Doctoral Training Partnerships

What is a Doctoral Training Partnership?

A significant proportion of the UK Research Councils' funding for postgraduate research studentships is now awarded to institutions via Centres for Doctoral Training (also known as DTC or CDT) and Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTP).

There are real benefits from undertaking a doctoral programme through a CDT or DTP:

Competitive stipends
Opportunities to engage in research collaborations with leading researchers from across the partnership
The integral involvement of leading industry, business, government and charity partners in both training and research
Innovative and engaging postgraduate research experience from training as part of a cohort

��ӰԺ is a partner in five DTPs through which we can offer funded PhD studentships in a wide range of research areas. Studentships are available to highly motivated and qualified applicants and provide a generous support package usually including a full fee waiver, annual stipend, and research training support grant. Each DTP/CDT has its own application schedule and deadline.��

Full list of DTPs/CDTs

��ӰԺ are delighted to offer fully funded Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) (ESRC DTP) studentships starting in October 2025 in the following pathway subject areas.

Bilingualism/Linguistics
Psychology
Sport and Exercise Science
Criminology and Law
Sociology/Science and Technology Studies
Data Science, Health and Wellbeing
Education
Social Work, Social Care, and Social Policy
Economics
Management and Business
Environmental Planning

Entry Criteria:  �į��

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. �į��

Duration of study: �į��

The duration of study varies from 3.5 to 4.5 years full time (or part time equivalent).   �į��

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. �į��

Research in practice placement: �į��
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.  �į��

International Eligibility: �į��

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 eligibility requirements.   �į��

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.  �į��

Assessment: �į��

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 

How to apply: �į��

Applications should be received no later than 11/12/24 including all required documents. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered.  �į��

All applications should be submitted using the following links (please use the correct email address for the pathway being submitted to:

Bilingualism/Linguistics – bilingwgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Psychology – psychwgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Sport and Exercise Science –�� spexwgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Criminology and Law – crimwgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Sociology/Science and Technology Studies – socwgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Data Science, Health and Wellbeing -dshwbwgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Education eduwgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Social Work, Social Care, and Social Policy – socialworkwgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Economics econwgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Management and Business businesswgsss@bangor.ac.uk
Environmental Planning envirowgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Please include the following documents with your application: �į��

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) �į��

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

Funding: �į��

The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees, an annual tax-free living stipend of in line with (currently £19,237) and includes access to a Research Training Support Grant.  �į��

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a on top of your studentship.  �į��

The Envision Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) brings together a powerful group of UK researchers with industry and non-governmental organisations’ partners to provide a new generation of environmental scientists with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to take on the challenges of a changing world. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

Members

Lancaster University��
University of Nottingham
��ӰԺ
the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
British Geological Survey
Rothamsted Research

Applications are now open for 2023.��The��closing date for applications is��Wednesday 11th January 2023.

Available projects from ��ӰԺ

��

Funded by NERC and BBSRC, the STARS Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) is an exciting consortium of 8 organizations, comprising 4 universities and 4 research institutes from around England, Scotland, and Wales who are collaborating to offer training to PhD students in soil and have access to internationally renowned soil scientists and research facilities as well as benefiting from the support of fellow students from across the country.;

Lancaster
Bangor
Nottingham
Cranfield
CEH
James Hutton Inst
Rothamsted
CEH
BGS

The Medical Research Council (MRC) / National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Trials Methodology Research Partnership (TMRP) aims to improve health by improving trials. Our MRC Doctoral Training Partnership presents an opportunity to undertake training for a PhD in trials methodology.

DTP projects are available in various areas including statistics, data analytics and informatics, computer science, health economics, qualitative methods, mixed-methods, clinical medicine and psychology.

Students will become members of the TMRP, offering a broader spectrum of training activities and networking opportunities beyond their host Research Organisation. Students will be encouraged to join relevant TMRP working groups, where they will meet other PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and senior academic staff from relevant and complementary research themes. In addition to a structured ‘core’ training programme, we are able to provide a range of more specific training that students may choose to attend following consultation with their supervisors.

Members

University of Aberdeen
��ӰԺ
University of Birmingham
University of Cambridge
University of Glasgow
Institute of Cancer Research
University of Leeds
University of Liverpool
Newcastle University
University of Plymouth
Queen Mary University London
University College London

PhD Studentship opportunities for 2025 entry

Applications are now open for October 2025. The closing date for applications is 13th January 2025.

Available projects from ��ӰԺ:

Before making an application, applicants should contact the project supervisor to find out more about the project and to discuss their interests in the research before 6th January 2025.

The application form is available online at:

Please complete the form fully. Incomplete forms will not be considered. CVs will not be accepted for this scheme. Please apply giving details for your first choice project. You can provide details of up to two other TMRP DTP projects you may be interested in (from any of the partner Universities) at section B of the application form.

Completed application forms must be returned to: enquiries@methodologyhubs.mrc.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 12 noon (GMT) 13th January 2025. Late applications will not be considered.

The AIMLAC Centre for Doctoral Training provides 4-year, fully funded PhD opportunities across the broad areas of particle physics and astronomy, biological and health, and mathematical and computer sciences.

The CDT is built upon longstanding research and training collaborations between the universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Bristol, Cardiff, and Swansea. In addition, Supercomputing Wales and the University Computing Academies provide bespoke support via Research Software Engineers and access to HPC facilities in a coordinated fashion.��

Please visit��for more details about the centre and how to apply.

The recruitment cycle for the 2023 cohort will start in the autumn of 2022.

A limited number of positions is available for international students, including fees and bursaries.

Training

The programme consists of a substantial training component in the first year, including cohort-based training in AI and computational methods, to establish a common base. Engagement with our��is embedded throughout and includes a short-term placement in Year 2 and a further 6-month placement across Years 2/3. Transferable skills training is delivered via residential meetings, at our annual CDT conference, and in cooperation with the Alan Turing Institute. More details can be found on the��and��pages.

Research

Our doctoral training programme is constructed around three research themes:

T1: data from large science facilities (particle physics, astronomy, cosmology)
T2: biological, health and clinical sciences (medical imaging, electronic health records, bioinformatics)
T3: novel mathematical, physical, and computer science approaches (data, hardware, software, algorithms)

While the themes are diverse as academic disciplines, in our CDT they are linked through the use of AI, machine learning and advanced computing methods. Therefore, a crucial role is played by knowledge exchange across themes via cohort training, joint supervision, peer-to-peer interaction and student mentoring. Research project are embedded within one of the themes, with supervisory support across themes, to develop new synergies. More details can be found on the��page.

Fully funded PhD positions

Fully funded PhD positions are available for students with a strong interest and aptitude in computational science and in one of our research themes. Positions are funded for 4 years, including the placements with the external partners. Considerable funding is available for training, workshop and conference support, as well as for a laptop and other computational resources. The CDT will recruit 5 cohorts, with a minimum of 11 PhD students per cohort. The��have started in October 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. For details on how to apply, see the��page.

The Nuclear Energy Futures CDT is a EPSRC funded centre for postgraduate training, bringing together PhD students from ��ӰԺ, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and The Open University.

The Nuclear Energy Futures CDT combines innovative research and teaching, guidance from academic and industry experts and a supportive environment to help you make a better energy future.

*EPSRC CDTs announced Feb 2019

Further opportunities

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 956124.

**(Applications for 2021 are now closed)

Hywel Dda University Health Board provides healthcare services to a total population of 380,000 throughout Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

Two Funded PhD Studentships in Public Health Economics at CHEME ��ӰԺ

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