Applications
Entry Requirements
- Undergraduate
Applicants should have at least an upper second class honours degree and normally a first class degree in one of the following areas: Computing, Design or Management - Postgraduate
Students with a research-oriented masters degree in Computing, Design or Management or a cognate discipline are also encouraged to apply - Professional
Applicants with significant professional experience in the areas of Computing, Design or Management, in addition to a proposal that explores how the application of this experience is relevant to post-disciplinary approaches to innovation in the digital economy are also welcomed
Eligibility
The majority of the bursaries and stipends for HighWire are funded through the RCUK, they have determined the following eligibility criteria.
Full fees and stipend funding
A student must have:
- Settled status in the UK - no restrictions on how long they can stay, e.g. indefinite leave to remain
- AND have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the grant - they must have been normally residing in the UK (apart from temporary or occasional absences)
- AND not have been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education.
For example, a UK student is almost certainly entitled to full fees and stipend. An EU student will be entitled to full fees and stipend if they meet clauses one and two (above), otherwise they will be eligible for fees only.
Language Requirements
Please note that if English is not your first language you would also be expected to achieve a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element. If you prefer to take the TOEFL test, we require a score of at least 93 (internet-based), with a minimum of 22 in each element.
How to Apply
Step 1: Get in touch
Send an e-mail to Prof. Gordon Blair, director of HighWire -
Tell him the following:
- What, when and where you studied and your degree results (or what you expect to get at the conclusion of your current studies)
- Your research topic. Be succinct. We will soon tell you if you are suitable and if we can support your research. This description should be carefully considered but in the acknowledgment that if successful it is very likely that your understanding and focus of your research topic will be modified during your MRes.
- If we feel your ideas have potential for HighWire we will invite you to undertake a formal application.
Step 2: Develop a formal proposal
- There is no national system for applying for PhD study in the way that UCAS operates at undergraduate level. To apply for PhD study, you therefore need to apply directly to Lancaster University.
- A successful application will be dependent on the provision of two satisfactory references in addition to the other materials listed in step 3 below.
Proposal Guidelines
Normally a proposal should be between 1500 and 2000 words and will include the following:
- A working title of the topic area
This should do more than convey the key words associated with the proposed research. - General overview of area
This should take the form of a brief abstract of the general area of study and identify the discipline(s) within which it falls. You might also refer to the way in which your own background gives you competences in your chosen area. - Identification of the relevant literature
In this section you should develop your proposal to demonstrate that you are aware of the debates and issues raised in relevant bodies of literature. References to key articles and texts should be made to show that you appreciate their relevance to your research area. - Key research questions
Since you need to demonstrate that the topic can be completed within the normal time period allowed, you need to demonstrate that it is manageable, and so focus on key questions within your niche area. - Relevance of this proposal to the aims of HighWire
This is a centre for post-disciplinary research in innovation that crosses between computing, Design and Management. Show how your ideas will contribute to these aims. - Bibliography
You should include a short list of references to key articles and texts included in the application.
Note that we do not seek a definitive proposal as the first year of HighWire is designed to be transformative and to shape your ideas towards a PhD topic. rather, we seek an indicative proposal that is illustrative of your interests at this stage and that demonstrates to us the potential within your topic for cross-disciplinary thinking.
Step 3: Apply online
All applications to HighWire must be made using the Lancaster University online applications system. Once you have completed your proposal, please upload this along with the other required documents to the online applications system. Please note that the HighWire team will only be informed of your application when all documents have been uploaded and your appliation is shown as complete.
Please include the following items in your online application:
- Your formal proposal (see step 2 above)
- Academic transcripts for each of your qualifications
- 2 references, 1 of which must be from an academic tutor
- Your CV
If you have questions or concerns please contact us.
Step 4
Selected applicants will be invited to a HighWire open day which will consist of presentations on funding and research training, a tour of the facilities and meetings with current postgraduate students. You will have the opportunity to talk to the Director of HighWire and some of the other staff contributing to training and supervision in the MRes PhD program. Attendance at an open day is voluntary.
Selected applicants will also be invited to a formal selection interview. Normally this would take place at Lancaster University although in exceptional circumstances we can arrange an interview with two members of staff via telephone conference.
Important Dates
If applying for an EPSRC studentship for entry October 2013...
Information day for 2013 entry: Tuesday 26th March
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 30th April
Shortlisting decisions made by: Friday 24th May
Interviews: Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 12th and Friday 14th June