Postgraduate Scholarships in the School of English

The School of English is delighted to be able to offer six PhD scholarships and seven MA scholarships for autumn 2012 entry.

1. AHRC fully-funded Studentships (PhD and MA) in English (three awards)

• Two three-year PhD studentships funded by the AHRC and based in the School of English to start in October 2012.  PhD proposals are invited in any area of English; interdisciplinary topics which link to strategic research areas in the School of English are encouraged. Please note that these studentships cannot be awarded for practice-based programmes (e.g. the creative writing PhD). Applicants must have an offer of a place by 1 April 2012.
• A one-year MA studentship funded by the AHRC and based in the School of English to start in October 2012. Applicants must have an offer of a place by 31 May 2012.

These studentships comprise fees and a stipend at the rate provided by the AHRC. See AHRC website for details:

AHRC website

Only students who are UK citizens or who have been ordinarily resident in the UK throughout the three-year period preceding the date of application (not including time spent in the UK for the purpose of education) are eligible to apply for these awards.  Students who are ordinarily resident in a member state of the EU are also encouraged to apply, but are not eligible to receive AHRC stipends.

2. PhD Fee-waiver Scholarships in English (two awards)

Two PhD fee-waiver scholarships are available for research students registering in October 2012. These awards the equivalent of Home/EU fees for 3 years. Only new PhD students are eligible. PhD proposals should be in the following areas:

• Creative Writing
• Romantic Literature

Both financial packages stated above cover full-time Home/EU fees only, but international and part-time students are encouraged to apply. Successful international students would themselves pay the difference between the Home/EU fee award and the international fee.

3. PhD International Partial Fee Waivers (two awards)

Two awards are available for International students registering for a PhD in October 2012.

• Two awards of £1,500 (fee discount in the first year of registration)

These bursaries are available in the fields of English or American Literature, English Language, or Creative Writing. Topics which link to strategic areas in the School of English are encouraged:

Research in the School of English

4. MA Partial Fee Waivers in English (six awards)

The School of English is pleased to offer up to five MA awards for full-time one-year MA courses. These awards are open to full-time students applying for the following Master’s courses: MA English Language and Linguistics; MA English Studies; MA Modern Literature (and Creative Writing); or MA Victorian Studies.

• Three awards of £1,000 for Home/EU students
• Two awards of £1,500 for International students

A further award of £1,000 will be available specifically for a student taking the MA English Language and Linguistics course.

Scholarship Applications

Applicants should have a 1st-Class or high 2.1 BA degree (or its equivalent) in English or, if currently in their final year, show clear evidence of achieving those grades.

Applicants for the PhD scholarships should additionally have a Merit or Distinction (or equivalent) MA in English (or a closely related subject), or be able to show clear evidence of achieving these grades. Funding will be awarded on the strength of the application and its supporting documents, particularly the Research Proposal.

Applications for postgraduate study can be done online or via post. Please indicate that you wish to be considered for these awards in the Financial Information section of the application form.

Applicants for AHRC PhD award must have an offer of a place from the School by 1 April 2012; applicants for AHRC MA award must have an offer of a place by 31 May 2012. The application deadline for other funding is 1 August 2012. 

You may wish to visit the website of the Graduate School for further information on possible funding opportunities.