pgr funding open day nov 2012
TRANSCRIPT
Dr Martina Faller
Director of Postgraduate Research
• A large, vibrant and diverse PGR student community:
more than 400 HOME/EU students and more
than100 Overseas
• Wide range of supervisory expertise from world-class
researchers
• Lots of opportunities for interdisciplinary work within
School and with other Schools
I want to do a PhD
How do I apply?
Apply online
• Research proposal (of about 1500 words)
• Two references
• Academic transcripts
• Additionally:
– Portfolio or writing sample for some programmes
– Evidence of English language ability if English is not yourfirst language)
– Copy of passport if you need a visa
Before Applying
• Consult subject webpages for staff research interests
• Identify potential supervisor(s) and get in touch!
I want to do a PhD
Help ... How do I fund it?
Funding Schemes
• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC):
fees and maintenance
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC):
fees and maintenance
• President’s Doctoral Scholar Awards (PDS):
fees and maintenance
• School Funding: – fees and partial maintenance
– fees bursaries
AHRC: am I eligible?
• Subject areas: Archaeology; Classics; Dance, Drama and Performance; English; German Studies; History; History of Art; Linguistics and English Language; Museum Studies; Music; Religious Studies; Russian and East European Studies; Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies; Translation and Intercultural Studies
• UK and EU applicants only (EU students fees only unless they meet criteria on previous period in UK (e.g. if took first degree in UK, or resident for three years))
• full time or part time
AHRC: How do I apply?
• Two stages:
– apply for place on programme by 1 Feb
– apply for funding by 1 March
• Funding application requires:
– 1,000-word research proposal
– 2 references
ESRC: am I eligible?
• Subject areas:
– Economic and Social History
– Language-Based Area Studies (LBAS) (including East Asian studies; Latin American and Caribbean studies; Middle Eastern studies; Russian and East European studies)
– Linguistics
• 1+3 (MA+PhD) and +3 (PhD) schemes; full time or part time
• UK and EU applicants only (EU students fees only unlessthey meet criteria on previous period in UK, e.g. if took first degree in UK, or resident for three years)
ESRC: How do I apply?
• Two stages: – apply for place on programme by 17 Jan
– apply for funding by 4 Feb
• Funding application requires:
– 1,500-word research proposal
– 2 references
PDS
• Eligibility: all Subject areas; UK, EU and Overseas students; full time or part time
• Two stage application:
– apply for place on programme by 1 Feb
– apply for funding by 1 March
• Application requires:
– 1,000-word research proposal
– 2 references
School Awards
• Eligibility: all Subject areas; UK, EU and Overseas students; full time or part time
• Two stage application; deadlines to be announced
• Some subject areas may offer additional funding; details to be announced
Research proposal
• research problem or question
• research context for this question
• contribution to knowledge
• methods and critical approaches to be used
• the sources you will use, where they are located, and how they will be accessed
• timescale – what needs to be done when
• any ethical issues raised by the research project
Defining your project
• be specific
• be precise
• be assertive
• be practical: a 3-year thesis, a viable project
• avoid jargon
• show that you are informed on scholarship
Your record so far
• Specific skills– Research skills
– Linguistic skills
– Work experience
– General distinctive features
• Qualitative appreciation: awards, examiners’ comments
• Research activities –conferences, student networks
Help your referees
• References need to be constructive, realistic, and factual
• Work references may be relevant for professional doctorates
• Hyperbole doesn’t work
• Talk to your referees. AHRC and PDS guidance give detailed instructions to referees. Pass them on!
• Supply them with information (transcripts, feedback sheets, background information)
What are the panels looking for?
• Can you identify and articulate a coherent research project?
• Are you aware of the field, and how the project will make an original contribution?
• Do you have the methods or critical approaches that will lead to significant results?
• Sensible choice of sources
• Is it feasible in the time?
• Can/should it be done in Manchester?
Summary of the selection criteria
– The Four P’s:
– Person (track record of grades/experience; evidence from references)
– Preparation (relevance of prior experience; coherent story of how you have got here, where you are going; do you have the right skills?)
– Proposal/Project (is it clear? Is it original? Is it viable?)
– Place (good fit between the student and the institution in terms of resources and research strengths)
More information
• Talk to subject PGR representatives today
• Funding info on Graduate School website:
http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/graduateschool/funding/
Subject/Division Contact Hours
Drama Dr Jenny Hughes 3.30-5pm SL06 Martin Harris
Classics and Ancient History Dr Polly Low 3.30-5pm S2.11
English and American Studies and Creative Writing
Dr Anastasia Valassopoulos 2-5pm S1.19
French, Italian, German and Translation and Intercultural Studies Dr Luis Peréz-González 2-5pm W4.07
History Dr Julie-Marie Strange2-2.30pm, 3.30-5pm N2.07
Dr Pedro Ramos Pinto 2.30-3.30pm N3.2
Linguistics and English Language Prof Eva Schultze-Berndt 3-5pm NG12
Dr Martina Faller 2-3pm NG8
SPLAS, EAS, MES and REES Professor Alex Samely 2-5pm WG17
HCRI Dr Jen Peterson 2-5pmC1.24, Ellen Wilkinson
Archaeology Dr Stuart Campbell 2-5pm4.07, Mansfield Cooper
R&T Dr Jean-Marc Dreyfus 2-5pm WG20B
Art History and Visual Studies Anthony Gerbino2-2.30 and 3.30-5pm
3.08, Mansfield Cooper
Music David Fanning 2-5pm F27 Martin Harris