Applicants currently in the first year of a PhD programme at Queen's in the 2023-24 academic year must ensure that only Step 2 is completed by 16 January 2024.

Step 1 – Apply for Admission

• Applications for PhD admission must be made electronically by Tuesday 16 January 2024 via the Queen's postgraduate admissions online application portal . Late applications will not be accepted.
• Scanned copies of all academic transcripts and certificates (from Bachelor and Master degrees as applicable), as well as English language test results should be uploaded at the time of application. 
• Any outstanding documentation must be submitted to Queen’s University by the deadline of Tuesday 16 January 2024, in order to be considered. Applicants should specify in their online application that they will be applying for the Queen's/CSC Joint Scholarship Scheme.
• It is recommended that applicants contact the relevant University School regarding a suitable research project and possible supervisor, preferably before submitting a PhD application.

Successful applicants will be issued with an offer letter confirming conditional or unconditional admission. An unconditional offer of admission will not be issued unless we have received all necessary documentation to support an application, including:

• Two academic references
• Scanned copies of official transcripts for completed programmes as well as those currently in progress. Final Bachelor Degree and Graduation Certificates for programmes already complete should also be provided.
• English Language test certificate acceptable to the University.

Please note that upon fulfilling any outstanding requirements for admission to a PhD programme (for example, provision of a satisfactory Masters qualification result), students are normally expected to commence their PhD programme in October 2024.

Step 2 – Apply for Queen’s/CSC Funding

• Applicants must also submit an online Queen’s University Belfast/China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarships 2024 Scholarship Declaration Form to the Admissions and Access Service, indicating their interest in being considered for a Scholarship.
• The deadline to submit the declaration form for CSC funding to Queen’s University Belfast (with all the necessary documentation) is Tuesday 16 January 2024.  No late applications will be considered.
• Selection Process:  After the deadline for the submission QUB-CSC applications (Tuesday 16 January 2024), the University selection panel will convene in late January/early February 2024 to review all applications and finalise nominations.
• A notification of nomination for a QUB-CSC joint award will be issued to successful applicants in early to mid February 2024. Those nominated for a QUB-CSC joint award will be required to reply to Queen’s University Belfast by  21 February 2024, advising if they wish to accept the nomination with a view to submitting an application to CSC. Following this, the final list of nominated candidates will be sent to the China Scholarship Council for consideration.

Step 3 – Apply to CSC

Applicants must submit a separate application to the CSC by its stated deadline, by following the local application procedures in China.

Applicants must also satisfy the selection criteria set out by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) by completing the CSC Application Form and CSC Employer Reference Form which can be found at http://www.csc.edu.cn/.  Applications to CSC must be submitted online by the closing date which will be published on the official CSC website (estimated to be late March 2024). Prospective applicants should check the CSC website for full details.

Please note that all three of the above steps must be completed.