ESRC Studentships 2011/12
The universities of Newcastle and Durham have joined forces to create the North East Doctoral Training Centre (DTC), which is funded and accredited by the ESRC. This is a collaborative centre for world-class postgraduate research and training in the social sciences, which offers students a wealth of opportunities to work with leading researchers across a wide range of disciplines and benefit from high-quality training and state-of-the-art resources at both universities.
Studentship Opportunities
The North East DTC has 28 fully-funded ESRC studentships available for students commencing their postgraduate studies in the 2011/12 academic year.
The following types of ESRC studentship are funded:
- 1+3 awards: Funding is provided for students to complete a research training masters degree (one year) and then study a PhD (three years). Students who hold or are just completing an undergraduate degree and wish to study for a PhD must apply for these awards.
- +3 awards: Funding is provided for students who already have a masters degree and are applying to start a PhD directly.
- 2+3 awards: Funding for students to complete a language-based masters degree and then move on to a PhD. These awards are known as Language-Based Areas Studies (LBAS) studentships.
Studentships are available across the DTC 16 subject areas at either Durham or Newcastle. The table below lists the subject areas and the departments and schools that can hold ESRC studentships. Please click on the links in the table to find out more about postgraduate study in the particular department or school.
Subject Area |
Newcastle University |
Durham University |
Anthropology |
Not Available |
|
Economic & Social History |
||
Education |
||
Environmental Planning |
Not Available |
|
Finance & Economics |
||
Human Geography |
||
Linguistics |
Not Available |
|
Iberian-American Studies |
Not Available |
|
Environmental Law |
Not Available |
|
Management & Business Studies |
||
Politics & International Relations |
||
Psychology |
Not Available |
|
Social Policy |
Not Available |
|
Social Work |
Not Available |
|
Social Science & Health |
Not Available | |
Sociology |
Not Available |
At least two studentships will be awarded in Economics & Finance and a further three studentships granted to students undertaking language-based area studies in the areas of Iberian-American Studies and/or International Relations.
The DTC will be awarding at least six studentships to students undertaking some form of collaboration with other public, private or voluntary sector organisations across the 16 subject areas. These collaborative studentships involve students carrying out projects, placements and internships in non-academic organisations.
Applications from candidates intending to study and apply Advanced Quantitative Methods in any of the subject areas listed above are particularly welcomed.
Financial Support
ESRC studentships are usually for either four years for 1+3 awards or three years for +3 awards. The ESRC provides award-holders with the following annual package of financial support over the duration of their studentships:
- A tax-free maintenance grant set at the UK Research Council's national postgraduate rate, which is currently £13,590.
- Full payment of their tuition fees at the Home/EU rate; and
- A research training support grant (RTSG) of £750 to support fieldwork and attendance at conferences (only provided during period of doctoral study).
Students who are studying Economics and/or Advanced Quantitative Methods, receive a further £3,000 per annum enhancement to their maintenance grants during their doctoral studies. Additionally, students awarded collaborative studentships may receive additional funds from their collaborative partners.
Award-holders are also able to apply for additional support for overseas fieldwork and difficult language training, depending on the nature of their research.
Part-time award-holders receive funding for up to seven years, which breaks down as two years for masters training and a further five years for doctoral study. Part-time students receive a maintenance grant and RTSG at 60% of the full-time rate.
Eligibility & Requirements
Academic Qualifications & Experience
The North East DTC is seeking to recruit candidates with an outstanding academic pedigree and research potential. Students applying for an ESRC studentship must hold a first or good 2:1 undergraduate degree in the social sciences, or have relevant comparable experience. Additionally, if you are applying for a +3 award then you must also hold or be completing a masters degree in the social sciences, which included training in research methods.
The quality of proposed research projects will also be considered as part of the selection process. This will include reviewing the scope, methodology, context and anticipated outputs of a project and how they link to an applicant's academic credentials and their prospective department's expertise and strengths.
Where feasible students holding ESRC studentships through the North East DTC will be jointly supervised by academic members of staff at Durham and Newcastle. Prior to submitting your application you are strongly advised to approach prospective supervisors who could support you; however, if you are not able to identify a second supervisor at either university this should not stop you submitting your application.
Residency
Home students receive a full ESRC studentship; EU students who have not been resident in the UK for the last three years before the start of their studentship are only eligible for a fees-only award.
Further details about the ESRC's residency requirements can be found here.
Start Dates
To be eligible for an ESRC studentship in this current recruitment round you must be applying to commence a programme of postgraduate study within one of the subject areas listed in the table above in the 2011/12 academic year. Awards cannot be deferred and selected candidates will be assumed to be starting their studies in October 2011 unless there are exceptional circumstances.
How to Apply
Students can apply to either Durham or Newcastle for an ESRC studentship through the North East DTC. The university that you apply to will be classified as your lead institution. Please note that only one application to either institution can be made for ESRC funding. If two applications are made we will only consider the first application made to either university.
Prior to applying to study for a research degree you must consult your prospective department or school to discuss your research plans and check that there is a member of staff who can supervise your chosen thesis before making a formal application.
Applying to Durham
To apply for an ESRC studentship at Durham you need to complete the University's online application form and state that you wish to be considered for the award when the form asks you how you intend to fund your studies.
Applying to Newcastle
To apply for an ESRC studentship at Newcastle you need to complete the University's online application form and state that you wish to be considered for an ESRC award quoting code ESR11 in the relevant section on the 'Your Details' tab of the form.
Further Requirements
In addition to completing an online application form for either institution, you will also need to attach the following documentation so that your prospective department or school can evaluate your application:
- Current CV;
- A research proposal, which is no longer than 1,000 words in length;
- Two references; and
- Transcripts of your previous degree(s).
If you have already submitted your online application form, please contact your prospective department or school to inform them that you wish to be considered for an ESRC studentship.
Deadline
The deadline for submitting your application and supporting documentation is 5pm on Friday, 25 March 2011.
Selection Process
All applications received are considered on a competitive basis according to their academic merit.
Your prospective department or school will review your application and will decide whether to put you forward for consideration to the North East DTC's Studentships Committee, which consists of representatives from both universities and two external members. The DTC Studentships Committee will be considering applications in April and May 2011 and it is anticipated that candidates will be notified whether they have been successful or not by mid May 2011.
Please note that the DTC Studentships Committee may select you for a studentship and recommend that your lead institution change between Durham and Newcastle. Such decisions will be made where it is judged that one institution's research strengths are better placed to support your studies
Further Information
If you have any questions about applying for an ESRC studentship please contact your prospective department or school, or use our online enquiry form.