ESRC WGSSS studentship in the Politics, International Relations and Area Studies Pathway

Partners: Aberystwyth University’s Department of International Politics; Cardiff University’s Department of Politics & International Relations; Cardiff University’s School of Modern Languages; Swansea University’s Department of Politics, Philosophy & International Relations.

The School of Modern Languages at Cardiff University are delighted to offer fully funded Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) (ESRC DTP) studentships in the Global Language-Based Area Studies Pathway starting in October 2026.   

Language-based area studies draws upon foreign language skills to explore the society, politics or culture of a particular country or region. Students may do research on Britain, Europe and its member states; African studies; China or Japan, nationalism and identity politics; justice and incarceration; multilingualism and social linguistics; international relations, security and comparative politics

We particularly welcome applications on topics which require knowledge of, or a readiness to undertake study of one of the major European languages, Chinese or Japanese. Other languages may also be available via the University’s Languages for All programme or via intensive language training.

Applicants should consider approaching a potential supervisor before submitting their application to confirm that there is appropriate supervisory capacity and to discuss their application. Information on staff research interests can be found on Cardiff’s School of Modern Languages (MLANG) web pages. In some instances, students may benefit from co-supervision by staff in Cardiff’s Department of Politics and International Relation (Politics/ IR).

Entry Criteria:    

To receive WGSSS studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equivalent to an UK honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters. Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply.   

Duration of study:   

Durations of study varies from 3.5 (PhD) to 1+3.5 (MSc + PhD) years full time (or part time equivalent). The duration study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs of the student which will be assessed by completing a Development Needs Analysis. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.   

Research in practice placement:   
All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.    

International Eligibility:   

WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.     

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:  

WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.    

Assessment:   

Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to give a short presentation and answer a series of panel questions. Interviews may be conducted in person or via Team. Applicants are reminded to submit all relevant documents by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

How to apply:   

Applications should be received no later than 11/12/2025 including all required documents. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered.    

All applications should be submitted via – (please click on the ‘apply now’ box) 

Please include the following documents with your application:   

• WGSSS Application Form (WGSSS Studentship Application Form 2026 )
• Academic CV (two pages maximum) 

• 2 academic or professional references (candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. The reference must detail the applicant’s research strengths). 

• Degree certificates and Transcripts (including translations if applicable)   

• If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (see institutional requirements for entry)  

Funding:   

The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees, an annual tax-free living stipend of in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £20,780 for 2025-26 full-time) and includes access to a Research Training Support Grant. Full and part-time applications are welcomed. If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.    

All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.    

Ysgoloriaeth WGSSS ESRC ar Lwybr Gwleidyddiaeth, Cysylltiadau Rhyngwladol ac Astudiaethau Ardal

Mae’n bleser gan Ysgol Ieithoedd Modern Prifysgol Caerdydd gynnig ysgoloriaethau ymchwil Ysgol Graddedigion Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol Cymru (WGSSS) (Partneriaeth Hyfforddiant Doethurol yr ESRC) sydd wedi’u hariannu’n llawn yn Llwybr Astudiaethau Ardal Byd-eang sy’n seiliedig ar Iaith fydd yn dechrau ym mis Hydref 2026.    

Mae astudiaethau ardal sy’n seiliedig ar iaith yn defnyddio sgiliau ieithoedd tramor i archwilio cymdeithas, gwleidyddiaeth neu ddiwylliant gwlad neu ranbarth penodol. Gall myfyrwyr wneud ymchwil ar Brydain, Ewrop a'i aelod-wladwriaethau; Astudiaethau Affricanaidd; Tsieina neu Siapan; cenedlaetholdeb a gwleidyddiaeth sy’n seiliedig ar hunaniaeth; cyfiawnder a charcharu; amlieithrwydd ac ieithyddiaeth gymdeithasol; cysylltiadau rhyngwladol, diogelwch a gwleidyddiaeth gymharol

Croesewir ceisiadau ar bynciau sy'n gofyn am wybodaeth am, neu barodrwydd i astudio un o'r prif ieithoedd Ewropeaidd, Tsieinëeg neu Siapanaeg. Mae'n bosibl y bydd ieithoedd eraill ar gael hefyd drwy raglen Ieithoedd i Bawb y Brifysgol neu ar ffurf hyfforddiant dwys mewn iaith.

Dylai ymgeiswyr ystyried cysylltu â ddarpar oruchwyliwr cyn cyflwyno eu cais er mwyn cadarnhau bod capasiti goruchwylio priodol ar gael, ac i drafod eu cais. Ceir gwybodaeth am ddiddordebau ymchwil staff ar dudalennau gwe Ysgol Ieithoedd Modern Caerdydd (MLANG). Mewn rhai achosion, gall myfyrwyr elwa o gyd-oruchwyliaeth gan staff yn Adran Gwleidyddiaeth a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol Caerdydd.

Meini Prawf Mynediad:    

I dderbyn cyllid un o ysgoloriaethau ymchwil yr WGSSS, mae’n rhaid bod gennych chi gymwysterau neu brofiad sy'n cyfateb i radd anrhydedd yn y DU ar lefel dosbarth cyntaf neu ail ddosbarth uwch, neu radd meistr. Mae croeso i fyfyrwyr sydd â chefndir academaidd anhraddodiadol hefyd wneud cais.   

Hyd yr astudiaeth:   

Mae hyd yr astudiaeth yn amrywio o 3.5 i 4.5 blynedd amser llawn (neu’r hyn sy’n gyfwerth iddi yn rhan-amser).     

Mae hyd yr astudiaeth yn dibynnu ar brofiad ymchwilio blaenorol ac anghenion hyfforddi'r myfyriwr a asesir drwy gwblhau Dadansoddiad o’r Anghenion Datblygu. Rydyn ni’n croesawu ceisiadau am astudio’n amser llawn ac yn rhan-amser.   

Lleoliad ymarfer wrth ymchwilio:   

Bydd gofyn i bob myfyriwr a ariennir gan yr WGSSS gwblhau lleoliad Ymarfer wrth Ymchwilio a ariennir am gyfanswm o 3 mis (neu’r hyn sy’n gyfwerth iddo yn rhan-amser). Bydd pob myfyriwr yn cael y cyfle i gwblhau lleoliad mewn sefydliad academaidd, polisi, busnes neu gymdeithas sifil.    

Gofynion rhyngwladol ynghylch bod yn gymwys:   

Mae ysgoloriaethau ymchwil yr WGSSS ar gael i fyfyrwyr y DU a myfyrwyr rhyngwladol. Caiff hyd at 30% o'n carfan gynnwys myfyrwyr rhyngwladol. Ni chodir y gwahaniaeth rhwng ffi y DU a'r ffi ryngwladol ar fyfyrwyr rhyngwladol. Dylai ymgeiswyr fodloni gofynion UKRI o ran bod yn gymwys.     

Cydraddoldeb, Amrywiaeth a Chynhwysiant:  

Mae’r WGSSS wedi ymrwymo i gefnogi a hyrwyddo cydraddoldeb ac amrywiaeth a chreu diwylliant sy’n cynnwys pawb. Rydyn ni’n croesawu ceisiadau gan bob aelod o'r gymuned fyd-eang waeth beth fo'u hoedran, anabledd, rhyw, hunaniaeth rhywedd, ailbennu rhywedd, statws priodasol neu bartneriaeth sifil, beichiogrwydd neu famolaeth, hil, crefydd neu gred a chyfeiriadedd rhywiol.    

Asesu:   

Bydd yr ymgeiswyr sy’n cyrraedd y rhestr fer yn cael eu gwahodd am gyfweliad. Yn rhan o'r broses gyfweld, bydd gofyn i ymgeiswyr roi cyflwyniad byr ac ateb cwestiynau'r panel. Gellir cynnal cyfweliadau wyneb yn wyneb neu ar Teams. Atgoffir ymgeiswyr i gyflwyno'r holl ddogfennau perthnasol erbyn y dyddiad cau. Ni fyddwn yn ystyried ceisiadau anghyflawn.

 Sut i wneud cais:   

Dylai ceisiadau ddod i law erbyn 11/12/2025 fan bellaf gan gynnwys yr holl ddogfennau sydd eu hangen. Oherwydd nifer y ceisiadau a ddaw i law, ni fydd ceisiadau anghyflawn yn cael eu hystyried.    

Dylai pob cais gael ei gyflwyno drwy -  (os gwelwch yn dda cliciwch ar y blwch 'cymhwyso nawr')

Cofiwch gynnwys y dogfennau canlynol yn eich cais:   

• Ffurflen Gais yr WGSSS (WGSSS Studentship Application Form 2026 )

• CV academaidd (dim mwy na dwy dudalen). 

• Dau eirda academaidd neu broffesiynol (mae’n rhaid i ymgeiswyr gysylltu â chanolwyr a chynnwys y geirdaon yn eu cais. Mae’n rhaid i'r geirdaon fanylu ar gryfderau ymchwil yr ymgeisydd. 

• Tystysgrifau a thrawsgrifiadau gradd (gan gynnwys cyfieithiadau os yw'n berthnasol)   

• Os yw'n berthnasol, prawf o Gymhwysedd yn y Saesneg (gweler gofynion mynediad y sefydliad)  

Cyllid:   

Mae ysgoloriaethau ymchwil a ariennir gan yr ESRC yn talu ffioedd dysgu, cyflog byw di-dreth blynyddol yn unol ag isafswm cyfraddau UKRI (£20,780 ar hyn o bryd) ac mae'n cynnwys mynediad at Grant Cymorth Hyfforddiant Ymchwil.    

  Os oes gennych chi anabledd, efallai y bydd gennych chi hawl i Lwfans Myfyrwyr Anabl (DSA) ar ben eich ysgoloriaeth ymchwil.