PhD Bursaries for Minoritised Ethnic Candidates in Humanities and Social Sciences

Applications are invited from Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic candidates for 3 fully-funded, 3.5 year PhDs to commence in October 2023. 

The PhDs will be based in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and form part of our commitment to widening participation in Higher Education and taking positive action to address under-representation at research degree level among minoritised ethnic groups.

As a PhD student, you’ll:

• Receive expert supervision to help you undertake a project that makes an original contribution to knowledge;
• Gain access to training, support and researcher development through our Graduate School Development Programme;
• Have the opportunity to teach on our undergraduate programmes (up to 6 hours per week during term time) and attain Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).

Explore our Research Areas:

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is home to researchers with global reputations for expertise and excellence. In the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF) 2021, we have been ranked the top modern university for research quality in Area Studies. We invite PhD bursary applications in the following areas:

Area Studies 

Criminology  

Education 

English Literature 

History 

Languages and Applied Linguistics 

Politics and International Relations

Sociology

Funding information and eligibility

Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees at the UK rate for 3.5 years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£17,668 for 2022/2023). Bursary recipients will also receive a £2000 research allowance for project costs/ consumables/ conference travel. 

These bursaries are for:

-New students beginning their PhD studies in October 2023 who qualify for UK/ Home fees (you can find further information about who qualifies here)

-Candidates from a Black, Asian or Minoritised Ethnic background, as defined by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA):

• Arab;
• Asian or Asian British – Bangladeshi;
• Asian or Asian British – Indian;
• Asian or Asian British – Pakistani;
• Other Asian background;
• Black or Black British – African;
• Black or Black British – Caribbean;
• Other Black background;
• Chinese;
• Gypsy or Traveller;
• Irish Traveller;
• Mixed - White and Asian;
• Mixed - White and Black African;
• Mixed - White and Black Caribbean;
• Other mixed background.

Black, Asian or Minoritised Ethnic candidates who are from other groups under-represented in Higher Education (e.g. students from low-income backgrounds or areas of low HE participation; disabled students; estranged students; mature students; carers or care leavers; children from military families; refugees) are particularly encouraged to apply.

Entry requirements

You'll need a first degree (2:1 or equivalent) from an internationally recognised university or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. We require English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

How to Apply

Please contact a prospective supervisor to discuss your interest before you apply. To help you find a suitable supervisor, you can browse our staff profiles in the Find a PhD Supervisor search tool, or do a thematic keyword search on our research portal.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the relevant PhD subject area page and select ‘October 2023’ intake. You must also quote the relevant project code to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity (links and project codes provided below):

For projects in Criminology, please use project code SCCJ7320223

For projects in Education and Sociology, please use project code EDSO7310223

For projects in Languages and Applied Linguistics, please use project code SLAL7330223

For projects in Area Studies, English Literature, History, Politics and International Relations, please use project code SASH7300223

Make sure you submit a research proposal, personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency (if required) and an up-to-date CV. You can find more information on what to include in your research proposal and personal statement on our website.

Application deadline: 5 February 2023

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