How to Apply

Applications now closed

The application process has 4 steps (see steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 below) – please carefully read the instructions on this page before submitting your application.

Should you have any enquiries please contact us at social-cdt@glasgow.ac.uk (please write “Application Enquiry” in the subject header).

Please note:

The application deadline for entry in September 2023 was 5pm (BST) on 21st April 2023 (applications now closed).

We will aim to update you on the outcome of your application (Shortlisted or Not Shortlisted) by mid-May 2023.

 

Funding and eligibility

As per UKRI guidance, funding is available to cover tuition fees for UK Home applicants and a stipend at the Research Council rate (£17,668 for Session 2022/23). To be classed as a Home applicant, candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have settled status, or
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

There are a limited number of international studentships available to exceptional candidates who do not meet the UK Home status mentioned above.

Applicants must have or expect to obtain the equivalent of a 1st or 2:1 degree in any subject relevant to the CDT including, but not limited to, computing science, psychology, linguistics, mathematics, sociology, engineering, physics, etc.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The CDT champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, believing that this is the way to increase research productivity and quality and to enhance societal and economic impact. Likewise, the University of Glasgow and our external partners are fully committed to EDI principles.

We offer funding to support applications from under-represented backgrounds, childcare support for conference attendance, flexible working for carers and promote a work-life balance.

Application Steps:

1

Project selection

Select three projects from those available on the Projects page.

Select three of the projects listed on our projects page.

Your application will be considered only if the following conditions are met:

  • You explicitly mention your three preferred projects in your research proposal (see instructions at Step 2 below);
  • The three projects you select are supervised by at least four different people (e.g. one project is supervised by A and B, another by B and C, and the last one by A and D).
2

Submit your application

Submit your application using the online system.

The instructions on the portal are self-evident in most cases, but there are a few cases that require you to insert specific information in order to apply to the Social AI CDT:

  • On the initial page (“Application Homepage”), please insert September 18th, 2023 as Proposed Start Date.
  • On the “Finances” page, please select “University of Glasgow Scholarship” to the question “How do you intend to fund your studies at the University of Glasgow?”, answer “Socail AI PhD” to the question “If you are applying or you have secured funding, please provide details e.g. scholarship name”, and answer “No” to the question “Is this funding confirmed?”.
  • On the “Research” page, the document named “research proposal” on the portal is a cover letter where you explicitly mention the three projects you have selected in step 1 (see above) and you explain why you are a suitable candidate for Social AI. Please consider that your application will not be considered if you submit a research proposal and not a cover letter that explicitly mentions the projects you have selected.
  • On the “Research” page you should select the Social AI CDT Director, Professor Alessandro Vinciarelli, as your proposed supervisor. For the research title field underneath, please input “Social AI PhD”, advising “No” to the question, “Have you contacted the Supervisor?”.

Please consider the following:

  • Curriculum Vitae (required): The CV (requested on the “Supporting Documents” page) must provide information about your background and professional experience, especially when it comes to aspects pertinent to the projects selected in Step 1;
  • Transcripts (required): The transcripts (requested on the “Supporting Documents” page) must show the marks you have obtained during your studies for each individual course.  If you have not yet completed your degree, please include a transcript showing the marks you have achieved so far;
  • Two reference letters (required): The letters (requested on the “References” page) should be written by people in a position to assess your potential as a PhD student and can be written by CDT members, including your prospective supervisors (the proposers of the projects you selected in Step 1).

Please note you will be taken to the University of Glasgow admissions system and will need to create an account if this is your first application using the system.

3

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Complete a short survey.

Once you have submitted your application, we ask you to complete our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) survey:

https://glasgow.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/social-cdt-edi-survey-2023

Please note, this is a requirement of our funder, UKRI, and all submissions are anonymous.

If you do not complete this survey by the application deadline (21st April 2023), your application will not be considered.

4

Notification of Application

Let us know you have applied.

After you have submitted your application and completed our EDI survey, send an email to the address social-cdt@glasgow.ac.uk to notify the Board of Directors that you have completed your application.

Post Application Steps:

5

Initial outcome notification

In early to mid-May 2023, the CDT Board will contact you to communicate one of the two possible outcomes:

  • Shortlisted: you will be invited for an interview;
  • Not shortlisted: you will not be invited for an interview.

Please check your spam folder regularly to avoid missing the outcome notification email.

6

Interview (for shortlisted candidates only)

The CDT Board will organise a meeting via video-conference to assess your potential as a PhD student. Interviews will take place between late May and early June 2023.

7

Final outcome notification (for candidates who have been interviewed)

You will be contacted in mid to late June 2023 at the email address you used to submit your application in Step 2 to receive the final outcome of the process:

  • Unconditional offer: You will be invited to start the PhD in the next academic year under the supervision of the CDT members that have defined the project for which you have been selected;
  • Conditional offer: You will be invited to start the PhD in the next academic year under the supervision of the CDT members that have defined the project for which you have been selected, subject to meeting the conditions of your offer;
  • Not selected: you will not be invited to start the PhD in the next year.

If your application is successful you will be assigned one of the projects you selected in Step 1.