Student Registry

 

ESRC Doctoral Training Centre for Social Sciences

  • On this page

The University of Cambridge has been accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council as a Doctoral Training Centre for social sciences. The Cambridge DTC is part of a network of 21 Centres in the United Kingdom and offers 26 studentships each year in a wide variety of social science subjects.

The Cambridge DTC provides a leading training environment for postgraduate social scientists, delivered in internationally-recognised centres of disciplinary excellence. With excellent RAE rankings and world-class resources, the DTC provides a vibrant research environment for students, researchers, practitioners and academic staff.

  • Further information

Starting in October 2011, 26 competitive studentships will be awarded annually to outstanding candidates, resident in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA), with research potential in the following areas:

  • Geography
  • History
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Business
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Social and Developmental Psychology
  • Social Anthropology
  • Sociology
  • Criminology
  • Land Economy

The following Departments support the Doctoral Training Centre:

Eligibility

The ESRC sets out residency requirements for award of DTC studentships - details can be found on their website.

  • Further information

Full studentships are available only to students resident in the UK or European Economic Area. Students not meeting residency requirements may be eligible for an award covering fees only.

A first or good 2:1 undergraduate degree will be a prerequisite; to study direct to PhD you will need to be in possession of an appropriate Masters-level qualification, including training in research methods.

For further guidance on qualifications required, please contact the appropriate department.

[top]

Financial Support

DTC studentships support students on doctoral training pathways (a programme of study leading to the award of a postgraduate degree). A pathway may incorporate a year of Masters-level study (1+3) or may be tracked directly to PhD (+3). A full studentship will provide the following package:

  • A tax-free maintenance grant at UK Research Council rates (currently £13, 590 per annum)
  • Full payment of tuition fees at the Home/EU rate
  • Research training support grant of £750 per annum to support fieldwork and conference attendance

In addition, enhanced packages are available to doctoral students in Economics (not available at Masters level). DTC students may also apply directly to ESRC for additional financial support for fieldwork and difficult language training.

The DTC will actively seek to foster collaboration with public, private or third sector organisations, including internships, placements and knowledge transfer projects.

[top]

How to Apply

You should apply for admission to the University in the normal way (see 'Step 3: How to Apply'), and, if you wish to be considered for an ESRC award, make this known to your proposed department/faculty, who have to nominate you for a studentship.

Timetable

If you would like to be considered for a DTC studentship to commence in October 2012, your department must nominate you by Friday 23 March, therefore you must have applied for admission by Friday 13 January 2012, or the particular course closing date, whichever is earlier.

All nominations will be assessed by a panel for research potential, evidence of ability and academic coherence. Outcomes will be known by 6 April 2012.

Contact

For further information, please contact Kathy White.

Kathy White (kathy.white@admin.cam.ac.uk)
+44 (0) 1223 (3)38396


[top]

Administration of Awards

Supporting information on the administration of ESRC awards can be found under 'Support for Award Holders'.


[top]