Name: PhD Scholarships – School of Social Sciences – Languages and Intercultural Studies
Amount: £14,777 (the current annual stipend) plus a research support allowance of £2,250
Awards: up to two
Level: Postgraduate research
School: Social Sciences
Entry date: Successful applicants will be expected to begin their studies at Heriot-Watt on 16 September 2019
Closes: 8 Mar 2019

Details

The Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies is offering up to two PhD scholarships to start in the academic year 2019/20. The term of the scholarships is three years. Successful candidates will be receive an annual maintenance allowance (currently set at £14,777 for 2018/19), a research support allowance of £2,250 over the registered period of study. In addition, full-time scholarship holders are normally offered an opportunity to undertake at least 20 hours of paid teaching support each academic year.

The LINCS PhD programme is highly successful and respected both nationally and internationally. Recent graduates, who benefit from the extensive research contacts of staff across the world, have conducted award-winning research and gained employment in a range of academic positions.

LINCS is committed to conducting theoretically advanced and socially-impactful research which is relevant to the academic community and also engages with public interest. In the last UK-wide Research Excellence Framework Exercise (REF 2014), one-third of the research in LINCS was declared ‘world leading’ for its originality, rigour and significance by the Modern Languages & Linguistics panel, placing us top in Scotland. In terms of the ‘reach and significance’ of our impact on the economy, society and culture, we scored 90% ‘outstanding’ – placing us again top in Scotland and 2nd in the UK.

LINCS is home to two Research Centres:

Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies in Scotland (CTISS): The Centre addresses socially-relevant issues in Translation and Interpreting Studies across languages and cultures in the global context. We are interested in the lived and linguistic experiences of all those who participate in interpreting and translation processes, from new language learners and educators, to end-users in communities, public services and the professions. Heriot-Watt is one of only four UK institutions that belong to CIUTI (Conférence Internationale d’Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes).

Intercultural Research Centre (IRC): The Centre addresses current intercultural issues arising from key developments in the changing global context. It makes original contributions to heritage, cultural studies, mobility, multiculturalism, identity and sustainable communities. The Centre’s particular focus is on the applied dimensions of “culture” defined broadly in anthropological terms.

We welcome proposals from suitably qualified candidates on any area related to research conducted in our two Centres.

For further information on our areas of expertise and individual staff profiles, visit https://researchportal.hw.ac.uk/en/organisations/languages-intercultural-studies

Deadline for applications is 08 March 2019

Entry requirements

All applications will be reviewed within the relevant department with a shortlisting decision made based on qualifications, the research proposal and the availability of a supervisory team. Shortlisted applicants must have either the equivalent of a 1st class honours undergraduate degree, or a Masters degree with an average mark of 65% or higher and a dissertation mark of 65% or higher. Applicants who are unsure if their qualifications meet the minimum criteria should contact c.a.murray@hw.ac.uk. Please note that possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee shortlisting for interview.

How to apply

Please submit your application via https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/apply/uk/postgraduate.htm On the admissions website please select “PhD Languages”.

Please state clearly on your application that you are applying for a Heriot-Watt University Scholarship.

In order that your application can be processed, please ensure that all the supporting documents listed below are submitted with your application:

1. RESEARCH PROPOSAL (approximately 5 – 8 pages)

The research proposal should contain as much as possible of the following: an introduction or outline of the proposed topic; a statement of objectives and/or specific research questions; a summary of some of the relevant literature which supports the research objective(s); an indication of the intended research methodology; an indication of the theoretical structure and/or conceptual outline; a provisional timetable of the major phases of the research process; results expected from the research e.g. practical value of the research or possible contributions to knowledge or policy or methodology. At this stage we are not looking for a definitive document but merely an indication that you have thought through most of the above issues. Applicants may wish to identify potential supervisors on the application form. However, academic staff are unable to provide feedback on applications including drafts.

Please note that work submitted may be subject to screening via plagiarism software.

2. ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS & DEGREE CERTIFICATES

Copies of full academic transcripts/marks from all previous academic degree courses and copies of degree certificates for degrees already awarded. If you are currently pursuing a degree course please provide available marks to date.

3. CURRICULUM VITAE

A CV should be submitted.

4. REFERENCES

If you have references available these should be submitted with your application.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

If you have not already studied a degree programme that was taught and examined in the medium of English we require evidence of language proficiency. For IELTS: the minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5 with no score lower than 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/knowledge-of-english

Queries may be directed to c.a.murray@hw.ac.uk

Please apply here.