Apply

We offer a large number of funded, industry driven projects across our CDT partner universities. You are encouraged to review all and submit your application to a maximum of 3 projects.

• A minimum 2.1 or higher in a relevant undergraduate degree or a relevant masters degree in
  • Engineering,
  • Physics,
  • Mathematics,
  • Computer Science,
  • Audiology
  • Acoustics
  • Psychology,
  • Environmental Science or another subject with relevance to your selected PhD project(s).
• Check each individual project description for project specific relevant qualifications and knowledge.
  
• International applicants must demonstrate a required level of English Language Proficiency by achieving a minimum level of 6.5 in IELTS or equivalent in accepted English language qualifications.

• A stipend based on the standard UKRI rate.
  • For home fees students only, a small number of enhanced stipends for widening participation are available (£2,000 per year). See our criteria in Widening Participation section below.
    
• Tuition fees.
  
• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG), which covers costs of carrying out research such as lab consumables, travel to conferences, access to facilities etc (£16,400 in total).
  
• Free access to the CDT cohort training programme and activities such as summer schools where travel and subsistence costs are covered by the central CDT funds.

NOTE: Funding for international applicants is limited and very competitive.

There are 3 stages to our application process

1. Application to the CDT programme:
   You apply to the CDT programme regardless of which university/project you have chosen.
   
   • Submit a personal details form
   • Submit a project application form
     You can use this form to apply to a maximum of 3 CDT projects
     
2. Selection by the supervisory team and CDT Management Team:
   The CDT management team and project supervisors consider all submitted applications, perform interview panels, and make CDT funding offers.
   
3. Registration at the host university:
   Successful candidates then submit a formal application to register at the university hosting their chosen PhD project using the university’s normal postgraduate application portal.

• Create a unique random applicant ID using your initials followed by the last 4 digits from your phone number.
• Use exactly the same ID on every form.

Anonymise your answers – use your applicant ID and not your name.

Your project application form is used by project supervisors to make shortlisting decisions and will available to interviewers. It will be seen by academics at the host universities, and by the relevant project/industry partner.

Statement of Motivation

In completing your statement of motivation, you answer should consider:

1. Why you want to study for a PhD?
2. Why do you want to study for a PhD within the CDT in Sustainable Sound Futures?
3. How has your education given you the skills and knowledge to join the CDT?
4. Any experiences outside education that are relevant to your application.

Proposed Research Area and Interests

In this section, you should include

• Your research interests.
• What particular skills and knowledge you want to develop during your research.
• Link your research interests to the PhD project you’d most like to research, as well as discussing your broader interests.
• Outline how your research interests align with the CDT’s aim to create a more Sustainable Sound Future.