Externally Funded Studentships
University of Stirling: ESRC DTC Studentship competition 2012
The University is pleased to announce that applications are now welcome for our ESRC-funded PhD studentships. The University excels in a range of Social Science research areas, and provides a stimulating and supportive environment for its PhD students.
The University of Stirling is a member institution of the ESRC Scottish Doctoral Training Centre (www.socsciscotland.ac.uk). The Scottish DTC is the largest consortium in the UK and offers a wealth of supervisory expertise across the social sciences as well as numerous training opportunities. Stirling students will be part of a Scottish postgraduate community and will have a range of opportunities to develop their expertise and their networks, both disciplinary and interdisciplinary.
We welcome applications for ESRC 1+3 and +3 doctoral studentships in the following areas (for pathway descriptors please see: www.socsciscotland.ac.uk/pathways):
For further details please contact Katharine Reibig or the above listed pathway contact. The deadline for ESRC application documents to be received by the University of Stirling is 30 March 2012, and candidates should also, in parallel, make a formal application to the University. Please note that you must complete both processes (ESRC and University).
Candidates should submit (electronically) to Katharine Reibig k.m.reibig@stir.ac.uk:
- A completed ESRC cover sheet
- A research proposal
- A CV
- A statement of support from your potential supervisor(s), which includes an explanation/demonstration of the adequacy of supervisor
- A completed equal opportunities form
- (AQM ONLY) a completed AQM studentship application form
All this must be submitted by 30 March 2012. We expect that candidates will be informed in May if their ESRC application has been successful/not.
Funding
The studentship will cover maintenance and fees for UK candidates, or fees only for EU candidates.
Eligibility
The competition is open to:
- UK and EU students who have completed (or expect to complete by the end of the current academic year) a Masters qualification in a relevant discipline from an ESRC recognised outlet (list at http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/looking-for-funding/index.aspx); and
- UK and EU students planning to undertake such a Masters qualification followed by a doctorate.
Externally Funded Studentships
The Graduate Development Officer is happy to advise you on the regulations and procedures relating to externally funded studentships and can also help you to identify other sources of funding, for research students with particular circumstances. For more information about the funding available, please see our page on Funding Sources & Opportunities.
It is extremely difficult to get funding for PhD (& other research degree) programmes, particularly for part-time students. The Research Councils decision to fund part-time/ flexible PhD programmes (such as Doctoral Training Accounts) show an encouraging trend in PhD funding.
It is particularly important for postgraduate students to plan well ahead. The deadlines for most studentships fall nine months or more before the autumn semester, and it can take a long time for the forms to be completed.
Tied Studentships
Several funders will allow studentship costs to be included in a research project. Where funding for a PhD is being sought from an industrial/ commercial partner, every effort should be made to get support for the full 3-years of a full-time PhD (or equivalent period for a part-time student), at the outset (to ensure a successful outcome for both parties).
The Graduate Development Officer is happy to help you with negotiations, or to advise on costings (as required). The rates are updated annually to reflect new fee and stipend levels, and are available from the Graduate Development Officer.