Research Programme Funding and FAQs
- How do I fund my PhD?
- Is it advisable to do a Masters before embarking on a PhD? If so, what type of Masters should I take?
- Are there any books that can give me an idea of what doing a PhD is like?
- I am an overseas student. How do I apply for a student visa?
Question 1: How do I fund my PhD?
Funding is available for PhD study from a variety of sources. New funding opportunities will be posted on this page as they become available.
600th Anniversary PhD scholarships
The University of St Andrews was founded in 1413 making it Scotland's first university and the third oldest in the English-speaking world. Over the past six centuries it has established a reputation as one of Europe's leading and most distinctive centres for teaching and research. This is an historic moment for the University as we look back on six centuries of tradition and of belief in the value of people, ideas and excellence. It falls to the present generation to preserve these values for the generations to come. As we stand on the threshold of our seventh century, the University is to invest in the future of the next generation of world-leading researchers by launching a new prestigious PhD scholarship scheme. These anniversary scholarships are available from September 2013 and comprise fees plus an annual stipend of up to £15,000 for three years. These scholarships are available across all the disciplines in the Arts & Humanities, Sciences, and Medicine. Up to 100 anniversary scholarships are available.
The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic quality and research promise, and are open to all to apply. The School of Management will offer five stipends at ESRC/AHRC equivalent level, with fees, and a further five half-stipends, also with fees. Fees are at Home/EU level, although international applicants are welcome if they are prepared to top-up fee payments. The School will supplement the half-stipends with guaranteed teaching hours.
The first step in the application process is to identify a potential supervisor. If you have a topic in mind, you can examine academic staff profiles on our School of Management People pages. An additional indication of supervisory availability across the School is provided in notes of staff PhD interests. You should submit your CV and an expression of interest in your research topic, and if possible, an outline proposal via email to phdres@st-andrews.ac.uk by the deadline of Friday 18 January 2013.
Once your proposal is supported by a member of staff, you should prepare an application. Guidelines for full application are given on http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/management/programmes/researchdegrees/apply/
The closing date for full applications is Tuesday 26 February 2013.
Other funding opportunities
We will be updating this page as other funding opportunities arise.
For details of fees and more information on funding postgraduate study at the University of St Andrews, see also http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/pg/Financialinformation/
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Question 2: Is it advisable to do a Masters before embarking on a PhD? If so, what type of Masters should I take?
Yes. We require an undergraduate degree from a recognised university at 2:1 or above, and a masters degree. PhD Programme prospective applicants without a Masters might consider our MRes (ESRC recognised) which provides generic research training as well as more specific management research training prior to undertaking a dissertation. Pursuing a master's degree is a necessary part of building the skills required of a self-directed researcher, and will greatly assist students in preparing a research proposal.
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Question 3: Are there any books that can give me an idea of what doing a PhD is like?
While not an exhaustive list, our PhD students have reported the following to be useful:
- Becker, H.S. (1986) Writing for social scientists: How to start and finish your thesis, book or article. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
- Bolker, J. (1998) Writing your dissertation in fifteen minutes a day: A guide to starting, revising and finishing your doctoral thesis. Henry Holt & Co, New York.
- Dunleavy, P. (2003) Authoring a PhD: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Thesis or Dissertation. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
- Murray, R. (2002) How to write a thesis. Open University Press, Buckingham.
- Rudestam, K.E. & Newton, R.R. (2001) Surviving your dissertation. Sage, Thousand Oaks.
- Rugg, G. and Petre, M. (2004) The unwritten rules of PhD research. Open University Press, Buckingham.
- Salmon, P. (1992) Achieving a PhD: ten students' experience. Trentham Books, Stoke on Trent.
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Question 4: I am an overseas student. How do I apply for a student visa?
Please see University of St Andrews International Student Advice and Support at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/advice/international/.
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