• Image of the west coast of Scotland in summer
    blue background
    West coast: an adventurer's paradise
  • Image shows two marine robotics scientists in the North Atlantic Glider Base
    white background
    Outstanding research infrastructure...
    enables outstanding research
  • Picture of physical oceanographer Prof Stuart Cunningham in his office
    white background
    SAMS supervisors: world-leading experts
  • Photo showing benthic biodiversity in deep waters
    white background
    Marine biodiversity:
    treasure trove for researchers

Self-funded PhDs at SAMS

Discuss your SELF-FUNDED PhD idea with a SAMS researcher

We are open to talk to prospective students who have an idea for a PhD research project that sits well within our research areas and who are able to fund the project themselves.

Here is some advice on the best way to pitch your idea to us:

> Firstly, learn more about our research areas and the research currently being conducted at SAMS. Decide which area your idea is relevant to and consider how it could enhance our research efforts.

> Look at the individual researcher pages over on our “People” page and identify who may be a suitable PhD supervisor for your research idea.

> Finally, make initial contact. There are two ways to go about this:

> Get in touch with our PhD team first to discuss your ideas and get advice about the costs of a PhD before going direct to the researcher. Send an email to phd@sams.ac.uk making it clear to the team that you have means to fund the project yourself. A member of staff will then be able to help advise on potential supervisors and may even be able to pass on your idea and enquiry to the relevant people.

> Go direct to the researcher. If you have full confidence in your research idea and have researched suitable supervisors, then contact them, preferably via email, with a summary of your idea, making it clear that you have means to self-fund the project. Please bear in mind that our scientists are very busy and may not reply straight away.

Good luck!

Looking for self-funded PhD project ideas?

Our scientists have proposed some topics for self-funded students to consider:

>Innovation in the Environmental Monitoring of Scottish Lochhead Saltmarshes; a forgotten global specialist
Advanced UAV and satellite-based Mapping and Conservation of Seagrass Ecosystems. Director of Studies: Dr Niall Burnside

>Multi-stressor resilience and vulnerability in intertidal systems. Multi-stressor impacts on coastal Antarctic and temperate sea urchins. Venom defence system of sea urchins. Environment genetic toxicology and stress response system in marine invertebrates. Director of Studies: Dr Helena Reinardy

>SE Greenland marine terminating glaciers – ice-ocean interaction; their bathymetric and oceanographic context. Director of Studies: Professor John Howe

>Pop goes the plankton: Exploring newly discovered zooplankton sound production in marine environments.
Director of Studies: Dr Kim Last

> Addressing the pervasive problem of marine litter on Scotland’s coastline. Director of Studies:Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy

>Sea lice at depth - Do they pose a problem for innovative salmon farm designs? Director of Studies: Dr Andrew Dale 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Self-funded students will require to have in the region of £16,000 per year for living expenses to be in line with RCUK doctoral stipends on top of the fees.

For UHI PhD projects, click here for the current fees.

Most of our PhD projects are registered through the University of the Highlands and Islands, and this page outlines the application procedure for UHI PhDs. 

We adhere strictly to equality and diversity policies during all phases of recruitment so that we find the most talented and motivated students to join us.

Eligibility

To be eligible to study for a PhD at SAMS UHI, you must possess the following in a relevant discipline and from a reputable institution:

  • A Master's qualification and / or
  • A Bachelor degree with first class or upper second class honours and / or
  • Another qualification or substantial experience that demonstrates your academic competence to complete doctoral training successfully (to be approved by the UHI Research Degrees Committee on the recommendation of the SAMS Director).
  • Additionally, international students whose first language is not English and who do not hold a prior degree obtained in English must hold an IELTS qualification with a score of 6 or over in every section, with a minimum score of 6.5 overall (6+ in writing), gained within two years prior to your registration date.

How to Apply

For self-funded PhDs, you need to have identified an approved PhD project (including a Director of Studies / supervisory team) that you have developed with a SAMS supervisor and have funding for. 

Return your completed application to the email stated on the form, accompanied by your cv and any supporting documentation listed below. Please submit your whole application as one pdf. Your referees should use the reference form provided and also return it to the email stated on the application form.

Supporting Documentation Required

The following documents should be emailed with your application and CV as one pdf file:

  • Copies of all official qualification certificates and transcripts. If your official certificates/transcripts are not in English, they must be accompanied by a full certified translation provided by a professional translator/translation company.
  • If English is not your native language, an English language test certificate (IELTS or equivalent), gained within the past two years;
  • If you are not a UK national, a copy of the photo page of your passport. Also include any pages which indicate a right of abode in the UK;
  • 2 academic references. If references are not available at the time of submission, they can be excluded from the single pdf file, however applicants are responsible for ensuring their referees submit the references to the email given on the application form by the deadline.
  • If you wish to apply for more than one project, please submit separate applications.

For self-funding PhD students:

For administrative issues, your first and main point of contact is the Postgraduate Academic Support Administrator who can be contacted by email to: phd@sams.ac.uk

The SAMS graduate school is convened by marine deep-sea ecologist and microplastic researcher, Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy:

E: Bhavani.Narayanaswamy@sams.ac.uk T: +44 (0) 1631 559 305 (direct)