ESRC Wales Doctoral Training Partnership - General Studentship 2023

Begin your postgraduate research journey at Swansea University: 86% of our research quality is ‘world- leading and internationally excellent’. We provide a welcoming environment for PhD researchers with specialist training, advice and development opportunities. As an ESRC Wales DTP researcher, you will also benefit from cohort-based networking events and dedicated ESRC Wales DTP student representatives at each campus.

Swansea University values diversity and equality at all levels and encourages applications from all sections of the community.

Funding providers: ESRC (50%); Swansea University (50%)

Subject areas: Various subject areas

Project start dates:

• +3 Course - 2 October 2023 (enrolment open from mid-September)
• 1+3 Course - 25 September 2023 (enrolment open from mid-September)

(Economics pathway)

• 1+2 Course – 2 October 2023 (enrolment open from mid-September)
• 1+1+2 Course – 25 September 2023 (enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

This studentship is an ‘open’ award. 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 Swansea University webpages. Short descriptions of each accredited pathway are available on the ESRC Wales DTP website. 

The Swansea-based representative for each of the pathways may be able to advise you. They are:

• Bilingualism (Dr Vivienne Rogers – v.e.rogers@swansea.ac.uk)
• Criminology (Dr Michael Ward – m.r.m.ward@swansea.ac.uk)
• Data Science, Health and Wellbeing (Dr Amy Mizen – a.r.mizen@swansea.ac.uk)
• Digital Economy and Society (Dr Matthew Roach – m.j.roach@swansea.ac.uk)
• Economics (Dr Ansgar Wohlschlegel – A.U.M.Wohlschlegel@swansea.ac.uk)
• Empirical Studies in Law (Dr Victoria Jenkins – v.a.jenkins@swansea.ac.uk)
• Human Geography (Dr Chris Muellerleile – C.M.Muellerleile@swansea.ac.uk)
• Linguistics (Professor Nuria Lorenzo-Dus – N.Lorenzo-Dus@swansea.ac.uk)
• Management and Business (Dr Daniele Doneddu – d.doneddu@swansea.ac.uk)
• Psychology (Dr Hayley Young – A.Young@swansea.ac.uk)
• Sport and Exercise Science (Professor Camilla Knight – C.J.Knight@swansea.ac.uk)

Informal enquiries about this studentship are welcome and should be directed to the relevant pathway contact listed above.

Mode of study: Full or part-time study is possible. We welcome applications for both full- and part-time study. 

Please note that full-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold either a full-time job or a permanent part-time job during the period of their award. Part-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold a full-time job.

Project description:

Swansea 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. 

ESRC studentships are highly competitive. Candidates should have an excellent background in the social sciences, holding a first- or strong upper-second-class degree, or equivalent recognised by Swansea University (please consult https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/entry-requirements/); applications from those also holding a relevant research training master’s degree (or an equivalent background in research training) will be considered for a ‘+3’ /PhD award.

English language requirements: if applicable, a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 (with a score of no less than 6.5 in any individual component) or Swansea University-recognised equivalent is required. For more details, please read the University’s English language entry policy. 

A fully-funded Wales DTP studentship is available to both UK 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, please see the UKRI website. 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. 

Pending qualification study: to meet Swansea University's concurrent study regulations, current study is required to be awarded/completed (as appropriate) prior to the course/scholarship start date. Please note that this date supersedes any current course of study schedule/submission deadlines.

NB: If you are holding a non-UK degree, please see Swansea University degree comparisons to find out if you meet the eligibility.  

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

The studentship provides the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend. There will be additional funds available for research expenses.

Studentship awards commence in October 2023 and will cover your tuition fees as well as a maintenance grant (currently £17,668 per annum for 2022/23 for full-time students, updated each year) and include access to an additional Research Training Support Grant (RTSG). 

A ‘1+3’ studentship provides funding for four years (or part-time equivalent), completing a research training master’s in the first year, followed by 3 years’ research funding for a PhD. A ‘+3’ studentship provides funding for the three years of PhD research study only (or part-time equivalent).

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.

To apply, please visit the individual scholarship advert page.

The deadline for applications is 12:00pm (GMT) on 3 February 2023.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview; interviews are expected to take place in February and March 2023. Following the interviews, a final shortlist of nominated applicants will be forwarded to a panel that is convened by the ESRC Wales DTP Management Group and at which final decisions with regard to studentship awards will be made. 

Please note that a nomination from Swansea University post-interview is no guarantee of a final studentship offer – and a nomination is not an offer of a place. All final decisions on the allocation of studentships are made by the ESRC Wales DTP Management Group; in most cases, successful applicants can expect to hear in April 2023.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to the relevant pathway contact.