phd students french cambridge

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PhD in French

University of cambridge, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, similar courses at different universities, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

French Language

Course type

The PhD in French is awarded on the basis of a thesis, a substantial piece of writing which reports original research into a closely defined area of enquiry. The completion of the PhD thesis is generally expected to take three years, and most funding is based on this assumption. It is also possible to take a part-time route through research degrees, and the expected timeframe would be five years. The important notion of "original" can be defined in a number of ways, but basically the thesis should represent a significant contribution to learning, through the discovery of new knowledge, or through the connection of previously unrelated facts, or the development of new theory, or the revision of older views, or some combination of these different criteria. In writing the thesis, you are expected to take due account of previously published work on the subject, and you should ensure that the thesis is clearly and accurately written, paying due account to English style and grammar. The thesis must be written in English, apart from quotations. There is a normal word limit of 80,000 words, including footnotes and appendices, but excluding the bibliography.

During your research, you will work closely with a supervisor who is a specialist in your research area. You will also be assigned an advisor, who will normally have an interest in your research area and who is able to offer advice whenever needed. In addition to providing specialist supervision, the Faculty runs a programme of professional training for the benefit of all research students.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of a PhD course, students will have produced a piece of extended original research, of publishable or near-publishable quality.

They will have obtained:

• expert knowledge of a particular field of French studies;
• knowledge of the methodology or methodologies appropriate to their field;
• a set of research skills appropriate to their field;
• the ability to produce scholarly writing in English of a sufficiently high standard; and
• an appropriate set of transferable skills, such as work planning and time management.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Masters (Distinction). In addition to a distinction or equivalent in a master's degree, applicants should hold a strong honours degree in a relevant field, with clear evidence of research potential.

French Studies MA by Research

Royal holloway, university of london, french mlitt, newcastle university, phd in french studies, queen mary university of london, interpreting and translating - french and german ma, university of bath, french - phd, university of kent.

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PhD in French University of Cambridge

Course options

Qualification.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

University of Cambridge

01-OCT-24, 05-JAN-25

• TUITION FEES
• ENTRY REQUIREMENT
• UNIVERSITY INFO

Course summary

The PhD in French is awarded on the basis of a thesis, a substantial piece of writing which reports original research into a closely defined area of enquiry. The completion of the PhD thesis is generally expected to take three years, and most funding is based on this assumption. It is also possible to take a part-time route through research degrees, and the expected timeframe would be five years. The important notion of "original" can be defined in a number of ways, but basically the thesis should represent a significant contribution to learning, through the discovery of new knowledge, or through the connection of previously unrelated facts, or the development of new theory, or the revision of older views, or some combination of these different criteria. In writing the thesis, you are expected to take due account of previously published work on the subject, and you should ensure that the thesis is clearly and accurately written, paying due account to English style and grammar. The thesis must be written in English, apart from quotations. There is a normal word limit of 80,000 words, including footnotes and appendices, but excluding the bibliography.

During your research, you will work closely with a supervisor who is a specialist in your research area. You will also be assigned an advisor, who will normally have an interest in your research area and who is able to offer advice whenever needed. In addition to providing specialist supervision, the Faculty runs a programme of professional training for the benefit of all research students.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of a PhD course, students will have produced a piece of extended original research, of publishable or near-publishable quality.

They will have obtained:

• expert knowledge of a particular field of French studies;
• knowledge of the methodology or methodologies appropriate to their field;
• a set of research skills appropriate to their field;
• the ability to produce scholarly writing in English of a sufficiently high standard; and
• an appropriate set of transferable skills, such as work planning and time management.

Application deadline

16 May 2024, 02 October 2024

Module Options

Tuition fees.

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£ 29,826 per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University league table, campus address.

University of Cambridge, The Old Schools, Trinity Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1TN, England

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Subject ranking.

1st out of 47

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Topic description and stories

Testing the water

Industry placements for PhD students can be hugely beneficial for all concerned. We hear from two former students and the companies they worked for.

The unschooled anthropologist working with Q'eqchi' weavers

Living for ten months with Q’eqchi’ weavers in the Alta Verapaz of Guatemala, PhD student Callie Vandewiele watched and listened as the women crafted...

Cambridge receives new funding to support PhD students in science and engineering

The University of Cambridge has received new government and industrial funding to support at least 350 PhD students over the next eight years, via...

Postgraduate Open Day 2017 - meet our postgrads

Nearly 10,000 postgraduate students from more than 250 countries, working in countless different subject areas, contribute to Cambridge’s thriving...

Step inside the mind of the young Stephen Hawking as his PhD thesis goes online for first time

Stephen Hawking’s PhD thesis, ‘ Properties of expanding universes’ , has been made freely available to anyone, anywhere in the world, after being...

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AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge today announced three new joint schemes to support more than 80 PhD scholarships and eight clinical...

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Postgraduate Students in Philosophy at Cambridge are funded from a considerable variety of sources. 

Candidates who are offered a place and have indicated on their application that they wish to apply for funding are put forward by the Faculty to the University's funding competition. You can read more about how this works here.

It is possible for students who are not nominated to be successful in finding funding sources outside of the Faculty’s nominations, such as college awards. Applicants are strongly advised to consult the Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions webpage , which provides further details and more guidance through what is potentially a complex and confusing field. Students are encouraged to use the Cambridge Student Funding Search , which provides the most comprehensive overview of the funding opportunities available to applicants.

The Faculty also puts forward nominations for PhD applicants to be considered for AHRC funding.

Sources of Funding

Listed below are some of the main sources of funding available to incoming students. Some of these offer fully funded studentships, while others offer lesser but still useful contributions towards the total cost.

Open-Oxford-Cambridge DTP Studentships

The Open-Oxford-Cambridge Doctoral Training Partnership offers AHRC-funded studentships for PhD study in the arts and humanities. The studentships are open to applicants from the UK, European Union and overseas. The Open-Oxford-Cambridge DTP offers at least 77 studentships each year, across the range of arts and humanities subject areas. In addition to funding for fees and living costs (depending on eligibility), OOC DTP students benefit from being able to access a variety of other funding sources and a wide range of training available at the three partner universities. Please see the following website for more information: https://www.oocdtp.ac.uk/

These awards provide payment of university fees up to the 'home' rate throughout the funded period. Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including international students, is eligible for studentship funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), including the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Awards to international students are limited, however, and will not normally exceed 30% of the total awards in any one year.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students are eligible for a full award, comprising a stipend to support living costs and fees up to the home rate. The DTP partners will cover the gap between the home and overseas fee rates for international students.

To apply for an award please make this clear on your application form.

For advice on whether to apply you may contact the Director of Postgraduate Admissions, via the Postgraduate Secretary

Grants from the University of Cambridge

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards & Cambridge International Scholarships

On behalf of the University, the Cambridge Trust offers the Vice-Chancellor's Awards (for UK and EU students) and the Cambridge International Scholarships (for international students) for those undertaking PhD studies.

The aim of the Vice-Chancellor's Awards and Cambridge International Scholarships is to ensure that the highest scored students, irrespective of nationality, receive full financial support to undertake research leading to a PhD.  The Scholarships pay the University Composition Fee and a maintenance allowance sufficient for a single person (note application deadline of 1st December 2022).

Grants from the Cambridge Trusts

The funding opportunities detailed in this section are not available to UK students. 

Gates Cambridge

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship programme was established in October 2000 by a donation of US$210m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge; this is the largest ever single donation to a UK university.

Each year Gates Cambridge offers c.80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round.

Please consult the Gates website before writing your statement since the criteria for a Gates Scholarship are not purely academic. You are encouraged to contact the Director of Postgraduate Admissions, via the Postgraduate Secretary, for advice on whether to apply and what to include in your statement.

Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust

The Cambridge Trust is a major source of funding to scholars at Cambridge and offers a number of scholarships for postgraduate students.  If you wish to be considered for a scholarship from the Trust, you must complete the funding section of the online application form via the Applicant Portal expressing your wish to be considered for funding and give details of the scholarships for which you wish to be considered.

Jacobsen Fellowships and Royal Institute of Philosophy Bursaries

Fellowships of £8,000 and bursaries of £3,000, each for one year, are available to postgraduates who have already completed one year of postgraduate work.

Burney Studentship and Fund

Research students working in the philosophy of religion may apply for the Burney Studentship or smaller grants from the fund. The studentship is tenable for one year, but a student may be re-elected once.

The Faculty has several of its own awards for which all candidates who apply by the December deadline will be considered. The number and value of these awards varies from year to year, but last year we offered five MPhil awards of slightly over £4000 each.

Studentships offered by colleges

Conditions of eligibility, methods of application and closing dates vary widely. Applicants are urged to consult the Cambridge Student Funding Search for details. The following colleges usually or always offer some full cost studentships:

Christ's, Clare Hall, Corpus Christi , Darwin , Downing , Emmanuel , Girton , King's , Magdalene , Newnham , Pembroke , Peterhouse , St John's , Selwyn , Sidney Sussex , Trinity , Trinity Hall .

DH Mellor Cambridge Trust Philosophy Studentships

Darwin College offers annually, by competition, one fully-funded PhD Philosophy Studentship and two Masters Philosophy studentships of up to £12,000 to students commencing graduate work in the Faculty of Philosophy. Other things being equal, preference will be given to UK students. The award is for students to study at Darwin College. Applications are welcome from students applying to Darwin, or from students who, if applying to other Colleges, are prepared to apply to transfer to Darwin. No special application forms are necessary, and all those eligible will be considered from information contained in their original application to the University. The tenure of the award is for one year, but holders may be considered in subsequent years.

Onora O’Neill Studentship

Newnham College will offer annually a studentship of between £3,000 - £12,000 to students commencing Postgraduate work in the Faculty of Philosophy. Current first year Newnham PhD students can also apply.

Stephan Körner Postgraduate Scholarship

Available to female students who list Murray Edwards College as their first choice college

Murray Edwards College offers this scholarship to a student in Philosophy, Classics or Law, to assist in funding a full one-year MPhil and/or 3-year PhD course.

Postgraduate students who are registered for the PhD may offer to undertake supervisions, i.e. small group teaching of undergraduates. This provides very useful experience for future job applications and also a financial reward. It is paid at piecework rates (currently approx. £28 per hour) and students may undertake up to six hours per week for the twenty teaching weeks of the year.

Postgraduate students also have the opportunity to lead discussion groups for first and second year students and to assist in the running of first year logic classes. Those who are near completing their PhD's may be invited by the Faculty to give a short course of lectures on the subject of their research. All of these forms of teaching provide excellent experience, useful lines on CVs, and are paid.

Students are liable to pay tuition fees to the University for each term of any degree course they undertake until the course has been completed or a prescribed maximum has been paid (e.g. nine terms for the PhD). In addition to tuition fees, students must budget for their own maintenance (including accommodation) and for the living expenses of any dependents who might accompany them. Although liability is incurred on a termly basis, colleges - who are responsible for collecting University fees - may require students to pay a full year's fees in advance.

General living expenses

As well as allowing for University fees, prospective students must budget for living expenses while at Cambridge. These vary according to individual needs and tastes; the cost of accommodation is a particularly significant factor, as private rented accommodation in Cambridge is more expensive than in many other British cities, and costs considerably more than college accommodation. Married accommodation may be more expensive. The cost of food, clothing, other personal requirements, books, stationery, and other research expenses, including the costs of thesis preparation, and of travel to and from Cambridge must also be budgeted for. Inflation must also be borne in mind.

In order to be admitted to the University of Cambridge, applicants are required to show evidence of funds to cover maintenance costs while studying. The Postgraduate Admissions website has a useful maintenance calculator, which calculates an estimate for your absolute minimum living expenses while studying at Cambridge. The calculator can be found here:

https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance

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• Top Universities for PhD Study in France - 2024

Top Universities for PhD Study in France – 2024

Written by Taru Medha

If you are thinking of doing a PhD in France, you can be sure you’ll be in good hands! The French government invests heavily in research, making the French higher education system highly respected in the world. France is known for excellence in teaching in everything from Business to Culinary Arts.

The French place a particular emphasis on specialised study which is an added bonus when thinking of doing a PhD as you can study somewhere that solely focuses on your subject of interest.

The French higher education system is divided into a few different types of institutions:

• Universities – Universities are financed by the French State and confer Masters and PhD degrees. Whether you want to study Science, Arts, Economics or Medicine, you have a place at one of the many French universities.
• Grandes Écoles – The Grandes Écoles are a network of more specialised schools. They can either be publicly or privately funded but are all recognised by the State. Écoles Normales Supérieures (Institutes of Advanced Education), Instituts d’Etudes Politiques (Political Science Institutes), Engineering Schools and Business and Management Schools are all part of the French Grande Écoles network.
• Schools of Art and Applied Arts – 50 French Schools of Arts and Applied Sciences provide specialised research training in Art and Design. They’re overseen by the French Ministry of Culture and some, like the École Estienne and École Boulle - HESAM Université, are directly overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education.
• Ecoles Nationales Supérieures d’Architecture (National Schools of Architecture) – The École Spéciale d’Architecture (Special School of Architecture), the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (National Institute of Applied Sciences) along with 20 other public schools, form the ENSA network.
• Other specialised schools and institutions – France is home to nearly 3,000 higher education institutions that offer specialised courses in fields like Communication, Journalism and Medicine among others. However, not all degrees conferred by these institutions are recognised by the State.

Even though France follows the three-level organisation of degrees as dictated by the Bologna System and most degrees are valid in other countries , you must double check the validity of the degree provided by the institute you’re applying to.

Top 20 universities in France for a PhD

The history, reputation and popularity of the French education system is also reflected in the many universities featuring in global university ranking tables.

The table below lists the 20 best universities in France for PhD study according to global rankings. This information is based on the latest rankings tables, researched and published by Times Higher Education , QS and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) . It is important to note that each ranking system has their own methodology, and different factors affect the final result for a particular university.

Do rankings matter for postgraduate study?

Even though there are no postgraduate-specific rankings, university league tables can still be a useful tool for prospective PhD students.Read our guide on how to use international ranking tables as a postgraduate student for more information

No matter what you decide to study, there is a place for you at a world-renowned French institution.

Decided you want to study a PhD in France?

You can browse our website for PhDs in France and read our guides on how to apply for a PhD in France and much more.

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Cambridge is an outstanding place to work on Anglophone literature. Students and scholars benefit from world-class libraries, and from each other. The PhD cohort is diverse and large in number. No particular area or approach is preferred. Faculty members who act as supervisors and advisors for doctoral theses work on a great variety of topics and in varied ways. Proposals of all kinds are therefore welcome: on little-known as well as canonical authors; from innovative and interdisciplinary as well as from more traditional thematic, theoretical, cultural and literary-historical perspectives. Regular postgraduate training sessions offer guidance at every stage of the process - from first-year assessment to learning to teach to applying for jobs. In addition to the formal training, there are excellent opportunities for the sorts of enriching conversations and collaborations that emerge informally, between fellow PhDs, MPhils and Faculty members. Some of these take place under the auspices of the student-run Graduate Research Forum.  Regular Research Seminars focus on particular periods and fields (for instance, Medieval, Nineteenth Century, Postcolonial and Related Literatures); these combine internal and invited speakers, and encourage discussions and relationships between the entire research community.  The Faculty also puts on occasional conferences on all manner of topics; like the research seminars, many of the most successful and exciting ones are conceived of and run by PhD students.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, faculty of english, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Lent 2025 (Closed)

Easter 2025 (closed), funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

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As part of the BBSRC DTP Programme 'standard' and 'targeted' course students must complete a 12-week (60 work days) internship.

All placements provide students with the opportunity to work in a different often non-lab based environment and to experience a different working culture.

A PIPS placement provides an amazing opportunity to learn and apply new skills that will develop you as a researcher and help you understand the context of your research in the wider world, as well as providing ideas about future employment options. 

Student Feedback

Students within the BBSRC DTP consistently review the PIPS programme positively. Over 98% of respondees consider the placement a worthwhile and enriching experience, with 89% reporting the development of otherwise unattainable skills whilst on placement.

See the testimonials

What does the PIPS scheme offer to Employers?

Our Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS) scheme offers the opportunity for employers to take on a University of Cambridge PhD student for up to three months to carry out work on projects that suit both the employer and the student. It gives students the opportunity to see the application of their academic skills outside academia, and how their research fits into broader society.

The scheme is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council ( BBSRC ), covering living costs, travel and accommodation.

Host organisation guidelines

The following document outlines the terms of taking on a student from the BBSRC DTP to undertake a PIPS project. In organising the PIPS, the host organisation will be expected to sign the PIPS Project Description. In doing so, they are indicating both that they are satisfied with the description of the project and that they agree to the terms laid out in the Host Organisation Guidelines .

Advertising a PIPS opportunity - Becoming an Approved Host Organisation

Approved hosts have agreed to the general terms of the PIPS scheme and are advertised on a list that is provided for the DTP students. To join this list you will need to fill in the Host Organisation Application Form and send it to the DTP Coordinator who will then build your host profile.

Your profile should provide students with information on general opportunities available and the information needed to contact an appropriate representative from your organisation. Please note that the DTP makes no guarantee of an application to your organisation from a student.

Advertising a Specific Internship Project

Approved hosts can also advertise a specific project that would be suitable for a PIPS internship. If such an opportunity exists within your organisation you can send the advert to the DTP Coordinator . You may like to use the Internship Opportunity Template provided, but if you already have an advert please make sure that it includes the following information:

• Organisation name and sector
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This advert will be directly advertised to Cambridge BBSRC DTP students without editing. Please note that the DTP makes no guarantee of an application to your organisation from a student.

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St John’s College Research Fellowships competition 2025 opens for early career academics

‘rising stars’ invited to apply for prestigious research posts before 19 september 2024.

Our Research Fellowships open doors for rising stars – Nobel Prize-winners have begun their academic careers at St John’s, one Research Fellow coined the phrase ‘Big Bang’, and another was a Bletchley Park code-breaker.

The research interests of St John’s Fellows remain as extensive as ever – they are working at the forefront of everything from artificial intelligence, and evolutionary biology, to the psychology of social media.

We are now inviting applications for the 2025 Research Fellowship awards, with a starting date of 1 October 2025. These prestigious awards offer a rare opportunity for you to devote yourself to independent research in a stimulating and supportive academic environment, for up to four years. 

We place great importance on the intellectual contribution our Research Fellows make to St John’s, and on creating the conditions to accelerate your progress towards an outstanding academic career.

The College is offering up to four Research Fellowship awards in the 2025 competition.

“Research Fellows are able to devote their time to research, and the level of engagement they are able to have with important questions within their field is particularly high”

Eligibility

We accept applications from a graduate of any university within or outside the United Kingdom, and welcome applications from all academic disciplines, to sustain a diverse community of award-holders. 

Our Research Fellowship awards are for early-career academics. Successful candidates will normally either be postdoctoral researchers who have been awarded their PhD within the last two years or graduate students in the latter stages of research leading to a PhD.

Candidates holding a fellowship or other postdoctoral stipend (for example, awarded by a research council or other similar body) may apply, noting that any stipend or other funding received will be deducted from the Research Fellowship award.

Holders of a Fellowship at a Cambridge college may not apply. Candidates who accept a Fellowship from another Cambridge college will be deemed to have withdrawn from St John’s College’s Research Fellowship competition.

We typically receive between 600 and 800 eligible applications for Research Fellowship awards. Information about our current Research Fellows can be found in our  Research Fellows’ Directory . 

“We are invited, with immense warmth, to participate in every aspect of College life and I have had some of the most exciting discussions and exchanges with colleagues both within and beyond my field at St John’s”

Terms of the award and accompanying fellowship.

The award offers a research stipend of £31,396 to £33,966 per annum for up to four years, and award-holders are elected to a Research Fellowship for this period.  Award-holders are permitted to receive additional pay for up to six hours' College or University teaching a week.

Research Fellows benefit from up to £10,000 in additional grants over their four-year tenure. These grants support the costs of academic materials, travel expenses, computer equipment, books and, where appropriate, the expense of extended periods of research outside Cambridge. Additionally, during their four-year tenure, we offer up to £5,700 towards the costs of organising a conference or workshop in St John’s.  

Research Fellows can choose to live in College in single residential accommodation, with charges applying for services and supplies. Research Fellows who live outside College, including those who live with their partner/family, are eligible for a housing allowance worth up to £34,800 over their four-year tenure. This allowance is paid monthly and is capped at 50% of rent paid. Research Fellows living outside St John’s will have an office in College. Fellowships are held on condition of residence within the University of Cambridge, ie within 20 miles of the centre of Cambridge.  

Research Fellows are also entitled to take one meal each day in College, at College expense.

Subject to circumstances, we will consider:

• a deferral for up to one year before the Research Fellowship award and associated Fellowship commences;
• periods of working away from Cambridge for the purposes of research for up to one year;
• a period undertaking a remunerated academic position that contributes to professional development (for example, a temporary teaching position) of up to one year, during which the award-holder will forgo the College stipend.

“The very generous housing allowance and food provision make this Research Fellowship appealing to those who really have to consider the financial viability of continuing research”

About our College and our Research Fellows

For more than 500 years, St John’s has flourished as an independent and self-determining academic community. We approach our mission to advance education, learning and research with an unwavering commitment to academic freedom, excellence, and integrity. 

We are committed to sustaining and enhancing the College’s global renown for scholarship across a wide range of disciplines, and we are regarded as a beacon of academic excellence.  

St John’s is a friendly, warm, and welcoming place. The College is held in deep affection by its members, who include around 155 Fellows, 550 undergraduate and 300+ postgraduate students, some 13,000 alumni worldwide, and 250 staff. Our community is a tolerant, inclusive, caring and respectful meritocracy, with genuine  joie de vivre . We cherish the diversity of experience, culture, and perspective in members of the College, and the way this enriches our learning and our lives. We seek to balance how we fulfil our purposes today with our stewardship responsibilities for future generations in the College, and for the wellbeing of our planet. 

Our Research Fellows play an important role in the Fellowship and the College, and we place great importance in helping them to establish strong foundations for an outstanding academic career. This includes providing a mentor to support their research progress and an invaluable annual touchpoint with the expert academics on our Research Committee.

Once elected, our Research Fellows have full voting rights, and their voices make a valued contribution to the governance of the College.

Our main objective is to ensure Research Fellows are devoted to research in order to accelerate their scholarly progress but we also create opportunities to gain experience in strategic and business matters, which can be further differentiators when it comes to future steps on the career ladder.   

“The level of intellectual, social and practical support feels profoundly special, and makes this experience feel like so much more than simply a job”

Our Research Fellows organise lecture series, connect with alumni and students, help to foster an active social life, are integral to sport, music and other cultural activities, and sit on appointment panels. Some present students for degrees and are elected to serve as Trustees of the College.

The 2018 cohort include Dr Vincent Fortuin, an engineer who was selected for The Branco Weiss Fellowship, a prestigious programme for outstanding postdoctoral researchers hosted by ETH Zurich.

Evolutionary biologist Dr Joana Meier became a Research Fellow in 2018 and since 2022 has been Royal Society University Research Fellow and Group Leader at the Tree of Life Programme of the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

Dr Morgan Ng, who is a historian of Renaissance Architecture and Visual Culture, joined Yale University in 2021 after his Research Fellowship.

Researching the relationship between two Bronze Age writing systems, classicist Dr Ester Salgarella made enormous steps towards the deciphering of the Linear A Minoan script, with her findings described as ‘an extraordinary piece of detective work’.

Dr Giuliana Fusco was awarded the Raymond Andrew Prize for her PhD thesis while a postgraduate at St John’s, and as a Research Fellow she was lead author of a study that made a vital step towards understanding the origins of Parkinson’s Disease.

“Research Fellows inject an academic excitement into the environment, introducing new scholars, new areas of study, and new Fellows to get to know”

How to apply.

Your application must be  submitted online  by 2pm BST on 19 September 2024. Referees will have until 2pm BST on 24 September to complete your references.

You can submit an application before getting all three references, but your application will be considered incomplete if the references are not added by the reference deadline. It is your responsibility to ensure referees submit their references in time.

The application site will open during the week commencing 29 July 2024. Awards will be made in January 2025.

No interviews are held. Rigorous assessment of submitted written work, previous research achievements and research intentions are of primary importance. 

St John’s College policies are fully inclusive, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or reassignment, or relationship status. 

Please note the College is unable to advise or assist individual candidates on any matters concerning eligibility or the content of their applications. You can find a guidance document for filling out your application below.

Download candidate FAQs

Support For technical enquiries or difficulties accessing the application site, email Research Fellowship competition or call +44 1223 338 609.

Published 30/7/2024

Back to College News

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The Section very much welcomes postgraduate students, both at the level of MPhil (Masters) and at the level of PhD (Doctorate). Please follow one of the links below for information relevant to the type of course you wish to follow: 

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Latest News

Prof Wendy Ayres-Bennett: New handbook combines wide coverage with cutting-edge research

22 July 2024

22 July 2024 Professor Wendy Ayres-Bennett (University of Cambridge) and Professor Mairi McLaughlin (UC Berkeley, Cambridge alumna) have co-edited the newly published Oxford Handbook of the French Language , featuring 32 chapters by different specialists on French from a range of fields and disciplines. In this interview...

Cambridge Emerita Professor Wendy Ayres-Bennett co-edits Oxford Handbook of the French Language

11 July 2024

11 July 2024 Professor Wendy Ayres-Bennett (University of Cambridge) and Professor Mairi McLaughlin (UC Berkeley) are pleased to announce the publication of The Oxford Handbook of the French Language , featuring 32 chapters by different specialists on French from a range of fields and disciplines. This volume provides the...

Professor Gilby interviewed about her Leverhulme Fellowship

10 June 2024

Professor Emma Gilby, Professor of Modern Literature and Thought and Bye-Fellow at Sidney Sussex College, has been awarded a three-year Major Research Fellowship by the Leverhulme Trust for her project ‘Women and the Making of Modern Languages: A New Modernism’. Around the turn of the twentieth century, two social...

Dr Solange Manche awarded Society for French Studies Post-Doctoral Fellowship

22 May 2024

Congratulations to Dr Solange Manche, who has been awarded The Society for French Studies 2024-25 Post-Doctoral Fellowship. Her project includes both the reworking and publication of her doctoral thesis and the development of a new postdoctoral project provisionally entitled ‘Planning for a Better Life in the Anthropocene...

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 " I chose to attend Simon Fraser University (SFU) for its renowned Department of French, which offers a robust academic program with a strong focus on literature and language studies. SFU's commitment to fostering a multicultural and inclusive environment resonated with my personal and professional goals."  

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French master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field.

My name is Atanga Williams, and I am a Master of Arts in French student here at Simon Fraser University before coming here, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in French and Chinese from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. I am inspired by the power of effective communication to bridge cultural gaps and foster understanding. My dedication to continuous learning stems from a desire to make a meaningful impact through language education and bilingual communication, ensuring information is accessible and clear for all.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I chose to attend Simon Fraser University (SFU) for its renowned Department of French, which offers a robust academic program with a strong focus on literature and language studies. SFU's commitment to fostering a multicultural and inclusive environment resonated with my personal and professional goals.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

My research at Simon Fraser University delves into how African migration and cultural identity are portrayed in literature, focusing on the novel "Le ventre de l'Atlantique" by Fatou Diome. I examine how characters in the book navigate their sense of self and belonging in a new cultural context. By analyzing the author's writing techniques and the historical and social backgrounds of the story, I explore how these themes impact the characters' personal growth and identities.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Identity, Migration, Belongingness

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

My courses and teaching assistantships (TA-ships) have significantly contributed to my academic and professional development. Advanced coursework at Simon Fraser University provided me with in-depth knowledge of French literature and themes in migritude. Through TA-ships, I gained valuable experience in teaching, curriculum development, and student engagement, honing my communication and instructional skills.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

During my graduate journey, the most valuable lessons I've learned include the importance of resilience and adaptability, the value of effective communication, and the necessity of interdisciplinary thinking. Resilience and adaptability have helped me navigate the challenges and setbacks inherent in advanced research.

How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?

I make it a point to attend relevant academic events and workshops. These provide valuable opportunities to meet peers, share my research, and learn from others in my field. I actively participate in the SFU Graduate Students' Union and the SFU Teaching Support Union meetings. These gatherings provide a platform to connect with fellow students and teaching staff, discuss common issues, and collaborate on initiatives.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

I prioritize my tasks by importance and deadlines. By focusing on what's most crucial, I can manage my workload effectively without neglecting my personal life.

Contact Williams: [email protected]

• Student Responsibilities

Fulbright Award Sends Physics Grad Student to France for Quantum Research

Persistence has paid off for UC Merced doctoral candidate Arabi Seshappan.

The graduate student from Fremont, about to start her sixth year, was selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program's Fulbright-Université Paris-Saclay Doctoral Research Award , which is only granted to three U.S. students each year.

“This was my third time applying. I applied once before coming to UC Merced and once during COVID-19,” Seshappan said. “I’m grateful to Becky Mirza and the Office of International Affairs. Becky formed a committee including physics faculty and they reviewed my application and helped inform how I applied for the Fulbright award.”

Along with the monthly stipend and relocation support, the fellowship also offers a dynamic network of past and present Fulbright fellows.

Seshappan’s research focuses on computational condensed matter theory in UC Merced physics Professor David Strubbe's lab. She has been looking at defects in solids to find possible candidates for qubits (quantum bits).

She leaves soon to spend 10 months at a satellite campus of the Université Paris-Saclay in Orsay. Starting Sept. 1, she will study quantum computing solutions with Professor Leonardo Mazza , an expert in fractional quantum spin, a new direction for her dissertation research.

Seshappan’s road to science, and specifically physics, wasn’t direct.

In high school, she failed chemistry. Later, she continued her education at Chabot College, a community college in Hayward. While there, her chemistry professor told her she excelled at the subject.

“Having someone tell me I was good at something for the first time in my life meant everything to me,” she said. “Now, I'm in a Ph.D. program; it wouldn't have happened if she hadn't said that to me.”

Seshappan later transferred to UCLA and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

After graduation, she explored graduate school options but was told she needed to strengthen her physics experience. She applied to the California State University Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Bridge to Doctorate program — a comprehensive, statewide program dedicated to broadening participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.

“I participated in the physics program, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, I love it,’” Seshappan said. “I should have done physics from the beginning.”

She applied to graduate programs and found the right fit with Strubbe. She also learned the percentage of female faculty in UC Merced’s Department of Physics is higher than the national average, and that sealed her decision.

Ultimately, Seshappan looks forward to teaching at a historically Black college or Hispanic-serving institution to provide opportunities to people who wouldn’t normally have them.

“I went to a community college where most of the people were Black or Hispanic and didn't have opportunities. The people I met at Chabot College are some of the smartest people that I've ever met,” she said.

This isn't Seshappan's first time going abroad for research. Through Strubbe's connections, she spent time attending a school and conference in Spain. He also assisted her with finding her Fulbright placement.

“As a graduate student, I spent a summer doing research in Spain, which was a formative experience for my research interests and network. I have continued attending a conference in Spain since that time and have brought some of my students. I was impressed that Arabi took the initiative to seek out this Fulbright fellowship and I think it will be a great opportunity for her to make new connections like I did, and build on what she has learned at UC Merced in a new environment,” said Strubbe.

She believes the opportunities for global academic collaborations she has been afforded will help her future students.

“We live in a global society, so it’s important to make these connections,” she said. “I want to be able to send my students to other places so they can have opportunities like I have.”

I was impressed that Arabi took the initiative to seek out this Fulbright fellowship and I think it will be a great opportunity for her to make new connections like I did, and build on what she has learned at UC Merced in a new environment.

Brenda Ortiz

Media Contact

Senior Public Information Representative

Office: (209) 228-4203

Mobile: (209) 628-8263

[email protected]

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