Eligibility and inclusivity

General requirements

Applicants will normally have achieved a 2:1 or first-class class grade (or equivalent) in their undergraduate degree and a merit-level grade (ie an average mark of 60+) in a masters degree. However, we welcome applicants who can demonstrate equivalent experience or achievement.  

We encourage applicants from a wide range of disciplines to apply if they believe they can bring valuable skills to research on gambling and gambling-related harm.  If it is not immediately obvious, please use your personal statement to explain how your disciplinary background will allow you to carry out your research. 

International applicants

International applicants are welcome to apply for studentships at the University of Glasgow and Swansea University.  Applicants who are selected for interview must be able to provide proof of funding for international fees and immigration costs prior to their interview.  This is to ensure that all award holders can start their PhD at the same time.

Due to the cost burden on students, the University of Sheffield does not allow international students to self-fund international fees for UKRI studentships.  We therefore cannot accept international applications to study at Sheffield.

Information about international fees and English language requirements at each unviersities is available at the links below:

• University of Glasgow 

• Swansea University 

Information about UK immigration costs is available on the UK Government's visa website.

Widening participation

We know that there can be barriers to studying for a PhD and we want to help you overcome them. We are committed to providing individual support so that all of our students can achieve their potential. 

We have reserved two of our studentships for applicants from a 'widening participation' background - this is our commitment to supporting postgraduate researchers from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, including those who are disabled, balance caring responsibilities, or come from low-income communities. Read on for further details about eligibility.

All of our studentships are available on a full-time or part-time basis. All students will receive a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate.  There are no extra costs for training, travel or research.  These costs are all covered by your research training and support grant. 

We know that not everyone is familiar with how to apply for a PhD. The How to apply page of this website provides guidance or links to other resources that can help you to write your CV, personal statement and research proposal. We will also host a pre-application webinar where you can ask us questions about the programme and get more guidance on what we are looking for. If you are selected for interview, we will provide detailed information on what to expect. A member of our team will also offer to meet with you before the interview so you can ask any questions you may have. All interviews will be held online, so you do not need to worry about travel costs. 

We will do our best to ensure successful applicants can study at the university of their choice. In particular, we will take into account students’ caring responsibilities and other relevant circumstances when deciding whether to offer a place at the preferred university or a different university. 

Once you join the programme, dedicated services at each university will provide bespoke support for those with specific educational needs. 

We are very happy to discuss any barriers to study, just get in touch with our centre administrator, Devon Burke.

Eligibility criteria for reserved studentships

We will ensure that two of our studentships are awarded to applicants who meet at least one of the following widening participation criteria:

• Were looked after under local authority care

• Are disabled

• Have caring responsibilities for an ill or disabled family member

• Lived in an area of relative deprivation (POLAR quintile 1 or 2) while studying for A-levels (or equivalent)

• Were in receipt of a maintenance grant from Student Finance as an undergraduate students

• Are from a Black or Minority Ethnic Group background

If you are a UK student, and meet any of the criteria above, note this in your personal statement and upload this additional form alongside your application.