How to Apply

The application process for OOC DTP studentship funding varies depending on which institution you are applying to for funding. Before applying, you are advised to follow these steps:

  1. Check your eligibility;
  2. If applying via the standard route, identify a programme of doctoral study and supervisor within the consortium;
  3. If applying for a Collaborative Doctoral Award (CDA), contact the supervisors to discuss the project, as detailed in the CDA advert;
  4. Check the relevant university-specific application process and deadline for OOC DTP funding, as detailed below;
  5. Read the OOC DTP further guidance and FAQs before completing and submitting your application.

NEW for the admission cycle 2024/25 the OOC-DTP is launching an Applicant Mentorship Scheme. If you are applying for an OOC-DTP funded doctorate (PhD/DPhil) at the Open University, Oxford or Cambridge and have faced barriers in Higher Education, we encourage you to apply to be a mentee. This scheme operates from October to December 2024, the scheme pairs potential applicants with a current OOC-DTP PhD student who will guide them through the application process for AHRC-funded Arts and Humanities courses. Applicants will receive personalized feedback and have access to writing and information sessions with academics. Please note that we have limited places available.

If you are interested, we encourage you to complete the application form by October 4th, 2024.  

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to palak.sabherwal@humanities.ox.ac.uk

Events for Applicants

Join the DTP team for these online sessions to gain valuable insights into the application process at each of our three partner universities, engage with admission experts and academics, and receive guidance on PhD proposal writing. Please register midday the day before each session. Applicants are welcome to sign up for as many sessions as they may find useful. 

Further information about the sessions can be found here: 

https://oocdtp.ac.uk/applicant-support-events

Applying when new to doctoral study at the OU

If you wish to apply for an Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC DTP studentship via the Open University, you must have applied for doctoral study at the OU by 7th January 2025 (midday, UK time). Before you apply, please refer to the OU web page to see what subject areas are supported and to find contact details for members of academic staff who can talk to you about your application and research proposal.

To apply for an Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC DTP studentship, please complete OOC DTP Application Form, Research Proposal and OU application form along with  supporting documents listed on the application from send to FASS-PhD-Applications@open.ac.uk 

To be considered for an award via the DTP's Black and Global Majority studentships initiative, you must also disclose ethnicity information in the monitoring section of the OU's application form.

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Applying as an on-course student at the OU

If you are a current doctoral student at the Open University who commenced their first year of study in October 2024 (full-time) or in October 2022, 2023 or 2024 (part-time), you may be eligible to apply for an Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC DTP studentship. Please email the FASS team on FASS-PhD-Applications@open.ac.uk with a copy of your completed OOC DTP Application Form by the deadline of 7th January 2025.

Applying when new to doctoral study at Oxford

If you wish to apply for an Open-Oxford-Cambridge DTP studentship at the University of Oxford, you must have applied for a place on your chosen DPhil course by the relevant January deadline (7 January for Humanities courses or 9  or 28/29 January 2025 for Social Sciences and Continuing Education). 

The funding deadline can be found by looking up your course on the Oxford Course Directory. 

In order to be considered for a studentship you must tick the relevant box in the studentships section of the Oxford application form. You will also need to complete the OOC DTP Application Form and upload it as an additional document when completing your application. To be considered for an award via the DTP's Black and Global Majority studentships initiative, you must also disclose ethnicity information in the monitoring section of the university’s admissions system.

Applying as an on-course student at Oxford

If you are a current doctoral student at the University of Oxford who commenced their first year of study in October 2024 (full-time) or in October 2022, 2023 or 2024 (part-time), you may be eligible to apply for an Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC DTP studentship. 

Please email the Humanities Division Scholarships Officer at ahrcdtp@admin.ox.ac.uk by 18 December 2024. You will then be sent further information and details of materials you will be required to provide (including a completed OOC DTP Application Form and academic references). The completed application must then be received by the deadline of 7 January 2025.

Applying when new to doctoral study at Cambridge

When applying for study through the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Applicant Portal, you must indicate that you would like to be considered for funding and complete the AHRC section under 'Funding'. You will also need to complete the OOC DTP Application Form and upload it as an additional document when completing your application through the portal. To be considered for an award via the DTP's Black and Global Majority studentships initiative, you must also disclose ethnicity information in the monitoring section of the university’s admissions system.

The funding deadline can be found by looking up your course on the Cambridge Course Directory.

Applying as an on-course student at Cambridge

If you are a current doctoral student at the University of Cambridge who commenced their first year of study in October 2024 (full-time) or in October 2022, 2023 or 2024 (part-time), you are welcome to apply for an Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC DTP studentship. Please email the Scholarship Administrator at ahrc.and.esrc.dtp.funding@admin.cam.ac.uk by the deadline of 7 January 2025 with a copy of your completed OOC DTP Application Form. You will also need to submit two academic reference letters, one of which should be from your current supervisor. Please ask your referees to email the references to the Scholarship Administrator at ahrc.and.esrc.dtp.funding@admin.cam.ac.uk by 7 January 2025.

Please note

Your application will only be considered by the DTP if you have received an offer of admission from the university at which you wish to take up your studentship.

  • You may apply for admission to study at as many of the consortium institutions as you wish, but you must decide in advance which one you would like to apply to for DTP funding.

  • The OOC DTP will only consider one application for studentship funding per candidate in a given year.

  • Applications for funding cannot be transferred to a different university following submission.