FAQs

Frequently asked questions on funding and applying for the Advanced Care Research Centre Academy PhD studentships.

1. What is the ACRC Academy

The Academy for Leadership and Training in Advanced Care will develop the next generation of leaders in this field who are both excellent in their core disciplines and skilled in working widely across disciplines and sectors. The core degree is a thematic, structured, enterprise oriented, cohort‐based 4‐year PhD with Integrated Study. Full details available here.

2. What is the application process?

Students must apply using the University of Edinburgh’s application process.

Instructions are available here.

3. What main characteristics and experiences are you looking for in an applicant?

We are looking for a diverse range of applicants in order to satisfy the interdisciplinary nature of the ACRC. We aim to select a cohort of students, who together will represent the 3 University Colleges, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, College of Science & Engineering

Most importantly the student must have relevant experience and should demonstrate substantial interest in the field of care for those in later life. 

4. What materials will be covered in the one-year taught Programme?

Semester 1

Semester 2

Summer / Teaching Block 5 and Beyond

For more details please see http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/21-22/dpt/prphdadvca1f.htm

5. In terms of funding, what will it cover and how much is the stipend?

The funding will cover all fees, with an allowance for research travel, secondments and research.

The above market Stipend is £16,748 per year, with a small annual increment.

6. Will students be working on projects with other students or is it all individual based?

There will be a range of cohort-based activities where you can engage with other members of the cohort for challenges or projects. Your PhD is done individually, although you will benefit from the experience and assistance of all ACRC academics and research assistants.

7. Can I self-fund and join the ACRC Academy cohort?

The funded cohort is for 13 people only and we will not accept self-funded applications for 2022/23 entry.

8. Can I miss the training year and go straight into the PhD?

No, you must join the training year as it is an essential component of the 4-year programme.

9. Where will we be based?

The ACRC Academy will share a space with the ACRC at the Biocubes, Little France. All Programme Management personnel and workpackage researchers are based there, and ACRC Academy students are based there for their training year.

We expect that students will have the opportunity to meet and work with ACRC researchers thereby experiencing real research in action as they participate in the training year.

10. I’m not an Engineer, why do I get an Engineering qualification?

This is not an engineering qualification, but as this is an interdisciplinary programme, it needs an administrative ‘home’, which is in the School of Engineering. To reflect the interdisciplinary nature of this programme we draw on supervisors from across the university, and the compulsory courses span all three Colleges.  

11. My supervisor is in a different area of the University, how does that work?

You will be based in the BioCube for your training year, and will move to your lead supervisor’s School/Unit for your research phase.

12. Why are there more projects advertised than student places available? 

Students will be selected on the basis of their individual strengths and to create an interdisciplinary cohort. Students select a PhD from those advertised.

13. Do you have places for International students?

We have fully funded places for 3 international students to apply for the highly competitive ACRC Global Scholarship.

14. Do I need a Master’s to apply?

No, you do not need a Master’s qualification, though it would be desirable. We require a minimum of 2:1 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. In exceptional circumstances a 2:2 will be considered where the applicant demonstrates considerable relevant experience and/or a Masters degree. 

15. What is the application process?

To be considered you must complete the online application, upload the required supporting documents and your references must be uploaded. You must apply for a specific PhD project.

16. Should I speak to the supervisor of my chosen subject?

You are encouraged to enter into dialogue with the lead project supervisor prior to application.

17. Can I study remotely?

You cannot study remotely as the ACRC Academy PhD with Integrated Study is a cohort based thematic PhD that requires the students to work closely together. Students will have a desk at the Biocubes and will be expected to be at the centre for a significant portion of their time.

18. Can I apply for more than one PhD project?

No, you must select one project, and list this in the Research Project field under the Programme tab of your application. 

19. Can I study part time?

Yes, part time study is available for these PhD studentships. However, not all projects are suitable for part-time study. Please contact the lead supervisor to discuss if you wishes to study part time. The University does not sponsor visas for part-time students, so we are not able to offer places for international students. 

20. What are the English language requirements?

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence. 

English language tests 

For 2021 entry we will accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified: 

• IELTS/Academic IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each module) 
• TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 23 in each module). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements 
• CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 176 in each module) 
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components 

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old. 

Degrees taught and assessed in English 

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration: 

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries 

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries. 

• List of approved universities 

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study. 

Find out more about our language requirements: 

• English language requirements 

Please email evidence of your English language proficiency to acrc@ed.ac.uk when you apply.

21. Do I have to apply separately for funding? 

No, an application to the Academy is automatically an application for funding, and we do not offer unfunded places. 

We hope that this FAQ address all of your administrative questions prior to submitting an application.

If you have a question not considered here then please send to acrc@ed.ac.uk and we will deal with it appropriately (so we can filter and if required send to a supervisor).