Aston Forensic PhD Scholarship provides a fully funded PhD studentship at the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics commencing January 2027, offering a tuition fee waiver and a UKRI-rate stipend for three years.
The studentship is offered by the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics (AIFL) within Aston University, a research centre focusing on language use in legal and forensic contexts and offering training as part of the Doctoral Training Programme at The Aston Graduate School.
Aston Forensic PhD Scholarship Benefits
- Fees: the bursary will cover three years of standard Aston University UK or international fees.
- Stipend: £21,805 annually to cover accommodation and living costs (to match the ESRC funding terms).
- Conference fund: £1000 pa to attend national or international conferences at which you will be presenting.
Aston Forensic PhD Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- The successful applicant should hold, or expect to achieve: A First or Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree, and a Masters degree with Merit or Distinction, both in relevant subjects.
- Qualifications from overseas institutions will be considered, but performance must be equivalent to that described above, and the University reserves the right to ascertain this equivalence according to its own criteria.
How to Apply for Aston Forensic PhD Scholarship
- English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor degrees.
- A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count.
- A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience.
- A Curriculum Vitae (Resume) which details your education and work history.
- Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary.
- Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage.
- A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.
- Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Fully-funded PhD position at the Aston Institute of Forensic Linguistics. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, application requirements, and contact details.
What is the scholarship start date?
The studentship commences in January 2027. The project is tenable for three years, and applicants should be prepared to begin the programme at that start date as stated on the course page.
What funding does the studentship provide?
The Aston Forensic PhD studentship provides a full tuition fee waiver for three years, an annual stipend of £21,805 to cover accommodation and living costs, and a £1,000 per annum conference fund for presenting at national or international conferences.
Who can apply for this position?
International applicants are welcome to apply. The page explicitly states that international applicants are invited and should ensure they can meet visa-related costs and NHS surcharge requirements prior to applying.
What academic qualifications are required?
Applicants should hold, or expect to achieve, a First or Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree with Merit or Distinction in relevant subjects. Overseas qualifications will be considered if equivalent.
What does the application need to include?
Applications must include transcripts and certificates, a Research Statement, a personal statement, a CV, two academic references, evidence of English language proficiency, and a copy of your passport. Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.
When is the application deadline?
The course page lists the application deadline as 9 October 2026. Applicants should submit their complete applications, with all supporting documents, by this date.
Will there be interviews and when?
Interviews will likely take place the week commencing 19 October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly with details of the interview arrangements.
Who should I contact for more information?
For more information or an informal discussion, the page advises contacting Prof Krzysztof Kredens at the provided email address [email protected], or the Postgraduate Admissions team via [email protected] for application process queries.
Where will the PhD be based?
The position is based on the Aston Campus in Birmingham, UK. The successful candidate will need to be located within a reasonable distance of the campus and be expected to visit in person regularly.
What research areas are acceptable for the proposal?
Proposals can be in any area of Forensic Linguistics, Language and Law, or Forensic Data Science. Applicants should submit their research proposal with their application and are advised to discuss their proposal with a preferred supervisor beforehand.
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