China Scholarship Council and University of Exeter PhD Scholarships for 2025/26 Entry Ref: 5286

The University of Exeter is proud to offer up to Fifty full-time PhD scholarships in collaboration with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for Chinese students starting in September 2025.

The University of Exeter combines world-class research with high levels of student satisfaction at its campuses in Exeter and Cornwall, South West England. Formed in 1955, the University has over 25,000 students from more than 130 different countries.   The University of Exeter is the UK’s fastest growing research university. We are leaders in cutting-edge science, engineering, mathematics, and medicine research, and have a world-class reputation in the humanities and social sciences.

For more information on our research topics and available research projects, please see our CSC-Exeter Scholarships website.

Applying for a Scholarship

Once you have identified a research topic, it is important that you have identified and contacted a supervisor to discuss your research idea prior to submitting an application. 

We strongly encourage and welcome you to submit your own research proposal (see details in the 'How to Apply' section below), however, we also have a selection of research projects available, details of which can be found on the China Scholarship Council and University of Exeter PhD Scholarships web pages.  If you are interested in one of the projects available, please contact the relevant supervisor to discuss your interest prior to submitting an application.

To apply for a CSC-Exeter Scholarship you will need to follow the guidance in the 'How to Apply' section below. 

Applications not submitted via the links in the 'How to Apply' section below, will not be considered for the University of Exeter Scholarships.

Important information

The University of Exeter Scholarship awards are available for PhD students, starting in September 2024.  Current first year PhD students may apply (provided they are eligible in accordance with CSC scheme rules).  Please note priority may be given to new applicants.

Research Topics

Scholarships are available for study in the following Faculties:

Environment, Science and Economy

The Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy is a vibrant interdisciplinary community, dedicated to delivering world-class education and research that breaks new boundaries and has a positive impact on the world. We work across fundamental sciences, engineering and business to deliver on the University’s Strategy 2030 to create a sustainable, healthy and socially just future.

We are one of the world’s best universities in interdisciplinary environment and sustainability, founded on strong fundamental disciplinary research and education. The faculty is home to ten departments in physical and environmental sciences, engineering and includes the globally recognised, triple accredited University of Exeter Business School.  For further information on our departments please click on the relevant subject area's listed; Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Ecology and Conservation, Engineering, Geography, Mathematics and Statistics, Phyics and Astronomy, Economics, Finance and Accounting, and Management.

Health and Life Science

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences brings together academics and students across the spectrum of health, wellbeing and life sciences, including the social and environmental context, to create a holistic community with exciting synergies, dedicated to creating positive impact.

Covering Biosciences, Psychology, Health and Care Professions (Nursing, Medical Imaging and Pharmacy), Public Health and Sports Sciences, Health and Community Sciences, and Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, the Faculty is based over multiple campuses in Exeter and Cornwall, and on partner NHS sites.

Our interdisciplinary approach includes partnerships with healthcare providers, industry and above all, the public. This approach is at the forefront of the innovative and cutting-edge translational research undertaken across the faculty’s departments and research groups, and within the Living Systems Institute. In the Research Excellence Framework 2021, 100% of our research impact in the areas of Life Sciences and Health was rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

In a time of volatility, complexity and uncertainty, research and education across the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences are critical to unlocking human creativity, to engaging in a human-centred way with the world around us, and to building the inclusive understanding that will help us to co-create a better future.

The faculty is comprised of nine departments, all of which undertake fundamental discovery research, as well as applied activity and skills development and reflect areas of economic, social and cultural importance. The faculty hosts the University Societies and Cultures Institute (SCI) and the Faculty Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS), which are key structures for further promoting interdisciplinarity within the faculty and across others. For further information about the departments, please click on the relevant subject area's listed;    

• Arab and Islamic Studies
• Archaeology and History
• Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology
• Communications, Drama and Film
• English and Creative Writing
• Humanities and Social Sciences, Penryn (Cornwall)
• Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies
• Law School
• School of Education
• Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy, and Anthropology

Eligibility

1. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China at the time of application and intend to return to China upon completion of their studies at the University of Exeter.

2. Applications will be evaluated on academic merit.

• Applicant will need to meet the entry requirement of the programme to which they are applying.  Please note some programmes will require a Master's degree for entry.
  
  As a miminum 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.   Applicants with a Lower Second-Class degree will be considered if they also have a merit or above in a UK Master’s degree from a prestigious university (Typically an average of 85% or above from a Chinese Higher Education Institution).
   
• Quality of research proposal

3. Successful candidates will meet the relevant academic requirements as well as the English language proficiency requirements for entry into a PhD programme set out by the University of Exeter. Applicants are generally expected to have a score of IELTS 6.5 – 7.0 or equivalent overall with no less than 6.0 in any section. More information can be found here: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/english/.  Please note:  English Language requirements must be met before an offer can be made.

4. Candidates will be required to satisfy the selection criteria set out by CSC in addition to University of Exeter.  Details can be found on the website: China Scholarship Council. 

5. The University of Exeter Scholarship awards are available for PhD students, starting in September 2024.  Current first year PhD students may apply (provided they are eligible in accordance with CSC scheme rules).  Please note priority may be given to new applicants. 

Funding

Full tuition fees of successful applicants will be funded by the relevant Faculty at the University of Exeter.  The China Scholarship Council will provide a living allowance, including the cost of a return flight from China to the UK, accommodation and subsistence, depending on the applicant’s eligibility.

Entry requirements

All scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit. 

Please ensure you read the specific entry requirements for the programme you are applying for as some PhD programmes require a Master's degree for entry. 

As a miminum 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.   Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have a merit or above in a UK Master’s degree from a prestigious university (Typically an average of 85% or above from a Chinese Higher Education Institution. 

Applicants with a minimum of Upper Second Class degree and significant relevant non-academic experience are also encouraged to apply.

All applicants must meet our English language requirements to be considered for a university of exeter studentship http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/english/.

How to apply

Stage One – Apply to the University of Exeter

In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.  Our preferred format is a single PDF containing the documents listed below.  Please name the file with your surname, your prospective supervisors supername and the name of the studentship, eg. “Smith – Prof Jones - Exeter CSC studentship". 

Please ensure you name a supervisor who you have discussed your applicationn within your research proposal (see the second bullet point below)

Documents Required

•       CV

•       Your research proposal.  Please use this word document and upload to your application. 
         The document will open as read only so please save a copy to edit the document.

•       A Cover letter outlining your academic interests and prior research experience.

•       Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained. 
         This should be an interim transcript  if you are still studying.

•       Evidence of your English language proficiency.

•       Two references.

Please ensure you upload your reference documents before the application closing date of 2 December 2024 .  If you are unable to upload the reference documents at the time of submitting your application, you should forward your reference documents to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk.  Your referees should not be from the prospective supervisory team.
 

Apply here for Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy related Scholarships

Apply here for Faculty of Health and Life Sciences related Scholarships

Apply here for Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences related Scholarships

The closing date for applications is midnight 2 December 2024.

Information regarding the Interview process

• Once we have received your completed application, it will be forwarded to your nominated supervisor to assess.
• If you are invited to a first round interview these will be held via an online platform and will consist of a panel including your proposed supervisor.  Interview dates are likely to be held between 7 October and 20 December 2024 depending on when your application is received.  Note; the sooner your application is received the sooner it will be considered by your prospective supervisor.
• The outcome of the interview will be forwarded to a Faculty level panel for review.
• You may be invited to a second interview with a multi-disciplinary panel following the Faculty panel review as part of the competition for scholarship places.
• You will be notified of the outcome of your application by no later than 1 March 2025.

CSC will be notified of the fee waiver and the programme offer. 

Stage 2 – Apply to China Scholarship Council (CSC)

Successful applicants will need to apply for CSC funding following the guidelines specified by the China Scholarship Council.

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

For general information you can contact International Student Recruitment - East Asia Team at the following email address: eastasia@exeter.ac.uk

Please send confirmation that have submitted your application to the CSC by no later than 31 March 2025 to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk

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