The University will offer 55 PhD scholarships for students starting their PhD research at the University in the 2011-2012 academic session.
Background
In order to attract the best and brightest PhD students, the University seeks to offer not only unparalleled research facilities and superb supervision, but also to provide development opportunities which will support our research students as they progress beyond their PhD, through an innovative programme of integrated research, training and career development.
This exciting new scholarship scheme provides a valuable opportunity for postgraduate research students to undertake a package of training and development which will help them to develop the necessary skills required to meet their career choices and offer them a breadth of development opportunities in areas such as teaching, public engagement, entrepreneurship, and research.
Scholars will usually focus on one career development area. These include:
Teaching
University, and particularly undergraduate, teaching will be the area that many Career Development PhD scholars focus on. The level of teaching contribution will vary among the disciplines, commonly in the region of 180 hours per academic session. This will be combined with associated tasks such as marking or demonstrating, e-tutoring or group facilitation, perhaps with some lecturing or course development experience towards the end of the three years.
Public Engagement
Other scholars will concentrate on public engagement, disseminating and promoting research to audiences beyond the University. This might include giving public talks; seeking public input into research; or working with science centres or museums. Such activities will help to encourage a greater understanding about the issues and possibilities that develop from research.
Entrepreneurship
Looking at new ways of encouraging innovative approaches to the utilization of research will be the focus for some scholars. This might include being introduced to such areas as intellectual property and patents, learning how to set up a business or spin-out company, as well as business and industrial placements.
Research
Some scholars may contribute to other research-related activities beyond their specific PhD topic. Examples include systematic reviews or trials, data collection or analysis, journal editing, preparing briefings and materials for publication and presentation in our Schools, Colleges and Support Groups.
Award
Each scholarship will cover the UK/EU rate of tuition fee (about £3,500 in 2011-2012) as well as a stipend which will increase each year.
In 2011-2012 the level of stipend will be £14,000.
In 2012-2013 this will increase to £14,500, and in year three the level will be £15,000.
Subject to satisfactory progress, the awards are tenable for up to three years.
Eligibility
The awards are open to UK, EU and overseas students applying to study for a research degree in 2011-2012. Award applicants should contact the School with whom they intend to study before applying for the award to ascertain whether the funding is available for the discipline involved.
Applicants must have already applied for admission to a full-time PhD research programme of study at the University.
They must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential. Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a UK first class or 2:1 honours degree at undergraduate level or the international equivalent.
Other factors such as financial status, nationality and the proposed field of study are not taken into account.
The University will not generally consider candidates who have already obtained a PhD, or formal equivalent, as a result of direct research training.
Candidates are required to have good English Language skills with scholarship applicants normally requiring a minimum IELTS of 7.0.
Please also note that if you have applied for consecutive registration where you will start your Master’s programme of study in 2011 and your PhD the following year in 2012, that you will not be eligible to apply for a Principal’s Career Development Scholarship in 2011. Principal’s awards cannot be held concurrently with fully-funded scholarships but can be held with partial awards such as Scottish Overseas Research Students Award Scheme (SORSAS) awards.
Applying
Completed application forms must be received by Scholarships and Student Funding Services no later than 1 February 2011.
Eligible applicants should complete an online application form.
UK and EU applicants should apply as normal to the relevant UK Research Council, while overseas students should apply to the Scottish Overseas Research Students Award Scheme (SORSAS) as well as to other external sources of funding.
Successful candidates who receive other sources of partial funding will have the value of their Career Development PhD Scholarship altered accordingly.
Selection Procedure
The University will use the information you provide on your scholarship application form together with the information contained in the supporting documentation (two references and academic transcript) which you submitted as part of your application for admission to administer and assess your scholarship application and to select successful applicants.
Shortlisted candidates should expect to be invited to attend an interview which will take place either in person or by telephone.
The winners of the scholarship will be announced by Friday 29 April 2011.
Scholarships and Student Funding Services
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh, EH8 9YL
Work: +44 (0)131 651 4070
Fax: +44 (0)131 651 4066
Email: scholarships@ed.ac.uk
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Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.