Alice Brown PhD Scholarship

Award

The scholarship covers full payment of PhD tuition fees and provides an annual stipend of minimum £11,977 (uplifting at the URKI percentage increase annually).

Additionally, PhD students in the School of Social and Political Science can apply to the PGR Research Support Fund for help with fieldwork and other research-related costs, providing they meet the funding criteria.

In combination with their research methods training, subject specific training, and doctoral studies, successful candidates will also work with supervisors, the Student Development Office, and the Alice Brown Scholarship Programme Coordinator to participate in a comprehensive ongoing programme of professional development.

There will be a particular emphasis on digital skills, including the opportunity to develop expertise in online design and content creation and blended learning. Successful candidates will also work with the School and relevant research clusters/centres to gain professional academic skills, and hands-on experience of knowledge exchange and public engagement activities with communities, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

Within their programme of training, successful candidates are expected to contribute to the School’s strategic aims. This could be through participating in digital skills development, contributing to efforts to widen participation and access to higher education for students from non-traditional backgrounds or other development activities.

In combination with their time commitment on studies, training, and participation, scholarship holders will be expected to take up paid work opportunities in teaching and research assistance, to gain experience and consolidate their training.

The 6-year part-time programme of combined PhD study and development activity will require a high level of personal commitment and engagement, in addition to the potential to undertake cutting-edge research in the social and political sciences.

While the skills gained during the programme will have wide applicability, the studentship is especially intended for those who envisage an academic career, and have a passion for advanced teaching and learning.

The aim is to support scholarship holders not only towards the attainment of a PhD qualification, but to equip them by the end of their programme of study with the skills and knowledge required to be competitive in the 21st century academic labour market.

Eligibility

This scholarship is open to applicants who have applied to a part-time PhD programme commencing September 2025 in one of the following broad subject areas

• African Studies
• International Development
• International Relations
• Politics
• Science, Technology and Innovation Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Social Policy
• Social Work
• Sociology
• South Asian Studies
• Sustainable Development

Applicants who have applied for a full-time PhD programme in one of these subject areas may also apply but will have to change their programme of study to part-time if selected. First and second year part-time PhD students already at the School of Social and Political Science may apply and funding would be provided to the completion of the 6-year part-time programme. Full-time first-year students may also apply if they convert to part-time study on award of the scholarship.

Due to constraints on part-time study for international students on visas, this award is only open to nationals of the UK, or those whose visa allows for part-time study.

Your submission infers your confirmation that you meet the eligibility criteria for part-time study.

If you are unable to access the scholarship application system following your PhD programme application submission, please email pgresearch.sps@ed.ac.uk to advise your University Username (UUN eg s1234567), your visa type, and that you wish to apply for the Alice Brown PhD Scholarship.

Criteria

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for admission to a relevant PhD programme, and the following would be desirable in a subject relevant to the scholarship:

• a First Class Honours degree (or equivalent)

Or

• a Master’s degree at distinction level (or equivalent)

Conditional offers can be made to applicants currently enrolled on a postgraduate degree programme on the basis of anticipated results.  As comprehensive research training is integrated in the programme of this PhD, there will be no automatic preference given to those holding MSc qualifications covering research training. 

Applying

Full application guidance can be found on the school's webpage.

The deadline for applications will be 23:59 GMT on Monday 3rd of February 2025.

Please ensure you review the Important Information and Recommendations section before submitting your application. Please also ensure you review the School’s webpage on this scholarship. We consider this to be essential reading.

Frequently Asked Questions