A common method of funding comes directly from the School, which receives partial funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for students undertaking PhD degrees, known as Doctoral Training Accounts (DTAs). These EPSRC studentships, normally available for a maximum period of three and a half years, are awarded on a competitive basis across the School of Mathematics, to students with relevant undergraduate degrees at the First Class level, or equivalent.  

For UK students, as well as EU students who have been resident in the UK for three years prior to application, an EPSRC studentship meets all the tuition fees and pays a maintenance allowance to the student. In 2019/20,  the value of this allowance is £15,009  which is a net amount and not subject to tax nor national insurance. Supplements may be available for disabled students, mature students, students with dependents and for students with suitable postgraduate work experience.

Students from EU countries who have not lived in the UK for three years may be considered for fees-only grants.

The Heilbronn Doctoral Training Partnership invites applications for fully funded PhD studentships in association with the School of Mathematics at the University of Bristol. We are seeking applicants with research interests in Discrete Mathematics, interpreted in its broadest sense, which includes most areas of Pure Mathematics, Computational Statistics, Data Science, Probability and Quantum Information.  

In addition to undertaking cutting-edge research under the close supervision of a member of staff in the School of Mathematics, students on this programme will have the opportunity to spend nine weeks each summer (in years 1-3) at the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research (HIMR), where they will contribute to the classified research activities of the institute. However, this is not a requirement of the studentship.   

Successful candidates who wish to work at the Heilbronn Institute must satisfy vetting in order to engage with the classified research at HIMR and UK resident UK nationals will normally be able to meet this condition.    

Students from traditionally under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.   

For further information about the Heilbronn Institute, please visit our website: https://heilbronn.ac.uk/ 

In order to apply, simply complete and submit a standard online PhD application to the University of Bristol and state that you would like to be considered for the Heilbronn Doctoral Training Partnership (in addition to all our other available funding sources). 

For details on how to apply, please visit http://bristol.ac.uk/maths/postgraduate/phd/mathematics/apply/

Fully funded PhD studenthips are available for those who are permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China at the time of application. Chinese students studying overseas may also be eligible. For more information see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/fees-funding/awards/china-scholarship-council/

Contact the British Council Office in your own country for details.

These Scholarships are offered to citizens of Commonwealth countries. You are recommented to apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Agency in your own country for details

For American students wanting to study in the UK. These are very prestigious scholarships, and the University would typically provide matched funding. For further details, please check  the website.

Postgraduate students may have an opportunity to supplement their income by giving first-year undergraduate tutorials and marking undergraduate work. As well as providing additional income, you also gain useful transferable skills.

We recommend that students only work up to 6 hours per week. Typically, as a rough guide, through these activities our students earn in the range of £1,600 to £2,000 per year tax-free. Overseas students would need to provide proof that they are allowed to work in the UK. The School organises training sessions for all students who undertake supervision or marking.