Essex Doctoral Training Centre
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding
The University of Essex's ESRC-accredited Doctoral
Training Centre (DTC) is located at the heart of an
acknowledged and well-connected centre of excellence in UK
and international social science. It offers excellent
training opportunities and a highly stimulating research
environment to UK, EU and international postgraduate
students, researchers, professionals, practitioners and
users.
What is a DTC?
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
introduced its new
Postgraduate Training Framework which changed the way it
provides support for postgraduate training. Our DTC offers
16 fully-funded ESRC studentships across 22 doctoral
pathways. There are 21 DTCs across the UK offering 600
studentships in total.
What is a doctoral pathway?
A doctoral pathway
is the term used to describe the routes to postgraduate
study, whether this is one year masters followed by three
years of doctoral research (1+3) or three years of doctoral
research (+3) for those who have already completed a
relevant masters degree (from another ESRC-accredited DTC or
one with a substantial methodological element).
We have 22 doctoral pathways that are arranged into eight themed clusters.
Am I eligible for a studentship?
Students with UK and EU fee status (often referred to as Home/EU students)
can apply for all our ESRC studentships across all 22 pathways.
International students are eligible for ESRC funding if their research will
use
advanced quantitative methods and/or if
their research has a very strong economics focus (to be supervised in the
following departments: Economics, ISER, Essex Business School, Government).
Allocation of Essex DTC studentships
We can award our studentships through our DTC as follows:
- Six to economics (any pathway in the
Economics pathway cluster or to other
pathways with a strong economics focus - we
advise you to consult Graduate Admissions
for advice on this)
- Eight to those using
quantitative methods (within the Applied
social and economic research pathway cluster
and any other pathway which contains a
strong quantitative methods element).
- At least two to any pathway including
collaborative awards.
How much are the studentships worth?
The fully-funded ESRC Studentships are worth between
£18,325 and £21,575 per year for each year of study, made up
as follows:
- Standard maintenance £13,590
- Fees £3,732
- Research Training Grant £750
- Overseas Fieldwork £253
In addition, enhanced stipends of £3,000 per year will be paid to those
students on our Economics pathways OR using
advanced quantitative methods in their doctoral research. These students
will also receive an enhanced Research Training Grant of £250 per year. These
enhancements are only paid during the +3 period (doctoral research) of each
award and are not paid during the +1 period (masters).
How do I apply for an ESRC studentship?
There are three steps to completing your ESRC funding application:
- Once you have decided on your chosen
doctoral
pathway, you need to discuss this with the relevant
department and apply to study at our University through
postgraduate
admissions.
- Apply
to study at our University.
- Once you have submitted your application you can apply for
funding. Please complete the
application
form (.doc). Please submit a signed hardcopy of this form
(along with the relevant attachments) to the Graduate
Administrator in your academic department.
Key dates
- Deadline for applications: 15 February 2013*
- Selection panel meets: week commencing 11 March
- Successful candidates notified: week commencing 18 March
* We reserve the right to change this deadline as necessary.
What other funding is available if I am unsuccessful in receiving an
ESRC studentship?
There are a number of other funding opportunities available to both Home/EU
and International students, which is available on our
scholarship finder. You can also apply for funding through another
ESRC Doctoral Training Centre across the UK.
Who can I contact for advice on how to apply and how
to write my proposal?
If you would like to talk to someone regarding applying to the University for
postgraduate training, please contact the
Graduate
Admissions Office.
For more information about the ESRC-funded studentships,
your chosen course, or completing your application form,
please contact the relevant department Graduate
Administrator:
For advice on preparing your
research proposal, contact your preferred supervisor(s) directly. You may
also find it helpful to contact some of our
current ESRC-funded students.
If you would like to talk to someone regarding details of the application
process itself, please contact the
Graduate Admissions Office.