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Applications have now closed for Quirk PhD Scholarships 23/24. Applications for 24/25 will open in Term 1, please check back then.
The Quirk PhD Scholarships support students in financial need to conduct research leading to a PhD in the fields of language and literature within the Arts & Humanities.
About the Quirk PhD Scholarships
The Faculty of Arts & Humanities invites applications to the Quirk PhD Scholarships, funded by the Lord Randolph Quirk Endowment. The Lord Randolph Quirk Endowment was established from the generous bequest of Professor the Lord Charles Randolph Quirk, 1920-2017, linguist and life peer. Lord Quirk's interests encompassed not only the discipline of English Language and Literature (in its widest forms, from grammar in English usage to the accessibility of Old English literature and the writing of Charles Dickens), but also the teaching of language (including English) across all sectors of society and the concomitant role of language in societal activity. Professor Quirk’s endowment is to support ‘humanistic scholarship’ in the fields of language and literature, broadly conceived.
This scholarship offers full tuition fees (£5,860) plus an annual allowance to cover living and study expenses (£20,622) for the normal duration of 3 years for a PhD programme. Your principal supervisor must be based in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities and research themes must be in one of the following areas:
- Accessibility
- Bilingualism/ multilingualism (Including English as one of the languages)
- Creative and cultural industries
- Digital Humanities
- English language and literature
- Language education
- Language and society
We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented at PhD level. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds and people with disabilities.
Read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Applications now closed.
Eligibility criteria for September 2024
Candidates must:
Have applied to a research degree programme (including your referee submitting references) in the following subject areas:
- Accessibility
- Bilingualism/ multilingualism (Including English as one of the languages)
- Creative and cultural industries
- Digital Humanities
- English language and literature
- Language education
- Language and society
Be UK domiciled with home fee status
Be in financial need as assessed by UCL
Demonstrate academic potential through:
- Application form: responses to questions around your motivation and skills
- Research proposal: a lay summary of your research proposal
- Prior results: upload your transcript as part of the application form
- References: submitted as part of your application to a relevant research degree
How to apply
1. Apply for your chosen PhD programme You must submit a complete application for admission to an eligible research degree programme by the specified deadline. You do not need to have secured an offer of a place at UCL in order to apply for the scholarship, but you must have submitted your admission application by 26 January 2024.
Your research degree programme must be in the following subject areas and your principal supervisor must be based in a department in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities:
a. Accessibility
b. Bilingualism/ multilingualism (Including English as one of the languages)
c. Creative and cultural industries
d. Digital Humanities
e. English language and literature
f. Language education
g. Language and society
2. Plan your scholarship application Read all the information and the FAQs on this page carefully and note deadlines. Make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria.
In addition to responding to questions about your household income, you will need to:
Upload your academic transcript
Provide a lay summary of your research proposal (300 words)
Respond to the following questions:
- Why are you interested in this specific research project? (300 words)
- How will your knowledge and skills help you in doctoral research in this area? (300 words)
- Describe an example of when you used your skills to address a research question. (300 words)
- Contextual information (optional) (200 words)
Applications now closed.
Selection
A panel will select the awardees on the basis of:
- Financial need-based on socio-economic background*
- Academic potential– as demonstrated by your application form, research proposal, prior results, and references.
*UCL uses a financial assessment tool which considers household income and other influencing factors such as exceptional household expenditure.
Contact
Please see the below FAQs. If you have any queries about the Quirk PhD Scholarship, please email:
dean.a-h@ucl.ac.uk
Essential Information for all funding scheme applicants.
FAQs
Eligibility
- 1. What are the eligibility criteria for September 2024?
The Quirk PhD Scholarships aims to support students in financial need to conduct research leading to a PhD in the fields of language and literature within the Arts & Humanities.
Candidates must:
Be UK domiciled with home fee status Be in financial need as assessed by UCL Demonstrate academic merit as demonstrated by prior results, references and publications Have applied to a research degree programme in the following subject areas:
- Accessibility
- Bilingualism/ multilingualism (Including English as one of the languages)
- Creative and cultural industries
- Digital Humanities
- English language and literature
- Language education
- Language and society
- 2. Can International students apply?
No, for 2024/25 the Quirk PhD Scholarships are for UK domiciled students with home fee status only.
Applying to the Quirk PhD Scholarship
- 1. What is the application process?
Once you have submitted an application for admission onto an eligible research degree programme you can submit your application for the Quirk PhD Scholarship.
- 2. Is there a deadline for applying?
The deadline is 26 January 2024.
- 3. How soon after applying will I find out the outcome?
The successful applicants will be notified by email in early April.
- 4. How will my UK domiciled, and home fee status be assessed?
Your UK domiciled and home fee status will be assessed by the admissions teams.
- 5. Can a current master’s student apply?
Yes, you can apply if you are currently registered for a Master’s but do not have the result yet.
- 6. Can a current PhD student apply?
No. Only students starting their PhD in September 2024 can apply.
- 7. How does UCL define ‘low-income’?
Typically, UCL would classify 'low-income' as a household with annual income of £25,000 or less and 'lower-income' as £42,875 or less (or overseas equivalent), but this is a guide only as other factors are taken into account during the selection process.
- 8. Will I be assessed on my academic merit for the Quirk PhD Scholarship?
You will be assessed on financial need and academic potential. Academic potential will be assessed via your responses to questions on your application form, research proposal, prior results and the references submitted as part of your application to a relevant research degree programme.
- 9. Do I need to have accepted an offer to study from the Faculty of Arts & Humanities first?
No, you can apply if you have submitted an application to an eligible research degree programme.
- 10. Do I need to have an unconditional offer?
No, you can apply if you have submitted an application to an eligible research degree programme.
- 11. How many years is the scholarship for?
The PhD scholarship is for a maximum of three years if studying full-time and pro rata for part-time study.
Scholarship value
- 1. If I have to relocate to London to study is there any financial support available?
There is no additional funding to cover relocation.
- 2. Is there a fixed stipend amount, how much is it?
The maintenance stipend for 2024/25 is £21,181 in line with current estimated UKRI rates. The stipend amount will increase slightly for each year of study in line with UKRI rates.
- 3. Will the fees and allowance be paid directly to me?
The fees will be paid directly by the Quirk PhD Scholarship to UCL. The maintenance stipend will be paid in equal monthly instalments into your personal bank account as disclosed to UCL.
- 4. Are any research costs included?
No, no additional costs are included Information about access to conference and research funds can be found here.
- 5. Can I accept the Quirk PhD Scholarship in addition to other internal or external awards?
No, you cannot hold any other awards in addition to the Quirk PhD Scholarship.
- 6. Can I get funding for more than 3 years full-time study?
If you are studying full-time you will be funded until you are awarded your degree by UCL Student Records. This must be within 3 years of starting your degree. If you study part-time, the funding of your programme will be pro rata.
- 7. Besides academic supervision, what other support is available while studying?
You will have access to UCL’s Doctoral Skills Development Programme, which is designed to help you to expand your research and transferrable skills in order to support your research, professional development and employability. You can consult the Doctoral School Code of Practice to understand the support you can expect from your supervisor. You can also find a wealth of support for your wellbeing from UCL student services and from the Student Union.You will also have access to coaching, mentoring support and advocacy, arranged locally.
Post-acceptance
- 1. If I start as full-time student can I change to part-time study if required?
The Quirk PhD Scholarship covers fees and maintenance allowance to allow scholars to study full time or part time. The scholarship is for the mode of study (full-time or part-time) printed on your UCL offer letter and your scholarship offer letter. If you wish to apply for a change in mode of study you must inform your department and the Quirk PhD Scholarships Team (ah-dean@ucl.ac.uk).
- 2. Can I defer my studies and keep my scholarship offer?
The scholarship cannot be deferred to a later start date, nor can it be transferred to another institution.
- 3. Can I interrupt my studies?
Please consult the Changes to your study pages to understand the process for interrupting your studies. Interruptions of study may be applied for in various circumstances which result in your fee and/ or stipend payments being paused. Each case will be assessed based on circumstances.
- 4. What happens if I withdraw from my studies?
Please consult the Changes to your study pages to understand the process for withdrawing from your studies. If you wish to permanently withdraw or terminate your studies, you must inform your department immediately. Your studentship will cease immediately and you will be required to refund any advance payments made for the period beyond the date of termination