PhD Scholarships, University of St. Andrews, UK (2017-2018)

The University of St Andrews is awarding three fully-funded doctoral scholarships for outstanding students looking to commence their doctoral degree in September 2018. UK/EU applicants and international applicants are eligible to apply for this scholarship programme.

The scholarships are funded by the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity that supports and promotes excellence in the fields of science, health, education, and the arts and humanities. Since 2012 the Wolfson Foundation has committed some £13 million to support doctoral studies in the humanities at UK universities distinguished by their research excellence.

The University of St Andrews is one of the UK’s top universities and is one of Europe’s most research intensive seats of learning.

Eligibility

The following criteria must be met in order for applicants to be eligible for the scholarship:
- Geographical criteria: No restrictions;
- Domicile for fee status: No restrictions;
- Level of study: Postgraduate research (doctoral);
- Year of entry;2018-19 academic years; applicants must be able to start their degree in September 2018.*

Subjects
Scholarships are available in three disciplines that align with the Wolfson Foundation’s interests – history, literature, and languages. It is expected that one studentship will be awarded in each of these three areas. The three areas that the scheme covers are broadly defined and it is recognised that many research projects may cover more than one area.

History
As well as broad-based historical and historiographical studies, this may include such areas as classics, history of art, or architectural history, provided the research is grounded within historical methodology;
Research funded in this area has included work on socio-political change in East Africa; society and ideology in the Milanese region, c. 1000-1200; and laughter in the 18th century.

Literature
As well as literary and textual studies, this may include research that involves critical theory or film and other visual media, provided there are literary elements within the research (e.g. translation of literature to screen). This does not include creative writing;
Research funded in this area has included work on the ocean in mid-19th Century American verse; narratives of needlework in early-modern England; Samuel Johnson and religious thought of the 18th Century; and the evolution of parasitology and how it has shaped the dialogue between science and literature.

Languages
Research should be in applied languages other than English rather than linguistics. It may involve the study of literary or historical texts where these are in languages other than English. Students receiving scholarships under this stream may be based on non-languages departments – for example, history or anthropology departments;
Research funded in this area ranges widely and often overlaps with the other two disciplines. Research funded in this area has included work on ‘Engishiki Norito’ in the context of the Old Japanese literary continuum; the influence of Francophone culture in Southern Italy; and the evolution of languages and identities in Yugoslav and post-Yugoslav Croatian cinema.

Scholarship
Each scholarship is worth GBP 84,000 to be paid in equal amounts over three years (full-time registration) or six years (part time registration). The scholarships are sufficient to cover annual registration fees with the balance payable to the scholarship holders as a maintenance component to support living costs and other expenses associated with their research such as travel to libraries, galleries, archives or attendance at academic conferences.

The scholarships are open to both UK/EU applicants and international applicants and are of sufficient size to cover the higher fees payable by international students. However, where the higher international fees are payable the balance remaining for the maintenance component will be reduced by the corresponding amount.

Further details:
PhD Scholarships, University of St. Andrews, UK (2017-2018)