Hello,

I hope someone might help me with my dilemma. I have been offered places from universities in the UK (Cambridge, Edinburgh, UCL and Glasgow) but unfortunately, I have failed to secure funding thus far. There is still CHESS nomination at Cambridge, but given that I screwed my application (I think...), I don't suppose I will receive it. Also, I was nominated for ESRC in Scotland but, despite being told I have a very strong proposal, I am unsure. Both are fees-only (I live in Eastern Europe).

My problem is that I had unconvincing grades during my undergraduate studies (nobody actually cares much about them here) - but excellent final grades. Then, during my MA, I basically did not receive a grade worse than A(100%). However, this did not stand out in my applications that I submitted only with results of my first year of a two-year MA. Count in also the lack of proficiency in writing personal statements (never had to do it here), etc. I have also some research assisstantships: at my home university, my country's Academy of Science and independent research institute. During the summer, I will speak at major Sociology conference, a paper where I am co-author (50%) is now being published in and edited volume in Germany and I plan on publishing more in the upcoming months.

To do Ph.D. in UK is my ultimate goal and I can survive on my family endowment for the first year (at least). My question is: how common is it to receive funding in the course of Ph.D.?

Hello,

I was nominated for ESRC award distributed by the SGSSS doctoral training centre and I was recently told that my application made it to the second/last round.

The internet page of Edinburgh Uni says that SGSSS offers 65 fully-funded scholarships across all disciplines - for my, sociology, it is 3. Given that every of the 4 universities nominates 5-6 applicants, there are approx. 24 applicants competing for 3 fully-funded places (I don't know how many were ruled out in the first inter-pathway round).

However, I am not eligible for the fully-funded award, as I have EU resident status (have not lived in the UK for three years). My question is - do the ESRC centres offer partial studentships (worth approx 1/4 of full award) on top of those full or they just offer 3 (in my case) and that's it - full or not.

Thanks!