The University of Exeter is offering up to 5 fully funded doctoral studentships for January 2025 entry as part of our Doctoral Training Partnership with the EPSRC (Engineering, Physical Sciences Reserach Council).

The University of Exeter offers a world-class education and research in one of the most beautiful locations in the UK. As a Russell Group University our research makes a difference across the world and we’re committed to working with our PhD researchers to make the world greener, healthier, and fairer.  Our Doctoral College stimulates, supports and sustains a vibrant research and intellectual environment across and between disciplines for postgraduate and early career researchers. Focusing on investment and development in training, resources and facilities, we provide an outstanding quality experience for those in the early stages of their research careers.

The EPSRC is the main funding body for engineering and physical sciences research in the UK. The EPSRC's portfolio ranges from digital technologies to clean energy, manufacturing to mathematics, advanced materials to chemistry.

International students

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept international students during this round of recruitment as the allocation from the EPSRC DTP for International students has been fully committed.

Competition details

The projects listed on the Finding a PhD Resarch Project web page are being advertised as part of a competitive process for funding, there are a maximum of five awards available.  For further details about how to apply please visit the Important Information about the EPSRC DTP Studentship web page. 

Projects available are within the following departments. 

• Biosciences
• Clinical and Biomedical Sciences
• Computer Sciences
• Engineering
• Geography
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Physics and Astronomy
• Psychology
• Public Health and Sport Sciences
• University of Exeter Business School

Entry requirements

Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology.  Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have a Masters degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information and a list of acceptable alternative tests.

Please note project specific criteria will be provided within the full project details found on the website.  

International students

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept international students during this round of recruitment as the allocation from the EPSRC DTP for International students has been fully committed.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply for an EPSRC DTP studentship you will need to click on the 'Apply Now' button above.  Any applications submitted via other routes will not be considered for the studentship funding. 

The research projects available for the studentships starting in January 2025 can be found via the following link. EPSRC DTP Studentship Information

In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.  Please note our preferred format is PDF, each file named with your surname and the name of the document, eg. “Smith – CV.pdf”, “Smith – Cover Letter.pdf”, “Smith – Transcript.pdf”.

You will be asked to upload the following documents:

•     CV
•     A cover letter outlining your academic interests, prior research experience
      and reasons for wishing to undertake your chosen project.  Important you must add
      the name of the project for which you are applying at the top of your cover letter. 
      If you do not name a project your application will not be considered. 
•     Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained.  This
      should be an interim transcript if you are still studying.
•     Two academic referees - see information below about references.
•     If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit
      evidence of your proficiency in English (see entry requirements above)
   

Please see our dedicated DTP website for full details.

The closing date for applications is midday on Friday 4th October 2024.   

Reference Information

You will be asked to submit two references as part of the application process.  If you are not able to upload  your reference documents with your application please ensure you provide details of your referees.  If you provide contact details of referees only, we will not expect receipt of references until after the shortlisting stage. Your referees should not be from the prospective supervisory team.

If you are shortlisted for interview, please ensure that your two academic referees email their references to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk, 7 days prior to the interview dates.  Please note that we will not be contacting referees to request references, you must arrange for them to be submitted to us by the deadline.

References should be submitted by your referees to us directly in the form of a letter. Referees must email their references to us from their institutional email accounts. We cannot accept references from personal/private email accounts, unless it is a scanned document on institutional headed paper and signed by the referee.

Contact Information

If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk

If you have project specific enquiries please contact the lead supervisor named above.

Data Sharing

During the application process, the University may need to make certain disclosures of your personal data to third parties to be able to administer your application, carry out interviews and select candidates.  These are not limited to but may include disclosures to:

• the selection panel and/or management board or the equivalent of the relevant programme, which is likely to include staff from one or more other HEIs;
• administrative staff at one or more other HEIs participating in the relevant programme.

Such disclosures will always be kept to the minimum amount of personal data required for the specific purpose. Your sensitive personal data (relating to disability and race/ethnicity) will not be disclosed without your explicit consent.

Summary