After the SeNSS studentship submission deadline (12pm (GMT) (midday) on Friday 20 January 2023) applications pass through an internal University selection process, before a decision is made whether to nominate particular applications to SeNSS, for consideration at the relevant SeNSS Pathway Panel. We are able to nominate 3 high-quality applications per pathway (at least one of which must be 1+3/+4). Applications put forward to these panels are considered alongside applications from other SeNSS partner institutions.
The final selection phase, conducted by the SeNSS Management Board, will be held in late March, and you will be notified by mid-April whether you have been awarded a SeNSS student-led studentship.
The selection criteria used to assess applications across all pathways, degree types and at all levels of the selection process is:
Evidence of the quality and feasibility of the proposal (40%)
This will be based on your outline of your proposed research project, your reasons for pursuing it, and its wider significance. It will also be based on the information supplied by your proposed primary supervisor. SeNSS assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to design and conduct a strong research project, a coherent and well thought-out research plan, a strong awareness of the place of your research within the current field, and potential impact. Reference will be made to your personal statement, as contained in your application, as well as your supervisor’s supporting statement.
Evidence that you are well-prepared for your proposed research and future career (40%)
This will be based on your description of how your previous experience (academic and/or professional) has prepared you for postgraduate study and research, your referees’ evaluation of your suitability for such research based on
- a) your performance at undergraduate and postgraduate level (if relevant);
- b) your relevant professional experience (if relevant); and
- c) your description of how the programme will contribute to your long-term career aims.
Reference will be made to the degree transcripts and module marks you have provided. Reference will also be made to both your supervisor’s and referees’ supporting statements.
Evidence of the suitability of the proposed supervision and training (20%)
This will be based on your proposed supervisors’ research areas, knowledge and expertise in relation to your proposed project, the individual roles of the proposed supervisory team, your identified training needs and suggested ways of meeting those training needs. Reference will primarily be made to the information provided by your proposed primary supervisor which should, in turn, reflect on the expertise brought to your project by your second supervisor.
Please note that all 4-year award applications (1+3, 2+2 and +4) will be assessed in a way that recognises that applicants are likely to have had less training and fewer opportunities to develop a detailed proposed research project than an applicant for a +3 studentship.