Graduate School

The INSPIRE DTP and GSNOCS are committed to promoting best practices for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in all our activities, for our students, staff and supervisors, from recruitment through to graduation. We work closely with our DTP and other partners and across the University to monitor best practice and share experiences and expertise, aiming to create an inclusive research community, recognise structural barriers and privileges, and continuously improve equality and equity in all aspects of scientific research and education.

We recognise that different groups face different challenges in work and personal lives, and (in line with the University of Southampton’s Strategic Plan on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) our EDI mission is to create an inclusive university community. Our vision is that this is a community where, as an individual student or member of staff:

• You feel welcomed for who you are, and this is a place where you feel that you can influence the way we do things now and in the future
• You feel included and supported to reach your true potential
• You are intellectually stretched and challenged
• You value the diversity of the wider community and play your part in supporting the mission of inclusivity.

We recruit around 40 PhD students each year, with the majority supported by fully funded studentships. These are available through a variety of sources:

• Research Councils (primarily via Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) awards)
• University of Southampton studentships and scholarships
• European Union and Horizon Europe
• Industry, national governments and international scholarships
• CASE Awards (top-up funding for projects involving non-academic partners)
• Doctoral Focal Awards (DFAs) and Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLAs) including IGNITE (a NERC-funded DLA open to students from all countries)

International applicants are warmly encouraged. As of 2024, international fees are waived for students from EU Horizon countries, a benefit offered by only a handful of UK universities.

We also offer Ocean and Earth Science International Scholarships to help cover tuition fees for outstanding non-UK applicants. These are limited and highly competitive, so early contact with prospective supervisors is encouraged.

We receive a high volume of applications each year. To give your application the best chance, please follow these guidelines:

• Submit only one application (you can list up to three project preferences within it).
• Apply online via the University of Southampton application portal.

You will need to upload:

• A completed application form (with detailed referee contact information)
• A personal statement outlining your research interests
• A current CV
• Official transcripts and degree certificates for BSc and MSc qualifications
• A recognised English language qualification (if applicable)
• A clear explanation of your project interests and motivations

Where possible, upload all documents in PDF format. If your transcripts are not in English, an unofficial translation is acceptable at the initial stage, but an official certified version will be required later.

We encourage you to contact your preferred supervisors early in the process to discuss your project ideas. For general enquiries, please email the GSNOCS Office Team at: gsnocs@soton.ac.uk.