Postgraduate Research

Sources of Funding for Research Degrees

The School has some funding available on a competitive basis for PhD students commencing their studies in the academic year 2011-2012.  

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) DTA Awards

A limited number of EPSRC Doctoral Training Account Research Studentships are available to home and EU PhD students commencing in October 2012. Awards cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance for British (home-based) students, and students who are nationals of other European Union countries who have been resident in the UK for at least three years prior to commencing their PhD. EU students who do not meet the residency requirement may be considered for an EPSRC Fees-Only Award. Applications for admission to PhD, including all supporting documents, should normally reach us by 1st July.

EPSRC Industrial case and research grant studentships

From time to time Studentships become available for a specified research project which have additional funding from an Industrial Collaborator, or which are attached to a Research Grant held by a member of members of the academic staff, we currently have . You can also check opportunities on .

From time to time Studentships become available for a specified research project which has additional funding from an Industrial or other Collaborator, or which is attached to a Research Grant held by a member or members of the academic staff.   These Studentship opportunities are advertised as they become available, both on our website and on jobs.ac.uk.  

University of Essex Scholarships

The School will have available a limited number of University of Essex Scholarships which will provide partial funding for PhD students commencing in October 2012. Students, and overseas students in particular, who wish to be considered for a  Scholarship should be able to partially self-fund, or have partial funding approved from an external source, eg a fees-only or maintenance-only Government or Employer Scholarship, as the maximum amount which may be awarded is £10,000.  The deadline for receipt of postgraduate study applications and completed University Scholarship application forms is 31 March 2012. (Note that eligible Home and EU students will normally be considered for EPSRC DTA funding which is allocated later in the year – see above.)

Silberrad Scholarships for Essex Graduates  

Home/EU Essex graduates who hold an offer of admission to PhD by Research may be eligible to apply for partial funding under the Silberrad Scholarship scheme.    

For a list of all postgraduate research studentships offered by the University of Essex, please follow the link here:

Postgraduate scholarships and studentships

Please note that only PhD students are eligible for EPSRC Research Studentships and University of Essex Scholarships offered by the School of CSEE. These awards are not available to MPhil or MSc students.

Other Sources of Financial Support

External Funding Sources for International Students

• British Chevening Scholarships

  • This scheme is administered through the British Council  in your own country.  Awards are given to students from a wide variety of countries and can cover all or part of the cost of postgraduate study in the UK.

• Commonwealth Scholarships

  • These are advertised through the British Embassy or High Commission in a student's own country. Graduates of Commonwealth universities who wish to undertake postgraduate study or research in the UK should consult the Association of Commonwealth Universities website.

• IFU Fellowships and Grants

  • The International Federation of University Women offers a limited number of international fellowships and grants to women graduates for postgraduate research, study and training.

• Africa Educational Trust Scholarships

  • The Africa Educational Trust provides support for students from Africa to study at colleges and universities in Europe.

 Further information on possible external sources of funding for international students may be found on the Student Support Office web pages.

Graduate Teaching And laboratory Assistantships

Suitably qualified research students may undertake up to six hours per week of class supervision and lab demonstrating, if such teaching hours are available, and could earn in the region of £1,500 per year from teaching. GTA and GLA vacancies are advertised to research students at the start of the academic year.

Part-time work on campus or locally

The University's JobsOnline can assist students who wish to find part-time employment.

Research students should inform their supervisor of any paid employment, including GTA work, and should be aware that taking on too many hours may have a detrimental effect on their studies.