Bloomsbury ESRC Doctoral Training Centre ESRC Studentship applications: Applicant Guidance

The Bloomsbury DTC One of 21 ESRC DTCs, 2 nd largest in London, c. 33 studentships per year covering fees plus stipend, plus access to wide range of training and support Collaboration between four colleges, led by IOE Ten clusters relating to different areas of disciplinary/ interdisciplinary social science activity (e.g., Education, Psychology, Demography, International Development) Each cluster has designated lead college, but six are cross- college in composition, and there is increasing collaboration between clusters Total of 26 pathways across clusters, defined by distinct RT masters within 1+3 or 4 routes Number of pathways per cluster varies from one to five

DTC studentships 2016 entry Demography (LSHTM lead; Rebecca Sear is cluster leader) – up to 6 studentships Economics (Birkbeck lead; Yunus Aksoy) – up to 4 studentships Education and Related Areas (IOE lead; Emily Farran) – up to 9 studentships Health and Wellbeing (LSHTM lead; Simon Cohn) – up to 6 studentships International Development (SOAS lead; Alfredo Saad Filho) – up to 4 studentships

DTC studentships 2016 entry Politics and International Studies (Birkbeck lead; Dermot Hodson) – up to 5 studentships Psychology (Birkbeck lead: Michael Thomas) – up to 6 studentships Quantitative Methods in Social and Economic Research (IOE lead; Lorraine Dearden) – up to 8 studentships Social Anthropology (SOAS lead; Kevin Latham) – up to 4 studentships Social Policy (LSHTM lead; Andrew Hutchings) – up to 3 studentships

DTC studentships 2016 entry All awards are available in 1+3, +3 mode, and all except Economics and Psychology offer +4 mode (Integrated PhD) Can be full-time or part-time All allow additional Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) training plus stipend Further particulars on each cluster are available via Research/Academic Clusters tab at

Applications process For IOE-led clusters –ESRC Expression of Interest form to Alison Freeman in Doctoral School by 16:00 on 22 January –application for studentship/AQM (with supervisor support) plus two references to Alison Freeman by 16:00 on 5 February For Birkbeck-led clusters – submit application for doctoral study to Birkbeck (closing dates vary – check web pages for relevant department for details) –if accepted, submit studentship application by 5 February

Applications process For LSHTM-led clusters –full details on process at –studentship application subject to 5 February deadline For SOAS-led clusters – details available from Doctoral School at – submit application for doctoral study (closing dates may vary according to department) –if accepted, submit studentship application by 5 February

Applications process Forms/guidance downloadable via Apply for ESRC Funding tab at Candidates must meet –prior qualification entry requirements (2:1 for 1+3, 4; recognised research training masters or at least 50% of equivalent for +3) –ESRC residency requirements unless AQM or Economics

IOE applications process Candidates are expected to make early contact with potential supervisors – if you have problems, contact relevant cluster lead, Dept PGR Tutor Need to discuss background/qualifications, research topic, mode, possible supervisory team If potential supervisor agrees to support, complete Expression of Interest form Remember to request references at early stage Work with supervisor on studentship application Similar processes will be involved at other colleges

Studentship application form Key points on studentship application (same form for all four institutions): –personal details section must identify supervisor(s), cluster/pathway, mode (inc FT/PT), qualifications/ experience, whether AQM, residential eligibility –NB supervisors should not usually give reference –proposal: two pages for 1+3, four for +3, 4 –focus on background, RQs, significance, possible methods/data, ethical issues, not supervisor expertise –supervisor section must include statement on link to research/environment, significance, collaborations, as well as expertise – and for +3, research foundation –all AQM applicants must complete further form –please complete advertisement question

DTC decision-making process Applications will be assessed by single panel for each cluster Weighting of sections differs for 1+3 and +3, 4: –for 1+3, personal details/references, proposal, supervisors’ section weighted 40:30:30 –for +3, 4, personal details/references, proposal, supervisors’ section weighted 30:40:30 Panels will convene during February/early March to consider applications, make recommendations on awards Passed to DTC Board for ratification on 17 March Candidates and supervisors notified 18 March