Scholarships, Studentships & Bursaries

Bangor University are delighted to offer fully funded Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) (ESRC DTP) studentships starting in October 2024 in the following pathway subject areas.

1.  Bilingualism/Linguistics
2. Psychology
3. Sport and Exercise Science
4. Criminology and Law
5. Sociology/Science and Technology Studies
6. Data Science, Health and Wellbeing
7. Education
8. Social Work, Social Care, and Social Policy
9. Economics
10. Management and Business
11. Environmental Planning

Duration of study: 

The duration study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs which will be assessed by completing an Initial Development Needs Analysis (Initial DNA) at the application stage and a Full DNA prior to award if successful.

Durations of study may vary from - 3.5 to 4.5 years full time (or part time equivalent). 

This may include:

• a 1+3.5 programme – support for a research training masters and PhD, particular where indicated by the WGSSS’s EDI and Widening Participation goals
• in the case of Economics, a 2+2.5 programme – funding to cover an extended masters, followed by a shorter PhD programme

Research in practice placement: 

All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-months in total. All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.

Entry Criteria: 

To receive WGSSS studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equal to an honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters from a UK academic research organisation. Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply.

Schools to include institution specific English language requirements

Eligibility: 

WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.

WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.

Assessment: 

Applicants are reminded to submit all relevant documents (transcripts, supporting statement, etc) by the deadline. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to give a short presentation and answer a series of panel questions consistent with previous practice on the pathway during the Wales DTP, and guided by the WGSSS’s commitments on EDI.

Interviews may be held in person, but should also be available through Zoom/Teams for all students who wish to participate in that way.

Applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their interview normally within 3-4 weeks.

How to apply: 

Applications should be received no later than 12/1/24 including all required documents.

All applications should be submitted using the following links (please use the correct email address for the pathway being submitted to:

Bilingualism/Linguistics – bilingwgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Psychology – psychwgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Sport and Exercise Science –      spexwgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Criminology and Law – crimwgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Sociology/Science and Technology Studies – socwgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Data Science, Health and Wellbeing -dshwbwgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Education eduwgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Social Work, Social Care, and Social Policy – socialworkwgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Economics econwgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Management and Business businesswgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Environmental Planning envirowgsss@bangor.ac.uk

Please include the following documents with your application:

1) Cover letter (two pages maximum)

The cover letter must include the following bullet points as subheadings:

• Set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at Bangor University, and the relevant pathway (see above for pathways).
• Please detail your understanding, and expectations of doctoral study.
• Provide detail of your academic interests generally, and particularly of those relating to your proposed research.
• Drawing on your own background (including your life experiences, journey to/through university, work experiences or volunteering) please provide a summary of why you are ready to undertake a PhD now and how you will flourish as a result of PhD funding. You might include, for example, personal challenges that you have overcome or achievements that you are proud of in your work, study or life experiences and how these map onto the skills required to flourish in a PhD programme. Challenges could include, but are not limited to, protected characteristics, socio-economic status and of being a prospective first-generation student or care- experienced.
• Reflecting on your own background and/or proposed approach to PhD study and the opportunities which it will present, how will you support diversity and inclusion in the PhD community

2) Academic CV (two pages maximum)

3) Research proposal

The proposal should be up to a maximum of 1000 words, not including bibliographic references. We suggest that you use the following five headings in your research proposal:

• Title, aims and purpose of the research;
• Brief overview of the academic literature relevant to your field;
• Proposed design/methods;
• Academic contributions of your research.
• Bibliographic References

4) Two academic or professional references 

Candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. The reference must detail the applicant’s research strengths.

5) Degree certificates and Transcripts (including translations if applicable) 

6) If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (see institutional requirements for entry)

Funding: 

The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees, an annual tax-free living stipend of in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £18,622) and includes access to a Research Training Support Grant.

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

The School of Environmental and Natural Sciences at Bangor University are delighted to offer a fully funded Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (ESRC DTP) studentship in the Environmental Planning Pathway starting in October 2025, open to UK and International applicants.

Deadline: 12 noon 5th May 2025 (UK Time).

Project description: Environmentally driven migration will pose an increasing challenge throughout the 21^st Century and will contribute to further environmental change, as migrants move in search of resources, often drawn to forest frontier areas with high value for biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, rural-rural migration is poorly studied compared to migration to cities and the mechanisms by which migrants impact natural habitats are poorly understood. Madagascar has suffered severe droughts linked to climate change, leading to significant internal migration, reaching almost every part of the island. This puts additional pressures on protected areas and on the communities who rely on their natural resources. Mangabe Protected Area in eastern Madagascar is managed by the Malagasy conservation NGO Madagasikara Voakajy and supported by Chester Zoo’s Global Conservation Programme. Together, they have identified immigration as one of their most serious challenges. Therefore, working with partners, the successful applicant will use Mangabe as a model system to explore some of the key questions in rural-rural migration, contributing to both protected area management and theoretical debates.

The PhD will involve periods of field work in Madagascar. Data collection methods are likely to include quantitative methods, including surveys with immigrants and longer-term residents, choice experiments or experimental games and social network analysis, as well as qualitative approaches including focus groups and semi-structured interviews.

Supervisors

Dr Neal Hockley n.hockley@bangor.ac.uk

Prof Julia Jones julia.jones@bangor.ac.uk 

Dr Freya St John f.stjohn@bangor.ac.uk 

Bridget Johnson b.johnson@chesterzoo.org

Dr Sarobidy Rakotonia sarobidy.rakotonarivo@gmail.com

This fully funded studentship is part of the ESRC Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences and is a collaboration between Bangor University, Chester Zoo,  Madagasikara Voakajy and the Mitsilo research lab. The student will be based in Bangor’s thriving Conservation Science Research Group, part of the Conservation and Restoration of Resilient Ecosystems Research Theme.

PhD start date: 1^st October 2025

Essential Criteria

• Honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters (or equivalent, students with international qualifications or non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply).
• Strong intellectual ability and curiosity
• Excellent project management skills, ability to take the initiative.
• Excellent communications skills in written and spoken English.
• Resilience, readiness to solve problems and work independently.
• Ability to work across cultures and languages and contribute to a collaborative international research endeavour.

Desirable Criteria

• Ability to speak Malagasy and/or French.
• Experience of conducting social research and field work in rural areas.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis R.

Location: The post is based at Bangor University, UK, with some time working with partners at Chester Zoo, and will involve field work in Madagascar. It cannot be undertaken remotely.

Duration of study:  The duration of study varies from 3.5 to 4.5 years full time (or part time equivalent). The duration study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs of the student which will be assessed by completing a Development Needs Analysis. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.   

Research in practice placement:  All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.    

International Eligibility: WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements. International candidates should be aware that they may need to cover relocation costs (e.g. visa and NHS surcharge).

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:  WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.    

Assessment:  Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to prepare a short presentation on a task (which will be communicated with the notification of interview, no later than the 9^th May) and answer a series of panel questions. Interviews will be conducted during the week commencing 12^th May.

How to apply:  Applications should be received no later than 12 noon 5^th May 2025 including all required documents. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications should be submitted by email to n.hockley@bangor.ac.uk copying envirowgsss@bangor.ac.uk.  with the subject line “WGSS Madagascar collaborative PhD application”. Please include the following documents with your application:   

• WGSSS Application Form 

• Academic CV (two pages maximum) 

• 2 academic or professional references (candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. The reference must detail the applicant’s research strengths). 

• Degree certificates and Transcripts (including translations if applicable)   

• If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (see institutional requirements for entry)  

Funding:  The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees, an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £20,780) and includes access to a Research Training Support Grant.    

 If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.   

The School of Environmental and Natural Sciences at Bangor University are delighted to offer a fully funded Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (ESRC DTP) studentship in the Environmental Planning Pathway starting in October 2025, open to UK and International applicants.

Deadline: 12 noon 5th May 2025 (UK Time).

Project description: Environmentally driven migration will pose an increasing challenge throughout the 21^st Century and will contribute to further environmental change, as migrants move in search of resources, often drawn to forest frontier areas with high value for biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, rural-rural migration is poorly studied compared to migration to cities and the mechanisms by which migrants impact natural habitats are poorly understood. Madagascar has suffered severe droughts linked to climate change, leading to significant internal migration, reaching almost every part of the island. This puts additional pressures on protected areas and on the communities who rely on their natural resources. Mangabe Protected Area in eastern Madagascar is managed by the Malagasy conservation NGO Madagasikara Voakajy and supported by Chester Zoo’s Global Conservation Programme. Together, they have identified immigration as one of their most serious challenges. Therefore, working with partners, the successful applicant will use Mangabe as a model system to explore some of the key questions in rural-rural migration, contributing to both protected area management and theoretical debates.

The PhD will involve periods of field work in Madagascar. Data collection methods are likely to include quantitative methods, including surveys with immigrants and longer-term residents, choice experiments or experimental games and social network analysis, as well as qualitative approaches including focus groups and semi-structured interviews.

Supervisors

Dr Neal Hockley n.hockley@bangor.ac.uk

Prof Julia Jones julia.jones@bangor.ac.uk 

Dr Freya St John f.stjohn@bangor.ac.uk 

Bridget Johnson b.johnson@chesterzoo.org

Dr Sarobidy Rakotonia sarobidy.rakotonarivo@gmail.com

This fully funded studentship is part of the ESRC Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences and is a collaboration between Bangor University, Chester Zoo,  Madagasikara Voakajy and the Mitsilo research lab. The student will be based in Bangor’s thriving Conservation Science Research Group, part of the Conservation and Restoration of Resilient Ecosystems Research Theme.

PhD start date: 1^st October 2025

Essential Criteria

• Honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters (or equivalent, students with international qualifications or non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply).
• Strong intellectual ability and curiosity
• Excellent project management skills, ability to take the initiative.
• Excellent communications skills in written and spoken English.
• Resilience, readiness to solve problems and work independently.
• Ability to work across cultures and languages and contribute to a collaborative international research endeavour.

Desirable Criteria

• Ability to speak Malagasy and/or French.
• Experience of conducting social research and field work in rural areas.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis R.

Location: The post is based at Bangor University, UK, with some time working with partners at Chester Zoo, and will involve field work in Madagascar. It cannot be undertaken remotely.

Duration of study:  The duration of study varies from 3.5 to 4.5 years full time (or part time equivalent). The duration study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs of the student which will be assessed by completing a Development Needs Analysis. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.   

Research in practice placement:  All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.    

International Eligibility: WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements. International candidates should be aware that they may need to cover relocation costs (e.g. visa and NHS surcharge).

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:  WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.    

Assessment:  Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to prepare a short presentation on a task (which will be communicated with the notification of interview, no later than the 9^th May) and answer a series of panel questions. Interviews will be conducted during the week commencing 12^th May.

How to apply:  Applications should be received no later than 12 noon 5^th May 2025 including all required documents. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications should be submitted by email to n.hockley@bangor.ac.uk copying envirowgsss@bangor.ac.uk.  with the subject line “WGSS Madagascar collaborative PhD application”. Please include the following documents with your application:   

• WGSSS Application Form 

• Academic CV (two pages maximum) 

• 2 academic or professional references (candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. The reference must detail the applicant’s research strengths). 

• Degree certificates and Transcripts (including translations if applicable)   

• If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (see institutional requirements for entry)  

Funding:  The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees, an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £20,780) and includes access to a Research Training Support Grant.    

 If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.