这是很常见的一种开场白，也是一个开放式的问题，在这里你的面试小组并不是想让你尴尬，而是提供了一个破冰的机会。你的回答应该与你所在的场合相关，不仅仅要展示你的学术成就、兴趣和目的，也可以谈谈你的背景，你来自哪里，你的兴趣是什么，可以尝试与你的学术专长和你选择的大学联系起来。或者有什么特别的事情让你考虑攻读博士学位，有什么东西吸引你来到这座城市和这所大学，也可以谈一谈。

· Do answer:
I’ve always been interested in discovering how things work, but my time as an undergraduate opened my eyes to the excitement and wider benefit of science. I had the chance to do some original research on my Masters and that’s inspired me to take up the challenge of a PhD. I’m also a keen hiker and amateur naturalist, so I’d love to combine my studies here with the chance to visit the local area.

· Don't answer:
I was born in a house next to the local post-office. My first cat was called Timothy and he liked chasing string. At school my best friend was Kevin. My favourite colour is blue and my favourite flavour of ice-cream is raspberry ripple…

 这听起来是一个简单的问题，但要注意不要给出过于简单的答案，仅仅说你擅长的学科并且获得博士学位是按照常理进行的下一步是不行的，特别是如果你想要获得奖学金的话。小组已经对你的学术能力和兴趣感到满意了，所以现在应该向他们传达，你有动力来完成你三年甚至更长时间的博士项目。

· Do answer:
I’ve enjoyed my academic work so far, but I really feel I’ve got more to offer as an independent researcher. I’m also passionate about this subject and don’t feel enough attention has been paid to the questions I’m looking to address.

· Don't answer:
I can’t think of anything to do with my Masters, but my current tutor says I’m clever enough for a PhD.

大学通过询问你未来的计划，来确保你是出于一个正确的原因来攻读博士学位。因为“梦游”到研究项目去的学生很有可能在以后遇到困难的时候陷入困境或失去动力。这并不意味着你必须把所有事情都解决好，或者你的野心是独一无二的，只要表现出你对学术职业道路的理解，对自己有清晰的规划就可以了。

· Do answer:
I feel my PhD project can open up new lines of inquiry for this field and want to use it as the foundation for a fruitful research career. But, I’m also interested in the wider development opportunities included in this doctoral programme. I want to be an academic, but I’m happy to keep other options open.

· Don't answer:
I expect someone will give me a job doing more research. That’s what PhDs do, right?

这个问题（及其答案）可以作为反思优势和劣势（如上所述）的一部分，但是你可能会被问到更具体的培训需求。无论哪种方式，这是一个很好的机会来反思你作为研究人员的愿望，并表明你已经阅读了你申请的项目。如果大学提供一系列培训模块，可以提及一些。说出你希望从他们那里获得什么，以及你认为他们将如何帮助你获得博士学位。
并且不要担心暴露你的学科所需的核心技能中的一些差距。博士学位是一个培训过程，而不是三年的考试。

· Do answer:
I’m really interested in communicating my research to a wider audience, but don’t know how best to go about doing this. I think the training module on public engagement will be a big help to me, both academically and more generally.

· Don't answer:
I’m really bad at interviews. Do you have a class for that?

这个问题的重点也取决于你是申请已有的项目还是自己提出的研究项目，如果是原有的项目，请确保你完全了解它，说出你对它感兴趣的地方，将其与相似的项目进行比较并接受你的特定选择。
如果是你自己提出的项目，这是展示你对它的热情的最佳机会，参考你的研究计划，并借此机会对其进行讨论和扩展。你还需要重申是什么让你的项目与众不同。毕竟，博士学位被定义为提供“对知识的原创性贡献”。

· Do answer:
This PhD appeals to my existing research interests. But I’m also attracted by the opportunity to specialise and develop new expertise. Other projects didn’t seem to offer the same possibilities to pursue the questions that really interest me.

· Don't answer:
To be honest, I’ll do anything if it’s funded.

这是一个谈论你以前在本科或硕士阶段的工作的好地方。小组已经知道你获得的成绩，但现在你有机会谈论你在这些学位上的实际表现。表现出热情并举例说明。

· Do answer:
I’ve been interested in this topic since the final year of my undergraduate degree. This lead to my choice of Masters and helped me pick my dissertation topic, which I really enjoyed. I’m really excited to now go on and do some sustained research in this area as a PhD student.

· Don't answer:
Well, I really like books…

影响本质上是指学术界以外研究的可衡量影响。可以肯定的是，你的博士学位将对你所在领域的未来工作产生影响。大学越来越关注他们工作的好处，而不是高等教育和研究的“象牙塔”。
如果你的项目获得资助，这一点尤其重要。支持你学习的资金可能来自公共收入或来自大型慈善机构或信托基金。这些组织将希望确保他们的投资是值得的。
注意这是一个在竞争中脱颖而出的好机会。

· Do answer:
I’m keen to share my passion for this subject with a wider audience. I’m hoping to maintain a public-facing blog documenting my research. I would also be keen to approach local schools and museums to discuss educational events.

· Don't answer:
To be honest, I can’t really see how my work on medieval manuscript preservation has any benefit outside the university. I’d still like some funding though.

自费学生显然需要在这里详细介绍。你的大学没有责任要求你提供财务状况的完整细分，然而专家组希望确保你了解攻读博士学位所涉及的成本并制定某种计划。
可以说你在开始项目时会寻找额外的资金和兼职工作。但要明确一点，你仍然有足够的时间将自己投身于实际研究。

· Do answer:
I’ve shortlisted external funders and would be keen to investigate any small bursaries or other forms of support through the university. I’ve also made arrangements to work part-time, with the option to adjust this if my funding situation improves.

· Don't answer:
I have no idea how I’m going to afford this. Are you sure I can’t have a scholarship?

最明显的是，你可以谈论大学及其研究。解释为什么你特别想和这些导师一起学习，以及你如何为他们未来的项目做出贡献。
这也是重申你对项目更广泛研究背景的认识的机会。说一下是什么特别吸引了你来到这所大学，以及你希望作为它的学生之一实现什么。
最后，表明对任何相关研究设施、资源或馆藏的认识。大学是否拥有独特的档案？建议它如何支持你的调查。你所在的实验室是否配备了任何新设施？表明你了解它们并有兴趣使用它们。

· Do answer:
I’ve looked at lots of opportunities in this area. I feel that this project is the best of its kind, combining a unique research angle with a training programme that will meet my professional needs. I was already familiar with the work of my prospective supervisor and their research has greatly informed my own development as a scholar. I’m eager to combine my work with theirs and make use of the facilities the university has put together for this project.

· Don't answer:
I did my Masters here and already have a flat in the city.

博士生不仅仅是学生。在许多方面，你将作为在更广泛的研究环境中工作的初级学者发挥作用。你将与其他学生和学者建立联系。你可能会教本科生。你甚至可以发表你的一些研究（独立发表，或与你的导师一起发表）。这意味着你对部门或实验室的潜在贡献在许多方面与其可以为你提供的一样重要。如果你被问到这个问题，请借此机会推销自己一点。

· Do answer:
I’m eager to take advantage of the facilities and expertise this university has to offer. But I also want to contribute with my own expertise and enthusiasm. My previous work has given me the skills to make the most of the material involved in this project and I’m motivated to participate in new training. I’ll be proud to be a part of this department and would actively seek to represent it through my own publications and other research outputs.

· Don't answer: 

I have a Bachelors and a Masters in this subject so I’m quite clever.