Techne Doctoral Training Partnership (AHRC) Open Call

Techne is a Doctoral Training Partnership funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to create a new model for collaborative research skills training for research students across nine higher education institutions in London and the South East (Royal Holloway; Brunel University; University of Brighton; Kingston University; Loughborough University, London; Roehampton University; University of Surrey; University of the Arts London; and University of Westminster). Techne’s vision is to produce scholars who are highly motivated and prepared for academic, public or professional life.

Fully-funded studentships (stipend and fee waiver) are awarded by Techne to the best students put forward by its member universities. Successful applicants will benefit from a rich and diverse training programme with a focus on interdisciplinarity and developing career potential both in and beyond higher education; and will be able to draw on supervisory expertise from across the partnership. The Techne training programme is enhanced by input and placement opportunities provided by 13 partner organisations, including the Barbican, Natural History Museum, Museum of London, BFI and the Science Museum. 

techne logo: the craft of research in the arts and humanities

Key facts

Themes History/cultural history, philosophy, media, cultural studies/memory heritage, design and architecture, art and design history, visual arts practice, photography, creative writing, creative arts, performance, fine art, linguistics, literature

Research centres Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics; Centre for Arts and Wellbeing; Centre for Design History; Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender

Research groups Creative Sound and Music; Design for Circular Cities and Regions; Experimental Design Practices; Radical Methodologies;

Deadline (Brighton) Sunday 05 January 2025 11.59pm

Interviews February 2025, dates to be confirmed

Find out how to apply

Application process in detail

Overview

If successful at University of Brighton interview stage your application will be submitted to Techne to be considered by a panel of subject specialists drawn from Techne members.

Process

Applications for Techne open call studentships at the University of Brighton must be made via the University of Brighton as follows:

  1. Applicants are required to identify a potential supervisor and to discuss their research proposal before submitting an application. Speculative applications will not be accepted. See How to Apply/Before you Apply below for guidance and links. 
  2. If you are advised that the proposal may be suitable for a Techne studentship, you will need to complete both a University of Brighton online application form and the first part of the Techne online application form (which you need to attach to your university application).

The application forms

  1. Techne online application form: Complete sections 1-6 of the application form (please leave the Equal Opportunities monitoring form BLANK at this stage). Once completed, use the button to generate a PDF of the document. The online application process includes detailed guidance notes.
  2. University of Brighton online application: Complete your University of Brighton application (see below), attaching your transcripts, references, passport and the PDF of your Techne application. (Please note, in some sections, the two forms ask for duplicate information; please ensure you complete all fields in both forms.)

Applicants are advised to be available should they be called for interview.

Entry requirements

Academic qualifications

Applicants must satisfy AHRC eligibility requirements and should normally have a masters degree.

Students who have already commenced doctoral study at Brighton may be eligible to apply for AHRC awards through Techne. 

Residential eligibility

Applications from both Home and non-UK resident students can be accepted. There will be a recruitment cap of 30% on non-UK resident studentships awarded across the consortium. The management of this cap will be through the selection process at consortium rather than institutional level. Successful candidates will receive a full stipend and fees at the UKRI rate.

The AHRC guidelines for funding stipulate that if successful, students must live in the UK and within reasonable access to the Institution they are registered at.

See Techne guidance notes (included in Techne online application process) for full details of residency requirements.

English language entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English and/or who are not resident in exempt countries must have successfully completed a Secure English language Test (SELT) in the last two years. Applicants who have obtained a UK degree in the last three years or who are currently studying for a UK degree may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made. See UK Government guidance for full details.

English language IELTS requirements should be 7.0 overall, 7.0 for writing, and none below 6.5.

Funding and deadlines

Subject to AHRC eligibility criteria, the studentship covers tuition fees and a grant (stipend) towards living expenses. The value of the stipend will be at the standard UKRI rate (£19,2372 per year in 2024-25).

As a Techne student, the person selected will have full access to the Techne Doctoral Training Partnership development activities and networking opportunities, joining a cohort of around 50 students per year from across nine universities in London and the South East. Techne students can also apply for additional funding to support individual or group training and development activities.

How to apply

Before you apply

Make sure that you meet the entry requirements before making your application, and have read all of our advice about finding a research supervisor, writing your research proposal and making an application.

Finding a supervisor

Applicants are required to identify potential supervisors from our arts and humanities Centres of Research and Excellence (COREs) and Research and Enterprise Groups (REGs) in the first instance (see Key Facts above for links). You can also explore supervisor research interests via our programme areas in arts and humanities.

If you need help finding a potential supervisor, the Doctoral College can advise: DoctoralCollege@brighton.ac.uk.

Speculative applications will not be accepted.

Research proposal 

Applicants are required to identify a potential supervisor and to work with that supervisor on a research proposal. Speculative applications will not be accepted. You should name your potential supervisor in your application and submit a full research proposal. Please see our guidance on writing a research proposal

See also Techne guidance notes (included in Techne online application process).

Apply online 

1. Log in or register as a new user to complete a University of Brighton online application

2. Select the following options from the drop down menus 

type of course: research degree

school of study: Doctoral College

Then select Techne studentship (FT or PT) from the list of courses

3. During the application form please attach the following:

i. research proposal

ii. references

iii. undergraduate and masters transcripts

iv. a copy of your passport (at any upload point)

v. the PDF of part 1 of your Techne application (with the Equal Opportunities monitoring form left blank)

Apply online

If you have any questions, contact the Doctoral College at DoctoralCollege@brighton.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.