UCCL PhD Completion Bursaries in Chinese Studies
The UCCL offers up to three major and an equal number of lesser bursaries to Home (see note at bottom) candidates for a fourth year of doctoral study on any aspect of Chinese Studies.
These competitive awards will provide up to £10,000 (major) and £3,000 (lesser) bursaries, each towards the costs of a ‘writing up’ (also known as ‘thesis pending’) year, where no other substantial funds are available.
Eligibility
To be eligible, students must:
- Have a good academic record at academic level (i.e. a first or upper-second class honours degree), with any postdoctoral qualifications likewise at a good level (ie merit or distinction MA, MSc or MSci).
- Have reached a third year of research or the equivalent in part-time terms, with demonstrable progress available in the form of supervisor’s reports and an assessable body of written work, c. 5,000-10,000 words in length.
- Be a UK citizen or other student eligible for ‘Home Fee’ status.
In addition
- Candidates must be able to demonstrate a sufficient knowledge of Chinese language in their written work.
- The financial situation of the candidates will be taken into account.
- Preference will be given to candidates intending to progress into an academic career in which researching and teaching on China forms a significant part of their duties.
Application
The deadline for the application to reach the UCCL will be 1st December 2022. The relevant application form is on the UCCL section of the GBCC website.
Applicants must submit
- A UCCL Doctoral Studentship application form at the UCCL website.
- A short abstract outlining the overall project; a table of contents as currently planned plus a piece of written work, of length no more than 10,000 words and best suited to inform the assessment panel on the quality and breadth of the research. This could take the form of an extended and detailed summation of the written work to be submitted ultimately for the PhD, but it could also take the form of a particular chapter or chapters.
- Two academic letters of reference, of which at least one must be from the PhD supervisor. These should make reference, where applicable, to any relevant longer term career plan of the applicant. They should also confirm, if known, whether the applicant will be in receipt of any other scholarship or financial support during the period in question.
- A broad brush budget for the period in question.
Selection criteria will be based competitively on
- The originality and rigour of the candidate’s written work
- The significance of the promised outcome of the research
The results of the selection process will be announced by the end of March 2023.
The Bursaries will be paid to successful applicants in two equal lump sums, in September 2023 and in January 2024, and once confirmation has been received from the relevant university that the student has successfully progressed into the fourth year (or equivalent for part-time students).
Progress
Where mandatory requirements of the relevant university at the appropriate time are not met as expected, the UCCL will request further information from the relevant supervisors in order to monitor academic progress; it may withdraw the bursary.
Students should notify the UCCL in the event that they take leave of absence from their studies, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or withdraw from their course.
NB: It must be emphasised that this particular scheme is aimed at supporting UK citizens and others for whom ‘Home Fee’ rates have been charged during their PhD studies. Those interested should ensure that they have read the Department for Education ‘New eligibility rules for home fee status and student finance for the 2021/22 academic year’
For more information and to download the application form please visit: gbcc.org.uk/educational-grants/universities-china-committee-in-london-uccl.
You can download the document below: