How to Apply

We are no longer accepting applications for entry in October 2026. Please check again in Autumn 2026 for details of the next recruitment round.

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

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.

Deadline: NOW CLOSED

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We are no longer accepting applications for entry in October 2026. Please check again in Autumn 2026 for details of the next recruitment round.

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

QUARTILES DLA PhD studentships cannot be undertaken remotely. All successful candidates 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.

How to complete this form: Please download and save the PDF form to your computer before filling it in. You can complete the form using:

  • Your Web Browser: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader: The free standard software for PDFs
  • Mac Preview: The default image viewer on Apple computers

Important: Please ensure you save your changes after typing your answers and check the file before sending it back to us to ensure the fields are not blank.

If you experience any issues, or if you require the form in another format, please contact us for assistance.

Supporting Documents

All candidates must submit their supporting documents (see below list) via email to quartiles-admissions@abdn.ac.uk 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 above 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

Please clearly name each file e.g. Name_CV, Name_undergraduate_transcript

Please do not include any documents that we have not requested in the above list. Anything additional that you include e.g. secondary school certificates, will not be deleted from your application.

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.

References can be submitted in two ways:

  1. Your referees can give you a reference letter to submit with your application;
  2. Your referees can email a reference letter directly to us at quartiles-admissions@abdn.ac.uk. We will add this to your application.

It is your responsibility to ensure your references are submitted in time for the deadline. We recommend you request these early to ensure your referees can provide them in time.

If we have not received your references by the closing date, some project supervisors may choose to contact your referees directly – 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 name your documents clearly so we know what they are. Applications should be sent to quartiles-admissions@abdn.ac.uk.

Timeline

The next full recruitment cycle to begin in Autumn 2026 for entry in October 2027, however, we are currently readvertising 3 opportunities for entry in October 2026. These opportunities are only available to UK/Home fee applicants as the international recruitment cap for this academic year has already been met.

Please see the below provisional timeline for this recruitment round – these timings are estimates and are subject to change.

  • Projects will be re-advertised in March 2026.
  • The closing date for applications is 23.59 UK time on Wednesday 29 April 2026.
  • Shortlisting will take place from late April to early May 2026.
  • Interviews are expected to take place in mid-late May 2026.
  • Offers are expected to be issued in late May-early June 2026.

Need help putting your application together?