The College of Business and Social Sciences (BSS) is a multi-disciplinary research-focused College which brings together researchers in Aston Business School (ABS), Aston Law School (ALS) and the School of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). We are determined to find ways to further develop our research environment, particularly our postgraduate student provision, and as such we are offering up to six fully-funded PhD studentships.
To be successful, you will need to demonstrate your enthusiasm, diligence and organised approach as well as having a research idea that resonates with our departmental and research centre expertise. You can explore potential areas of interest, and supervisors, using the links found in the 'Research Areas' section below. The Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics also has specific awards which can be applied for and details are provided below.
Studentships are for full time study over three years.
The competition is currently closed and will reopen in September 2023. This will be for studentships beginning in October 2024.
Important: Before making an application please consult the guidance notes.
- Research Areas
Applications are accepted for research in any of the College's academic departments. Please follow links below for information about the departments including staff who may be willing to supervise your project.
- Accounting
- Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship
- Marketing and Strategy
- Operations and Information Management
- Work and Organisation
Aston Law School
School of Social Sciences and Humanities
- English, Languages and Applied Linguistics
- Politics, History and International Relations
- Sociology and Policy
The College is also home to a number of Research Centres within which your research may also be supervised.
- Accounting
- The Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics (AIFL)
The Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics (AIFL) is inviting applications for up to three fully-funded PhD scholarships commencing in September 2023 and tenable for three years.
Founded in 2008 as the Centre for Forensic Linguistics and substantially expanded in 2019 following receipt of a £5.5m UK Government grant, AIFL has a focus on language use in legal and forensic contexts. We produce academically rigorous, high-impact research using insights and methods from diverse areas of linguistics to improve the delivery of justice.
Open PhD applicationsWe have opportunities to research a PhD in any area of forensic linguistic/language and law at Aston. Only established staff can supervise PhDs, which within AIFL comprises Prof Tim Grant, Prof Lauren Devine, Dr Krzysztof Kredens, Dr Geoffrey Stewart Morrison, Dr Tamineh Tayebi, Dr Kate Haworth, Dr Stephen Parker, Dr Nicci MacLeod, and Dr Felicity Deamer. Their research interests can be found on the AIFL pages of Aston Research Explorer.
For informal enquiries about the open PhD application please contact the individual you would like to become your supervisor or, for more general enquiries, Professor Tim Grant (t.d.grant@aston.ac.uk).
ApplicationsApplications for all of the above opportunities should be submitted through the process described on this page.
- Financial Support
Will be provided to the successful applicant to cover tuition fees at either the Home or Overseas rate plus a maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£17,668 p.a. in 2022/23) with the corresponding standard increases in subsequent years.
- Person Specification
- The successful applicant should have a first class or upper second class honours degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area. They should have, or be near to completing, a postgraduate qualification such as a Masters or equivalent. An overall merit grade with merit in the dissertation is normally required.
For applicants who are not from majority English-speaking countries, it is necessary to meet our English language requirements.
- Applications
Applications require the following two components:
1. Submit an application to the relevant research degree programme. Further information is available via the following pages:
PhD - School of Social Sciences and Humanities
You do not need to hold an offer from Aston to be eligible for the studentship competition, but you must have submitted an application by the deadline.
2. Complete the BSS PhD Studentship application form
Both components must be completed by the application deadline.
Following the application deadline a panel will review all applications and you may also be invited to an interview. If this is necessary then you will be informed.
Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application following the application deadline.
DEADLINE: TBC January 2024
FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information on how to apply please contact the BSS Research Office