u/Curious-Fun-6828

I’m applying to one university that has advertised two different PhD projects within a very similar research area/niche. I contacted both supervisors around the same time because both projects genuinely matched my interests. Both supervisors replied positively and encouraged discussion/applications.

I’ve already submitted an application for one of the projects, but now I’m unsure whether it’s a good idea to also apply for the second PhD position at the same university.

My concern is:
Does applying to two similar projects at the same university make you look unfocused?
Or is it considered normal if the topics genuinely align with your research interests?
Would it be better to message the second supervisor first before submitting another application?

For context, the projects are closely related, so it’s not like I’m applying randomly across completely different areas. My interests genuinely overlap with both.
Would really appreciate hearing from supervisors, current PhD students, or anyone who has been in a similar situation. Thanks!

I’m new to the PhD application process (UK-focused, mainly funded PhDs), and I’m honestly getting a lot of conflicting advice about how to approach supervisors before applying.
Some people tell me to keep the first email very short:
introduce yourself,

mention why their research interests you,

briefly explain your area/topic of interest,

attach a CV/transcripts,

and then discuss ideas further only if they respond positively.

Others suggest sending a short research proposal right from the first email to show seriousness and preparation.
I can understand the value of both approaches, but realistically, when applying to multiple supervisors/universities, writing a tailored proposal for every single person is extremely time-consuming.
So I wanted to ask people who have actually gone through this process:
What worked best for you when contacting supervisors?

Did you send a proposal in the first email or not?

If yes, how detailed was it?

Do supervisors actually expect a proposal before even replying?

What attachments did you include initially (CV, transcripts, thesis/dissertation, etc.)?

Any advice on what genuinely makes a supervisor respond?

Would really appreciate hearing real experiences rather than generic advice. Thanks!