Q: Do CDT students receiving training?
A: We embed our innovative training programme into your doctoral research scholarship, preparing you for a career in the offshore wind industry.
All students take a six-month intensive training programme and then benefit from our Continued Professional Development (CPD) provision throughout their scholarship.
For more information, visit our Training pages.
Q: Are International students eligible to apply for a CDT Scholarships?
A: Over five intakes of students, from 2024-2028, we will recruit a diverse range of students, including some international applicants.
Q: What is a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)?
A: A Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) is group of research organisations (universities and industry partners) combining research and expertise to support and train doctoral students. CDT programmes provide funded studentships providing financial support for doctoral tuition fees and a doctoral stipend for the full course of study.
Q: What are the benefits of studying within a Centre for Doctoral Training?
A: Membership of a cohort within a CDT increases the student training experience: joining a supportive cohort of students from diverse academic background; opportunities to engage with researchers from a wide range of industrial and academic partners; enhanced training opportunities in both professional and personal development; career-building opportunities to make connections with industry and academic institutes.
Q: When does the programme start?
A: We enrolled the first students into our EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience in September 2024 (recruitment is complete for 2024 entry).
A further four cohorts will join us from 2025-2028. Recruitment is open for 2025 entry until 4 December 2024; please visit our Scholarships page for information on the diverse range of exciting research projects, addressing offshore wind industry challenges.
We have already recruited five cohorts into the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment, which began on 16 September 2019.
Q: What research projects are available for 2025 entry?
A: If you are interested in applying for a PhD Scholarship with September 2025 entry, recruitment is open until 4 December 2024. Visit our Scholarships page for more information on the exciting range of research projects, addressing offshore wind industry challenges.
Information on research projects being undertaken by cohorts 1 -5 of our Aura CDT in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment may be found on our Research Projects page.
Q: How do I apply to the Offshore Wind CDT?
A: Applications are made to a specific research project. You apply via the university where the lead supervisor is based. Each project page that is open to applicants has instructions and a link to the relevant online portal.
For general information you may visit our ‘How to apply‘ page.
If you have any further queries, please get in touch via email: auracdt@hull.ac.uk
Q: What qualifications do I need for my application to be considered?
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, Economics, Environmental Science, Exercise 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.
Q: When do applications close?
Applications are open until 4 December 2024 for doctoral research scholarships beginning in September 2025.
Q: I have already emailed you my CV, do I still need to apply online?
A: We only consider online applications using the official forms. Applications are made via the admissions system of the university where your potential research project is based. If you have not applied with that university 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.
Q: Is it possible to study part-time?
A: Yes, we welcome part-time students at the Offshore Wind 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.
Q: What is a typical research project?
A: Please see our Research Projects page where we list all research projects currently being undertaken by Cohorts 1 – 5 of the EPSRC-NERC Aura CDT in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment.
When we open recruitment, we also add the Doctoral Scholarship research projects that are open to applicants of our EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience.
Research projects are varied and reflect offshore wind industry challenges but all fit within our Research Themes.
Q: Do I need to submit a research proposal during the application process?
A: We don’t require a research proposal for applicants as you apply to a specific project, so the research proposal is already defined.
Q: Do I need to choose or contact a supervisor before applying?
A: No, you do not need to give us details of a specific academic you would like to work with. To join the Offshore Wind CDT you apply to a specific research projects, so 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.
Q: Where will I graduate from?
A: Following the initial six-month intensive training programme, students are 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, Loughborough or Sheffield.
Q: I don’t have a background in energy or environmental science, will you still consider my application?
A: We welcome applications from graduates of a wide range of STEM subjects, including: biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, economics, environmental science, exercise science, all branches of engineering, geography, mathematics, physics, psychology and statistics. Please let us know why you have an interest in offshore wind energy and the environment.
Please contact auracdt@hull.ac.uk if you have any queries or would like to discuss any elements of the programme with the Aura CDT Team