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E4 DTP Application process 2020/21 (for a September 2021 intake) Stephanie Robin – E4 DTP Manager
E4 DTPApplication process 2020/21(for a September 2021 intake)
Stephanie Robin – E4 DTP Manager
E4 DTP Funding details 2021/22https://www.ed.ac.uk/e4-dtp/how-to-apply/funding
Fully-funded studentships - 3.5 years min.• Stipend at UKRI standard rate (2020/2021:
£15,285 annual)• Fees (Home and International fees)• Research Costs (£3,450 standard)
International Fees CoveredThe University of Edinburgh will cover the difference between the home fees (paid by E4) and the international fees. International students will not be expected to find alternative funding sources to cover this gap.
• Options to extend stipend to up to 5 further months (via PIP and PDS)
• Expectation to submit thesis by the end of the funding (although the maximum submission date will be 4 years from the programme start)
CASE studentshipsAdditional Research Costs to support the project.
E4 DTP Eligibility Criteria 2021https://www.ed.ac.uk/e4-dtp/how-to-apply/entry-and-eligibility-criteria
New UKRI Eligibility Criteria• All applicants, regardless of their nationality
and country of residence, are now eligible to apply.
• All appointees, regardless of their nationality and country of residence, will receive a fully-funded studentship.
New UoE fees status categories• Home fees:
o UK nationals, EU students with Pre-settled status or settled status, non-EU students who have indefinite leave to remain
o AND who comply with the 3-year UK/EEA residency immediately before the start of the degree
• International fees: all other categories
Exceptions: Irish nationals (tbc), migrant workers, children of UK nationals, legitimate absence from the UK for UK nationals etc.
More details: https://www.ed.ac.uk/e4-dtp/how-to-apply/entry-and-eligibility-criteria
Cap on international students number
E4 can recruit a maximum of 6-7
international students per year.
E4 DTP Entry Requirements 2021https://www.ed.ac.uk/e4-dtp/how-to-apply/entry-and-eligibility-criteria
Academic Eligibility Criteria• minimum of 2.1 undergraduate degree or
equivalent
• Relevant work experience and/or a Mastersdegree will be considered
• A Masters degree is not a requirement for application to an E4 studentship
English language RequirementsFor non-native English speakers
• Degree taught and assessed in English:
• UG or PG• No older than 3.5 years at programme start• taught and assessed in English in a majority
English speaking country (see list)
• English Language Tests• IELTS Academic, TOEFL-iBT, CAE, CPE, Trinity
ISE (see minimum marks required on web)• No older than 2 or 3.5 years
E4 DTP Projects 2021/22https://www.ed.ac.uk/e4-dtp/how-to-apply/application-process
Supervisor-led Projects• More than 130 projects advertised
• Spanning a wide range of research areas within NERC-remit
• Browse online at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/e4-dtp/how-to-apply/our-projects
• Once project identified, contact the main supervisor to show interest and discuss your application
Student-led ProjectsPossible on some conditions. See further details on our website.
Deadline to submit student-led projects: 15 December
E4 DTP Application Processhttps://www.ed.ac.uk/e4-dtp/how-to-apply/application-process
Prepare application
• Application forms duly completed• Higher Education degree certificates and transcripts• Additional supporting evidence as relevant (transcripts translation, immigration
status evidence, English Language Test results etc.)
Contact Referees
• Email 2 referees with guidance• Referees must email E4 directly with their reference by the application deadline
Submit application
• Send all the application material, all together, in a single email, [email protected] by the application deadline
• Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected
Follow our application step-by-step guidance on our website and on our application form.
E4 DTP Assessment Process
Applications are submitted and
screened by the E4 DTP admission team.
Applications are forwarded to the
projects’ supervisors who
select their preferred
candidates.
The selected applications are shortlisted by 3
thematic E4 panels.
The top ~60 applicants are invited for interview and their
performance evaluated by E4
panels.
Application and interview evaluations
are combined to constitute the final
ranking of applicants. The top ~25
applicants are offered a studentship.
SCREENING
APPLICATIONS EVALUATION
INTERVIEWS OFFERSSupervisors selection
E4 Shortlisting panels
E4 DTP Recruitment Timeline 2020/21Student-led Projects Submission
Deadline 15 December 2020
Application Deadline 7 January 2021, noon
Outcome sent via email by 15 February 2021
Interviews 23, 24 and 25 February 2021
First Offers sent by 1 March 2021
2021 Universal NERC DTP acceptance of offers date
(before which candidates are not obliged to accept any NERC-funded PhD offer)
17 March 2021
E4 DTP Application - TipsPlan Ahead!• Contact the main
supervisor of the project(s) you apply for before preparing your application
• Contact your referees as early as possible in the process
• Start gathering documents and completing the application forms ahead of the submission deadline
• Make sure your application is completebefore submitting it
Make your application count!Use the CV and the application form to demonstrate the skills, experience and knowledge you will bring to the project:
o Statement: explain why you chose to apply for this PhD programme and your scientific interest in your chosen project(s) (max 300 words)
o Research and/or professional/other experience outside academia (Remember that aptitudes, skills and experiences required for a successful PhD project may come from many sources.)
o List any publications
Applicants from under-represented groupswho wish to disclose that information to us can do so via the WP form. Their application will be considered by our independent WP panel who will support their application throughout the selection process in order to ensure equality of opportunity.
Good luck with your application!
E4 DTP Admission Team
[email protected]: 09:30-16:30 (please note those hours can vary)
If you’d rather speak to us, we can schedule an online call.
Stephanie Robin and Avril Southwell
Images credits E4 students: A.Griffiths / M.Debyser / F.Bowyer / A.Doncila
Annual University Closure from 18 December to 5 January.
E4 DTP Admission team unavailable between 23 December and 5 January (no inbox monitoring).
