Further Details on Applying to QUB

When you are preparing your application you should contact the relevant Pathway Lead and/or potential supervisor(s) at QUB at the earliest opportunity to ensure that:  

• the expertise and capacity to supervise the proposed research is actually present;
• the viability of the proposed research can be assessed;
• the applicant will be fully supported throughout the competition process. 

Applicants who delay approaching the Pathway Lead and potential supervisors until close to the postgraduate application deadline are unlikely to be considered for nomination. 

The normal minimum requirement for admission to a research degree programme is an Upper Second Class Honours Degree from a UK or ROI Higher Education Provider or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Factors taken into consideration by School selectors will include an assessment of an applicant’s academic background and research proposal (if applicable). Relevant publications, professional research experience or other achievements by the applicant may also be considered.  

Further information is available on Higher Doctorates and PhD by Published Works.  

All applications should be made through the online Application Portal (below) and directed to the School where the Primary Supervisor is based.  They must also be clearly marked as NINE24 to ensure consideration for funding. Applicants should choose the option in the funding section “I wish to be considered for external funding” and then enter NINE24 in the free text box which follows. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE 

Applications must be submitted via the DAP by Monday 22nd January 2024 16:00 GMT

Completing your Application Form 

• All applications must include a research proposal. The research proposal is to be included within the main application form. This should not be longer than 2,000 words in length (including footnotes, but excluding bibliography / reference list). If the proposal exceeds this maximum length of 2,000 words it will not be considered. Because the word length requirement for research proposals varies in each school, please discuss the length of your proposal with your primary supervisor or pathway lead. 
• All applicants must provide an up-to-date CV (2 sides of A4 maximum); this should be uploaded to the Admissions Portal as a separate document* 
• Contact details of two referees; 

• Transcripts of previous qualifications. Note, if your qualifications are from QUB then a copy of your unofficial transcript will be sufficient, for qualifications from any other institute you must include the official transcript. If you have further questions on transcripts the following webpage has some helpful information: https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/srecords/YourStudentRecord/Transcripts/#what-is-the-difference-between-an-official-and-unofficial-transcript-1299339-2  
• A signed copy of the NINE DTP Consent Form, which can be downloaded here: https://www.ninedtp.ac.uk/making-your-application/  
• Please note, failure to include the reference NINE24 in the free text box may result in your application not being allocated or considered for funding. 

*Please note that only one document can be uploaded. You must combine your CV and Research Proposal into one document (word or PDF). 

Subject Areas: 

QUB invite applications in the following pathways: 

What happens next?

If you haven't been successful in going through to the next stage of the NINE competition your school will notify you of this. This just means that you haven't been successful in getting funding from the NINE scholarship competition. You'll also receive a decision from QUB about whether you've been accepted to do a PhD, and if you have then you can seek alternative sources of funding.

If you've been entered into the NINE DTP competition then you and your supervisor will have to submit a nomination form to the main NINE DTP competition. This is an opportunity to refine your research proposal before it's assessed by the relevant pathway you've applied to. Your school must submit the nomination form by February 12 2024. You will hear the outcome of your application from 11 April onwards.