ESRC Doctoral Training Centre +3 and 1+3 Studentships in Social Sciences and International Studies Ref: 1093

About the award

The College of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of Exeter is pleased to be offering up to 7 ESRC match funded 1+3 or +3 studentships as part of the South West Doctoral Training Centre. For 2013/14 entry we will be making 7 awards and are currently inviting applications for ESRC-facing research within the disciplines of:

• Area Studies
• Education
• Politics and International Relations
• Sociology and Philosophy

For eligible students the full time studentship will cover UK/EU fees and an annual Research Council maintenance grant of approximately £13,590 (2011/2012 rate) for up to three years (+3 award) or four years (1+3 award).

For the 1+3 studentships we would require you to register initially on one of the following Masters programmes:

• MRes Middle East Studies
• MSc Educational Research
• MRes Politics
• MRes Science and Technology Studies

For the +3 studentships we would require you to register on a PhD programme in one of our five disciplines with the aim of conducting research in an area that aligns with the work of the ESRC.

The ESRC does not expect its funding to be used for students who have already completed a substantial proportion of a PhD, for example funds should not be used to support a student entering year 3 of a 3 year programme.

Academic entry requirements: For the 1+3 programme students must have a strong first degree (at least an Upper Second Class Honours or equivalent) in a relevant social science discipline. Candidates for the +3 programme must, in addition, have (or be about to complete) a Masters degree in a relevant social science discipline or have equivalent research training. Personal qualities should also include the ability to work independently and high degree of motivation necessary to complete a PhD in three years.

Residency entry requirements: Home status students receive a full ESRC studentship (fees plus a maintenance grant of approximately £13,998 per year); EU students who have not been resident in the UK for the last three years before the start of their studentship are eligible for a fees-only award. If you are unsure of your eligibility, you can check the ESRC eligibility requirements in Annexe 1 of the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide.

Only candidates who also hold an offer for a place of study on one of the College’s PhD or Master's programmes as specified above will be considered, so an application must be submitted before or concurrent with the scholarship application.

Summary

How to apply

Please apply to our PhD programmes via the University application system. Once you are awaiting the result of your PhD application, or have already received an offer, you should email the following documents directly to Liz Hull (ssis-researchadmissions@exeter.ac.uk) by 14 February 2013:

1) A covering letter outlining your academic interests, any prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project;
2) Your current CV.

The deadline for submitting your online application and the documents listed above is 14 February 2013,11.59 pm.

All shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview and will be required to give a 5 minute presentation. Interviews will take place at Streatham Campus, Exeter between 13 and 14 March 2013. If you have not heard from us by the interview dates you have not been short listed on this occasion.