PhD Study : Northern Bridge Consortium Collaborative Doctoral Awards - Mapping the Cultural Geography of Sam Henry’s Irish Song Archive

Apply and key information

Summary

The Northern Bridge Consortium is a Doctoral Training Partnership (NBCDTP) funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The NBCDTP runs an annual competition to select the best doctoral candidates and provide a comprehensive and attractive package of financial support over the duration of study, which includes payment of tuition fees and a maintenance award (currently £15,009 per annum). This Collaborative Doctoral Award project is supervisor-led in partnership with the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Museum Services.

Project Summary

This will be the doctoral examination of the Sam Henry collection of traditional Irish song with a literary and cultural geography approach. Henry’s archive, held by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, of approximately 15,000 textual materials, is one of the most significant collections of song, photography and folklore in the British Isles. The project will map and analyse the significance of the sense of place that Henry’s archive constructs and will examine how local place impacts upon the gathering of song, and how culture can be identified through the manifestation of song, folklore and local history.

Full project details can be found at this link

Applicants are invited to submit an expression of interest to the Supervisor f.ferguson@ulster.ac.uk and the Local NBCDTP administrator p.brown@ulster.ac.uk by the deadline stated in the full project details.

How to Apply to the Competition

Full details about the competition, eligibility, application process and timeline are available on the NBCDTP website from the link below under the heading Funding. There are two stages to this process:

Stage 1 – Postgraduate Application (Online) by 4pm on Monday 13 January 2020. Applicants should make an online application to Ulster University. Applicants should insert NBC20 in response to the question relating to how you plan to fund your studies on the Funding Details section of the online application.

Stage 2 - Student Nomination by 4pm on Monday 17 February 2020. Following an internal assessment School/Department-based selection panels then select their strongest nominees on the basis of the applicant’s qualifications, research proposal, relevant experience and references. Those applicants will be asked to complete a Nomination Form, which must be submitted to Northern Bridge by the applicant’s School/Department. Nominations made after this date will not be considered.

Results will be announced to successful candidates on Wednesday 8 April 2020.

Northern Bridge Eligibility Criteria

Prospective applicants to the Collaborative Doctoral Awards are required to meet the AHRC's eligibility criteria which can be found at this link: http://www.northernbridge.ac.uk/competition/eligibility/

Academic Qualifications and Experience

Competition for Northern Bridge studentships is intense, and we require evidence of academic excellence at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as evidence that the candidate has sufficient research skills to undertake the project.

This generally means a first-class or good upper-second undergraduate degree and performance at or around distinction level in a masters degree.

Note that Undergraduate degree (first-class or good upper-second) and Masters Degree should be in a relevant subject e.g. English Literature, History, Cultural Studies, Music.

In exceptional cases, candidates with lower qualifications may be considered if they can demonstrate that relevant professional practice or work experience has equipped them with equivalent academic and research skills, and preparedness for doctoral study, as per AHRC guidelines.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Northern Bridge Consortium - Doctoral Training Partnership

View Northern Bridge Consortium website

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Northern Bridge Consortium scholarship at Ulster will cover tuition fees at the ‘Home rate’ and a maintenance allowance of £18,622 (2023/2024 rate) per annum for 42 months full-time (3.5 years) or 84 months part-time (7 years).

Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
ROI nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
Other non-Republic of Ireland EU applicants are ‘International’ for the purposes of fees. There are a very limited number of fully funded international awards available at Ulster University.