York Graduate Research School PhD Scholarship
We're pleased to offer up to six fully-funded PhD scholarships for UK candidates who self-identify as being from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background.
The University of York is committed to redressing systemic inequalities and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff, postgraduate researchers (PGRs) and students. We consider the benefits to research quality that come from belonging to a diverse community to be important.
As part of a coordinated plan to increase diversity and inclusion among our PGR community, York Graduate Research School (YGRS) is offering up to six fully-funded PhD scholarships for UK candidates who self-identify as being from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background.
The scholarships include:
- UK (home)-rate tuition fees for 3 years
- A UKRI-aligned stipend for 3.5 years, full time (currently £18,622 per year tax-free in 2023/24)
- An annual (for 3 years) research training support grant (RTSG) budget of either:
- £5k (for a lab- or field-based programme), or
- £2k (for a non-lab based programme)
- Coaching, mentoring and advocacy.
Open to UK (home) students only.
Open to candidates who:
- self-identify as being from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, AND
- have a UK ‘home’ rate fee status
You must be commencing your PhD between 1 September 2024 and 1 October 2025 (award deferrals are not permitted). Part-time study is permitted, with agreement from your supervisor and department. Distance Learners are not eligible for these awards.
Fee status assessment is not made by YGRS, but qualifying for Home (UK) fee status usually requires the applicant to meet one of these criteria:
- be a UK national (meeting residency requirements)
- have settled status
- have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements)
- have indefinite leave to remain or enter
- have refugee status.
If a candidate does not meet one of these criteria, they are usually treated as an international student.
If you meet or anticipate to meet this criteria, we would warmly welcome you to apply.
Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action is allowed where members of protected groups have been underrepresented within the workforce, or in a particular work group, in the preceding 12 months. At York, our data show that people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups are underrepresented at postgraduate researcher level, so this scheme looks to offer them targeted support.
These are lawful measures designed to redress imbalances and counteract the effects of past discrimination. They ensure that people from previously excluded groups can compete on equal terms with other applicants.
Application deadline: Friday 5 April 2024, 11.59am BST
Applicant and supervisor queries
Applicants and supervisors with queries about the scholarships should contact us on ygrs-phd-scholarship@york.ac.uk.
YGRS will be hosting two interactive webinars regarding these scholarships, on the 23 January 2024 (at 11:30GMT) and 5 March 2024 (at 09:30 GMT). To register your interest and submit a query in advance, please complete the form below.
How to apply
Our Step-by-Step guide to making your application is now live.
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We consider the benefits to research quality that come from belonging to a diverse community to be important. The resilience and ambition candidates demonstrate in overcoming structural and personal barriers to educational success also adds value. Our selection process therefore will be based on an ethos of assessing your future potential to succeed in research, and not just your past academic performance or where you have studied previously.
You will be assessed on the information you provide on the application form and, if shortlisted, your performance at interview.
For shortlisting and interview stages, you will be scored against the shortlisting and interview criteria.
Words from our current scholars
As a mature student, it was very daunting to think of going back to studies after being away for some time. The scholarship opportunity gave me the boost of confidence that I needed to ‘make the jump‘ as it were.
For anyone interested in applying, I’d tell them not to be scared. I wish I hadn’t been too shy to apply before. I’d tell people to keep going and don’t be afraid to try. Don’t be afraid to dream.
Rose, MRes, Biology
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Receiving this scholarship has allowed me to continue what has become a lifelong pursuit of education. It has helped me zero in on the people I want to collaborate with, experiment with, and develop new knowledge as I move forward in my creative profession.
Butshilo, PhD, Theatre, Film Television and Interactive Media (by creative practice)
I would 100% recommend this scholarship to others, as well as the opportunities it brings for you in doing a PhD in an area you love the most. It is definitely worth the time and effort that goes into the whole application process and hopefully you’ll be as happy as I was with the outcome!
Will, PhD, Chemistry