We have 4 fully funded AQM awards available via open competition across all eligible departments/schools and will be of specific interest to disciplines that have a strong track record of AQM or are looking to expand into this area. The DTP will give priority to those who will be working with large data sets (an ESRC priority). Both 1+3 students and +3 students are eligible for nomination.
Assessment criteria
- Student excellence: qualifications, relevant work experience, prizes and awards.
- AQM Project excellence: the quality as an AQM research proposal, beyond standard quantitative methods in the discipline, evidence of cutting edge statistical/mathematical analyses, significance, originality, how will this contribute to knowledge
- Pathway excellence: fit with, and development of, pathway research strategy.
- Supervisor excellence: the suitability and experience of the supervisory team – only a Yes/No answer is required.
- Collaborative excellence: demonstrates a collaborative element with the ability to make impact beyond academia.
- Training excellence: for 1+3, suitable MA Social Research framework as proposed masters training; for +3, demonstrates at least 60 credits of M-level research methods in the social sciences and how training needs will be met, delivered, and monitored – only a Yes/No answer is required.
- Covid-19 resilience: the extent to which the project has appropriate and robust Covid-19 adaptations built in – only a Yes/No answer is required.
- Fundability: On balance do you feel this thesis is fundable? – only a Yes/No answer is required.
For more information view the WRDTP AQM Awards Assessment Guidance Notes 2023_24.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do these awards differ from the WRDTP Pathway Awards?
These studentships are the result of a specific ESRC strategic steer to encourage the use of Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM), use of large datasets, or use of big data methods and associated analytical methods in funded studentship projects. However please note that all the typical studentship eligibility criteria apply, the competition timelines and deadlines are the same as the Pathway competition, and applicants are still expected to align with one of the WRDTP’s seven interdisciplinary training pathways in addition to focusing on AQM during their research project.
Is there any additional support for AQM studentship award holders?
These studentships (available during the +3 stage of the programme) offer an additional Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) enhanced stipend of £3,000 which is intended to encourage students to undertake training in advanced quantitative methods and to apply this in their PhD research and beyond.
There is also an enhanced Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) for these awards (available during the +3 stage of the programme) of £888 per annum.
Am I eligible for a WRDTP studentship?
Please find all the details regarding our eligibility requirements in our WRDTP Studentship FAQs 2023_24.
How do I apply?
Students do not apply to the WRDTP directly for a studentship. The process differs slightly at each of our seven partner institutions, and you’ll need to use their application systems to apply for your PhD place, and to be considered for a studentship. Therefore we recommend speaking to the Postgraduate Research Officer or the member of staff responsible for PGR Admissions in your chosen academic department at your preferred university – they will be best placed to advise you on the application process. You are advised to make contact with your school or department at an early stage to discuss your application, and identify a potential supervisor.
Once you have applied to your university and have a PhD study offer, your department/school will also decide whether to nominate you to the WRDTP for ESRC funding. If you are successful in being put forward to the WRDTP, your department/school will compile a nomination pack on your behalf, and submit this to the WRDTP for consideration by the specified deadline.
It is then assessed by the WRDTP’s Academic Quality Committee, and decisions will be shared with all applicants by the end of April 2023. Please note that your institution’s Scholarships Team will communicate all decisions – the WRDTP will not contact you directly with the outcomes. Please also be aware that due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individualised feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Applicant Information Sessions
Applicants who are interested in the WRDTP Pathway and AQM Awards are invited to attend an information session for guidance on the application process. There will also be an information session for Black British applicants who are interested in applying for a Stuart Hall Foundation Award.
These will be held online on the following dates:
- Pathway Awards and AQM Awards (open to home and international applicants):
- Thursday 20 October 2022: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
- Stuart Hall Foundation Awards (open to Black British applicants only):
- Wednesday 26 October 2022: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
These sessions will include opportunities for Q&A and a recording of the session will be made available afterwards. To book your place on a session, please follow this link.
What is the deadline to apply?
Students must have submitted their application for a PhD study place by 17:00hrs, 25 January 2023 in order to be considered for a WRDTP studentship.
PLEASE NOTE: Each of our partner universities have slightly different application systems, so depending on where you choose to apply, you may be asked to apply for studentship funding at the same time as your PhD application and via the same application form, or via a separate scholarships application system, or to apply for funding only after you have a study place confirmed. We strongly recommend checking with your chosen department/school to confirm your local application process, and any local deadlines.
The overall timeline for the WRDTP studentships competition can be found in our WRDTP Studentship FAQs 2023_24 (Page 23).
What happens if I miss the deadline to apply?
Unfortunately, we cannot consider late applications. However, If you miss out on the deadline to apply for a WRDTP Pathway or Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) Award, but are still interested in undertaking a WRDTP-funded studentship, there are other opportunities to secure funding for a PhD.
In early Spring 2023, we will be recruiting students to our WRDTP Collaborative Award projects – these studentships are designed by academic colleagues at our partner universities, and involve collaboration with an external (non-HE) partner. Further details will be unveiled on our WRDTP Collaborative Awards webpage in due course.
