We have grants, scholarships and bursaries to help make University affordable and living costs achievable. Unlike student loans, you don't need to pay back these awards.
Celebrating our Diamond Jubilee
To celebrate 60 years of transforming lives through education we are launching new bursary and scholarship opportunities for prospective undergraduate students.
The Diamond Jubilee Bursary is a £500 cash bursary to new home fee-paying students starting an undergraduate full-time non-collaborative degree programme in September 2022.
Payment schedule
The bursary will be paid in two equal instalments from 1 December 2022 to new students on full-degree programmes starting in the foundation year or Year 1 of a Foundation Degree. To receive the payments, students will need to have completed registration and by up to date with their tuition fee payments. Payments for this bursary will only be made during the 2022/23 academic year.
Please note: Students taking one-year “top-up degrees”, students who start in the second or third year of an undergraduate degree and students studying a collaborative course which is taught at or delivered by a partner institution are not eligible for the Diamond Jubilee Bursary. Please see our terms and conditions for further information.
The Diamond Jubilee Academic Excellence Scholarship of £2000 will be offered to all new home fee-paying students starting a full-time non-collaborative degree programme in September 2022 who achieve AAA or equivalent at A Level or above. This will be automatically awarded and would be in addition to any bursaries received. Applicants who are awarded the Scholarship would not be eligible for the Jubilee Academic Scholarship or the Jubilee Bursary.
Payment schedule
This Scholarship will be paid directly to the students in two instalments of £1000 each. One instalment from 1 December when the student has registered onto Year 1 and the other from the 1 December when they re-register onto Year 2 of a qualifying course.
Please note: Students taking one-year “top-up degrees”, students who start in the second or third year of an undergraduate degree, and students studying a collaborative course which is taught at or delivered by a partner institution are not eligible for the Diamond Jubilee Academic Excellence Scholarship. Please see our terms and conditions for further information.
The Diamond Jubilee Academic Scholarship of £1000 will be offered to new home fee-paying students starting a full-time non-collaborative degree programme in September 2022 who achieve ABB or AAB or equivalent at A Level or equivalent. This will be automatically awarded and would be in addition to any bursaries received. Applicants who receive this scholarship would not be eligible for the Jubilee Academic Excellence Scholarship or the Jubilee Bursary.
Payment schedule
This Scholarship will be paid directly to the students in two instalments of £500 each. One instalment from 1 December when the student has registered onto Level 4 and the other from the 1 December when they re-register onto Level 5 of a qualifying course.
Please note: Students taking one-year “top-up degrees”, students who start in the second or third year of an undergraduate degree and students studying a collaborative course which is taught at or delivered by a partner institution are not eligible for the Diamond Jubilee Academic Scholarship. Please see our terms and conditions for further information.
Undergraduate awards
As part of our commitment to an inclusive and accessible higher education, we provide a university grant of up to £600 per year of study to help with living costs. This is available to Undergraduates and PGCE (Initial Teacher Training) students who meet the following criteria:
- Your household income of is £25,000 per year or less, and you have provided your consent for the Student Loans Company (SLC) to share this information with the University.
- You are normally resident in England.
- Your fees for each year of study are more than £6,165 (full-time) or £4,625 (part-time).
- You are studying at Canterbury Christ Church University. (If you are studying with CCCU through a partner institution, you may not be eligible for the CCCU Grant but may be able to access alternative forms of financial support. Please contact the Student Support team at your place of study who will be able to advise you.)
- You meet any additional eligibility criteria for our scholarships or bursaries, including being on an appropriate course.
- You do not already receive government educational support of £5,000 or more per year, including the Government Grant for Health, and Department for Education Bursaries and Scholarships (but excluding Student Loans Company maintenance grants or loans).
If you meet the above criteria and are paying the standard full-time undergraduate tuition fees of £9,250, you will receive the full grant of £600.
If you are a full-time undergraduate student and your fees are more than £6,165 but less than £9,250, for example you are on a foundation degree, the amount you receive will be calculated on a pro rata basis.
If you are a part-time undergraduate student and your fees are more than £4,625 but less than £9,250, the amount you receive will be calculated on a pro rata basis.
Payment schedule and options
A Canterbury Christ Church University Grant will be automatically allocated to eligible students who have a tuition fee loan with the SLC. The SLC will notify you of the amount and make the payments to you on behalf of the University in three instalments over the course of the academic year.
Please note: If you live in our University-owned accommodation, 50% of the grant you receive will be automatically allocated towards the cost of your accommodation. There is also the option to allocate the total amount towards your accommodation payment; once you start University you will be contacted by the Student Fees team regarding this option.
We offer a Care Leavers Bursary to eligible undergraduate or PGCE (Initial Teacher Training) students. This amounts to £4,800 over four years of study (£1,200 per academic year, pro rata if you are studying part-time) including either foundation year or PGCE, but excluding apprenticeships. The award is not paid during any repeat years of study, however if you are repeating a year then you may be eligible for the CCCU Grant for that year.
To be eligible for the Care Leavers bursary you need to meet the following criteria.
- You are under 25 years of age, in care, or a care leaver, in the UK and: are, or have been, looked after under a Care Order when age 16 for at least 13 weeks
or
- you are recognised by the Foyer Federation, or have otherwise been homeless.
Additional criteria:
- Your household income is £25,000 per year or less.
- You are normally resident in England.
- Your fees for each year of study are more than £6,165 (full-time) or £4,625 (part-time).
- You do not receive other financial support from Canterbury Christ Church University including the Canterbury Christ Church University Grant (other than during a repeat year of study).
You must be able to provide proof of the above if asked to do so. This is usually done through your local authority. For support please contact studentwellbeing@canterbury.ac.uk
Payment schedule and options
A Canterbury Christ Church University Grant will be automatically allocated to eligible students who have a tuition fee loan with the SLC. The SLC will notify you of the amount and make the payments to you on behalf of the University in three instalments over the course of the academic year.
Please note: If you live in our University-owned accommodation, 50% of the grant you receive will be automatically allocated towards the cost of your accommodation. There is also the option to allocate the total amount towards your accommodation payment; once you start University you will be contacted by the Student Fees team regarding this option.
Are you a former student from one of our partner schools?
If you are, then you can apply for an award of £500 per year when you study with us.
Students who benefit from the Schools Award will also benefit from participating in paid outreach activities to promote university to students in schools and colleges in Kent and Medway, who might not otherwise consider accessing higher education.
How to apply:
After UCAS applications have been received by the University, eligible students will be contacted and invited to apply to the scheme.
Government Grant for Health
Recognising the vital importance of NHS recruitment, the government has decided to provide extra financial help in the form of a grant of at least £5,000 per year (subject to government review for subsequent years). Students on the following courses will be eligible to receive this grant:
- Diagnostic Radiography
- Adult Nursing
- Child Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Midwifery
- Operating Department Practice
- Occupational Therapy
- Paramedic Science
- Physiotherapy
- Speech and Language Therapy
Students studying on our Mental Health Nursing and Diagnostic Radiography courses will also receive an additional £1,000 per year from the government. Additional funding will also be available for childcare. You do not have to pay this money back in future.
Find out more from the NHS BSA
Apply for funding from the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF)
Canterbury Christ Church University Advantage Package
The Canterbury Christ Church University Advantage Package currently includes:
- uniforms
- Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check
- Occupational Health costs, including immunisation.
You can find out more about the faculty uniform policy here.
Please check the information on your course page to see whether your course is included.
In addition to this, health students can apply and may be eligible for other University awards.
Please note: This package is only available for UK students who are enrolling on a qualifying health course in September 2022. We reserve the right to withdraw this package in the event of a student not successfully completing the enrolment process.
Extra support for childcare costs
In addition to other support which may be available, eligible students attending a full time pre-registration healthcare course may also be able to claim further financial support for childcare costs from the NHS.
Find out more about the Health Students Child Dependants Allowance at nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
What happens if I already have a first degree?
Students who are planning to undertake nursing, midwifery and allied health professional subjects (except paramedic science) as a second degree will currently be able to access the standard student support system, on the same terms as students studying for a first degree. Please check the NHS website for eligibility and the latest funding information.
We work in partnership with The Archdeacon of Canterbury (Canterbury Cathedral) under the Article 26 Project to enable those seeking asylum to progress to higher education through the Sanctuary Scholarship. Applications are open from April.
Awards of up to £1,500 per year.
We are dedicated to supporting student athletes in both academic and sporting success through our Sport Scholarship programme.
The University is recognised by Sport England’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) as a Dual Career Accredited Site.
This acknowledges a high level of academic flexibility allowing talented athletes to balance their studies alongside a sporting schedule.
To apply for the award you can be studying any subject, but must be:
- competing at county level or above in your sport
- a current or prospective student at Canterbury Christ Church University.
How to apply:
Various awards are offered to students studying Music and Performing Arts as well as other subjects across the University. If you would like to apply for a Bursary or Instrumental/Vocal Scholarship, please download and complete this form.
Bursary Awards
Who?
Bursaries are available to students within the School of Creative Arts and Industries.
What
These awards help students sustain and develop their creative practice and may support, for example, the purchase of software or sheet music; fees for specialist instruction; travel expenses.
How much?
Bursary Awards are worth up to £300.
When?
The Scholarship Committee considers Bursary Awards applications at the start of each semester. Applications for the first round close at 9.00am on Monday 4 October 2021.
Instrumental/Vocal Scholarships
Who?
Scholarships are open to all students at Christ Church.
What?
Scholarships help students sustain and develop their instrumental and/or vocal talents. Scholars will be expected to perform in at least one university ensemble.
How much?
They are worth £300, which pays for 10 hours of teaching with one of our specialist instrumental or vocal teachers.
When?
Applications close at 9.00am on Monday 4 October 2021; auditions will be held on Wednesday 6 October, between 2.00 and 7.00pm. Online alternatives will be offered if necessary.
Canterbury Rotary Club Bursaries
Who?
Bursaries may be awarded to talented performers on any Christ Church course. In most years up to three of these prestigious bursaries are available.
What?
A condition of holding a Canterbury Rotary Club Instrumental Bursary is that you are an active member of at least one of the University’s ensembles.
How much?
Bursaries are worth £500. These bursaries are funded by the generous support of local Rotarians
When?
Applications close at 9.00am on Monday 4 October 2021; auditions will be held on Wednesday 6 October, between 2.00 and 7.00pm. Online alternatives will be offered if necessary.
No matter what you study, if you have the talent you can help form the professional heart of the University Chapel Choir and benefit from our £800 choral scholarships (£1,000 for organists and conductors).
How to apply:
Visit this page for more details and to complete the application form.
Postgraduate research scholarships
The School of Creative Arts and Industries at Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications for two full-time PhD scholarship (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years and an annual expense allowance of £500) in the following research areas:
- creative arts (photography, games design, media art)
- performing arts (dance, drama, music)
- media and cultural studies (including film, journalism and screen studies)
The scholarship will be awarded to the best candidates following the application and interview selection process.
Preference may be given to research proposals that focus on:
- cultural and creative industries and organisations in Kent and South East England
- creative and digital innovations
- marginalised communities and social justice
- cultural heritage of communities
The School has a large and vibrant PhD community with approximately 50 doctoral students. We are a leading force in research at the university where nearly 90% of research was recognised as world leading or internationally significant in REF 2014 and we expect to build on those successes in the coming years. In addition to our research outputs and success in research-degree supervisions, we maintain close links with international peer reviewed research journals and also with networks of local and international organisations through our sponsorship of the Canterbury Festival, links with Canterbury Cathedral (including access to archives), Turner Contemporary and collaboration with Screen South, Maidstone Studios, and the Marlowe Theatre (through the latter we continue to work with groups like Glyndebourne Touring Opera and the Philharmonia Orchestra). Through our research we aim to promote the public good and make a difference in the lives of the communities with which we engage; for example, the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage, giving voices to marginalised groups and exploiting the power of digital media and communication technologies for social and cultural benefits. We would be happy to help interested applicants with their proposals and applications and to discuss scholarship possibilities and supervising arrangements
For enquiries please contact Dr Andy Birtwistle andy.birtwistle@canterbury.ac.uk
How to apply
Please submit your application using the online admissions portal. As part of your application you will be required to submit a research proposal. Please tick the appropriate box on the proposal form to indicate that you are applying for a PhD scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship you must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline of 30 April 2022.
Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications for one full-time PhD scholarship (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years and an expense allowance of £500 p. a.) in Education, Childhood and Youth Studies. All scholarship students are required to undertake 150 hours teaching across their second and third years of study and must live in the UK, close to a university campus site.
CCCU is a signatory to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Accord and has been recognised nationally and internationally for its approach to sustainability education. In March it is launching an Academy for Sustainable Futures which seeks to facilitate research activity that contributes to a just and sustainable future.
In response to this, applications for the scholarship in Education, Childhood and Youth Studies are invited with a focus on sustainability education. Proposals should make clear how they address SDG4 (Quality Education), with particular reference to target 4.7 that
“by 2030 ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development”
For questions about the proposal or an informal conversation, please contact Dr Nicola Kemp: nicola.kemp@canterbury.ac.uk
How to apply
Please submit your application using the online admissions portal and tick the appropriate box on the proposal form to indicate that you are applying for a PhD scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship you must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline of 13 June 2022.
Applications will be considered based on the quality of the research proposal and its alignment with the sustainability focus outlined above. The strengths of the individual candidate (in relation to academic competence and commitment) will also be considered.
All applicants are strongly advised to contact potential Education Childhood and Youth Studies supervisors to discuss their ideas prior to application.
For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions: pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk
The School of Humanities and Education Studies and Centre for Language and Linguistics at Canterbury Christ Church University welcome applications for one full-time PhD scholarship (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years and an annual expense allowance of £500) in one of the following research areas:
- Applied Linguistics
- Archaeology
- Creative Writing
- English Literature and Language
- History
- Theology and Religious Studies
The scholarship will be awarded following the application and interview selection process.
The School of Humanities and Educational Studies and the Centre for Language and Linguistics have a large and vibrant Ph.D. Both the School and the Centre sit in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Education newly formed in 2020. In the REF 2014 over 90% of the previous Faculty of Arts and Humanities’ research was rated as world leading or internationally significant. Our postgraduate students are fully involved in the research culture of the School and Centre, actively contributing to research newsletters, conferences and public outreach events including the Being Human festival, the Canterbury Medieval Pageant, the Canterbury Festival and Canterbury History Weekends. We would be happy to help interested applicants with their proposals and applications and to discuss scholarship possibilities and supervising arrangements.
For enquiries please contact the School Director of Graduate Studies, Dr Nicola Kemp: nicola.kemp@canterbury.ac.uk for all subjects except Applied Linguistics where potential candidates should contact Dr Christopher Anderson: christopher.anderson@canterbury.ac.uk
How to apply
Please submit your application using the online admissions portal. As part of your application you will be required to submit a research proposal. Please tick the appropriate box on the proposal form to indicate that you are applying for a PhD scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship you must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline of 13 June 2022.
For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions: pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk
Name of scholarship
Canterbury Christ Church University PhD Scholarship 2022/23
Anti-Racism Leadership in Education
Award
PhD Scholarship
Closing date
13 June 2022
Content of offer
Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications for a full-time PhD scholarship (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years and an expense allowance of £500 p. a.) in the area of Anti-Racism Leadership in Education.
This call may be of interest to students in a number of different disciplinary fields such as Education, Politics, Sociology, Management Studies, Law and applications are welcome from students who would like to explore their topic from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Canterbury Christ Church University is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee in 2022 having started as a teacher training college in 1962. This scholarship is offered in recognition of the work of the University over the past 60 years to the field of education and in recognition of the strong commitment of the University to widening participation, equality, diversity, inclusion and racial justice within education.
For more information about this scholarship contact Prof Lynn Revell lynn.revell@canterbury.ac.uk
For more information about the anti-racism work of Canterbury Christ Church University contact Mary Makinde, Strategic Lead: Closing our Gap mary.makinde@canterbury.ac.uk
How to apply
Please submit your application for this scholarship using the Canterbury Christ Church University online admissions portal.
As part of your application you will be required to submit a research proposal which should set out the specific research project that you propose to undertake within the field of Anti-Racism Leadership in Education. Please tick the appropriate box on the proposal form to indicate that you are applying for a PhD scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship you must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline of 13 June 2022.
For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk
The School of Law, Policing and Social Sciences is seeking to further develop its research, and teaching, portfolio and is inviting applications for a PhD (Scholarship) candidate. Research areas can be primarily related to the fields of European police cooperation, county lines, policing responses to slavery, harm and policing, and police informants. We also welcome proposals in any additional research areas, which can be discussed prior to applications
To apply for this position, you will ideally need to have a good first degree along with a policing, criminology or sociology - related Master’s degree. This is a full-time scholarship that will include some teaching contributions and the successful candidate would also be expected to contribute to the wider work of School in achieving discipline focused strategic objectives.
To apply for this scholarship opportunity, you will need a PhD proposal to be submitted as part of your application and you will need to apply through the University’s online application portal.
Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications for a full-time PhD scholarship (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years and an expense allowance of £500 p. a.) in the field of policing.
In offering this scholarship, the School of Law, Policing and Social Sciences is seeking to further develop its research and is inviting applications in research areas primarily related to the fields of European police cooperation, county lines, policing responses to slavery, harm and policing and police informants. We also welcome proposals in any additional research areas, which can be discussed prior to application.
To apply for this position, you will ideally need to have a good first degree along with a policing, criminology or sociology - related Master’s.
The successful candidate would be expected to contribute to the broader research culture of the School of Law, Policing and Social Sciences as well as to teaching activities (up to 50 hours per year of the award) and to the wider work of the School in achieving its discipline focused strategic objectives.
The scholarship will commence on 1 October 2022.
For any queries relating to PhD proposals and policing subject matter please contact Dr Martin O’Neill: martin.oneill@canterbury.ac.uk
How to apply
Please submit your application using the online admissions portal.
As part of your application you will be required to submit a research proposal based on your proposed research project.
Please tick the appropriate box on the proposal form to indicate that you are applying for a PhD scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship you must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline of 30 April 2022.
For any queries about the application and admissions process, please contact Postgraduate Admissions pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk
Name of scholarship
Canterbury Christ Church University PhD Scholarship 2022/23
Award
PhD Scholarship (two awards)
Closing date
11 June 2022
Content of offer
Canterbury Christ Church University and the School of Psychology and Life Sciences, welcome applications for two full-time PhD scholarships (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years starting October 2022, and an expense allowance of £500 p. a.) for the following projects. The first project will be supported by a CCCU general PGR student scholarship and the second project will be supported by a PGR studentship funded by the School of Psychology and Life Sciences.
PROJECT 1: Risk-benefit assessment of staples in Central Africa, and the effect of climate change
Risk‐benefit assessment of foods is a new decision-support tool for estimating the beneficial and adverse health effects on humans, following exposure or lack of exposure to a particular food or food component. The estimated beneficial and adverse health effects are then integrated in comparable measures. It is critical to assess the sustainability of a particular diet and predict how it will be affected by climate change, with subsequent impact on the health of consumers. In central Africa, main staples can be grains (maize and millets) or roots and tubers (potato, cassava), with this depending on the country, and the agroecological zone within each country. These recent years, many hunger episodes resulting from climate shock events have been recorded in the Central African region, demonstrating a growing vulnerability to climate change. The region also offers an important agroecology diversity, which can be useful in understanding diet variations under different climatic conditions.
The aim of this PhD is to assess the risk-benefit of selected staple foods collected in different agroecology regions of Central African countries and evaluate the effect of climate change on the diet and health of the populations. This project will contribute to an understanding of how future food systems in a climate-changing world can promote more sustainable diets for better health. The outcomes of this work will help Central African decision-makers in evidence-based policy for achieving resilient food systems in a context of climate change.
This PhD studentship in Biological Sciences fits within the research at the nexus of food systems, climate change, nutrition and health developed by The Galani Group; and feeds into the new Food Science & Nutrition course at CCCU. The project will be supervised by Dr Joseph Hubert Galani Yamdeu and Dr Alec Forsyth, from the Section of Natural and Applied Sciences, School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, with main campus at N. Holmes Rd, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, Kent, UK.
For further information please contact Dr Galani Email: joseph.galaniyamdeu@canterbury.ac.uk, Phone: +44 1227 92 3170
PROJECT 2: The role of tolerogenic dendritic cells in promoting liver regeneration of acute liver failure
Liver failure, also known as fulminant hepatic failure, is a life-threatening disease that has a high mortality rate and affects many organ systems. Mortality rates have improved by use of emergency liver transplantation. However, this therapy is limited by a shortage of liver organs, immunological rejection, and high cost. Thus, development of other protective strategies is needed. Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells responsible for priming of naive T cells in the immune response, and the maintenance of immunologic self-tolerance in the periphery. Normal liver resident DCs are less immunostimulatory than spleen DCs in mice. Researchers found that several cytokines secreted by DCs initiates liver regeneration. The promotion of liver regeneration after injury by cell, rather than liver transplantation, particularly using immature DC (tolerogenic DC), is therefore highly desirable.
Humanized mice are the immunodeficient mice that are engrafted with human cells, which provides opportunities to study human biology without putting individuals at risk. Humanized mice have become increasingly important as small pre-clinical animal models for the study of human diseases. The earliest reports of substantial repopulation of a mouse liver with human hepatocytes were published in 2001.
This project will study the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of human tolerogenic dendric cells as a pre-treatment or alternative to liver transplantation.
Objectives
- To generate and characterize tolerogenic dendritic cells from human blood
- To determine whether tolerogenic DCs promotes hepatocyte proliferation upon inflammatory condition
- To identify the effects of tDCs on liver regeneration in a mouse model of acute liver failure (in collaboration with Imperial college London)
The project will be supervised by Dr Fang Xiao. For further information please contact Dr Fang Xiao fang.xiao@canterbury.ac.uk
How to apply
Please submit your application using the online admissions portal. Please go to the CCCU postgraduate research degree pages and select the research cluster ‘Science, Information Technology and Engineering’. Click on the ‘apply now’ button at the bottom of the page in order to apply:
As part of your application you will be required to submit a research proposal. Please tick the appropriate box on the proposal form to indicate that you are applying for a PhD scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.
Please make it clear on your application form and on the project proposal form which of the two projects you are applying for.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship you must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline of 11 June 2022.
For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk
Name of scholarship
Canterbury Christ Church University PhD Scholarship 2022/23
Award
PhD Scholarship
Closing date
5th June 2022
Content of offer
Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications for one PhD scholarship in the research area of medicine, healthcare, public health and social care.
The scholarship may be a full time (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years and an expense allowance of £500 p. a.) or part time (tuition fee waiver for five years and an expense allowance of £300 p.a.). Please note part time study is not available to international students who require a student route visa.
CCCU scholarship
This is an open call and will be awarded to the best candidate studying within one of the three broad strategic areas of research undertaken by the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care. Applicants should therefore indicate clearly in their proposal which of the three broad strategic areas their research falls into.
The three themes are:
1: Individual Health and Wellbeing
Research proposals in this area might include proposals addressing the impact and effectiveness of innovative clinical practice, coproduction and peer support in mental health care, clinical practice in dementia, stroke care and regenerative musculoskeletal medicine.
2: Community and Place
Proposals in this area might include research into community development for healthy environments, the impact of creative group activities on health and wellbeing, professional regulation and professional practice on quality of care, suicide prevention, and cross-cultural and intergenerational issues in public health and health promotion.
3: Population and Health Improvement
Proposals in this area might include research on implementing and improving research of intervention programmes in rehabilitation and long-term care, critical analysis of inequalities in health and care, and a whole systems approach in workforce development and practice'
You can find out more about our Faculty research here.
Eligibility
We are looking for students who are enthusiastic about applied health and social care research and can become part of the research communities within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care. Applicants will have achieved a good health or social care related first degree and be able to demonstrate that they have a unique proposal idea that will make an original contribution to knowledge in their field. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate a suitable level of English Language skills commensurate with doctoral level study.
For informal enquiries please contact Anne Stone, PhD Assistant FHWB.PhDassistant@canterbury.ac.uk
How to apply
You can find out how to apply here.
Please submit your application using the online admissions portal.
As part of your application you will be required to submit a research proposal. Please tick the appropriate box on the proposal form to indicate that you are applying for a PhD scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship you must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline of 5th June 2022.
Applicants must ensure that both references have been submitted by the referees through the online system by the deadline (5th June 2022) by which time the University must have all the supporting documents. The School will not request references on your behalf from your referees, and your application will not be considered if both references are not received.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an on-line interview at an agreed time.
For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk
Name of scholarship
Canterbury Christ Church University PhD Scholarship 2022/23
Award
PhD Scholarship
Closing date
13 June 2022
Content of offer
Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications for two full-time PhD scholarships (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years and an expense allowance of £500 p. a.) in psychology.
The scholarships will be offered to students working on two of the following projects. Applicants should specify in their application form and PhD proposal form which of the projects they are interested in working on.
1 Investigating the Use of Facility Dogs for Providing Support to Vulnerable Individuals Within the Criminal Justice System
For almost five years, the Justice Support Dogs International (JSDI) Lab at Canterbury Christ Church University has been working to build an evidence base for the value of using facility dogs in the UK Criminal Justice System (https://blogs.canterbury.ac.uk/psychology/justice-dogs/).
Working in conjunction with various national and international criminal justice organizations, this project will investigate the use of facility dogs in providing support to vulnerable individuals within the criminal justice system. The project will contribute to some of the first research, globally, that evaluates the emotional and psychological benefits that facility dogs may provide in various processes (i.e., medical examinations, police interviews and court testimonies) within the criminal justice system. The project will involve both qualitative and quantitative methods. This will include a number of interviews with legal professionals from around the world who have used facility dogs in their practice and quantitative survey data collected from mock police interviews and court processes.
A good first degree or Masters in Psychology (or relevant discipline) is essential.
For further information, please contact Dr Liz Spruin liz.spruin@cantebury.ac.uk
2 Using Virtual Reality Technology to Explore How Specific Elements of Virtual Worlds Evoke Feelings of Disgust and Anger and the Role They Play in Moral Decision Making
Feelings of anger are 'flexible' and mitigated by contextual information whereas feelings of disgust are 'stubborn' and less responsive to context (Russell & Giner-Sorolla, 2011). One way in which this manifests is by varied evaluations of individuals who perform virtual behaviours that evoke either anger (e.g. video game violence) or disgust (e.g. video game depravity) in onlookers (Sabo & Giner-Sorolla, 2017). These effects, however, have not been explored in the applied context of virtual reality. This PhD will involve a series of quantitative experiments using virtual reality technology to explore how specific elements of virtual worlds evoke feelings of disgust and anger and the role they play in moral decision making. Examples of these virtual elements may include the presence of weapons (Anderson et al., 1996), the type of target (Hartmann et al., 2009), and the presence of bodily disgust (Russell & Giner-Sorolla, 2013). As such, this project will examine which aspects of video games leads to condemning emotions, thus qualifying and informing on video game rating systems such as America's ESRB or Europe's PEGI while also promoting theoretical advances in our understanding of anger and disgust and their role in moral decision making.
A good first degree or Masters in Psychology (or relevant discipline) is essential. Programming skills and/or experience working within the context of virtual reality would be an advantage.
For further information please contact Dr John Sabo john.sabo@canterbury.ac.uk
3 Investigating the Wellbeing of Assistance Dogs
While the use of assistance dogs, as well as their effect on the wellbeing of the humans they are helping are well established, there is currently very limited research investigating the wellbeing of the assistance dogs themselves. This PhD will look at and compare well-being of assistance and PAT dogs across a number of dimensions. These will be developed by the PhD student and could include positive vs. punitive training and handling methods, different ‘jobs’, e.g. facility dogs, PAT dogs, assistance dogs, guide dogs, etc., as well as whether dogs are bred for the job vs. trained pet dogs.
The research will involve using and further developing a protocol developed by the supervisor team which combines behavioural assessments and saliva cortisol testing. The PhD will use and build on existing relationships with relevant organisations.
A good first degree or Masters in Psychology (or relevant discipline) is essential. To be able to access these dogs, there will be some travel involved. In addition the PhD student will have to receive training in dog behaviour to be able to train the handlers in the required observations.
For further information, please contact Dr Anke Franz anke.franz@canterbury.ac.uk
4 Investigating the Effectiveness of Token Systems and Other Reward Mechanisms in Home and Educational Settings
Token systems and other reward mechanisms are widely used at home and in educational settings (schools, nurseries, etc.). While beneficial and proven to be highly effective by parents and educators, there is also growing evidence that, at least for certain behaviours, material rewards can have a detrimental effect (Lepper et al., 1973; Warneken & Tomasello, 2008; Ulber et al., 2016). This PhD project involve an initial (online) survey to a) find out which forms of token/reward systems are being used in home or educational settings at the moment; b) which behaviours they are targeted at; c) their reported effectiveness. It will then involve experimental studies carried out with preschool- and primary school- aged children to investigate the effectiveness (including direction of effect) of different reward types identified in the initial study (e.g. praise, material incentives, etc.) on different behaviours and social interactions (e.g. prosocial behaviour, cooperation, peer interaction, adult-child interaction). The studies will therefore take place in the lab as well as participants' home and/or educational environment.
A good first degree or Masters in Psychology (or relevant discipline) is essential as is acquiring enhanced DBS clearance for working with children.
For further information please contact Dr Julia Ulber julia.ulber@canterbury.ac.uk
5 Exploring the Lived Experience and Psychological Correlates of Tulpamancy (Conjured Imaginary Companions)
Tulpamancy is an experience whereby an individual conjurs an imaginary companion (called a Tulpa) via ‘thought-form’ meditative practice. Tulpamancers claim that their tulpas have achieved full sentience being and tulpas are often reported to be in human-form, but also as imaginary creatures such as dragons or elves. The very few studies that have investigated this find that tulpamancers possess or have developed a high propensity for absorption, hypnotisability, and non-psychotic sensory hallucinations (Isler, 2017; Veissiere, 2016). Many tulpamancers report having had imaginary friends since childhood and 28% report being diagnosed with or identifying with autism. Many report the experience of ‘switching’ where the host dissociates and has an out-of-body-experience (OBE). Anecdotally, there seems to be similar features of tulpamancy (and tuplas) to therianthropy (and theriotypes), mediumship (and the spirit guide phenomenon), ‘Dissociative Identity Disorder’ (and multiple selves), voice hearing, and adult fiction writers (and experiencing characters as having minds of their own). Thus there are potential implications of this original research for psychological wellbeing and our understanding of dissociative states.
This PhD will involve phenomenological studies to explore the lived experience of individuals who self-identify as Tulpamancers. This may also involve other qualitative approaches such as grounded theory with the aim of developing a theory of Tulpamancy, and/or discourse analysis given that there are a few online forums where people discuss the phenomenon. It will also involve quantitative approaches such as surveys incorporating psychological measures to compare the experience of tulpamancers with others and predict Tulpamancy status (e.g., Clegg, Collings, and Roxburgh, 2019)
A good first degree or Masters in Psychology (or relevant discipline) is essential.
For further information, please contact Dr Elizabeth Roxburgh elizabeth.roxburgh@cantebury.ac.uk
6 Investigating the Epidemiology and Treatment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) in University Students
The epidemiology of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in university students has not yet received attention in the UK. Most individuals who sustain a mTBI recover within 90 days, however, 30% go on to suffer from chronic post-concussion syndrome (PCS). PCS is difficult to diagnose because it cannot be seen in MRI scans, but also because its symptoms overlap with PTSD and vestibular disorders such as vertigo. To this end, a better understanding of mTBI and its treatment is needed.
It is possible that if you treat the symptoms of vestibular dysfunction improvements will be seen in PCS, PTSD, depression and anxiety. Another possible treatment for PCS is eye-movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR has been shown to be more effective than cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in treating PTSD and the same benefits may show for PCS due to the overlapping symptoms. It is possible that the reason for this difference is the use of gaze stabilization tasks during EMDR. This could cause a vestibular ocular reflex that makes this treatment more effective than CBT but this needs to be investigated. Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) has also been efficacious in treating other brain injuries such as stroke with permanent amelioration of cognitive deficits. Both forms of treatment are safe, pain free and without harmful side effects.
The proposed PhD project would involve a large scale epidemiological to determine prevalence rates of mTBI and if the vestibular system influences PCS. It would also investigate the efficacy of EMDR and GVS in reducing PCS symptoms and examine vestibular components.
A good first degree or Masters in Psychology (or relevant discipline) is essential.
For further information please contact Dr Emma Denby emma.denby@canterbury.ac.uk
7 Investigating Neurophysiological and Cognitive Mechanisms Underlying Speech Production During the Observation of Ambiguous Images in Adults with Autism
Autistic spectrum condition (ASC) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive interests and behaviours (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Decades of previous research demonstrated atypicalities in speech and language processing in children and adults with autism (Ceponiene et al., 2003, Kuhl et al, 2005). It has been suggested that failure discriminate and produce speech demonstrates one important aspect of autism starting from early development, contributing to both poor social skills and language delays (McCleery et al., 2011, Galilee et al., 2017). The current project will utilise neurophysiological and/or cognitive measures of language as well explore anxiety-related symptomatology and personality traits, in adults with autism. In this study, we will use EEG and fNIRS recordings of brain activity — non-invasive measures that are generally well-tolerated by individuals with autism — while adults with autism view and make decisions about ambiguous visual stimuli. The stimuli will be inkblot images, which are used diagnostically in psychiatry (e.g., schizophrenia, or other personality disorders), as well as to access typical interpersonal perceptions and personality traits (Rorschach test: Rorschach, 1922, Flanagan, 2006). The Rorschach stimuli were also successfully utilised in a previous behavioural study of participants with autism (Keller et al., 2018). Participants will view the inkblots under two conditions: passive observation and verbal description. We will analyse participants’ brain and verbal responses to ambiguous stimuli and will assess their cognitive flexibility, social-emotional functioning, and personality traits. Altogether, the results of this study will shed light on cognitive and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying cognitive, emotion, and language abnormalities in autism.
A good first degree or Masters in Psychology (or relevant discipline) is essential.
For further information please contact Dr Alena Galilee alena.galilee@canterbury.ac.uk
How to apply
Please submit your application using the Canterbury Christ Church online admissions portal. Please visit the postgraduate research degree pages and use the ‘apply now’ link at the bottom of the psychology research cluster page.
As part of your application you will be required to submit a research proposal based on the project of your choice from the selection above.
Please tick the appropriate box on the proposal form to indicate that you are applying for a PhD scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship you must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline of 13 June 2022.
For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk
Name of scholarship
Canterbury Christ Church University “Addressing the Climate Emergency” PhD Scholarship 2022/23
Award
PhD Scholarship
Closing date
13 June 2022
Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications for a full-time PhD scholarship (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years and an expense allowance of £500 p. a.) for the following project.
Quantifying urban green space ecosystem services for climate change mitigation and human wellbeing
As urban areas are set to triple in size by 2030, urban green spaces are becoming ever-more important oases of biodiversity. These provide opportunities for people to connect with nature, mitigate the human health consequences associated with increased heat wave events and offset greenhouse gas emissions. Use of urban green space is also associated with improved cognitive functioning, reduced mental fatigue, increased social interactions and reduced stress.
The studentship will use a multidisciplinary approach to quantify the environmental, social and economic benefits – or ecosystem services – associated with urban green spaces. The successful candidate will have some flexibility with the focus of the project, depending on their interests and expertise. Ecosystem services that could be quantified within this project include supporting services (i.e. biodiversity, soil formation or photosynthesis), provisioning services (i.e. food, medicine or raw materials), regulating services (i.e. climate regulation, flood control or pollination) and cultural services (i.e. aesthetics, recreation and spirituality). The candidate will work closely with the local community and other stakeholder groups in order to understand how to facilitate better planning, development and management of urban green space. The three key objectives of this study are highlighted below:
- Investigate the quantitative and qualitative effects of urban green space and the provision of a multitude of ecosystem services
- Determine which policies, legislation and practices have been, or are likely to be, successful in the development, maintenance and restoration of well-functioning urban green spaces
- Enable public participation and better understand resident perspectives
This project is part of Canterbury Christ Church University’s “Response to the Climate Emergency” multidisciplinary research challenge. It will be supervised by Dr Naomi Rintoul (naomi.rintoul@canterbury.ac.uk).
How to apply
Please submit your application using the online admissions portal. Please visit the CCCU postgraduate research degree web pages and select the research cluster ‘Science, Information Technology and Engineering’. Click on the ‘apply now’ button at the bottom of the page in order to start your application.
As part of your application you will be required to submit a research proposal and you should ensure that this addresses the themes of the project as set out above.
You must submit your application and research proposal by the deadline of 13 June 2022.
For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk
For any queries about the project please contact Dr Naomi Rintoul
Name of scholarship
Canterbury Christ Church University PhD Scholarship 2022/23
Award
PhD Scholarship
Closing date
5 June 2022
Content of offer
Canterbury Christ Church University welcomes applications for one full-time PhD scholarship (a stipend of £13,000 p.a., tuition fee waiver for three years and an expense allowance of £500 p. a.) in the area of Sport and Exercise Science.
The PhD scholarship will be awarded in the following topic area:
Psychophysiological responses to isometric exercise in a rehabilitation context
Exercise rehabilitation aims to restore people to return to their daily lives in the shortest time, while minimising the risk of re-injury. A body of evidence has shown that isometric exercise rehabilitation can be used to help improve fitness and functional ability for both long- and short-term conditions through improvements related to physiology, psychology, and neurobiology. However, while this research has shown that isometric exercise can help improve people’s lives and the economy, there is a lack of research examining the reciprocal relationships between mind and body. An understanding of the brain-body responses to isometric exercise rehabilitation is important in helping researchers and clinicians advance knowledge of the causes of differing responses and further improve existing interventions that are implemented worldwide.
The aim of this interdisciplinary PhD is to study the interaction between psychological, physiological, and neurobiological responses in the context of isometric exercise rehabilitation to help answer the following questions:
- What are the physiological mechanisms (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, immune) underpinning isometric exercise?
- How does isometric exercise influence the way people feel (e.g., do they feel vigour, fatigue, boredom?)
- What happens in the brain during and after isometric exercise?
- What is the reciprocal relationship between physiological, psychological, and neurobiological responses before, during and after isometric exercise (e.g., do psychological improvements influence physiological and neurobiological responses?)
- Do improvements in psychological, physiological, and neurobiological systems act in isolation or are they additive?
This research project will sit within the School of Psychology and Life Sciences and the successful candidate will be supported by a team of academics working in the area of exercise rehabilitation including Professor Andrew Edwards, Dr Philip Hurst, Dr Jamie O’Driscoll and Dr Jim Wiles.
To read more about the research of Canterbury Christ Church University in the field of sport and exercise sciences visit our website.
For more information about the scholarship and studying a PhD at Canterbury Christ Church University, please email the Faculty Director of Postgraduate Studies, Dr Dikaia Chatziefstathiou: dikaia.chatziefstathiou@canterbury.ac.uk
How to apply
Please submit your application using the online admissions portal.
As part of your application you will be required to submit a research proposal. Please tick the appropriate box on the proposal form to indicate that you are applying for a PhD scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme. Please specify that you are interested in the isometric exercise rehabilitation project and write your research proposal around the description of the project and research questions set out above.
To be eligible for consideration for a scholarship you must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline of 5 June 2022.
For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions pgadmissions@canterbury.ac.uk
