ESRC Wales DTP General studentships

The Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University supported by the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership for Wales (Wales DTP), invites applications for PhD study, with the possibility of being awarded a fully-funded ESRC DTP Studentship, available to start in October 2023. 

Applications are invited from exceptional candidates with a first class or strong upper second class honours degree, or appropriate Master’s degree. The University values diversity and equality at all levels and encourages applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.  In line with our commitment to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and to increase recruitment of currently underrepresented groups, applications from Black British, Asian British, minority ethnicity British and mixed race British candidates are particularly encouraged and welcomed.  We welcome applications for both full and part-time study, and studentships are available as either ‘1+3’ (i.e. one full time year of research training Masters followed by three years of full-time Doctoral study, or the part-time equivalent), or ‘+3’ (i.e. three years of full-time doctoral study or its part-time equivalent), depending on the needs of the applicant.

Those interested should contact Dr Gareth Hoskins, Director of Postgraduate Studies at Department of Geography and Earth Sciences on tgh@aber.ac.uk, or discuss ideas with potential supervisors directly. 

Applications welcomed by 12:00pm GMT on 3rd February 2023. 

Further details for ESRC Wales DTP General studentships:

These studentships are ‘open’ awards. Applicants should consider approaching a potential supervisor before submitting their application to confirm that there is appropriate supervisory capacity within the University and to discuss their draft application. Information on the research interests of our staff can be found on the Geography department’s webpages here: 

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/dges/prospective/postgraduate/phd-opportunities/human-geography/

https://courses.aber.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd-arts-dges/  

Short descriptions of each accredited pathway are available on the ESRC Wales DTP website.

What the studentship will cover

Studentship Awards commence in October 2023 and will cover your tuition fees as well as a maintenance grant (currently £17,668 p.a. for 2022/23 for full-time students, updated each year); and includes access to an additional Research Training Support Grant (RTSG), though an element of this latter fund may be ‘pooled’ and require separate applications.  There are other opportunities and benefits available to studentship holders, including an overseas fieldwork allowance (if applicable), internship opportunities, overseas institutional visits and other small grants.

Eligibility

ESRC studentships are highly competitive, candidates should have an excellent academic background in the social sciences, holding a 1st or strong upper 2nd class degree; applications from those also holding a relevant research training Masters degree (or an equivalent background in research training) will be considered for a +3 award.  Wales DTP studentships are available to both home and international (including EU and EEA) students.  All applicants will be eligible for a full award consisting of a maintenance stipend and payment of tuition fees at the UK research organisation rate.  Applicants must satisfy studentship eligibility requirements. For further details see the UKRI web site.  Successful international student applicants will receive a fully-funded Wales DTP studentship and will not be charged the fees difference between the UK and international rate.

1+3 or +3?

With the exception of studentships in the Economics pathway, awards are available on either a 1+3 or +3 basis. A 1+3 studentship provides funding for four years (or part-time equivalent), completing a research training Masters in the 1st year, followed by 3 years research funding for a PhD. A +3 studentship provides funding for the three years PhD research study only (or part-time equivalent).

Assessment

The closing deadline for applications is 12.00pm GMT on Friday 3rd February 2023. Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview, which are expected to take place in late February/early March 2023. After interview, a final short-list of applicants will be put forward to a Panel convened by the ESRC Wales DTP Management Group at which final decisions with regard to studentship awards will be made. In most cases successful applicants can expect to hear by early April 2023.

How to apply

A completed application form for admission to doctoral study in Aberystwyth University submitted to the postgraduate admissions application portal by the deadline of 12.00pm GMT on 3 February 2023. 

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/study-with-us/pg-studies/apply/#apply-online

Incomplete Applications or applications received after this specified time will not be accepted. 
The application must contain the following documents: 

  1. Covering letter: Please address to Professor Gary Bridge. The covering letter must set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at Aberystwyth University, and the Human Geography pathway; your understanding, and expectations of doctoral study; and your academic interests generally, and particularly of those relating to your proposed research. The covering letter should be no more than two pages. Please also specify which pathway you will be applying to and whether you wish to apply on a +3 or 1+3 basis.
  2. Academic / Professional Qualifications: Where appropriate, this should also include proof of English Language Competency (see institutional entry requirements). 
  3. References: All applications require two academic references to be submitted in support. Candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. 
  4. Curriculum Vitae: It should be no longer than two pages.
  5. Research Proposal: The proposal should be up to a maximum of 1000 words, not including bibliographic references. We suggest that you use the following five headings in your research proposal:
    • Title, aims and purpose of the research
    • Brief overview of the academic literature relevant to your field
    • Proposed design/methods
    • Academic contributions of your research
    • Bibliographic References