Shine Scholars Studentship Award for Doctoral Programme

Shine scholars studentship award is an opportunity for students to get fully funded scholarship for various programmes. There are ten new studentship awards offered by Shine Scholars to increase the representation of Black British students studying at Doctoral level at the University of Surrey.

The scholarships are for duration of three and a half years, and they are fully funded scholarships. This is part of a larger programme aimed at improving access and participation for Black British students in postgraduate research and it is jointly funded by the Office for Students, Research England and the University of Surrey.

Surrey’s Shine Scholars Programme is basically aimed at providing Black British students with the resources, support and environment which they need to achieve excellence and pursue rich and rewarding careers after graduation. Shine scholars aims to improve an inclusive culture and race equity at University of Surrey to the benefit of the entire postgraduate community and they intend to achieve this through embedding sustainable initiatives which would build a pipeline for black students with a view to providing opportunity to boost their career.

Shine Scholars is a multicomponent programme which comprises the following:

A fully-funded ‘Shine Scholars’ package (which includes summer school, mentoring, placement opportunities, teaching qualifications, tailored career advice, among others)
An internship scheme which is packaged for Black undergraduates
A wide range of mentoring opportunities from Black, Asian and minority ethnic postgraduate students and academics
Race equity training and inclusive supervisor training for staff
Inclusive researcher development training
External speaker series with Black academics and networking events.

Beneficiaries of this programme will be joining the University of Surrey which is a world-class, research-led University at an exciting time. This university offers innovative and world-class doctoral training, with an outstanding research environment which effectively connects supervisors, doctoral researchers, and research support staff within a multi-disciplinary approach. This makes the University of Surrey the ideal place you to start your research career.

Candidates eligible for this funding opportunity can apply across all research programmes of Surrey University, with the exception of the PsychD, MD, PDS and EngD programmes. You can find out more about this postgraduate research courses and three faculties the university:

Candidates interested in full-time or part-time programmes can apply for this funding opportunity. The funding will be prorated for part-time candidates. You can see guidance notes (PDF) for further information.

Eligibility criteria

This funding opportunity is open to UK-permanent residents who identify as being from any Black ethnic group (including Black or Black British African, Black or Black British Caribbean, Black or Black British other or Mixed Black or Black British.

Qualification requirements are not all the same. They will vary according to the PhD programme chosen by applicants.

All PhD programmes are eligible EXCEPT PsychD, MD, PDS and EngD. These four programmes – PsychD, MD, PDS and EngD – are not eligible.

English language requirements

English language proficiency is required but the score or level of English language required varies between courses. Please visit this website – postgraduate research course pages for specific requirements.

How to apply

Candidates interested in Applying for this programmes can reach the studentship team of Surrey University to help the candidate in finding a suitable PhD programme. The studentship team can also help interested candidates to start the process below to help prepare and submit their application.

1. You have to identify and discuss with a prospective supervisor

If you check the Surrey University web pages for various academic schools and departments, you will find staff lists which you can use in identifying a prospective supervisor for the programme you applied for. You should contact a prospective supervisor to discuss project options before going ahead to complete your application. If you have difficulty identifying a prospective supervisor or would like a template email to help approach a potential supervisor, you can send an email phdstudentships@surrey.ac.uk and either Kate, Emma or Shijia will be available to address your concern.

2. Apply for a place on a postgraduate research course

After discussing your project with a prospective supervisor you will need to make an application for a place through the relevant course page.

You have to make sure you indicate on your application that you are applying for the Shine Scholars Studentship Award 2022.

You have to submit your application on or before the deadline which is indicated n the website.

3. Complete the Doctoral College studentships award application

After applying for a place on a postgraduate research course, you also need to complete the application form. This is your application for funding and it will be used to select successful candidates for funding. You also need to refer to the guidance notes which will assist you in filling in the application form.

Once you have completed your form, please submit it to phdstudentships@surrey.ac.uk by the deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

4. What happens next?

After the deadline, your application will be considered by an academic panel after which you will be informed whether you were successful in securing a studentship award. If you are successful, you will be required to start your programme in October.