CHASE AHRC Studentship

Key information

Deadline date

Scholarship overview

CHASE Arts and Humanities Council (AHRC) Studentship 2024

Up to 56 Arts and Humanities studentships available from CHASE Doctoral Training Partnership. CHASE Studentships are for PhD-level study only and successful applicants will have their fees paid, as well as receiving a stipend to cover living expenses (where eligible, see below) and access to further funds for skills training and research.

The Consortium of the Humanities and the Arts South-East England (CHASE) invites applications for its sixth round of Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) PhD Studentship awards. CHASE is one of 10 Doctoral Training Partnerships in the UK awarded funding by the AHRC.

SOAS, University of London is proud to be part of CHASE which brings together 8 leading institutions engaged in collaborative research activities including an AHRC doctoral training partnership. These are the Universities of East Anglia, Essex, Kent and Sussex, The Courtauld Institute of Art, Goldsmiths, University of London, Birkbeck, University of London and SOAS, University of London.

Selection criteria for applications

Selection panels will grade applications according to the following criteria:

1. Research proposal

The proposal is clearly-written and demonstrates engagement with an academic field at a high level of sophistication.
The project demonstrates original thinking in its field.
The methodology proposed clearly demonstrates the viability of the planned research.
The planned research is described in a way that inspires confidence that it will definitely be completed within the funded period.

2. Preparedness for research

The applicant demonstrates understanding of appropriate research skills required for successful completion of the project.
The applicant has appropriate training at Master’s level or equivalent (including experience gained outside of higher education) to undertake the project.
The applicant’s references fully support the applicant’s preparedness for doctoral study.

3. Suitability of research environment

The research environment (as constituted by the proposed supervision, the home department(s) or equivalent, the institutional support (including available archives, sources, research centres), any external organisations) is appropriate to the project.
The applicant has given clear thought to the fit between their project and their proposed research environment.
The supervisor statement fully supports the project’s fit with the proposed research environment.

Applications shortlisted by the institution will be put forward to the relevant CHASE selection panel. The scope of each selection panel is as follows:

  • History, Thought and Systems of Belief
  • Art History and Visual Cultures
  • Media and Creative Practice
  • Literature, Language and Culture

Eligibility

CHASE AHRC funding is primarily available to Home students, though a limited number of awards will be made to International students. Further guidance on residential eligibility is provided in Annex B of the UKRI Training Grant Guidance. If you have any questions about your eligibility for a CHASE studentship, please contact enquiries@chase.ac.uk.

How to apply

Applicants should follow two steps:

Step 1

Apply for Research Degrees at SOAS as soon as possible (ideally mid December 2023) but no later than 23.59 (UK local time) on 10 January 2024.

Guidance for applying for MPhil/PhD and information on what makes an application complete can be found on how to apply (research).

Applicants must submit a complete admissions application by 10 January 2024 . However, we strongly advise you to apply by mid-December 2023.

The deadline is important as applicants must have an offer of admissions by the time selection takes place.

Step 2

Apply for the Scholarship by 12.00 pm (UK local time) on 26 January 2024.

You should work with your proposed supervisor(s) to develop your application. They will need to provide a supervisor statement in support of your application, and can advise on the drafting of the project proposal. You will also need to identify two referees, one of whom may be your proposed supervisor.

You must apply for the CHASE studentships via the studentship application.

In order to apply you will need the following access code: CHASE-2024

IMPORTANT: Please see CHASE AHRC Studentship Application: Guidance for more information.

If you wish to apply for a Stuart Hall Foundation studentship, please indicate this in Question 5 of the Contact details CHASE studentship application form. These studentships are available to candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, specifically encouraging applicants with an interest in the work and legacy of Stuart Hall. Your application will still be considered in the main competition as well.

Applicant Webinars

Applying for a CHASE PhD studentship webinar | 3 November 1200-1300

This hour-long session will introduce the CHASE PhD studentship programme and offer advice to prospective applicants. Further information and how to register your place for the webinar can be found here.

Informal enquiries

For enquiries about the application procedure, please contact the Scholarships department:

Email: scholarships@soas.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7074 5106