Eligibility Criteria: UfN Co(l)laboratory PhD Studentships 2024

Monday 23 October 2023

Before submitting an application to The Universities for Nottingham Co(l)laboratory PhD Studentship Scheme 2024, please ensure that you have read through our eligibility criteria. This studentship scheme is open to all permanent UK residents who meet our minimum eligibility criteria detailed below. These criteria apply to all advertised Co(l)laboratory PhD projects, whether they are based at NTU (Nottingham Trent University) or UoN (the University of Nottingham). Applications which do not meet our minimum eligibility requirements will not be considered.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the standard minimum qualifications for entry for research degrees at the university at which their PhD project of choice would be based (either NTU or UoN).

• Applicants must hold at least an upper 2nd class (2.1) undergraduate degree or equivalent degree, or a 2nd class (2.2) undergraduate degree with a masters degree, or must be able to demonstrate equivalent professional experience.

Details of NTU’s standard qualifications for entry can be found in section 4 of the Quality Handbook (Section 11- Research Degrees) here.  Details of UoN’s standard qualifications for entry can be found in the Admissions section of the Quality Manuel here.

Demonstrating Equivalent Professional Experience

If you do not meet the minimum standard qualifications for entry criteria, you must submit a portfolio of evidence which effectively demonstrates that you have the professional skills and experience equivalent to that of the minimum qualification criteria above. Your professional equivalency portfolio must include the following:

• At least one example of an extended* piece of analytical, academic or technical writing. This could be a professional report, briefing document, formal review, etc., that clearly demonstrates your ability to produce larger pieces of written work to a high standard. (*If this piece of writing is less than 5,000 words, we recommend applicants upload additional examples.)
• A professional CV which demonstrates substantial experience in a relevant sector(s).
• A cover letter which demonstrates how you meet the core and project specific competencies outlined in the PhD project advert.

If you do not meet the minimum qualifications for entry standard and fail to upload a professional equivalency portfolio evidence of equivalent skills and experience, your application will not be considered.

General Eligibility Criteria

In addition to minimum qualifications, all applicants must also meet the following requirements. 

• Applicants must be available to begin study at Nottingham Trent University or the University of Nottingham on our 3rd April 2024 entry date. Successful candidates will be required to complete formal enrolment between 1st and 19th April 2023.
• Successful applicants must be available to attend mandatory inductions on 15th and 16th April 2024.
• Applicants must qualify for UK Home Student fee status (must be a permanent UK resident or be an EU citizen with UK settled status, for example). Due to funding restrictions, this studentship scheme is not open to those who would be classed as international students, for the purpose of tuition fees. Applications from those whose primary residence is not the UK will be rejected. (For more details about UK Home Student fee status, see here)
  • Applicants are not required to be current residents of Nottingham or Nottinghamshire.
• Applicants cannot be enrolled on any other higher education degree by the 1st April 2024. All previous higher education degree programmes must have been completed with final results issued by this date.
• Current doctoral level candidates or those who already hold a PhD or other doctoral degree are not eligible to apply.
• We cannot consider applications from those who wish to conduct a PhD at distance/remotely. Due to the mandatory training requirements and significant community engagement focus of our projects, in-person engagement with the programme is essential.
• Applicants can only submit one application relating to one project from the list of available 2024 UfN Co(l)laboratory PhD projects. Applications identifying multiple projects or none will be rejected.
• Applicants must submit a full and complete application (including all relevant, supporting documents) by 12pm on Friday 15th December 2023.

English Language Requirements

Students for whom English is not their first language are required to have an appropriate grade or score in an approved examination in English language (such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS)) before they can register on a postgraduate academic programme at either Nottingham Trent University of the University of Nottingham. Students will also be deemed to have an acceptable English language qualification if they have either: 

• Successfully completed the whole of their secondary education up to and including the equivalent of year 12 (including a GCSE-equivalent English language qualification) in one of the countries on the Home Office’s list of recognised countries 
• Demonstrated that they have successfully completed a recognised UK Higher Education degree 
• Have a completed IELTS score 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any element at the time of application. IELTS reports should not be more than 2 years old.
• Have a CELE (Centre for English Language Education) pre-sessional course final assessment of “Pass” at the time of application.

In addition to the Home Office’s list, we can also accept degrees from other selected English-speaking countries and institutions as evidence of English proficiency.