Eligibility Criteria: 2027 Collaboratory Research Hub PhD Studentships

Monday 05 October 2026

This studentship scheme is open to all permanent UK residents who meet our minimum eligibility criteria detailed below. These criteria apply to all PhD projects advertised by the Collaboratory Research Hub, regardless of the individual project’s host university.

Applications which do not meet our minimum eligibility requirements will be rejected.

General Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to be considered for a Collaboratory Research Hub PhD Studentship, you must meet the following requirements. 

• You must be available to begin study from 01 April 2027 – the start date of our studentships cannot be deferred to a later date.
• Successful applicants must be available to attend mandatory induction events on the following dates:
  • Nottingham & Nottinghamshire candidates: Monday 12 and Wednesday 14 April 2027
  • Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland candidates: Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 April 2027
• You must currently be living in the UK. Your country of permanent residence must be the UK.
• You must qualify for UK Home Fee status (For example, you must be a permanent UK resident, an EU citizen with UK settled status, or similar). Due to funding restrictions, this studentship scheme is NOT open to those who would be classed as international students, for the purpose of tuition fees. Applications from those whose primary residence is not the UK will not be considered.
  • More detailed guidance about who qualifies for UK Home Fee status can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.
  • If you are unsure whether or not you qualify for UK Home Fee status, please contact us at info@collaboratoryresearchhub.ac.uk to ask for a fee assessment form.
• You must not be enrolled on any other higher education degree by the 01 April 2027. All higher education degree programmes must have been completed with final results issued before this date.
• You must not be a current doctoral level candidate, nor already hold a PhD or other doctoral degree, including any degree awarding the title of Doctor (i.e., Doctor of Medicine).
• You must not be a current formal employee of either Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham, De Montfort University, the University of Leicester, or Loughborough University, working in a research or research supporting/adjacent role. Those working for the universities in roles not affiliated with research, such as general administration, events, marketing, estates, catering, etc., may still apply.
• We cannot consider applications from those who wish to conduct a PhD at distance/remotely. Due to the mandatory training requirements and significant community engagement focus of the Collaboratory programme, in-person engagement with the programme is essential.
• We cannot consider applications from those who wish to conduct a PhD on a part-time basis.
• You can only submit one application relating to one project from the list of available Collaboratory Research Hub PhD projects for Cohort 2027. Applications which name multiple projects, or a project that is not from the list of available 2026 projects, will be rejected.
• You must submit a full and complete application by 11:59pm on Sunday 29 November 2026. Any incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
• All supporting documents for your application, including qualification certificates and transcripts, evidence for achievements, Professional Equivalency Portfolio documents, etc., must be sent by email to info@collaboratoryresearchhub.ac.uk, and must be received no later than 10:00am on Monday 30 November 2026. Applications lacking necessary supporting documents will not be considered.

Application Routes

Applicants must apply for a Collaboratory Research Hub PhD Studentship through one of two application routes. Both routes are made clear on the form, with the difference between them being the kind of information you need to submit with your application.

Which application route should you use?

Answer the questions below to understand which route you must use to apply to one of our PhD Studentships.

Q: Do you have any higher education (university level) qualifications such as an undergraduate/bachelors or masters degree?

Application Routes Explained

1: Application by Qualification Equivalency

Those who hold either a 2.1 undergraduate degree, or a 2.2 undergraduate as well as a masters degree must apply by this route. In the online application form, you will need to choose the “Application by Qualification Equivalency” option and provide details of the degree(s) you hold. You will also be required to submit evidence of your qualifications in the form of your certificate(s) for each.

2: Applicaiton by Professional Equivalency

Those who hold any other combination of higher education qualifications or no higher education qualifications must apply by this route. In the online application form, you will need to choose the “Application by Professional Equivalency” option. While you will still able to list and provide evidence for any qualifications you do hold, you must also submit the following:

1. At least one example of an extended* piece of analytical, academic or technical writing. This could be a professional report, briefing document, formal review, a dissertation, etc., that clearly demonstrates your ability to produce larger pieces of written work to a high standard, and your ability to comprehensively write about complex information. (*If this piece of writing is less than approx. 5,000 words, we recommend applicants upload up to 2 additional examples.)
2. A professional CV which demonstrates your experience in a relevant sector(s). Please remove personal information such as headshot photos and your date of birth from your CV to help with blinding of your application before review.
3. A cover letter (maximum x1, A4 page) which demonstrates how and to what extent you meet the core and project specific competencies outlined in the PhD project advert.

If you meet the criteria to apply by Qualification Equivalency, you must apply by this route. If you should make your application by Qualification Equivalency but choose to apply by Professional Equivalency instead, your application may be rejected.

Evidence of Qualifications

On your application, you should provide details of any relevant, formal qualifications (i.e., undergraduate degree, masters degree, professional qualification, etc.). For every qualification listed, you must provide evidence in the form of your qualification certificate.

You must upload a clearly legible copy of your certificate, for each qualification you list. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their documents have been submitted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

References

Collaboratory Research Hub does NOT take references into account as part of its assessment process. References will be contacted to validate your information and experience once awarding decisions have been made after interview. In accordance with university policy, each applicant is required to provide the 2 supporting references with their application.

Referees can be any combination of the following:

• An academic reference, such as a previous academic supervisor, degree tutor, etc.
• A professional reference, such as a previous employer, current line-manager, a professional colleague, mentors, volunteer coordinators, community leaders. etc.

NOTE: It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their referees complete and return their referee questionnaires. Collaboratory will not chase individual referees.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must have an appropriate grade or score in an approved examination in English language (such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS), OR you must be able to demonstrate experience of English in formal settings.

You will be deemed to have an acceptable English language qualification if you have any of the following: 

• Successfully completed the whole of your secondary education up to and including the equivalent of year 12 (including a GCSE-equivalent English language qualification) in one of the countries on the Home Office’s list of recognised countries. 
• Demonstrated that you have successfully completed a recognised UK Higher Education degree in English. 
• Have a completed IELTS score 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any element at the time of application. IELTS reports must not be more than 2 years old.
• Have a CELE (Centre for English Language Education) pre-sessional course final assessment of “Pass” at the time of application.

In addition to the Home Office’s list, we can also accept degrees from other selected English-speaking countries and institutions as evidence of English proficiency.