Student-led PhD studentship (tuition and stipend)

August 2025 entry

The University of St Andrews Business School is offering competitive PhD studentships to fund student-led projects, commencing August 2025. The Studentship will comprise a stipend at UKRI level (£19,237 for 2024/25), and full tuition fees (UK/International) for three years.

In addition, the studentship offers

• Research funding of up to £750 per academic year to help with costs arising from research, funding for travel, accommodation and conference fees to support attendance at academic conferences, including one international conference
• Support for academic and professional development both internally (Centre for Educational Enhancement and Development and GRADskills, as well as University social sciences research modules) and externally (Scottish Graduate School of Social Science)
• All students funded from this call will be expected to contribute to teaching within the School, typically taking on tutoring and marking duties (to be paid separately via a graduate teaching assistantship contract). There will also be an opportunity to complete a Postgraduate Certificate of Academic Practice

In order to be considered for a funded studentship, the PhD programme invites exceptional graduates to submit a PhD proposal.

Read more here about  the research interests of the School’s Faculty at: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/business-school/people

The Departments of Economics, Finance and Management are situated within the Business School which was launched in September 2023 following a merger between the Schools of Economics & Finance and Management.

Successful applicants will join a vibrant international community focused on research and teaching excellence.

The University of St Andrews was ranked overall first in the UK by The Times University Guide 2024 and first by the Guardian University Guide 2024.

PhD Programme: PhD students are situated in a stimulating, developmental and collegial research and learning environment. Working closely with supervisors, doctoral candidates undertake a focused piece of original research over the three-year programme. Students showcase their research and progress annually, receiving developmental feedback from leading experts in their field. Candidates will engage with diverse disciplinary and theoretical perspectives and methodologies through research seminars, workshops, reading groups and developmental activities organised by thematic groups and research centres. Students are expected to participate in academic conferences, contribute to the School’s teaching provision and may submit papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals by PhD completion.

The Business School’s PhD graduates are held in high esteem and have pursued careers in academia, research and policy institutions and a range of private, public and third sector professions.

An Athena SWAN Bronze award holder, the Business School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. PhD students have extensive support mechanisms and, through student representation, multiple opportunities to shape their doctoral studies and School initiatives.

Affiliation with the St Leonard’s Postgraduate College offers PhD students opportunities to participate in the University’s wider intellectual and social community. You can read more here about the University and its beautiful surroundings, as well as postgraduate perspectives on doctoral study.

How to apply: Applicants should have completed (or expect to complete) their Masters degree with merit or distinction, and are expected to have undertaken a significant component of advanced study in the intended specialist research area.

Interested candidates should demonstrate their commitment to research, knowledge exchange and teaching activities. Applicants need to secure the support of a potential supervisor before making a formal application. This staff member can then help to identify a second supervisor.

Additional entry requirements and further details about the PhD proposal, application procedures and supporting documentation is available at Postgraduate research - University of St Andrews Business School - University of St Andrews.

Your application must include:

• Covering letter stating research area, motivation for the project and its relevance to a particular research area in the Business School
• Research proposal, which must be no longer than 1,500 words excluding references
• Up-to-date curriculum vitae
• Details of two academic referees, including email addresses
• Academic transcripts, which must be certified copies
• A piece of written work by you, in the broad area in which you intend to study. This must be different from your research proposal and no longer than 4,000 words
• IELTS or TOEFL certificate if English is not your first language. The School requires an IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with a minimum score of 6.5 in every section of the test
• Confirmation of supervision agreement from two potential supervisors within the School.

Applications should be made online by 28^th February 2025. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview at which they will give a presentation on their research proposal. Interviews are expected to be held in March/April 2025.

For further queries, please contact the Business School PGR Administrator on bschoolpgr@st-andrews.ac.uk

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