Why it fits you

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Who can apply

Three different things not to mix up: the country where you study, your nationality and the country where you live when you apply.

Country of study
United Kingdom
Accepted nationalities
All nationalities
Target level
Doctorate
Fields of study
Environment and Sciences
Minimum grade
At least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or at least a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent
Other conditions
  • You may only apply to one project at any one university, but you may apply to more than one CENTA project if they are hosted at different universities.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: You may only apply to one project at any one university but you may apply to more than one CENTA project if they are hosted at different universities.
  • CENTA is funded by NERC – we can only fund projects which are within the NERC funding remit. For example, we do not fund medical research.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Please note, CENTA is funded by NERC – we can only fund projects which are within the NERC funding remit. For example, we do not fund medical research.
  • If disclosed, circumstances that may have taken time away from study and thus limited the candidate’s opportunity to demonstrate their full educational potential (for example through parental leave, other caring responsibilities, ill-health, disabilities or the need to engage in paid work alongside study) will be taken into consideration by the supervisors, host institution recruitment teams and the CENTA board.Organisation’s wording: If disclosed, circumstances that may have taken time away from study and thus limited the candidate’s opportunity to demonstrate their full educational potential (for example through parental leave, other caring responsibilities, ill-health, disabilities or the need to engage in paid work alongside study) will be taken into consideration by the supervisors, host institution recruitment teams and the CENTA board.

The real funding

What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.

Partly paid
Tuition
At your expense
Visa fees
Allowance
£21,805 a year
Length of the funding
42 months
What is left for you to pay
  • For international students, the shortfall between the Home fee level and the international fee rate will likely need to be covered from another source.

Dates

Applications close
6 January 2027 at 23:59 GMT, time zone not specified
Results announced
Late February or early March 2027 (conditional offer)
Studies start
Autumn 2027

Application steps

In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.

  1. Step 1: Find an available CENTA PhD project and read the 'Further Details' section of its advert to see how to apply.
    With whom
    You (applicant)
  2. Step 2: Apply directly to the host university through its application system, attaching the CENTA studentship form 2027, your CV and the university's application form, and complete the EDI survey.
    With whom
    You (applicant), through the host university's application portal
    By when
    6 January 2027 at 23:59 GMT, time zone not specified — Before 23:59 GMT on 6 January 2027
    Documents to provide
    • CENTA studentship form 2027
    • A CV with the names of at least two referees
    • The application form of the host university you are applying to
  3. Step 3: Interview, normally held online in early February.
    With whom
    The local university-based recruitment team

Where to apply

Central England NERC Training Alliance (CENTA) (opens in a new tab)

Official title (in English): CENTA PhD project-based studentships

Edition Intake 2027 · Verified on 31 October 2026

Apply on the official website (opens in a new tab)

Official website of Central England NERC Training Alliance (CENTA): centa.ac.uk