UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD AHRC DOCTORAL TRAINING PARTNERSHIP (for October 2015 entry) Notes of Guidance for Applicants for AHRC Doctoral Awards

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD AHRC DOCTORAL TRAINING PARTNERSHIP 2015 (for October 2015 entry) Notes of Guidance for Applicants for AHRC Doctoral Awards V2; December 2014

2 CONTENTS Section 1 Summary and FAQs Section 2 About the AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership Scheme Section 3 How to apply for funding Section 4 Programmes of Study eligible for AHRC DTP Doctoral Awards Section 5 Academic eligibility criteria Section 6 Residency eligibility criteria Section 7 Research Training Section 8 Assessing the applications Section 9 Results of the competition Section 10 Taking up an award Appendix A: Disclosure of information, Data Protection and Freedom of Information Appendix B: AHRC s Key Terms and Conditions for award holders Appendix C: Equal Opportunities Statement for Students 2

3 SECTION 1 SUMMARY AND FAQ ABOUT THESE NOTES OF GUIDANCE 1 These Notes of Guidance are intended for those who want to be considered by the University of Oxford for an AHRC doctoral award (under the AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership scheme) to support their study from October This document sets out the rules of eligibility for awards, the types of awards provided, the procedures for assessment, and the financial value of awards. All applicants for admission to a doctoral degree who are deemed to meet the AHRC eligibility criteria will be considered for AHRC studentships, based on their applications for admission to the University. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 2 This section describes the questions you might ask regarding AHRC awards at the University of Oxford, and provides brief answers to these questions. You should refer to the relevant section of these Notes of Guidance to find more detailed information. 3 What types of postgraduate funding does the AHRC provide? (i) There are three main schemes through which the AHRC supports postgraduate students: Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) DTPs are block grant awards made to either individual Research Organisations (ROs), or consortia of ROs, to support postgraduate studentships across the breadth of the AHRC s subject remit. In particular, it provides support for students undertaking doctoral study and also provides a limited amount of support for students intending to proceed to doctoral study who are undertaking a Master s course which will prepare them for doctoral research. Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs) AHRC is also, from 2014, funding a number of Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in order to complement the Doctoral Training Partnerships scheme, and provide further capacity for postgraduate funding in priority areas: Design, Modern Languages and Heritage. CDT awards are block grants made to consortia of Research Organisations (ROs), over a period of five cohorts, to support doctoral studentships in specific areas. The University of Oxford is a partner in two CDTs: the AHRC Doctoral Programme in Celtic Languages and the CEELBAS (Centre for East European Language-Based Area Studies) AHRC Consortium. Collaborate Doctoral Award Schemes Collaborative Doctoral Awards are intended to encourage and develop collaboration and partnerships between Higher Education Institution (HEI) departments and non-academic organisations and businesses. These awards provide opportunities for doctoral students to gain first-hand experience of work outside an academic environment. (ii) Within these schemes, there are two main types of AHRC awards: Full awards cover maintenance, University tuition fees and college fees. Fees-only awards cover University tuition fees and college fees, and do not include a maintenance grant.

4 What are AHRC Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs)? 4 From 2014 AHRC is directing the majority of its postgraduate funding into Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). DTPs are block grant awards made to either individual Research Organisations (ROs), or consortia of ROs, to support postgraduate studentships across the breadth of the AHRC s subject remit. DTPs will provide innovative training environments for doctoral level research, with the opportunity for doctoral students to undertake broader training or development opportunities, such as language learning, overseas research visits, or placements with non-academic partners. How many AHRC awards are available at the University of Oxford? 5 The University of Oxford expects to award around 40 AHRC doctoral (and up to 10 Master s awards) in under the AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) scheme. Are there AHRC doctoral awards for my doctoral programme at the University of Oxford? 6 See Section 5 for a list of doctoral programmes for which AHRC awards are available. Am I eligible to be considered? (See Sections 5 and 6) 7 Your eligibility depends on academic and residency criteria: (i) Academic criteria: to be eligible for an AHRC doctoral award, you should normally have gained a first degree from a recognised HEI, and you are normally expected to have been awarded, or to be studying for, a Master s degree or similar postgraduate qualification. (ii) Residency criteria: to be eligible for an AHRC award, you must be ordinarily resident in the UK (for a full award covering fees and maintenance) or another European Union country (for a fees-only award). How do I apply? (See section 3) 8 All applicants for admission to a Master s degree or doctoral degree who are deemed to meet the AHRC eligibility criteria will be considered for AHRC studentships, based on their applications for admission to the University. 9 For information about applying for a postgraduate programme at the University of Oxford, see: What is the closing date? 10 Some programmes of study at the University of Oxford have more than one deadline. If you wish to be considered for an AHRC studentship, you must apply by the January application deadline (23 January 2015 for all eligible subject areas, except Philosophy and Politics, where the deadline is 10 January 2015). If I have already started my doctoral degree, may I apply for an AHRC award? 11 You may apply if you have already commenced your doctoral study; the minimum period that the AHRC will support is two years full-time (it is not possible to receive an AHRC doctoral award for just one year). If I have applied for a doctoral award before, can I be considered again? 12 You may re-apply if you have applied for an AHRC doctoral award before and been unsuccessful. If I have already completed a doctoral degree, may I apply for an AHRC doctoral award? 13 No: candidates who already hold a doctoral degree are not eligible for an AHRC doctoral award.

5 How will my AHRC application be assessed? (See section 8) 14 Your AHRC application will be assessed by the relevant University Admitting Body (UAB), i.e. the faculty or department at the University of Oxford which admits students to the course for which you are applying. UABs will select candidates to be nominated for AHRC awards. The University has set up an AHRC DTP Panel, which will manage and monitor the AHRC DTP process and confirm the final awards. 15 Each application is judged on its own merits. The UAB s assessment is based on information and evidence provided in your application about your ability, aptitude, commitment and preparedness for postgraduate study. What are my chances of gaining an award? 16 The competition each year is fierce and the quality of applications is always very high. How will I know if I have been successful? (See section 9) 17 Your UAB (faculty or department) will inform you whether (a) you will be nominated for an award, or (b) your name has been put on a reserve list, or (c) you have not been selected for nomination for an AHRC award. We will only be able to inform successful applicants. If you have not heard from us by 30 April 2015 you may conclude that you have not been successful on this occasion. What if I have further questions? 18 If your question is not covered in these Notes of Guidance, please send your query to Jeremy Moyse in the Humanities Graduate Studies Office, University of Oxford, on ahrccomp@admin.ox.ac.uk.

6 SECTION 2 ABOUT THE AHRC DOCTORAL TRAINING PARTNERSHIP SCHEME What is the financial basis of AHRC DTP Awards? 1 A full doctoral award (for eligible students ordinarily resident in the UK) for full-time study covers the cost of: University tuition fees (at standard rates - up to a maximum of 3,996 in ). This is the maximum rate set by the Research Councils collectively. The cost of College fees is paid for not by the AHRC, but by the University. A maintenance grant ( 13,863 in for 12 months of a DPhil programme at the University of Oxford). Awards are renewed on an annual basis, subject to satisfactory progress. If the award is for a period of less than 12 months in any year, your grant will be reduced pro-rata to reflect the number of days for which you will be fully registered. Additional allowances for disabled students, where appropriate. Additional support towards the costs of fieldwork or study visits for students pursuing doctoral research. 2 A fees-only award (for eligible students ordinarily resident in an EU country other than the UK) covers the cost of University tuition fees and college fees see above for details. The award does not include a maintenance grant. Fees-only award holders may be eligible for additional support towards the costs of fieldwork or study visits and for disabled students allowances. 3 Awards for part-time doctoral students include payment of approved University tuition fees and college fees; a maintenance grant up to a maximum of 60% of the equivalent of a full-time award; and additional allowances for disabled students, where appropriate. You may also be entitled to additional support towards the costs of fieldwork or study visits. 4 Approved fees do not include the costs of residence, which you must pay out of your maintenance grant. No separate payment will be made towards fees for any examination, caution money, or any deposit ultimately repayable to you. The AHRC will not pay charges for typing or binding a thesis or any fees incurred for training courses. What length of funding is available? 5 Doctoral awards will support a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years of full-time study, or a minimum of four years and a maximum of six years of part-time study. If you have already received support for postgraduate study or if you have already commenced your doctoral study, the period of your award may be reduced. What additional allowances and grants does the AHRC provide? 6 AHRC award holders may be eligible for the following additional allowances: Disabled Students Allowance: if you have a long-term disability and as a result of your disability you are obliged to incur additional expenditure in connection with your studies, you may be eligible for an extra allowance. This may cover costs relating to additional daily expenses, equipment, or non-medical help. The AHRC will consider meeting only those costs that are incurred directly and solely as a consequence of you taking up an AHRC award to pursue postgraduate study. This allowance is available to all award holders, full-time, part-time and fees-only. Contributions toward fieldwork costs and study visits: o UK study visits (normally one during your award)

7 o Overseas study visits (one during your award) o Overseas conferences (one during your award). These allowances may be available to those with a part-time award. Am I allowed to hold other grants or undertake paid work? 7 AHRC awards are not means-tested and financial need is not a factor in the assessment process. It is not permissible to hold two awards concurrently that are intended for the same purpose, though it may be possible for you to hold additional bursaries or grants where these are intended to supplement your AHRC award. If you are, or will be, in receipt of an additional grant, you should contact the Humanities Division for further advice. 8 It is not normally permissible for full-time award holders to undertake paid work amounting to more than six hours per week. What if I have already received funding for postgraduate study? 9 If you have already received public funding for postgraduate study, the funding available to you from the AHRC may be reduced on the basis that four years full-time funding or seven years part-time funding is the maximum you can receive. The AHRC does not make any contribution to maintenance or tuition fees during the writing up year. 10 If you have completed, or are currently following, a full-time Master s or similar course lasting up to one year, you may be considered for a three-year, full-time studentship. 11 If you have completed, or are currently following, a full-time Master s course lasting between one and two years (such as an MPhil), your award may be reduced in length. If you have already been supported from public funds for two years full-time study, you will be eligible to be considered for an award only for a further two years full-time study, bringing the total length of public support to a maximum of four years. 12 If you have already completed one year of full-time doctoral study, however funded, your award will be reduced in length accordingly. If you have completed more than one year of part-time study, however funded, your award may be reduced in length, bearing in mind that 20 months of part-time study is equivalent to 12 months of full-time study. (Note: if you have already completed a doctoral degree, you will not be eligible for an AHRC award.)

8 SECTION 3 - HOW TO APPLY FOR FUNDING How do I apply for an AHRC DTP studentship at the University of Oxford? 1 Applying for admission to a DPhil programme at the University of Oxford All applicants for admission to a Master s degree or doctoral degree who are deemed to meet the AHRC eligibility criteria will be considered for AHRC studentships, based on their applications for admission to the University. For details on how to apply for admission to a graduate programme at the University of Oxford, see: 2 Current Master s students at the University of Oxford applying for readmission onto a DPhil programme Students currently undertaking a Master s degree at the University of Oxford may apply for admission to a doctoral programme using the readmission form (a pre-populated form downloaded through OSS Student Self Service). All applicants for readmission to a doctoral degree who are deemed to meet the AHRC eligibility criteria will be considered for AHRC studentships. 3 Oxford candidates for readmission must supply the range of supporting materials (e.g. written work and references) required by their faculty. They may re-use references previously provided when applying for a Master s programme but must provide a reference from a current supervisor. 4 Current doctoral students at the University of Oxford Students who have already started their doctoral studies at the University of Oxford may apply for an AHRC doctoral award. The application should be made using the AHRC Current Doctoral Student application form available on the University s website at 5 Deadline: The deadline for applications is 23 January 2015 (or 9 January 2015 in the case of Philosophy and Politics candidates). The same deadline applies for all applicants, i.e. students new to Oxford, current Master s students, and students who have already commenced their doctoral studies at Oxford. What supporting material is required for my AHRC application? 6 The assessment of your AHRC application will be based on the supporting material submitted with your application for admission to a postgraduate programme at the University of Oxford. 7 Your research proposal or project summary must address the following: It must define a series of research questions or problems that will be addressed in the course of the research. It must also define its objectives in terms of seeking to enhance knowledge and understanding relating to the questions or problems to be addressed. It must specify a research context for the questions or problems to be addressed. You must specify why it is important that these particular questions or problems should be addressed; what other research is being or has been conducted in this area; and what particular contribution your project will make to the advancement of creativity, insights, knowledge and understanding in the area.

9 It must specify the research methods for addressing and answering the research questions or problems. You must state how, in the course of the research project, you will seek to answer the questions, or advance available knowledge and understanding of the problems. You should also explain the rationale for your chosen research methods and why you think they provide the most appropriate means by which to answer the questions. For current Oxford doctoral students who are applying for an award starting in their second or third year: you must briefly describe the research undertaken to date. What information should my referees be asked to provide? 8 If you have already commenced your doctoral study, you are required to provide a reference from your current supervisor. He or she should include in their reference an assessment of the progress you have made so far in your doctoral study. What about practice-led research? 9 Creative output can be produced or practice undertaken as an integral part of a research process. The AHRC would expect this practice to be accompanied by some form of documentation of the research process, as well as some form of textual analysis or explanation to support its position and to demonstrate critical reflection. Creativity or practice which involves no such processes is not eligible for support from the AHRC. What is the closing date for applications? 10 Some programmes of study at the University of Oxford have more than one deadline. If you wish to apply for an AHRC studentship, you must apply by the January application deadline (23 January 2015 for all eligible subject areas, except Philosophy and Politics, where the deadline is 9 January 2015). When do I need to provide confirmation of my degree results? 11 If you have already completed your undergraduate and Master s degrees, you should submit transcripts of your marks and a copy of your degree certificates with your graduate application. 12 If you will not complete your Master s degree until 2015, you should submit an interim transcript of your marks to date, and a final transcript as soon as possible after completion of your Master s degree. You should also ask your referees to comment on marks received to date, your performance at Master s level, the expected outcome of your Master s degree, and your preparedness and potential for undertaking doctoral study. 13 If you completed your degree some years ago, it is possible that the institution which awarded your degree will not have a record of your degree results (i.e. will not be able to produce a transcript). Please check with the institution first. If this is the case, you should submit your degree certificate(s) with your application, including a note explaining that your institution was not able to produce a transcript. What if I decide not to pursue my studies? 14 If you no longer wish to undertake your doctoral studies, you must withdraw your application. You must inform the University of Oxford of your decision in writing, by letter or .

10 SECTION 4 PROGRAMMES OF STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD ELIGIBLE FOR AHRC DOCTORAL AWARDS What subject areas does the AHRC support? 1 The AHRC offers graduate awards in a range of subject areas in the arts and humanities. 2 How many AHRC awards are available at the University of Oxford for 2015? At least 40 doctoral studentships will be available in Is my doctoral programme of study at the University of Oxford eligible for an AHRC award? 3 Studentships may be held in the following faculties and departments: Archaeology, Classics, English, Fine Art, History, Linguistics, Law, Modern Languages, Music, Oriental Studies, Philosophy, and Theology (see table below). 4 If you are an academic member of staff employed at the University of Oxford, you are not eligible to apply, unless you are paid on an hourly basis, in which case, you may be eligible for a part-time award. Oxford UAB (faculty or department). UAB websites: Archaeology, School of Classics, Faculty of English, Faculty of Fine Art, Ruskin School of Drawing and History, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics, Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, Faculty of Music, Faculty of Oriental Studies, Faculty of Programmes of Study Further information: ndex.html DPhil degrees in Archaeology in relevant areas DPhil degrees offered by the Faculty of Classics DPhil degrees offered by the Faculty of English DPhil degree offered by the Ruskin School DPhil degrees offered by the Faculty of History DPhil degree in History of Art DPhil degrees in Law DPhil degrees offered by the Faculty of Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics DPhil degrees offered by the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages DPhil degrees offered by the Faculty of Music DPhil degrees offered by the Faculty of Oriental Studies Philosophy, Faculty of Politics and International Relations, Dept of Theology and Religion, Faculty of DPhil degrees offered by the Faculty of Philosophy DPhil degrees in Political Theory and Political Philosophy DPhil degrees offered by the Faculty of Theology and Religion

11 SECTION 5 ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ACADEMIC CRITERIA 1 The normal minimum qualification to be eligible for admission as a graduate student to the University of Oxford is the completion of a Bachelor s degree with a first or upper second class honours or the international equivalent (see NARIC website ( for advice on how international degrees compare). However, previous academic excellence is key and students who are accepted for graduate study at Oxford tend to have been those who achieved the very highest results of their graduating class. For information on graduate admissions, see: 2 Only eligible candidates who are selected for admission to a place on a DPhil degree programme at the University of Oxford will be considered for AHRC doctoral awards. 3 Those candidates considered for AHRC awards must be of high academic merit, and their applications must provide evidence demonstrating that they have the academic ability to successfully complete a doctoral degree. 4 Successful candidates for AHRC doctoral awards typically have a Master s degree at distinction level (or equivalent in the case of Master s programmes where distinctions are not awarded). However, degree results form only one component of the basis on which the academic merit and potential of AHRC applicants are assessed. Other factors that are taken into account for doctoral applicants are the overall quality of the application and the sophistication of the research project. 5 Particular weight may be given to marks awarded for components of your previous degree(s) involving independent research, including special subjects, extended essays and dissertations forming part of undergraduate degrees, and Master's dissertations, and for papers directly relevant to an applicant's proposed field of research. 6 Please note: there is strong competition for the limited number of AHRC awards available at the University of Oxford. Hence excellent degree results and clear evidence of academic potential are not necessarily sufficient to be nominated for an AHRC award. Can I be considered if I don t have a Master s qualification? 7 The University of Oxford normally requires applicants for doctoral degrees in the arts and humanities to have obtained, or to be studying for, a Master s degree. You must check with the relevant faculty or department what their admissions criteria are for being admitted to a doctoral programme. What if I have already commenced my doctoral study? 8 You are eligible to apply for an AHRC award if you have already commenced your doctoral study, providing you will be studying for at least two more years (excluding your writing up period). If, by the start of your award, you will have been studying for a year or more, the period of your award may be reduced accordingly. The AHRC will not provide funding for students who are in their writing up year. If you have been studying part-time, you may apply to the AHRC to continue your studies full-time. 9 If you do not have a formal Master s qualification but you have already commenced doctoral study, you should not assume that this will be considered as adequate preparation for doctoral study. It will be necessary to establish whether the training and development which you have received is equivalent to that typically obtained through a Master s course and whether this has provided adequate preparation for the remainder of your doctoral studies.

12 What if I have already undertaken doctoral study? 10 If, by the start of your award, you will have already gained or completed the requirements for a doctoral degree in any subject, however funded, you are not eligible for an award under this scheme. 11 If you have already undertaken all, or part, of a course of doctoral study, either in the UK or overseas, i.e. not the course for which you are applying to the AHRC for funding, then you may not be eligible to apply. Please contact ahrccomp@admin.ox.ac.uk for advice. I am currently undertaking an MPhil; am I allowed to upgrade? 12 If you have been funded by the AHRC to undertake a Master s degree, you may not directly upgrade to doctoral study, as the AHRC expects you to gain a Master s qualification at the end of your Master s award. If you are intending to proceed to doctoral study, you can be considered for doctoral funding through this scheme. Your application for doctoral study will be assessed alongside, and in the same way as, applicants who funded their Master s study by other means. If the AHRC has supported you to undertake your Master s course, it will not permit you to treat your Master s work as the first year of your doctoral study. If this appears to be the case then your doctoral funding will be reduced accordingly. 13 If your MPhil is supported by other means, you can be considered for AHRC support for your further study at doctoral level. Can I be considered if my undergraduate degree is from an institution outside the UK? 14 You are eligible to be considered for an award if you have gained, or are studying for, your undergraduate degree and/or Master s-level degree at an HEI outside the UK that is equivalent to a relevant UK degree. 15 The AHRC uses information supplied by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the UK (UK NARIC) to ascertain the type of UK degree to which your overseas degree is equivalent.

13 How is my residency status determined? SECTION 6 - RESIDENCY ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA 1 The relevant University Admitting Body (UAB) at Oxford is responsible for determining your residency status, based on the information you provide in your application, and in accordance with the rules followed by the Research Councils. The relevant faculty or department should be your initial point of contact for any queries you have concerning your residency status. Am I eligible for a full award? Residence The legal basis for defining residence eligibility for postgraduate training awards is set down in the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations The guidance below is based on the Regulations and on guidance produced by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Candidates for awards must have a relevant connection with the United Kingdom. A relevant connection may be established if, at the start of the course: The student has been ordinarily resident in the UK throughout the 3-year period preceding the date of application for an award, and and Has not been resident in the UK, during any part of that 3-year period wholly or mainly for the purposes of full-time education (EU students see below), Has settled status in the UK within the meaning of the Immigration Act 1971 (i.e. is not subject to any restriction on the period for which he/she may stay). A relevant connection may be established for an EU student if the student has been ordinarily resident in the UK throughout the 3-year period preceding the start of the course (including for full-time education). British citizens are not subject to immigration control but only those other nationals who have been granted written permission to stay in the UK permanently are settled. Temporary absence A UK citizen may have spent an extended period living outside the UK, either for study or employment. Most students in these circumstances will be able to show that they have maintained a relevant connection with their home country and therefore claim that the absence was temporary. "Temporary" does not depend solely on the length of the absence. For the purposes of eligibility, a period of ordinary residence will not be treated as being interrupted by an absence which is caused by: The temporary absence abroad, by reasons of training or employment, of the candidate, the candidate s spouse or parents, or The temporary full-time education abroad of the candidate or spouse. An expatriate, or the child of an expatriate, who may have been born in the UK or abroad, and appears to have returned to the UK for full-time education, is required to establish temporary absence. In order to be eligible, it must be shown that:

14 The absence abroad was involuntary, and at tempts were made to remedy the breach with the UK at the earliest opportunity There was no individual intention to sever links with the UK, and Links have been maintained or re-established through visits, vacation work and subsequent re-settlement in the UK. It should be noted that anyone who is resident in a country is normally subject to the residence and tax conditions of that country. A resident may or may not acquire other rights by virtue of living there, but birth or long-term residence does not automatically confer similar rights to citizens of that country. If a student has opted for full citizenship of a country other than the UK, then it should be assumed that the candidate will be ineligible. Indefinite Leave to Remain Students who have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILTR) by the Home Office have been given the right to reside in the UK, and thus have settled status. ILTR is usually given to those who have already spent a period of time in the UK, and are looking to take up British Citizenship. A student who holds ILTR must nevertheless establish a relevant connection as set out in the introduction above. Refugees, Humanitarian Protection and Discretionary Leave A student who has been granted full refugee status by the Home Office, or is the child or spouse of a refugee, has settled status and is eligible on residence grounds, provided that he/she has not ceased to be resident since being granted asylum or refugee status. Such students must provide documentary evidence of their status, usually in the form of a letter from the Immigration and Nationality Department of the Home Office. Refugees do not have to meet the requirement of three years residence. Students who are asylum seekers are required to demonstrate settled status to be eligible. Students who have not been recognised by the Home Office as meeting the terms of the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees may be granted Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary leave. The granting of Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave circumstances makes it impossible for him/her to return home at that time. Thus, the holder will normally be allowed to stay in the UK for three years. After this the award will be actively reviewed. Also, he/she is entitled to work in the UK and claim unemployment benefit and, after a certain period of residence, may be able to apply for ILTR, and subsequently British Citizenship. Students who have been granted Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary leave do not have the same entitlements as refugees. They will, however, be eligible on residence grounds if they have spent the previous three years in the UK, not wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education. Visas, Work Permits etc Students who are resident in the UK on a student visa, work permit or dependant visa have restrictions on the time they may stay in the UK and cannot demonstrate a relevant connection or settled status. They will not therefore be eligible on residence grounds. Fees-only Awards Students from EU countries other than the UK are generally eligible (subject to their eligibility on grounds of academic qualifications) for awards restricted to the payment of tuition fees only and no maintenance award. In order to be eligible for a fees-only award, a

15 student must be ordinarily resident in a member state of the EU, in the same way as UK students must be ordinarily resident in the UK. Currently, the member states of the Economic Union are as follows: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, The Irish Republic (Eire), Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, The Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. Gibraltar is part of the EU, and students from Gibraltar are to be treated as other EU nationals. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the EU. However, students who are ordinarily resident on the Isle of Man are now eligible for a full award. The UK Dependent Territories are also not part of the EU. The independent states of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and The Vatican are not part of the European Union. The implementation of the Switzerland Agreement means that permanent residence in Switzerland is no longer a bar to EU nationals being classed as EU Students. Swiss nationals do not qualify to be considered as EU students. Migrant workers Articles 7 (2) and Article 12 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1612/68 allow for candidates who have established a relevant connection with a member state of the EU to be eligible for a full award to include maintenance, as migrant workers, in that member state. A migrant worker can be defined as an EU citizen that is employed in a member state of the EU who should be treated as a national of that member state. Similarly, a child or spouse of a migrant worker is also eligible to be treated in the same way. However, the following conditions must be met: The employment must be full-time and of significant duration. Therefore, a candidate engaged in part-time or short-term casual employment, or who has been effectively unemployed, cannot be considered to hold migrant worker status. Additionally, the employment should normally be expected to be relevant to their previous or future course of study, although employment of a professional nature may be considered on its merits The employment should not be considered to be ancillary, i.e. taken up with a view towards engaging in subsequent studies (job and study are a package), or subject to the candidate being accepted for the training for which s/he has is to be nominated. An example of this would be a candidate who has been employed as a Research Assistant in a Research Organisation department where a future award is to be held With regard to the children of migrant workers (Article 12), it must be shown that the candidate s residence is as a consequence of their parent s past or present employment. A child who has not been resident in the UK during the parent s employment, or departed with the parent at the cessation of that employment, will not be eligible to claim migrant worker status. The arrangements for migrant workers are also extended to candidates who are nationals of the EEA member states of Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway, and to Swiss migrant workers. Where such candidates meet the migrant worker requirements they will be eligible for full awards. However, as these countries are not member states of the EU, candidates will be ineligible for fees-only awards. A candidate must have been ordinarily resident in the EEA or Switzerland for at least three years prior to the date of the course s commencement.

16 If a candidate qualifies as the child of a Turkish worker s/he will be entitled to a full award if: s/he is the child of a Turkish national who is ordinarily resident in the UK, and who is, or has been, lawfully employed in the UK s/he has been ordinarily resident in the EEA, Switzerland or Turkey for at least three years at the date of commencement of the course s/he will be resident in the UK on the first day of the academic year on which the course commences. Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man A student who is ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland is eligible to receive a full studentship award. The Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland (DELNI) makes available some funding for postgraduate study in Northern Ireland, with the Universities responsible for administering the scheme. Candidates should contact their RO for further information. Students may not hold awards from both the Research Council and DELNI for the same purpose. A student who is ordinarily resident in the Channel Islands is eligible to receive a full studentship award. A student who is ordinarily resident in the Isle of Man is eligible for a full award.

17 SECTION 7 RESEARCH TRAINING What does the AHRC mean by research training? 1 The AHRC uses research training in its broadest sense to describe the knowledge, understanding and skills that a student will need to successfully pursue his/her studies, complete a high quality thesis and prepare for a career once his/her studies have been completed. Training encompasses all the opportunities formal and informal available to postgraduate students to develop as researchers and practitioners in their fields and as highly qualified individuals in preparation for their future careers. 2 Subject-specific research skills training aims to ensure that postgraduate students are equipped to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to their particular field of research or study. Such training must be specifically tailored to the needs of individual students and their fields of study or research topics, and must take account of the differing demands of text-based and practice-based study. Some of this training is delivered at department or faculty level; other aspects are delivered individually, often, in the case of doctoral students, by the supervisor. Examples of key subject-specific knowledge, understanding and skills are: understanding theoretical issues, the nature of evidence and argument, and the relationships between practice, theory and criticism; developing research methods and skills and practical techniques appropriate to the project; developing knowledge and understanding of the research context of the project, and of trends in the discipline; developing knowledge, understanding and skills in the analysis and synthesis of research material; developing knowledge and understanding of related disciplines, where appropriate; specialist knowledge, understanding and skills such as an additional language, methodology or technique. 3 Generic/transferable skills training relates to the skills needed by all arts and humanities research students, regardless of their specific subjects. The ARHC expects research students to develop the following core generic, transferable skills: written communication skills appropriate for the academic context and beyond; oral presentation skills, including giving research papers and discussing others research findings; designing and managing a project; ICT skills, including appropriate word processing and other ICT skills (such as creating and using spreadsheets and databases) as relevant to the research topic; bibliographical skills and contextualising practice-based research; identifying and using web-based resources; record-keeping and record management; personal and career development, and broader employment-related skills (such as participating in workshops and conferences, or if students undertake undergraduate teaching duties, relevant support and training).

18 What is the Research Training Framework? 4 In 2001 the HE sector developed the Joint Statement of Skills Training Requirements of Research Postgraduates. This set out a joint statement of the skills that postgraduate researchers funded by the Research Councils would be expected to develop during their research training. It is embedded in the QAA Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education, Section 1: Postgraduate research programmes. 5 In 2010 Researcher Development Framework, was created, as an evolution of the joint skills statement, and the associated Researcher Development Statement. The Research Councils endorsed the Researcher Development Statement as setting out the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of effective and highly skilled researchers appropriate for a wide range of careers. The AHRC s framework of research training requirements is described in more detail on their website. 6 The Humanities Division at the University of Oxford has developed a Humanities Graduate Studies Framework summarising the typical activities of doctoral students in the Humanities at Oxford, and the skills which they acquire in the course of their doctoral studies.

19 SECTION 8 - ASSESSING THE APPLICATIONS Who will assess my application? 1 Your application will be assessed by the relevant University Admitting Body (UAB), i.e. the faculty or department at the University of Oxford which admits students to the course for which you are applying. The UAB must also determine whether appropriate supervision can be provided. For more information about graduate admissions, see: 2 The University of Oxford has established an AHRC DTP Panel to oversee the processes for recruiting and selecting candidates for AHRC awards, and to manage and monitor the DTP scheme. The Oxford AHRC DTP Panel s membership comprises senior academic and administrative staff from Humanities and Social Sciences. The Panel will decide on final awards. What evidence will be used to assess my AHRC application? 3 Evidence to be used in assessing AHRC applications will be the same as the evidence used in assessing candidates for admission. For doctoral candidates, supporting material for their course application normally comprises the following items: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) Research proposal Academic record (e.g. transcripts) Professional experience, if applicable. (For example, in the case of mature students without the usual academic qualifications, professional experience would be used as one of the sources of evidence of suitable academic potential.) Two pieces of written work References submitted by your three referees. The UAB s initial assessment of the applicant s training needs and the University s ability to meet these needs. Any other evidence required for admission to the specific programme of study, e.g. recordings or scores for Music applicants. 4 You must check what the specific requirements for supporting material are for your programme of study see the notes of guidance for Oxford s graduate application form. How will my AHRC application be assessed? 5 The UAB will first assess your application for admission to a postgraduate programme at the University of Oxford. 6 If the UAB decides to offer you a place on a course it will then assess whether you and your programme of study are eligible for AHRC funding: (i) (ii) Do you meet the AHRC academic eligibility criteria? Do you meet the AHRC residency eligibility criteria? The UAB will determine whether you are eligible for a full award i.e. whether you satisfy the UK residency criteria or whether you are eligible for a fees-only award i.e. whether you satisfy the residency criteria for an EU country other than the UK. 7 If the UAB established that you and your programme of study are eligible for AHRC funding, your AHRC application will be assessed in two stages. Stage 1 will be carried out by the UAB, and involves selecting candidates to be nominated for AHRC awards (equivalent to the

20 number of awards which secured in the subject area) plus a number of reserves. Stage 2 will be carried out by Oxford s AHRC DTP Panel (see paragraph 2 above). 8 The UAB must grade AHRC applicants (who are being accepted onto a course at Oxford) from 1 to 5 for each of the assessment criteria listed in Table 1 below, based on the evidence provided in the application. A score of 5 indicates an excellent match between assessment criterion and applicant, and 1 indicates a poor match. Table 2 indicates what evidence will be used when scoring each criterion. TABLE 1: AHRC assessment criteria for doctoral candidates Assessment criteria 1. Quality of applicant academic history 2. Level of preparation for proposed study and future career 3. Quality and feasibility of the proposed study 4. Fit of candidate with proposed programme of study and available resources (in UAB and more widely in the University). Description (i) Academic record: performance at undergraduate and Master s level as evidenced by transcripts, written work and references. (i) Has the candidate s previous experience (academic and professional) prepared him/her adequately for the proposed postgraduate programme of study? (i) Research proposal: quality and suitability of research question, engagement with the field, methodology, and critical appreciation of sources. (ii) Ability to complete the doctoral degree within three or four years. (i) Does the UAB/University have suitable research and other resources (library holdings, museum collections, IT provision etc) for the proposed research project? (ii) As part of the admissions process, UABs are expected to undertake a preliminary assessment of applicants training needs in research skills and generic. Does the UAB and/or University have appropriate resources to meet the candidate s training needs in research skills and generic skills (as determined by the preliminary training needs assessment by the UAB as part of the admissions process)? (iii) Suitability of chosen project as enhanced training for a research career in the elected subject area. TABLE 2: Evidence to be used in assessing the extent to which each criterion is met: Assessment criteria Doctoral candidates Research proposal and AHRC Project Proposal Academic record Written work References Professional experience Training needs & UAB s ability to meet them Quality of applicant X X X X Level of preparation X X X X X Quality and feasibility of study X X Fit of candidate to UAB etc X X X X

21 9 The UAB will then decide on the basis of the scores which candidates to select for nomination for an AHRC award The UAB will rank or band these candidates by AHRC subject area and by type of award (Master s and Doctoral). In addition, the UAB will select and rank a number of reserves. The proposed nominations and reserves will then be submitted to Oxford s AHRC DTP Panel. 10 Oxford s AHRC DTP Panel will monitor the quality of selected candidates across the different subject areas and schemes, as well as nominations in interdisciplinary areas. The Panel will make the final decision regarding which candidates to nominate to the AHRC. What is the timetable? Deadline for AHRC applications to be received by the University of Oxford UABs submit nominations to Oxford s AHRC DTP Panel 19 March 2015 Oxford Studentships Panel meeting 27 March January January 2015 for Philosophy and Politics Humanities Division sends letters to candidates, informing them of the outcome of their AHRC application Candidates confirm to UABs that they wish to be take up the award or withdraw their nominations April 2015 end May 2015

22 SECTION 9 - RESULTS OF THE COMPETITION How will I know whether my application has been successful? 1 Selection for nomination by the University of Oxford After the meeting of the University of Oxford s AHRC DTP Panel in March, all applicants for AHRC awards will be informed by the University Admitting Body (UAB) for their programme of study whether they will have been selected for an AHRC award or whether they will be put on a reserve list. Candidates who are not being nominated will not be contacted. If I am unsuccessful, can I resubmit my application? 2 If your application for an AHRC award is unsuccessful in one year s competition, you may be considered in the next year s competition without prejudice, providing you continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme. If I am unsuccessful, where else can I go for funding? 3 The AHRC is one of several public bodies that make awards for postgraduate study. Many faculties, departments and colleges at the University of Oxford provide funding towards graduate studies. Information about alternative sources of funding can be found on the University s website. Is there a complaints procedure? 4 Please bear in mind that the competition for AHRC awards is fierce and, inevitably, many highly-qualified and strongly-supported applicants do not get an award. Each application receives careful scrutiny by the assessors, and their decision is reached in the context of competing applications from other candidates. 5 Most problems over applications can be settled quickly and easily by telephoning the department, faculty or college with which you have been dealing. If this does not resolve the problem to your satisfaction, or you believe that this approach may be inappropriate, you should make a complaint in writing to: Director, Graduate Admissions & Student Funding Services, University of Oxford, University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD. You should provide in your letter all the information relating to the complaint such as dates, correspondence and staff contacted. You will receive an acknowledgment of your complaint, which will be sent within three working days of receipt. The complaint will be fully investigated and a response will normally be sent within 21 days. 6 The AHRC has a complaints and appeals procedure.