Extensions to studentship funding

As an Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC DTP award holder, you are required by the Arts and Humanities Research Council to submit your thesis within the period of funding awarded to you. 

The DTP recognises that some students’ doctoral research and training needs might require support over a longer duration. It is also keen to support students who wish to expand their professional experience by taking up a placement. Consequently, in certain circumstances and at certain times during your doctorate, you might be eligible to apply to the DTP for an extension to your studentship funding and therefore to your submission deadline.

If you do not submit your thesis within your funded period you will be counted as a late submitter in the AHRC's survey of your university's submission rates, and your university may be penalised as a result.

NEW: students are encouraged to take advantage of the DTP's sustainability policy, for further information see here

Deadlines

Applications will be considered at the following upcoming deadlines:

  • 10 September 2024 

  • 5 November 2024 

  • 14 January 2025 

  • 10 March 2025 

  • 12 May 2025 

  • 14 July 2025 

 

 

 

If you are an Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC DTP award holder (full or fees-only, full-time or part-time), you may apply for an extension to your studentship funding on one or more of the following grounds:

  • You require advanced language training for the purposes of your doctoral research;
  • You have other specific research or training needs that are essential for the satisfactory completion of your thesis and that cannot be met within the period of studentship funding that has been awarded to you;
  • You have arranged to undertake a placement of one to three months with an external organisation (see our guidance on Placements).

Please note:

  • Your application will only be considered if you have the support of your supervisor and your university, statements of support must be submitted to the DTP.
  • Fees-only award holders are eligible to apply, but will only receive an extension to university fees (if still liable) and submission deadline, since the AHRC will not fund stipend payments to fees-only students.
  • Normal training needs, e.g. basic palaeography skills, knowledge of European languages for the purpose of reading secondary literature, will not be accepted as grounds for an extension, since they are expected to be met within the standard period of funding.
  • You may only apply for an extension in support of a placement if the opportunity will take place before submission of the thesis.
  • If personal circumstances are affecting your ability to pursue your doctoral studies, you should speak to your supervisor in the first instance. This application process only relates to extensions to studentship funding on the grounds of individual research or training needs. For suspensions or interruptions to study you must follow your university's procedures and inform the OOC DTP Manager of your plans.

 

  • Extensions on the grounds of advanced language training will normally be for up to two months;
  • Extensions on the grounds of other research or training needs will be determined on a case-by-case basis;
  • Extensions in support of a placement will normally be for one to three months, depending on the length of the placement;
  • You may not apply for an extension that would take you beyond four years of doctoral study (FTE), or the equivalent if studying part-time.

 

Applications for extensions to studentship funding will be considered six times a year. You should normally apply for an extension to studentship funding on the grounds of training and/or research needs early in your doctoral studies. Further guidance is outlined below. 
 

On the grounds of language and/or other research and training needs

  • The requirement for advanced language and/or other research and training needs should normally be identified early in your first year of study as part of the Training Needs Analysis that you are expected to complete;

  • You should normally apply within your first six months of study if full-time, or first year if part-time;
  • In some circumstances you may apply following your registration or confirmation of status at the end of your first year;
  • In exceptional circumstances you may apply at other times in your doctoral studies, e.g. to access archival sources that were previously inaccessible.
     

In support of a placement 

  • You should apply when the opportunity for a placement arises, and at the latest by the submission deadline ahead of the start of the placement;

  • You may only take up a placement opportunity following the successful completion of the registration or confirmation of status process at the end of your first year.

 

On the grounds of advanced language and/or other research or training needs

  • Apply using the Studentship Extension Application Form;
  • Complete the form in discussion with your supervisor(s), and in reference to your Training Needs Analysis;
  • Please ask your supervisor to email a supporting statement (of no more than 300 words) to enquiries@oocdtp.ac.uk. Please ask your faculty/department to send a brief email also noting their support to the same address.

In support of a placement 

 

  • Applications for additional funding will be considered six times a year. Outcomes will normally be communicated four to six weeks later.
  • Extensions to studentship funding are not guaranteed and the DTP's decision is final.

Studentship Extension Application Form