AHRC-funded Techne Doctoral Training Partnership

Techne is now welcoming applications for fully-funded studentships across the arts and humanities beginning in autumn 2025.

The University of Westminster is one of nine universities that make up the AHRC-funded Techne Doctoral Training Partnership.  

Techne supports outstanding students pursuing the ‘craft’ of research through innovative, interdisciplinary and creative approaches across the arts and humanities. For more information on Techne and the types of projects it funds, please visit the Techne website. 

As well as financial support, Techne offers a developmental framework for doctoral researchers across the collaborating institutions, with research training, supportive community networks, professional and public engagement opportunities, and a space for both independent and collaborative scholarship.

About the studentships

3.5 years full-time (7 years part-time) 
£20,622 per annum stipend full-time (£10,311 per annum part-time)*

At Westminster we are offering Techne studentships in the following areas: 

• Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM). The world-leading centre for art and design with an outstanding research environment.  The strength, impact and diversity of its high-calibre research was acknowledged in its REF 2021 ratings, with 86.7% of its research judged to be ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’, and 100% of its impact case studies to be 'world-leading'. The Times Higher GPA ranking placed CREAM in the top 5 in the area of Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory.
• Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI). The Communication and Media Institute (CAMRI) is a world-leading centre in the study of media and communication, renowned for its critical and international research which has consistently been ranked highly according to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and the QS World University rankings. In REF 2021Go to the REF 2021 page which shows results for the Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management unit of assessment 83% of CAMRI's overall research was judged to be ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’.
• English Literature, Languages and Visual Culture, which are all part of the School of Humanities. 89% of the research publications of the School’s staff in English Language, Literature and Linguistics were ranked by REF 2021Go to the REF 2021 page which shows results for the English Language and Literature unit of assessment as 'internationally excellent' and 'world-leading'. Research in Visual Culture and Modern Languages (including French, Spanish and Chinese) were also judged to be 'internationally excellent'. 

*24/25 UKRI stipend rates

What does it include?

The studentships include maintenance and fees for 3.5 years for a full-time student, or 7 years for a part-time student at 50% of the full-time studentship level each year (pro rata if you have already started your PhD). Studentships are open to students who have already started their doctoral study but they must have at least 50% of the funded period of an AHRC award (usually 18 months full-time) remaining at the time they start their scholarship.

International students are eligible to apply for studentships but will be expected to pay the difference between the home and international fee rates themselves (as the studentship will only cover fees at the home rate, plus the stipend).

The 24/25 home fee rate is £5,800 and the international fee rate is £15,450. Therefore, international students will be expected to pay the difference between these fee rates themselves.

Entry requirements

Students must comply with the AHRC eligibility criteria and other terms and conditions available on the AHRC’s webpage.

Entry criteria are normally at least a 2:1 in a relevant 

relevant first degree and a master's degree. Applications should include a research proposal and all necessary additional documents. 

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for a place at the University of Westminster supported by a Techne studentship, we strongly recommend you first contact a member of the academic staff in the relevant area and talk to them about your proposal. Contact details are:

• Dr Ozlem Koksal (Photography, Film, Visual Arts and Creative Media) koksalo@westminster.ac.uk
• Dr Alessandro D’Arma (Media/Communication and Journalism): darmaa@westminster.ac.uk 
• Dr Helen Glew (English Literature, Linguistics, Languages and Visual Culture): glewh@westminster.ac.uk

If you would like to be considered for a Techne studentship at the University of Westminster, you will need to first apply to the university using one of the links below:

MODE OF STUDY

Full–time

APPLY NOWGO TO THE APPLY PAGE FOR A FULL-TIME PHD VIA MPHIL

Part–time

APPLY NOWGO TO THE APPLY PAGE FOR A PART-TIME PHD VIA MPHIL

Please choose one of the following programme areas when making your application:

• MPhil/PhD Creative Media
• MPhil/PhD Film
• MPhil/PhD Photography
• MPhil/PhD Visual Arts
• MPhil/PhD Media Studies
• MPhil/PhD English Literature
• MPhil/PhD English Language
• MPhil/PhD Visual Culture
• MPhil/PhD Modern and Applied Languages
• MPhil/PhD in Linguistics

Please note:

• You must apply for one of these programmes in order to be eligible for a Techne studentship. If you apply for programmes in other areas your application will not be eligible.
• Please make sure you indicate on your application form that you wish to be considered for a Techne studentship.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is 5pm (GMT) on Thursday 5^th December 2024.

Interviews will be held the week commencing 13th January 2025.

If the University decides to nominate your application to Techne, it will then be put forward by the university to the Techne review panel. The final decision on the allocation of studentships rests with the Techne review panel. Applicants must hold an offer with the University of Westminster before their application can be nominated to Techne.