The Centre for Rural Economy Percy PhD award: PhD Studentship to Research Farm Tenancies in the North East of England

Award Summary

100% fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate 

Overview

The North East of England has the highest number of farm tenancies in the UK. This PhD research will investigate the current situation of farm tenants, and the challenges they face as land use changes. It is anticipated that the research will involve interviewing farm tenants and estate owners, and possible comparison with tenant farmers in other parts of the UK. Additional interviews will involve people dealing with the legal framework of tenancies to gain knowledge of restrictive covenants and other legal matters linked to tenancies. A knowledge of the UK is desirable.  

Number of awards: 1

Start date: January, April or September 2025 

Award duration: Three years 

Sponsor: The Centre for Rural Economy 

Supervisors: Professor Sally Shortall and Dr. Carmen Hubbard

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (a social science background, for example; sociology; geography, law, politics, etc. and also agriculture and food if your degree included social science components).

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

The studentship covers fees at the Home rate (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria). International applicants are welcome to apply but will be required to cover the difference between Home and International fees.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.

How to apply

Previous applicants need not apply

Use Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study: 

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using programme code: 8010F
• Research Area: Rural Development
• Select: PhD in Agriculture and Rural Development (full time) as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:

• ‘Personal Statement’ - upload a document or write a statement directly into the application form.
• ‘Research Proposal’ - when prompted for how you are providing your research proposal – select either ‘Write Proposal’ or ‘Upload document’. Your research proposal should be no more than 1500 words.
• Studentship code SNES293a in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field.

In the ‘Supporting Documentation’ section please upload:

• your CV

Contact Details

Sally.Shortall@newcastle.ac.uk

Carmen.Hubbard@newcastle.ac.uk

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