SUPER Student-Led Studentships

The SUPER DTP is delighted to offer, by open competition, four funded student-led studentships for a March 2026 start of studies. If you are a recent Home graduate of Higher Education and can demonstrate academic excellence or relevant experience, we invite you to apply.

The seven SUPER DTP partners applicable for this call are Aberdeen, Edinburgh Napier, Heriot Watt, St Andrews, Strathclyde, and West of Scotland Universities, and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). Each of these partners will be able to submit two applications to this call. We have collated research centres that may be of help.

SUPER encourages applications from candidates with research interests across our catchment to coast theme. As well as blue skies research applications, we are particularly interested to receive applications that are one or more of the following: inter- or transdisciplinary in nature; challenge-led (i.e., address a specific challenge related to an established or emerging area of research, policy, or regulation); or which use advanced quantitative and/or innovative analytical methods.

Please read our guidance document for further information.

The deadline for applications to this opportunity will close at 10.00 am on Monday 27 October 2025. Please direct any enquiries to [email protected].

You can read the SUPER DTP top interview tips if your application is selected to progress.

What’s included in a SUPER studentship?

A 3.5 year (42 month) studentship includes:
• Home (UK) rate tuition fees each year;
• A yearly stipend based on RCUK rates (£20,780 for the 2025/26 academic year); and 
• Separate funding for research training and professional development.

Part-time study is an option, with a minimum of 50% of full-time effort (7 years; 84 months). Funding will be provided pro-rata.

In general, applicants to the SUPER DTP are expected to have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent). Institutions may have more stringent or further eligibility requirements.

Demystifying the DTP

To find out more about what a DTP is and what it can provide for you during your studies, specifically the SUPER DTP, please see our video below.