Northern Bridge Consortium PhD Scholarship Opportunity

Summary

Northern Bridge Consortium (NBC) is a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. It brings together the cutting-edge expertise and exceptional resources of Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Queen’s University Belfast, Sunderland University, Teesside University and Ulster University and their strategic partners.

The NBC DTP runs an annual competition to select over 60 of the best arts and humanities doctoral candidates and provide a comprehensive and attractive package of financial support over the duration of study, which includes payment of tuition fees and a maintenance award (currently £19,237 per annum).

Full details about the competition, eligibility, application process and timeline are available on the NBCDTP website.

Guidance on uploading an application via the Ulster system is also available.

There are three routes to an NBC studentship.

1. Standard PhD award

A proposal developed by the researcher, with advice from potential supervisors.

2. Student-led Collaborative Doctoral award

CDAs proposal developed by the applicant with advice from potential supervisors for that applicant to undertake in collaboration between academic supervision and a non-academic [industry] partner organisation. After initial application to Ulster University, applications that are being nominated for a Collaborative Doctoral Award complete the relevant sections of the nomination form.

3. Staff-led Collaborative Doctoral award route proposed by supervisors.

The 2025 studentships for Collaborative Doctoral award route proposed by supervisors were submitted in October 2024 and, after a selection process, successful CDA studentships projected will be advertised on the Northern Bridge webpages and have specific application processes that will be detailed there.

Preparing an Application

Applicants to all types of NBC award should consult their proposed subject Supervisors at the earliest opportunity so that the expertise and capacity to supervise the proposed research can be identified, and to ensure that the applicant will be fully supported throughout the competition process.

Potential applicants to NBC at Ulster University should contact potential supervisors at Ulster University as soon as possible in the Autumn semester before submitting their application to Ulster in the new year. They should also register their interest with the Ulster University Local NBCDTP Administrator and this should be done before 23 December at the latest.

Prospective applicants are expected to read the full Guidance Notes, to make themselves aware of the competition process and deadlines.

Northern Bridge Consortium will host two online Workshops for Applicants to help support prospective applicants to develop their research proposals. Bookings are via the Northern Bridge Webpage only and are limited to 100 places per workshop. Both workshops are identical so please book one place at one workshop only.

· Thursday 31 October 2:30-4:30pm

· Monday 4 November 10:00 -12.00pm

Northern Bridge Consortium are unable to offer additional workshops or open additional places. For those unable to attend the workshops, presentation slides and a recording of one of those workshops will be made available on the Northern Bridge Consortium webpage shortly after.

Duration and Mode of Study

The normal duration of an NBCDTP doctoral studentship is 42 months full-time (3.5 years) with potential for up to an addition 6-months for approved placement. Completion is expected within 4 years full time. Studentships are available for applicants who wish to study on a part-time basis. For example, those who wish to combine their research training with work or personal responsibilities. Applicants should be aware that funding for part-time study is an option, although applicants should be realistic about such arrangements. It is expected that the period of study will reflect the percentage of time spent pursuing doctoral studies, and a minimum of 50% of full-time effort is required (with an expected period of study of up to 6 – 8 years).

Application to Ulster University for an NBC award can be made by doctoral students who have already commenced their PhD at Ulster University and are early in their research. That usually means applying at the end of semester one in their first year of full-time research. If successful, their NBC award will be reduced by the length of time the student has already been registered on the PhD programme and applications. They should speak to their supervisors and register their interest with the Ulster University Local NBCDTP Administrator and this should be done before 23 December at the latest.

Ulster University Doctoral researchers who have already commenced their doctoral studies are eligible to apply for an NBC studentship at Ulster on the condition that they will have completed no more than 18 months of full-time or 36 months of part-time study at the point at which they would take up the award (nominally 1 October 2025). They should notify their supervisors and the Ulster Northern Bridge Administrator that they wish to be considered for an award and must submit a proposal on the basis of the project on which they are already working at Ulster by 7 January 2025 to the NBC administrator.

Placement

Studentships can include a placement or placements totalling up to 6 months with either Strategic Partner(s) in a CDA or other non-academic partners by discussion with the supervisory team and subject to approval by an NBC panel. Intentions for placement and training can be indicated on nomination proposal but do not need confirmation at this stage.

Application Process

There are two stages to the application process:

Stage 1 – Postgraduate Application (Online) by 4pm on Tuesday 7 January 2025. Applicants should make an online application to Ulster University using the standard online PhD application form. Insert NBC25 in response to the question relating to how you plan to fund your studies on the Funding Details section of the online application. Applicants can only apply ONCE to ONE NBC university for an NBC award in any year. Applicants to NBC can apply to other Ulster University PhD opportunities in the same year and are advised to do that as a separate application with attention to the criteria for each opportunity.

Internal assessment confirms eligible applications and selects the strongest applications on the basis of the applicant’s qualifications, research proposal, relevant experience and references and Ulster’s research capacity.

January - February Applicants who will be nominated by Ulster University are informed of the outcome and will be supported by staff in developing a further application for the National level competition as nominated candidates.

Stage 2 - Student Nomination submitted by Ulster Admin by 4pm on Monday 24 February 2025.

Nominations are rigorously reviewed. There are not normally interviews for NBC standard or student led CDA awards. Applicants to staff-led CDA may be interviewed.

Results will be announced to successful candidates by 6pm on Thursday 10 April 2025.

Contact details:

Professor Karen Fleming, NBCDTP Academic Director, Ulster University

Subject Area Contacts:

• Prof. Justin Magee - Design
• Dr Chris McHugh - Visual Arts
• Prof. Elizabeth Crooke - Cultural and Museum Studies
• Prof. Ian Thatcher -  History
• Dr Mark Simpson -  Law and Legal Studies
• Dr Jessica Bates -  Library and Information Studies
• Prof. Brandon Hamber - Political Science and International Studies
• Dr Lisa Fitzpatrick  - Drama and Theatre Studies
• Dr Helen Jackson - Media and Communication Studies
• Dr Brian Bridges - Music
• Dr Frank Ferguson - Languages and Literature
• Prof. Raffaella Folli – Linguistics
• Dr Kyle Boyd - Information and Communication Technologies

Academic Qualifications and Experience

Competition for Northern Bridge studentships is intense, and we require evidence of academic excellence at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as evidence that the candidate has sufficient research skills to undertake the project.

This generally means a first-class or good upper-second undergraduate degree and performance at or around distinction level in a masters degree.

In exceptional cases, candidates with lower qualifications may be considered if they can demonstrate that relevant professional practice or work experience has equipped them with equivalent academic and research skills.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Northern Bridge Consortium

See NBC website for eligibility