Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities2021 entry

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We are pleased to offer two fully-funded doctoral scholarships for outstanding students looking to commence their doctoral degree in September 2021. Each scholarship is worth £90,000 covering both fees and maintenance costs for three years (full time registration) or six years (part time registration).

The scholarships are funded by the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity that supports and promotes excellence in the fields of science, health, education, and the arts and humanities. Since 2011 the Wolfson Foundation has committed some £20 million to support doctoral studies in the humanities at UK universities distinguished by their research excellence. The programme aims not only to support outstanding students, but also to make a statement about the value of the humanities to society.

• Eligibility

  Geographical criteria

  No restrictions

  Domicile for fee status

  No restrictions

  Level of study

  Postgraduate research (doctoral)

  Year of entry

  2021-2022 academic year; applicants must be able to start their degree in September 2021.

  Subjects

  Scholarships are available in three disciplines that align with the Wolfson Foundation’s interests – history, literature, and languages. The three areas that the scheme covers are broadly defined and it is recognised that many research projects may cover more than one area.

  History

  As well as broad-based historical and historiographical studies, this may include such areas as classics, history of art, or architectural history, provided the research is grounded within historical methodology.

  Research funded in this area has included work on socio-political change in East Africa; society and ideology in the Milanese region, c. 1000-1200; and laughter in the 18th century.

  Literature

  As well as literary and textual studies, this may include research that involves critical theory or film and other visual media, provided there is a literary element within the research (e.g. translation of literature to screen). This does not include creative writing.

  Research funded in this area has included work on the ocean in mid-19th Century American verse; narratives of needlework in early-modern England; Samuel Johnson and religious thought of the 18th Century; and the evolution of parasitology and how it has shaped the dialogue between science and literature.

  Languages

  Research should be in applied languages other than English rather than linguistics. It may involve the study of literary or historical texts where these are in languages other than English. Students receiving scholarships under this stream may be based in non-languages departments – for example, history or anthropology departments.

  Research funded in this area ranges widely, and often overlaps with the other two disciplines. Research funded in this area has included work on 'Engishiki Norito' in the context of the Old Japanese literary continuum; the influence of Francophone culture in Southern Italy; and the evolution of languages and identities in Yugoslav and post-Yugoslav Croatian cinema.

  Schools and departments

  Art History; Classics; English; Film Studies; History; Modern Languages; Social Anthropology; Divinity

  Additional criteria

  Scholarships will be awarded solely on academic merit. Applicants should have an outstanding academic record and hold:

  • an undergraduate degree with first class honours from a UK university or an equivalent international qualification; and
  • a Masters degree in a field of study relevant to their proposed doctoral research.

  Applicants who have not at the date of application completed their Masters degree should be able to show evidence that they are on course to do before the start of the doctoral degree.

  Applicants should normally aspire to an academic career and be able to demonstrate that they have the potential to forge an academic career and make an impact on their academic discipline.

• What does it cover?

  Duration of award

  The scholarships will be paid over three years (full time registration) or six years (part time registration). Scholarship holders are expected to have completed the doctorate degree by the end of the scholarship term.

  Value of award

  Each scholarship is worth £90,000 to be paid in equal amounts over three years (full time registration) or six years (part time registration). The scholarships are sufficient to cover annual registration fees with the balance payable to the scholarship holders as a maintenance component to support living costs and other expenses associated with their research such as travel to libraries, galleries, archives or attendance at academic conferences.

  The scholarships are open to both UK, EU and international applicants and are of sufficient size to cover the higher fees payable by students from outside the UK. However, where the higher international fees are payable the balance remaining for the maintenance component will be reduced by the corresponding amount.

  Tuition or maintenance award

  Tuition and maintenance

• How to apply

  1. Apply for a research course at St Andrews, following the general advice on applying for research degree programmes.
  2. Apply to the Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarship, available for application in the Scholarships and Funding catalogue. After you have applied to your intended course, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the catalogue. If you are already a current student at St Andrews, you can access Scholarships and Funding through MySaint.

  As part of the scholarship application, you will be asked to provide:

  • An up to date curriculum vitae; this should focus on your academic career and, in particular, should list (i) all undergraduate- or postgraduate-level qualifications that you hold or are studying for; and (ii) any academic distinctions you have received – such as academic prizes or other awards made on academic merit. The curriculum vitae must not exceed two pages.
  • A personal statement that explains why you are applying for the scholarship. The personal statement must outline your longer-term career aspirations and describe how the scholarship will help you to achieve your career aspirations. The personal statement must not exceed one page.
  • A project summary comprising (i) the title of your proposed doctoral research project; and (ii) a one-paragraph summary of the proposed project. The project summary must not exceed one page and the one paragraph summary must not exceed 300 words.
  • A project outline describing the research question(s) to be addressed, the rationale for the project, and the proposed methodological approach. The project outline must not exceed two pages.

  Documents which exceed the specified limits will not be accepted under any circumstances.

  Before applying, please read the Wolfson Foundation Terms & Conditions: Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships 2020 Terms and Conditions (PDF)

  When do applications open?

  October 2020

  At what stage of my course application can I apply to the scholarship?

  You will be able to apply for the Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarship after you have submitted your application for a research place at St Andrews. However, you do not need to wait until you have received an offer of a place before applying for the scholarship.

  It is strongly recommended that you submit your course application, including all required supporting documents, as early as possible in order to meet the scholarship deadline.

  Scholarship application deadline

  Applications must be submitted with all required supporting documents no later than Thursday 14 January 2021.