FAQs

A: Over five cohorts, we have recruited a diverse range of students, including international applicants.

A: A Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) is group of research organisations (universities and industry partners) combining research and expertise to support and train PhD students. CDT programmes provide fully-funded studentships providing financial support for doctoral tuition fees and a doctoral stipend for the full course of study.

A: The programme began on 16 September 2019, with four further September cohorts over subsequent years.

Applications are currently closed. Please check back in the Autumn for potential updates regarding further PhD scholarship opportunities.

A: Applications are currently closed for September 2023 entry. Please check back in the Autumn for potential updates regarding further PhD scholarship opportunities – these would be to begin in September 2024.

Information on research project being undertaken by cohorts 1 -3 can be found on the Aura CDT website Research Projects page.

A: Our applicants must have, or expect to obtain, a first class honours degree OR a Masters and an upper second class honours degree OR a distinction at Masters level with any undergraduate degree.

Applications for each Research Project Scholarship will have specific requirements. Generally, we offer opportunities for graduates of a wide range of academic and working backgrounds including Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geography, Geology, Marine and Earth Science, Mathematics. Physics, Psychology and Statistics.

All applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong interest in offshore wind and the environment, particularly if your background is in a different academic discipline.

A: We only consider online applications using the official forms. Applications are made via the University of Hull admissions system. If you have not applied with the University of Hull before, you will need to set up an account to enable you to track the progress of your application and upload supporting documents.

You may contact auracdt@hull.ac.uk if you require any further advice around applications.

A: Yes, we welcome part-time students at the Aura CDT.  However, Scholarships for part-time students are only available for UK students, due to Visa restrictions. Please contact auracdt@hull.ac.uk if you have specific questions about part-time study.

A: Please see our Research Projects page to browse PhD Scholarship research projects that are currently being undertaken by Cohorts 1 – 3 of the Aura CDT, including several Industry Partner Scholarships. Research projects are varied, reflecting the Aura CDT’s unique focus on both energy AND the environment but all fit within our Six Themes.

A: We don’t require a research proposal for applicants to our Open Call Scholarships as you will be supported to develop the focus of your research during your first year with the Aura CDT. For applications to specific projects, the research proposal is already defined.

A: No, you do not need to give us details of a specific academic you would like to work with. For our Open Call Scholarships, students are supported to develop the focus of their project in their first year with the Aura CDT. For specific research projects, the supervisory team is already defined.

If you wish ask questions before applying, please direct these to auracdt@hull.ac.uk and we will ensure that your query is answered. We ask you not to contact supervisors directly.

A: From the second year, candidates will be based at the university of their lead academic supervisor and will graduate from that institution. Dependent on the research project and lead supervisor, this will be either the University of Durham, Hull, Newcastle or Sheffield.