Monday 14 October 2024

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 Nottingham Trent University (NTU) or the University of Nottingham (UoN). Applications which do not meet our minimum eligibility requirements will not be considered.

General Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to be considered for a 2025 Co(l)laboratory PhD Studentship, you must meet the following requirements. 

• You must be available to begin study from 1st April 2025. Successful candidates will be required to complete formal enrolment between 1st and 18th April 2025.
• Successful applicants must be available to attend mandatory inductions on 7th and 8th April 2025.
• You must live in the UK as your country of permanent residence. It is not necessary to live in Nottinghamshire.
• You must qualify for UK Home Fee status (For example, you must be a permanent UK resident, an EU citizen with UK settled status, or similar). 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 not be considered.
  • More detailed guidance about who qualifies for UK Home Fee status can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.
• You must not be enrolled on any other higher education degree by the 1st April 2025. All higher education degree programmes must have been completed with final results issued by this date.
• You must not be a current doctoral level candidates or already hold a PhD or other doctoral degree.
• You must not be a current employee of either Nottingham Trent University of the University of Nottingham.
• 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.
• We cannot consider applications from those who wish to conduct a PhD on a part-time basis. Due to changes in the funding landscape, this is no longer possible.
• You can only submit one application relating to one project from the list of available 2025 Co(l)laboratory PhD projects. If you apply for multiple projects, or a project that is not from the list of available 2025 projects, your application will be rejected.
• You must submit a full and complete application (including having submitted all required supporting documents by email) by 11:59pm on Sunday 8th December 2025. Any incomplete applications, or applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Two Application Routes

Applicants may apply for a 2025 Co(l)laboratory PhD Studentship through either one of two application routes:

Route 1: Application by Standard Admission

Those who meet the minimum qualifications for entry, as detailed below, must apply by Application by Standard Admission. In the online application form, you will need to provide details and submit evidence of your qualifications.

Route 2: Application by Professional Equivalency

Those who do not meet the minimum qualifications for entry must apply the Application by Professional Equivalency. In the online application form, while you are still able to list any relevant qualifications, you must submit a Portfolio of Professional Equivalence with your application, in line with the requirements detailed below.

Minimum Qualifications

To apply by Route 1: Application by Standard Admission, you 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.

More detailed information regarding NTU’s minimum qualifications for entry and other stipulations can be found in Section 11- Research Degrees of the Quality Handbook.  More detailed information regard UoN’s minimum qualifications for entry and other stipulations can be found in the Academic Entry Requirements section of the Quality Manual.

Demonstrating Equivalent Professional Experience

If you do not meet the minimum standard qualifications for entry criteria, you must apply by Route 2: Application by Professional Equivalency. To do this, 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.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must have an appropriate grade or score in an approved examination in English language (such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You will be deemed to have an acceptable English language qualification if you have any of the following: 

• Successfully completed the whole of your 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 you 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 must 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.