NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY - INVESTING IN EXCELLENCE. TWO FULLY-FUNDED PSYCHOLOGY PHD SCHOLARSHIPS (for October 2015 start)*

Transcription

1 NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY - INVESTING IN EXCELLENCE TWO FULLY-FUNDED PSYCHOLOGY PHD SCHOLARSHIPS (for October 2015 start)* The Division of Psychology at NTU is one of the largest in the country with over 50 staff and over 30 postgraduate research students. Our work covers the full spectrum of applying theory to real world issues. We are seeking two outstanding candidates at either undergraduate or postgraduate level to go directly onto PhD study in any area of psychology that aligns with our staff interests. The scholarships will pay the equivalent to UK/EU fees and provide a maintenance stipend (currently 13,863 for 2013/14) for up to three years. Applications are welcomed from undergraduates who have or are expected to have a first class BPS accredited degree or equivalent and from postgraduates who have or are expected to have a commendation or distinction at Masters level in a psychological discipline. Scholarships should commence no later than October For informal enquiries about these scholarships, please gary.jones@ntu.ac.uk. You must include a 1,000-2,000 word research proposal with your application. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors prior to submitting an application. To find out more about these scholarships and to download an information pack please visit AWARD The scholarship competition is open to applicants who wish to study for a PhD on a full-time basis only. The scholarships will pay UK/EU fees (currently set at 3996 for 2014/15 and are revised annually) and provide a maintenance stipend linked to the RCUK rate (this is revised annually and is currently 13,863 for academic year 2014/15) for up to three years*. The scholarships are due to commence in October For further details of the scholarships, please see the web site here: Please find attached an Applicants will be required to produce a research proposal and should refer to the research proposal guidance on this below. *Applications from non-eu students are welcome, but a successful non-eu candidate would be responsible for paying the difference between non-eu and UK/EU fees. (Fees for 2014/15 are 12,000 for non-eu students and 3,996 for UK/EU students) Successful applicants will only be awarded one award. If a student has not submitted their thesis by the end of year three, he / she is required to enrol for a fourth year and pay the Writing Up Fee to

2 enable him/her to complete and submit the thesis. The Writing Up Fee is currently 570 for 2014/15 (this is revised annually). ELIGIBILITY & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS In order to be eligible to apply, you must hold, or expect to obtain by 1 st October 2015, a Master s degree in a Psychological discipline, or a 1 st class Bachelor s degree in a BPS accredited subject (including, where appropriate, training in the relevant research methods and, where relevant, laboratory experience). Please note that these scholarships are only available for new applicants. Existing PhD students are not eligible to apply. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS Applications can be accepted from UK/EU and International students. The minimum English language proficiency requirement for candidates who have not undertaken a higher degree at a UK HE institution is IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in all skills). HOW TO APPLY To apply for this studentship, you should submit: 1. a fully completed application form (please ensure you read the guidance notes that accompany the form) 2. copies of your academic certificates 3. copies of your English Language Proficiency certificates (if applicable) a. a research proposal of words (see guidance on research proposals below) 4. If you are applying as part of an open call under a strategic theme (i.e., applicants who are not applying for a specific project) then you will need to include with your application a statement from your prospective supervisor(s) to confirm that they are willing in principle to supervise your proposed project should you be awarded a Psychology PhD Scholarship. We would suggest that before you complete your application, you should therefore consult the NTU website for information on academic staff working within Psychology to determine whether there is an academic member of staff whose research interests connect with your own: You should informally approach her or him to test out your ideas. If they feel able to offer in principle support for your research plans, you should then draft your word research project outline, and ask them to provide the statement of support. Please note, such an in principle statement is not an offer of a place or a bursary. All documents should be submitted electronically to gradschool@ntu.ac.uk You must make it clear in your application form that you are applying for a Psychology PhD scholarship.

3 The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 12:00noon on Friday 12 December This deadline will be strictly adhered to. Application by CV only or incomplete applications will not be accepted. We expect to be able to interview shortlisted candidates within one month of the deadline. Please do not hesitate to contact the Graduate School at if you have any further queries. REMEMBER: The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday12 December Application by CV only or incomplete applications will not be accepted. BY WHAT CRITERIA WILL APPLICATIONS BE JUDGED? The following criteria will be used to judge applications and rank candidates: The previous academic and career achievements of the applicant The applicant s potential for undertaking a successful PhD project, as demonstrated by the information provided on the application form and/or outline of your proposed research project (where proposed by the candidate) The extent to which the project relates to an area where there is expertise within the Division of Psychology In assessing your previous academic and career achievements, we will consider the following factors: whether you hold, or expect to obtain by 1 st October 2015, a Masters degree in a psychological discipline at commendation level or above, or a 1 st class BPS accredited Psychology (including, where appropriate, training in the relevant research methods) Relevant work experience (especially, in a research, policy, professional or managerial role in a field directly relevant to your research proposal) GUIDANCE ON RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND SUPPORTING STATEMENT To accompany your application, you are also required to produce a research proposal. Prior to producing a research proposal, if you have not already done so, you are advised to make contact with a member of academic staff working within your proposed research area. This will enable you to discuss your project ideas and identify a potential supervisor. Please check the NTU website for information on academic staff working within Psychology:

4 The research proposal ( words including bibliography) this should outline the research topic you wish to investigate and address the following points: 1. Provisional Title. 2. The topic or areas to be investigated (the subject or field that you are going to investigate). 3. If your proposal is for a practice- or creative-based PhD with a critical component, please also describe the proposed media content, and techniques of the practice/creative element(s), explaining the originality of the work and what you hope to explore. 4. The problem or hypothesis to be tested (the research questions or problem you want to address, the research objectives). 5. The relationship of the proposed research to the published literature and the current research (or practice) in the field (how your project relates to other work). 6. An indication of the contribution to knowledge that the thesis is anticipated to make (what you hope to find out). 7. The methods and techniques to be used in the research (how you propose to go about the research). 8. A provisional timetable for the project, indicating anticipated activities. 9. Details of previous work in the proposed field, or relationship to prior experience or study. 10. Bibliography of sources already consulted or identified as of relevance to your proposal. We are aware that you are at the initial stage of your thinking, therefore we do not expect the proposal to be definitive. Its purpose is to help us determine how you personally will approach research in the advertised area, and is also likely to act as a basis for further discussion i.e. at interview. In developing your research proposal, you may wish to consult a general research methods textbook - most will have a section which deals with writing research proposals, and those should give you a good idea of the sort of structure and content. But essentially, think about the following questions: Have I clearly formulated the problem, have I put it in context of contemporary debates, demonstrated the way in which my work will build on existing research and make a contribution to the area? What will the research do, to whom or to what, and why? Have I established appropriate aims and objectives? Are they clear and concise? Have I provided a well-thought out research design in which there is a reasoned explanation of the scale, timing and resources necessary? Am I being realistic about these? Am I using the most relevant approach and the most appropriate methods? How will it relate to and deliver the objectives? Have I given a full and detailed description of the proposed research methods? If I am using data collection have I considered already existing data resources? Am I sure that access will be given where necessary, and do I have written confirmation of this? Have I thought about the ethics of what I am planning to do? Are there any sensitive issues or potential problems which need to be addressed? Have I recognised and planned for the skills and competencies that will be required to bring the work to a satisfactory conclusion? Have I anticipated potential difficulties? Have I shown that I recognise these and discussed how they would be handled?

5 Have I provided a bibliography? This will indicate your familiarity with the theoretical grounding and current state of the art of your subject. Please remember that the proposed research proposal should be no more than words, including bibliography. REMEMBER: The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 12 December 2014.