QUADRAT

QUADRAT DTP students are funded for a minimum of 42 months (full time or up to 84 months part-time), to start the following October. They include:

• *Stipend based on RCUK rates (currently £18,622 pa for the 2023/24 academic year, updated annually)
• UK Level Tuition Fees (*fee waiver for international candidates, see below)
• *Research, Training & Support Grant (£9,000)

*Stipend is a monthly payment provided to cover living expenses.

*Successful international candidates will receive a fee waiver for the difference between the UK Level and International Level tuition fee. International candidates are therefore not expected to fund this ‘fee gap’ themselves. Please note that international places are limited by NERC to 30% of the intake – this equates to approximately 6 places in a cohort of 20 students.

*The Research, Training and Support Grant (RTSG) is for use on direct PhD project research expenses e.g. costs and materials associated with lab or field work, experiments, equipment, subsistence, essential training courses, conference attendance, academic society memberships etc. This amount is for the duration of your studentship (42 months).

PLEASE NOTE: QUADRAT funding does not cover visa costs (either for yourself or for accompanying family members), immigration health surcharge or any other additional costs associated with relocation to the UK.

PLEASE NOTE: QUADRAT DTP PhD studentships cannot be undertaken remotely. Both home and International students must be resident in the UK for the majority of their studies.

The QUADRAT DTP is funded by NERC and, as such, is regulated by the Terms and Conditions of Research Council Training Grants.

Eligibility

To be classed as a Home student, you must:

1. be a UK National (meeting residency requirements),
   OR
2. have settled status in the UK (meeting residency requirements),
   OR
3. have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements),
   OR
4. have indefinite leave to remain in the UK

See below for residency requirements.

QUADRAT DTP PhD studentships cannot be undertaken remotely. Both home and International students must be resident in the UK for the majority of their studies.

You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least 3 years immediately prior to the start of the studentship (01 October 2024). UK Nationals who have temporarily been abroad for the purpose of study during this period will likely still be eligible for home fee status.

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria will be classed as international students.

QUADRAT DTP PhD studentships cannot be undertaken remotely. Both home and International students must be resident in the UK for the majority of their studies.

Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant subject, a Master’s degree is not a requirement if you have a 2.1 or above at Honours level.

Applicants with a minimum of a 2.2 Honours degree may be considered providing they have a Distinction at Master’s level.

We will use internationally recognised ECCTIS equivalency procedures to ensure that international qualifications meet these criteria.

Relevant work experience will also be considered.

Please be aware that international places are limited by NERC to 30% of the annual intake – a typical intake is 20 students. 30% therefore equates to a maximum of 6 places annually.

Additional costs international students should expect:

• Visa fees
• Immigration Health Surcharge
• Relocation costs
• Travel costs
• Insurance
• Tax implications

UK Government guidance on obtaining a student visa can be found here, and immigration health surcharge information can be found here. Both universities also have specialist teams who can help you through these processes. Please see the links below for more information:

Queen’s University Belfast:

• Visas & Immigration team
• Information for international applicants
• University accommodation
• International student support
• Cost of living in the UK

University of Aberdeen:

• Visas & Immigration support
• Information for international applicants
• University accommodation
• Student advice and support office
• Cost of living in the UK

Please make yourself aware of the extra costs associated with visas and immigration health surcharge before submitting an application. QUADRAT DTP studentships cannot cover these additional costs.

CASE studentships include a CASE partner which is a non-academic organisation within the public, private or third sector providing enhanced training opportunities.

More information on CASE partnerships can be found here: https://www.quadrat.ac.uk/opportunities/case-studentships/

Stage 1: submit your application by Wednesday 17 January 2024. All applications will be reviewed by the project supervisory teams and applicants will be nominated to progress to the next stage.

Stage 2: interview – including the submission of a pre-recorded presentation in advance of interview date

Please note, the below is a provisional timeline and dates may alter slightly:

1. The call for applications will open in mid-November 2023.
2. The deadline to apply is 23.59 (UK time) on Wednesday 17 January 2024. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all references are received by this date.
3. Supervisors are asked to nominate their chosen candidates by Monday 5 February 2024.
4. Nominated candidate submissions are reviewed and shortlisted for interview by a secondary panel.
5. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview. Interview invitations are expected to be sent out on Monday 12 February, or soon after. This invitation will include instructions for submitting a pre-recorded presentation task.
6. Reserve interview candidates will be notified via email on or soon after Friday 16 February, or soon after. Reserve candidates will not be called to interview any less than 1 week before the published interview dates.
7. Shortlisted candidates are asked to submit their pre-recorded presentation by Monday 19 February 2024.
8. Interviews will take place over Microsoft Teams between Monday 26 February and Friday 01 March 2024.
9. Interview outcomes will follow as quickly as possible after the interviews. Please be aware that this can take up to 3 weeks depending on the number of applications received. Please do not chase an outcome, we will contact you as quickly as we can.
10. Reserve candidates will be notified of their status after offers have been made.
11. Unsuccessful outcomes will then be issued.
12. Wednesday 13 March 2024: UKRI Universal Acceptance Date. Offers must be made by this date but offer holders are not required to accept or decline an offer before this date.
13. Offer holders who accept the offer will then be asked to formally apply through the institutional portal. Central admissions will determine fee status and issue a conditional or unconditional offer.
14. A formal funding award letter will follow the academic offer.
15. If an offer is declined, we will move to the reserve list. This can occur at any time between March and September 2024.

For information on any reasonable adjustments you may require during the application and/or interview process, please visit our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Hub.