Programmes of support for applicants
The UK Postgraduate Diversity Network aims to bring together all the support available to prospective postgraduate researchers from diverse backgrounds here.
AIM application support programme, University of Cambridge
Support to prepare a postgraduate application through mentoring, coaching, webinars and university visits
The AIM applicant support programme is a free programme designed to help applicants prepare a competitive application for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.
Specific eligibility criteria apply, with priority given to applicants from underrepresented or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Contact: aim@postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
Access to Research Advocacy Scheme, University of Leeds
The Access to Research Advocacy Scheme is a new programme that puts individuals from underrepresented and minoritised groups, who are interested in studying for a PhD Black, in touch with an academic or PhD application specialist to help:
Increase their confidence in approaching supervisors
Improve their knowledge of the PhD application process
Create a unique and relevant research proposal (if required)
Make a high quality application for a PhD
The Advocacy Scheme is developed from the initial scheme run by the Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE). More information about that scheme can be found here: www.ycede.ac.uk/advocacy
Contact: pgrdiversity@leeds.ac.uk
UNIQPlus, University of Oxford
The UNIQplus Research Internship programme will provide you with the chance to experience postgraduate research at Oxford. During the seven-week programme, running July – August each year, you will undertake a research project with research staff, attend training sessions, and be introduced to the University through events and social activities. UNIQplus PASS (Postgraduate Applicant Support Scheme) is an online research skills development programme for those planning to apply to Oxford for postgraduate study in the coming year. Successful completion of the skills sessions will be followed by a mentoring programme to support you during the postgraduate application process.
Contact: uniqplus@admin.ox.ac.uk
Brad-ATTAIN, University of Bradford
Brad-ATTAIN (Bradford Pathways to Academia for Minoritised Ethnicities) is a £1.3m project based in the University of Bradford which brings together partners from across the region through positive action to enhance research engagement amongst Black, Asian, and ethnic (BAME) minoritised cohorts.
Brad-ATTAIN has something for all levels of students, from PhD, postgraduate and undergraduate, and even alumni.
The initiative offers:
fully funded studentships,
Post Graduate Research (PGR) placements,
undergraduate, postgraduate and alumni internships
travel bursaries.
Research Experience Programmes, University of Cambridge
These paid 4-8 week summer programmes aim to provide participants with a real, day-to-day experience of a postgraduate research student at Cambridge, including:
meeting and working with our researchers, academic staff and students
undertaking a research project
learning more about how to prepare a postgraduate application
socialising and meeting new people
exploring the city of Cambridge
Accommodation is provided free of charge in one of our Colleges, where a range of social activities will also be on offer.