When preparing your PhD application, writing a compelling research proposal is crucial. Among its many components, one section often overlooked—but closely scrutinised by reviewers—is feasibility. Funders, supervisors, and admissions panels want to know not just what you’ll research, but how realistically you can carry it out.
In this post, we’ll explore what feasibility means in a research context, how to assess it, and how to write about it persuasively, especially for those applying to UK PhD programmes.
What Is Feasibility in a Research Proposal?
In academic research, feasibility refers to the practicality and realism of your proposed study. It answers the question: Can this research be successfully completed within the available timeframe, resources, and expertise?
Feasibility is not just a logistical concern—it’s a sign of academic maturity. A feasible proposal reflects careful planning, awareness of methodological demands, and understanding of limitations.
Why Feasibility Matters in a PhD Project
Universities and funding bodies invest substantial time and resources into PhD students. A project that’s intellectually ambitious but logistically unachievable raises red flags.
Demonstrating feasibility helps you:
-
Build credibility as a serious researcher
-
Reassure supervisors of your readiness
-
Strengthen funding applications
-
Set realistic goals and expectations
How to Assess the Feasibility of Your Research Proposal
Before you start writing the feasibility section of your proposal, it’s important to ask yourself some hard questions. Reviewers want to see evidence that you’ve taken the time to reflect on whether your project can actually be done—and done well—within the timeframe and context of a PhD.
Here are some key questions to consider:
1. Can the research be completed in three to four years?
Does your topic require years of fieldwork, multiple languages, or thousands of data points? If so, you’ll need to think carefully about narrowing your scope. PhD projects should be ambitious but achievable.
2. Do you have access to the data, sources, or participants you’ll need?
This includes physical access to archives or digital access to datasets, as well as logistical and ethical access to interviewees or institutions.
3. Are your proposed methods suitable and within your skill set?
You don’t need to be fully trained yet, but you do need to show you’re aware of what training or supervision you’ll require and that it’s available.
4. Have you accounted for practicalities such as travel, software, or ethics approvals?
Even small oversights—like not checking visa rules for fieldwork abroad—can derail a proposal. Reviewers will want to know you’ve considered these practical steps.
5. Do you have institutional or supervisory support to carry out your plan?
Will your proposed university be able to support your work, both in terms of academic expertise and resources? Have you researched potential supervisors?
These questions will form the basis of your feasibility section. The more honestly and specifically you can address them, the more credible your proposal will be.
Key Aspects of Feasibility in a Research Proposal
Timeframe
PhDs in the UK typically last between three and four years. Your proposal needs to show that your research aims and methodology are achievable within that window. Break your project down into logical stages—such as literature review, data collection, analysis, and writing—and briefly explain how long each stage is expected to take.
Access to Sources or Participants
Whether you need access to special archives, survey participants, or field sites, you must show that this is possible. If you already have permissions, great—say so. If not, explain how you plan to obtain them and what backup plans you’ve considered.
Research Methods and Skills
Proposing your methodology is only part of the challenge—you also need to show you can carry it out. Will you need training? Is that training available at your chosen institution? Will you be working with sensitive data that requires ethical clearance or support?
Funding and Resources
Even if your application is for a fully funded PhD, you’ll still need to think about resources. This includes research travel, specialist software, transcription services, or data storage. Showing that you’re aware of these requirements strengthens your case.
📌 Need Help Making Your Proposal Feasible?
A brilliant idea isn’t enough if the plan behind it doesn’t hold up. Our PhD proposal writing service connects you with experienced academics who understand what reviewers are looking for. We’ll help you shape your research topic into a focused, manageable plan with clearly demonstrated feasibility.
Whether you’re struggling to define your scope, justify your methods, or secure access to resources, we can help you present a professional, competitive proposal.
How to Write the Feasibility Section of a Research Proposal
Be Specific
Avoid vague statements such as “the project is feasible.” Instead, explain how and why it’s feasible. Include short, concrete justifications. For instance:
“This study will involve analysing digitised newspapers from the British Library’s online archive. The candidate has prior experience with this resource and will receive additional training in digital humanities tools in Year 1.”
Align Your Scope with Available Time and Support
Your research question should be focused enough to allow for deep exploration within three or four years. Avoid overly ambitious aims. Instead of saying you’ll study every work written on climate justice in the last fifty years, identify a clear, manageable sub-topic.
Address Challenges Honestly
Reviewers respect applicants who show awareness of potential obstacles and suggest ways to address them. Will language barriers be an issue? Do you anticipate difficulties in recruitment or data access? Rather than downplaying them, build credibility by acknowledging them.
What a Strong Feasibility Statement Looks Like
This short paragraph below clearly demonstrates access, planning, supervision, and resource awareness—all essential to feasibility of a PhD research proposal.
“The proposed research will examine representations of exile in 20th-century Italian literature. Primary sources are accessible at the British Library and through the Biblioteca Nazionale in Florence, which the applicant plans to visit during Year 2. The project timeline includes training in archival research and paleography during Year 1, with supervision support from the University Special Collections’s archivists.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Feasibility Section
-
Proposing a project that would require a decade to complete
-
Assuming guaranteed access to participants or sites without evidence
-
Ignoring the costs of travel, materials, or technical support
-
Overlooking ethical approval processes or permissions
-
Failing to show any awareness of required training or resources
Feasibility is not a box-ticking exercise—it’s your chance to prove that you understand what a PhD involves and that you’re ready for the challenge.
How Feasibility Connects to Other Proposal Sections
Feasibility isn’t an isolated section—it must align with the rest of your proposal. Your aims and objectives should be achievable. Your methodology should match your skills and resources. Your timeline should account for real-life obstacles. And your ethics section should reflect the demands of your fieldwork or data collection. A strong proposal is one where all these pieces work together to show that you’re prepared and realistic.
FAQs About Research Feasibility
What is the feasibility of a research proposal?
Feasibility refers to how realistic and achievable your proposed research is within your available time, resources, and skills. It includes factors like data access, methodology, funding, and institutional support.
How do I write the feasibility section in a PhD proposal?
Be specific. Outline your timeline, access to data, skills and training needs, and any logistical considerations. Address potential risks and explain how you’ll manage them.
Why do universities care about feasibility?
Because an unfeasible project often results in delays, funding issues, or incompletion. Feasibility shows that you understand what a PhD requires and that you can plan accordingly.
Can feasibility affect funding decisions?
Absolutely. Funders look for high-quality research ideas that can realistically be delivered. A vague or overambitious plan can weaken your funding application.
Conclusion
Feasibility is a fundamental part of any strong PhD research proposal. It shows that you’ve moved beyond abstract ideas and into the realm of planning and execution. For prospective PhD candidates, getting this section right is a key step in convincing reviewers that you’re ready to undertake doctoral-level work.
While your topic might be exciting, only a feasible project will get the green light.
🎓 Applying for a PhD? We’ll Support You From Start to Finish
Writing a compelling feasibility section is just one part of the PhD application process. We offer a complete PhD application support package that walks you through every step—from finding the right supervisor and university, to crafting your proposal, and preparing for interviews.
You’ll work one-to-one with an academic in your subject area, via Zoom consultations, and receive tailored advice on every element of your application. If you’re applying from outside the UK, we also offer visa application guidance and help navigating international admission procedures.
Let us help you build a winning application that showcases both your academic potential and your research’s feasibility.
