Cardiff University PhD Studentship (Exploring linked administrative data on adults in receipt of care and support in Wales) 2025

Cardiff University’s School of Social Sciences, in collaboration with Swansea University and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship. This project aims to explore trends and inequalities in adult social care using anonymised, linked administrative data from the Adults Receiving Care and Support Census in Wales. The research will provide insight into the population-level journey through adult care services and contribute to shaping policy and service delivery.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJuly 28, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorCardiff University
• City to studyCardiff
• School to studyCardiff University
• Course to studySocial Science
• Eligible CountryUnited Kingdom

Benefits

• Full UK tuition fees

• Annual tax-free living stipend of £20,780 (2025/26, full-time)

• Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)

• Potential additional Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

Requirements

• Must hold a First or strong Upper Second-Class Honours degree, or a relevant research training master’s degree

• UK/home fee status

• Applicants from underrepresented groups strongly encouraged (e.g., ethnic minorities, care-experienced, disabled)

• People with lived experience of adult social care or practitioners in the field are especially welcome

• IELTS 7.0 minimum for international qualifications (if applicable)

Interview Dates and Process

Selection Criteria:

• Academic excellence and research readiness

• Understanding of doctoral study and motivation

• Clarity and quality of research proposal

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion in academia

• Interview performance (scheduled for 21 August 2025)

Application Documents

• Cover Letter (max 2 pages, structured by specific prompts)

• Academic CV (max 2 pages)

• Research Proposal (max 1,000 words, using provided headings)

• Two References (academic or professional)

• Degree Certificates and Transcripts

• Proof of English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

Application Deadline

How To Apply

A completed online application form for admission to PhD in the School of Social Sciences (October 2025), submitted by the deadline of 12.00 noon, Monday, 28 July 2025. Incomplete applications or applications received after this specified time will not be accepted. The application must contain (this also applies to Fast Track applicants):

1. Cover letter (two pages maximum). It must include the following bullet points as subheadings:

• Set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at Cardiff University and your chosen pathway;
• Detail your understanding and expectations of doctoral study;
• Detail your academic interests generally and particularly of those relating to your proposed research;
• Drawing on your own background, provide a summary of why you are ready to undertake a PhD now and how you will flourish as a result of PhD funding. Challenges could include, but are not limited to, protected characteristics, socio-economic status and of being a prospective first-generation student or care-experienced.
• Reflecting on your own background and/or proposed approach to PhD study and the opportunities which it will present, how will you support diversity and inclusion in the PhD community?

2. Academic CV (two pages maximum).

3. Research Proposal: the proposal should build directly on the outline description that has been supplied. The proposal should be up to a maximum of 1,000 words, not including bibliographic references. Please use the following headings to construct your proposal:

• Title, aims and purpose of the research;
• Brief overview of the academic literature relevant to your field;
• Proposed design/methods;
• Academic contributions of your research;
• Bibliographic references.

 4.  Two references (academic or professional): applications must be supported by references. Candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application.

 5.  Degree certificates and transcripts (including translations if applicable). International applicants must also include proof of English Language competency (7.0 IELTS minimum).

For more details, visit Cardiff University Scholarship webpage