CENTA offers studentships through two main pathways.
You can apply directly to a project, or, if eligible, you can apply directly for one of our Science Opportunity Scholarships (or both). The routes have different eligibility criteria and application deadlines.
Have any questions about applying for a studentship / PhD project with CENTA? Visit our Studentship FAQs page.
Our project-based studentships
Our project-based studentships for 2024 are now available to apply to online.
You may only apply to one project at any one university but you may apply to more than one CENTA project if they are hosted at different universities. To search for and view available projects click the Find a Project button below.
Further information on our projects and support for studentships and a link to search for projects is also available on our CENTA Studentship Information page,
Once you have decided on which project to apply for you will need to apply directly to the university that is hosting the project through their application system. Details of how to apply to each project can be found in the Further Details’ section of each individual project advert. You will also need to ensure you submit the following documents:
- A CENTA studentship application form (Word document – 76.6kb)
- A CV with the names of at least two referees (preferably those who can comment on your academic abilities)
- The application form of the university you are applying to. This maybe online or to an email address.
- Do not forget to complete the EDI survey via the link on the CENTA application form and to add in your receipt number to the application form.
If applying for a project-based project hosted at one of our Research Centre partners, you should apply via the partner university and inform the point of contact at the Research Centre.
Applicants should be aware that the CENTA Studentship Application Form is used for assessment of the application and therefore applicants should focus their efforts on this form rather than on any personal statement required on the host institution application portal. Forms must be completed without coaching / assistance of the project supervisor or use of chatbots.
Whilst CENTA Studentship Application Forms are submitted to the host institution via their application portal, they are then shared with CENTA admin in order to facilitate processing of candidates through the selection and offer process and processing of EDI data for reporting purposes.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is 23:59 GMT on Wednesday 10th January 2024.
Eligibility
Our project-based studentships are open to all applicants who meet the academic requirements (at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or at least a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent).
International Applicants
UKRI allows international students to be eligible for studentships but only for a maximum of 30% of the cohort (please see.: https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UKRI-030221-Guidance-International-Eligibility-Implementation-training-grant-holders-V2.pdf). CENTA can only fund tuition fees at Home fee level. Unless you are eligible for a Home award you will need to consider the potential gap between the home and international fee rate and contact the named supervisor of the project you apply for to discuss any support the hosting University may offer you (e.g., self-funded difference, or – if available – an international fee waiver).
Interviews
Your application will be considered by a local university-based recruitment team. If successful at the shortlist stage, you will be invited to an interview, most likely during the weeks of the 5th -16th February 2024. It is likely that all interviews will be conducted online this year but as soon as is practically possible, you will be invited to visit your host institution and meet your potential supervisors in person.
Our CENTA Science Opportunity Scholarships (CSOS)
In order to address a historical imbalance, it is our ambition to offer up to 3 fully-funded scholarships to Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) Home-award-eligible applicants who meet the academic requirements.
These scholarships are awarded to candidates prior to any project development. Once awarded, CENTA will put you in contact with academics who conduct research in your area of interest and who, with your help, will design a suitable project for you.
If you are interested in any of the CENTA projects that have been advertised, you may apply directly to that project as well, through the separate project-based studentship pathway (see above).
To apply for a CSOS scholarship you will need to send:
- A CSOS application form (Word document – 83.7Kb) and
- A CV with the names of at least two referees (ideally those who can comment on your academic abilities)
Please do not forget to complete the EDI survey via the link on the CENTA application form and to add in your receipt number to the application form.
Deadline
The deadline for applications to our CENTA Science Opportunity Scholarships (CSOS) is on or before 23:59 GMT on Wednesday 10th January 2024.
Eligibility
Our CSOS scholarships are open to all home-award-eligible BAME applicants who meet the academic requirements (at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or at least a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent).
To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have settled status, or
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.
(For further information please see Annex B of this document from UKRI: https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/UKRI-04042023-UKRI_Training-Grant-Terms-And-Conditions-Guidance-April-2023.pdf)
If you’re offered a scholarship
If you are offered a studentship, CENTA will put you in contact with academics who conduct research in your area of interest and who, with your help, will design a suitable project for you. Depending on your subject of interest, there may be projects offered by a number of supervisors at different institutions or research centres. By mid-February, you should be able to decide which one you would like to work on. CENTA will support you in this process.
Successful candidates – acceptance deadline
Successful candidates on both pathways will be made a conditional offer in late February or early March.
The annual universal acceptance deadline for NERC PhD studentship offers will this year be at 12 noon GMT, 20th March 2024. The purpose of the annual universal acceptance deadline is to ensure that PhD applicants who have applied for multiple studentship opportunities, and may therefore receive multiple offers, do not have to make a decision on the studentship they wish to accept before knowing the outcome of all of their applications.
Applicants who receive a PhD studentship offer from a NERC DTP or CDT for the forthcoming academic year are therefore not required to accept an offer formally before this date unless they wish to do so.
Further information
Please contact the CENTA Manager at [email protected] for more information.