Join us

Join us. Together, we will challenge and change the current thinking. Collectively, we will move the mindsets, change the behaviours and open up the possibilities that will help to transform mobility. 

Let's work as one to lead the way towards innovative, clean and CO2 free ways of moving people and products. Let's work smart to design intelligent cities with new forms of vehicles. Let's engineer a future where the world has transport and movement that is impact free. 

Be part of creating a future where our mobility choices positively affect air quality and contribute to the end of climate change.

We have at least 10 fully-funded studentships on offer each September, you can apply to AAPS from 1 November to 30 June each year. Find out more about our application process and whether our CDT is the right fit for you.

Routes of joining the CDT

There are two ways that you can join our AAPS CDT.

  • Join with a specific advertised project
  • Join through the open pool, without a predefined project

Join with a specific advertised project

You can apply for a specific project advertised by one of our CDT's supervisors. You'll still be part of the cohort and spend your first year studying the MRes and taking part in CDT training activities.

Find out more about the current projects available in the AAPS CDT.

Join through the open pool, without a predefined project

You can apply to join our CDT and spend your first year studying the MRes and taking part in CDT training activities as well as choosing your PhD topic, supervisory team and industrial partners to support your research. This is referred to as being part of the ‘common pool’. Once you begin your studies you should express your preferences for PhD topics/areas early in the academic year so work can begin to start the process of defining your project.

If you join the CDT as part of ‘common pool’ then, as other projects become available throughout the MRes year they will be advertised to you before being advertised externally.

Entry Requirements

Eligibility

  • To apply for this programme, you should have a first class or strong second class bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent.
  • You should be a highly ambitious individual who is interested in conducting a PhD whilst simultaneously developing transdisciplinary team-working skills and engaging with industrial partners.

English Proficiency

  • If English is not your first language, the requirements for this programme are
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components.
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components
  • If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.
  • Please check our English language requirements for further information.

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for our CDT, please email our Student Experience and Programmes Officer, Jessica Ohren at aapscdt@bath.ac.uk with an expression of interest

Your expression of interest should include:

  • a 300-word personal statement on how your research interest and personal purpose aligns with the AAPS CDT vision, and why you want to be part of the CDT.
  • which AAPS Research Theme(s) you feel your interests most fit into
  • the title of the project you're applying for (if applicable)
  • a two-page CV of your academic and work experience, including your nationality and country of residence for the past three years (not including full-time education)
  • a scan of your academic transcripts
  • where you heard about us

Our team will be in touch and if you are shortlisted we will ask you to make a formal application through our Doctoral College. We will review formal applications and invite candidates to an interview. We will make a final decision after this interview.

Assessment Process

Entry to the AAPS CDT is not based on academic ability alone. We are looking for candidates who embrace our cohort based approach. Our assessment days are designed to give you more information about what being part of the CDT will mean for you, as well as giving us the opportunity to find out more about you.

The Interview Day

There are five elements that make up your interview day

  • Welcome and introduction to the programme from the academic directors
  • Tour of the University with our current students
  • Groupworking activity
  • Academic Interview
  • Values and Purpose Discussion

Funding & Eligibility

Our integrated programme lasts four to five years (full time). We have around 15 fully funded 4-year studentships available each year. You may also receive funding from one of our external partnership organisations. 

Your studentship covers:

  • University fees

  • Payment of a tax-free maintenance stipend (£17,668 pa—2022/23 rate)

  • training support fund (£1000/year)

  • AAPS training activities

  • office space and computing facilities

You can apply for more funding to support your placement and any national and international academic exchanges once you have registered.

Students with Home Fee Status

We have at least 10 fully funded 4 year studentships for students eligible for home fees each year.

Students with International Fee Status

We have 3 fully funded 4 year studentships for students with International Fee Status

If you're a student from outside the UK, you may also be eligible for country-specific funding. Check here for more information.  

How your fee status is decided

Find out more here about how the fee status is decided and whether you are eligible for home fees and funding. 

Submission deadlines

You should apply early for our CDT as the application process is competitive and we have limited places. We can only consider applications if spaces are available.

We receive your interest by Potential interview
10 December First or second week of January
6 January First week of February
30 January First week of March
28 February First week of April
31 March First week of May
30 April First week of June
31 May First week of July
30 June These will be held on a case-by-case basis

© Copyright 2021 AAPS CDT, Centre for Doctoral Training in Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems at the University of Bath