Applications & Eligibility

Our programme is designed for, and aimed at, those who:

• Have been out of formal education for at least three years (i.e. latest degree – if any – completed before September 2019).
• Have at least 3 years’ work experience (or equivalent) in a related field, preferably UK-based, and plan to develop their career with a UK employer.
• Have faced barriers to accessing education, e.g. financial barriers, perceived lack of alignment between education and professional development needs, lack of flexibility around work and/or family commitments
• Are looking for a professional development opportunity which will not put their career or life on hold.

We particularly welcome applicants who:

• have taken a career break
• belong to groups who have been historically underrepresented and marginalised in Science, Engineering, and Technology, as well as in doctoral-level study
• have not until now considered pursuing a Doctorate. 

Candidates should usually have:

• an undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or equivalent non-UK qualification) in a relevant subject area, such as Engineering, Physics, or Computer Science*
• completed their most recent degree (if any) before October 2019
• at least three years' relevant full-time employment (or equivalent amount of relevant work-based or project-based experience) prior to applying to the programme
• previous experience working in a related field, preferably for a UK company or a company with a substantial connection to the UK;
• the aim to further their career within UK Industry

*Candidates without a relevant degree or qualifications below a 2:1 degree will be considered on a case by case basis should they have at least five years of relevant work experience post-degree.

We have filled all of our funded places and applications to our programme are therefore closed.

We will be applying for funding to recruit for studentships with a September 2024 start date. This webpage will be updated accordingly in December 2023 or shortly afterwards, so please make sure you check it regularly and/or contact us at dce-cdt@qmul.ac.uk 

We have now filled all of our funded places and applications to our programme are therefore closed.

We will be applying for funding to recruit for studentships with a September 2024 start date. This webpage will be updated accordingly in December 2023 or shortly afterwards, so please make sure you check it regularly and/or contact us at dce-cdt@qmul.ac.uk 

In order to be considered, your online application must include all of the following:

1. Your CV. Please upload a copy of your CV to the online application form, section called: "Professional Experience"
2. A proposal for a doctoral level research project that you are keen to undertake. Please upload this to the online application form, section called: "Research Proposal". For guidance, please refer to our part 2 workshop videos, in particular video n. 3. 
3. A completed Personal Statement Form. Please download this file: Personal Statement Form [DOC 150KB], fill it in, and upload it to the online application form, section called: "Personal Statement". The document will ask you to provide:
   • A Competency Statement: a description of up to five of your work-based competencies illustrated through workplace projects (300 to 700 words). Relevant work-based competencies include: Problem solving, Innovation, Critical analysis, Adaptability, Responsibility, and Communication. Candidates are strongly encourage to use the STAR framework. For guidance, please refer to our part 2 workshop videos, in particular video n. 2. 
   • A Self-reflective Summary of the skills that you believe you need to develop in order to undertake doctoral level research (200 to 500 words).
4. All candidates will need to provide contact details of two referees with their application, with one of these being a recent employment referee. 

Please note that we are unable to consider incomplete applications. 

Applications to the programme will be assessed and shortlisted according to the following criteria:

• the application must be complete: incomplete applications, e.g. applications missing the research proposal, CV, competencies statement, or self-reflective summary, will not be shortlisted. Make sure you include all documents required before you press “submit”
• The application demonstrates:
  • relevant work-based competencies (assessed via competencies statement and CV)
  • relevant work experience (assessed via CV)
  • research potential (assessed via research proposal and CV)
  • an awareness of training and development needs, and motivation (self-reflective summary)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. 

Our Centre for Doctoral Training is funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

What the funding covers:

Professional Doctoral Scholars:

• Tuition fees at the HOME student rate* (please see below) for the duration of the programme, subject to progress;
• Research and Training Support Grant allowance

Enterprise Doctoral Scholars (if NOT in FT employment during the course):

• Tuition fees at the HOME student rate* (please see below) for the duration of the programme, subject to progress;
• Research and Training Support Grant allowance;
• Enhanced maintenance stipend (£22,851p.a. tax-free for full-time students in 2022/2023). Please note that this stipend is higher than the standard EPSRC standard stipend rate as it is meant to address financial barriers. 

Please refer to:

EPSRC guidance document

UKCISA guidance

QMUL Fee Status Assessment guidelines

*To be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have settled status, or
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter

UK Nationals
The UK includes the United Kingdom and Islands (i.e. the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).
In terms of residency requirements for UK nationals, candidates will continue to be eligible for home fee status as long as:

• they were living in the EEA or Switzerland on 31 December 2020, and have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the last 3 years before starting a course in the UK
• have lived continuously in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar between 31 December 2020 and the start of the course

EU applicants

EU applicants with settled status will be classified as home student for fee purposes

EU applicants with pre-settled status will qualify as a home student if they have 3 years residency in the UK/EEA/Gibraltar/Switzerland immediately before the start of their course

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or Indefinite leave to enter (ILE) Indefinite leave to enter or remain (ILR) are types of immigration status for those with non-UK or non-EU passport. 

International Students
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, it is highly likely that they they would be classed as an International student.

We welcome applications from International Students; the funding, however, will only cover tuition fees at the Home Student rate. 

This will not apply to Irish nationals living in the UK and Ireland whose right to study and to access benefits and services will be preserved on a reciprocal basis for UK and Irish nationals under the Common Travel Area arrangement.

If in doubt please contact us with full details of your degree award dates, nationality, immigration status, and residency for the 3 years immediately before the programme start date.