Apply to QUB 

Full details on how to apply to QUB are available here including how to use the Direct Applications Portal (DAP) How to Apply 

You should contact the relevant Subject Area 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 Subject Area 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 NBC24 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 NBC24 in the free text box which follows. 

Application Deadline:

In order to be considered for the Northern Bridge Open Competition for funded scholarships you must apply to QUB through the DAP by 9 January 2024.

This is also the deadline for those who are already registered on a PhD to notify their school that they wish to be considered for this years funding competition.

Completing your Application Form 

• 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* 

• Research proposal (check with your subject area contact for word length and bibliography); 
• 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  
• Please note, failure to include the reference NBC24 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 subject areas: 

The Northern Bridge Competition

Once the deadline has passed for submission of applications to QUB, your application will be assessed by the school to which you have applied. If your application is deemed of a standard suitable for the Northern Bridge competition you will be notified by the school that you are being invited to submit a nomination form to the Northern Bridge Competition. 

Part one of the nomination form is completed by you, and part two of the nomination form is completed by your supervisor. With the nomination form you must also attach the following: 

1. A maximum of two references 
2. Undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts (not degree certificates). Current Masters students must provide evidence of provisional marks/markes received to date. 
3. Collaborative doctoral Awards only: a letter from the non HE Partner Organisation confirming that they support the nominee, and are committed to providing the support outlined in sections 8, 9 and 10 of the nomination form. 
4. Equal Opportunities and Monitoring forms. These will be separated from the nomination form before it is sent for review. 

What happens next?

If you haven't been successful in going through to the next stage of the Northern Bridge funding competition your school will notify you of this. This means that you haven't been successful in getting funding from Northern Bridge. 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 have been successful in getting through to the next stage of the Northern Bridge funding competition then your school will have to submit your nomination to Northern Bridge by 20 February 2024, after which it will be assessed by a subject panel before final decisions are made. Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the competition from 11 April 2024 onwards.

The Competition Timeline for 2023-2024 is as follows: