Access to Masters (ATM)

The Access to Masters (ATM) programme supports collaborations between organisations in the Convergence Area of Wales and Aberystwyth University through postgraduate projects that are part of taught Masters degrees.

ATM scholarships are awarded through a competitive process, to students who meet the eligibility criteria for the programme, and are accepted onto an eligible taught Masters programme at Aberystwyth University.

As a pan Wales project, ATM aims to increase the skills level of the work force in the Welsh economy and to ensure that postgraduate training is geared towards the needs of business. It is a requirement of the funding that the Masters student undertakes a project with a local business, which is tailored to meet the interests of the organisation.

Becoming a partner organisation for an Access to Masters project, offers a cost effective introduction to collaboration with a University department. Participating organisations will benefit from the research during the project period and the Masters level training that each ATM student receives.

Aberystwyth University has a number of opportunities available for collaboration until 2013.

Benefits for partner organisations:

  • Access to business focused research.
  • Access to skilled postgraduates
  • Potential to attract and support the development of new researches in the organisation
  • Cost-effective introduction to a collaboration with a University Department
  • Establish on-going links with University
  • Cost-effective Research and Development

What types of businesses are eligible to participate?

  • The business should have an operational address in the Convergence Area of Wales.
  • An emphasis is placed on SMEs, although a range of business sizes are eligible:
    • Micro businesses and SMEs
    • Large Companies
    • 3rd Sector and a limited number of Public Sector Organisations
  • The research project should fit one of the 6 WG priority sectors for economic development:
    • Advanced materials and manufacturing
    • Construction
    • Creative industries
    • Energy and environment
    • Financial and professional services
    • ICT
    • Life sciences
    • Tourism

How much will it cost my business?

Partner organisations are expected to make an in-kind contribution to the project. This is calculated based on the recorded time company employees spend on the project and is required to be to the value of at least £1k.

How can my business get involved?

ATM is part-funded by the European Social Fund through the European Union's Convergence Programme (West Wales and the Valleys) by the Welsh Government.European Social Fund Logo