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The Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NBCDTP) is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. It brings together the cutting-edge expertise and exceptional resources of Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Queen’s University Belfast, Sunderland University, Teesside University and Ulster University and their strategic partners.

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, a maintenance award (in 2021/2022 this was £15,609), training and support for placements.

Information Events

NBCDTP 2022 Applicant Masterclasses (organised by Newcastle University)

The consortium is hosting online Application Masterclasses for prospective applicants on in the week beginning 8 November. Each session can accommodate 100 attendees, and is available to book via Eventbrite.  The presentation and FAQS will then be available on the Northern Bridge Consortium webpages.

Subject Areas

NBC DTP can fund all arts and Humanities subjects including

  • Cultural and Museum Studies
  • Design
  • Drama and Theatre Studies
  • History
  • Information and Communication Technologies
  • Languages and Literature
  • Law and Legal Studies
  • Library and Information Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Media and Communication Studies
  • Music
  • Political Science and International Studies
  • Visual Arts.

A full list can be found on the Northern Bridge website

There is advice for proposals that include creative practice at this link - The Open Studentship Competition

Potential applications for the Standard PhD Award should register their interest with the NBC DTP Academic Director (via the Local NBCDTP Administrator) before making an application. This should be done before the end of November 2020 to enable advice to applicants.

Stage 1 – Postgraduate Application (Online) – from now up to 12th January 2022

  • Applicants should make an online application at this link - Online Application to Ulster University. All Ulster University Applicants should insert NBC22 in response to the question “If you will be self-funded or are in receipt of a private scholarship then please provide further information here” on the Funding Details section of the online application.
  • See the competition guidance at this link - Competition Guidance 2022.
  • Currently registered, eligible, postgraduate research students should make their supervisors and subject adviser at Ulster aware they would like to considered for an award and submit their application to northernbridge.admin@ulster.ac.uk by 12 January 2022
  • It is vital that applicants to the Standard PhD route consult the relevant Research Director or Subject Area Lead at the earliest opportunity so that the expertise and capacity to supervise the proposed research can be identified, and to ensure that the applicant will be fully supported throughout the competition process. Academics may not be able to as fully assist with drafts from applicants who contact them from mid/late December onwards due to holiday.

Stage 2 - Shortlisting and Student Nomination

14th January to 21st - Internal review and nomination selection

25th January-14 February 2022 Applicant and supervisors prepare nomination

Tuesday 15 February 2022 4pm Submission of Nomination Forms to the NBCDTP

The strongest nominees will be selected on the basis of the applicant’s qualifications, research proposal, relevant experience and references.

  • Guidance Notes for Staff and Applicants
  • Successful nominees will be invited to liaise with the appropriate members of staff to complete the Studentship Nomination Form.
  • There is no interview for the standard route NBC AHRC competition.

International Applicants

The Northern Bridge Consortium scholarship at Ulster will cover tuition fees at the ‘Home rate’ and a maintenance allowance of £15,609 (2021/2022 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.

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