURN: TAKING ACTION TODAY
If I can go from cleaning offices at 7 AM to conducting PhD research, you can secure your scholarship too.
It won’t be easy. You’ll face rejection. You’ll doubt yourself.
But here’s what I know for certain: The difference between students who get funded and those who don’t isn’t talent or privilege—it’s strategy, persistence, and the right guidance.
START HERE:
- Download my free guide: “10 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships Databases in the UK”
- Create your scholarship tracking spreadsheet today
- Identify 10 programs that align with your research interests
- Start drafting your first application (don’t wait for “perfect”)
- Join our free Telegram community where I share scholarship opportunities weekly [LINK]
Remember: Your background doesn’t determine your future. Your determination does.
I’m rooting for you.
— Samuel Fafiolu
Doctoral Researcher
Founder, The Growth HQ
P.S. Have questions about the PhD application process? Drop them in the comments below or email me at growth@samfafiolu.com. I read and respond to every message.