How to Apply

We are now accepting applications for entry in October 2025.

Please refer to our Funding and Eligibility information to ensure you are eligible to apply before beginning your application.

APPLICANT INFORMATION DROP-IN SESSIONS

We will be holding two applicant drop in sessions at the following dates/times:

10:00-11:00 (UK Time) Wednesday 29 January 2025

14:00-14:30 (UK Time) Tuesday 4 February 2025

Please sign up by completing this registration form

Applicants should identify a project of interest and are advised to contact the lead supervisor who can provide further information and advice about the project prior to applying. You can apply for a maximum of 2 QUARTILES DLA projects per academic year – these should be submitted as one single application.

Find a PhD
2025-26 PhD Project List

To apply, please download and complete this QUARTILES Application Form. The deadline to apply is Wednesday 19 February 2025

Please read all the below information to ensure you submit a complete application.

QUARTILES DLA PhD studentships cannot be undertaken remotely. Both home and International students must be resident in the UK for the majority of their studies.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will NOT be considered. Supporting documentation must be submitted by this date and will not be chased. When applying please ensure all required documents are sent via email as per the below instruction (see ‘your guide to applying’).

Application Form

 To apply, please download and complete this QUARTILES Application Form. You must also submit the supporting documents outlined below for your application to be considered complete.

Supporting Documents

All candidates must submit their supporting documents (see below list) via email to [email protected] using the subject line: QUARTILES PhD Application. We cannot chase missing documents – it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all documents are submitted by the relevant deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Please submit the following supporting documents by the Wednesday 19 February 2025 deadline:

  • your completed QUARTILES Application Form
  • all degree certificates (please include Postgraduate qualifications if held)
  • all degree transcripts (please include Postgraduate qualifications if held, & provisional transcripts for incomplete courses)
  • a cover letter addressed to the lead supervisor (one per project)
  • an academic CV
  • two academic references
  • Evidence of pre/settled status or indefinite leave to remain (if applicable)

English Language Certificate if English is not your native language – see below for details

After submitting your application, you may be contacted by the project supervisor(s) to discuss the project in more detail.

References

We are unable to directly request references from your referees.

If you would like to include references to support your application, please ensure they are provided directly to us at [email protected].

Some project supervisors may choose to contact your referees – please include their contact details on your CV.

English Language Requirement

You are required to submit an English Language Certificate if English is not your native language.

Please submit this if you have it, otherwise this can be added as a condition to an offer of study should your application be successful.

English requirements for the University of Aberdeen

English requirements for Queen’s University Belfast

Your guide to applying

Please follow the below guidance when submitting your application(s):

  • If applying for two projects, please send all documentation in one email.
  • You must supply a cover letter for each project you are applying to, addressed to the lead supervisor.
  • If you select two projects on the form and submit one cover letter, you will only be considered for your first choice project.

Please submit the application form in WORD format, along with your supporting documentation as a combined PDF. Applications should be sent to [email protected].

Need help putting your application together?