University of Bath - NERC GW4+ studentships

What the GW4+ studentship gives you

You will be offered a fully funded PhD place for 3.5 years in the fields of Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Life Sciences. This covers your tuition fees as well as a tax-free living allowance (a regular payment to cover your living costs) of approximately EUR 24,000 per year (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). In addition, you will receive a research grant of £9,000 to cover laboratory, fieldwork and computing costs, a conference budget of £2,000, and a personal professional development budget of £1,000 (with up to £1,000 extra for professional development, provided you can justify this). You will also take part in an internal development programme offering paid placements and wellbeing support. Funding is provided by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the GW4 universities: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. These collaborate with research organisations such as the British Antarctic Survey and the Natural History Museum.

Who can apply

• Degree: You hold a UK first-class degree or a 2:1 degree with honours (or an equivalent qualification from another country) in a subject relevant to the project, or you are on track to obtain one.
• Field of study: The projects cover four subject areas: climate change and risks, earth sciences and natural hazards, evolution and biodiversity, and science for environmental solutions. Knowledge of physics, engineering, mathematics, statistics and programming is also taken into account.
• Where you study: Throughout your PhD programme – with the exception of work placements – you will study in person at one of the four GW4 universities (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff or Exeter).
• Nationality: Both UK (‘Home’) students and international students are eligible to apply. The number of places for international students is limited to 30% of the total, meaning that most scholarships are awarded to UK students.
• English: If English is not your first language, you must meet your university’s English language requirements.
• Visa costs (international students): The scholarship does not cover the cost of a visa for the UK or the ‘Immigration Health Surcharge’ (£776 per person per year). You will need to budget for these costs yourself.

How to apply

First, choose a specific PhD project that interests you, and then contact the supervisor before submitting your application. Apply via the online portal of the relevant university and select the funding option ‘GW4+ DLTP’. The application deadline is 8 January (23:59 GMT). You may only apply for one project at one institution. If you are shortlisted, you will be interviewed by a selection panel in early March.

How realistic are your chances?

With up to 24 funded places per round at four universities and across numerous research areas, this is a competitive scholarship. You are applying for a specific project, not for a general funding pool. Your chances depend on how well your background matches the project, as well as on establishing contact with your supervisor at an early stage. Applicants from the UK have a clear advantage, as places for international applicants are limited to 30% of the total number.