Difficult Conversations: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Maintaining difficult conversations whilst caring for the nation's memory (RS737)

Funding provider(s):  

This is a Welsh-medium Research Scholarship to start in the 2025/26 academic year funded in full or in part through the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Research Scholarship Scheme.  

 Swansea University's Postgraduate Research Office has also secured central equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) funding which can be used to support postgraduate research scholarships for applicants from under-represented groups. To recognise the Welsh language we have set aside up to four 50% funded scholarships which can match-fund the Coleg Cymraeg’s funding and provide fully funded scholarships, including fees, stipend and RTSG. 

Subject area(s):  

Difficult Conversations

Project start date(s)  

• October (2025)  

• January (2026) 

Supervisors:  

Dr Geraldine Lublin

Dr Gethin Matthews

Dr Dafydd Tudur

Aligned programme of study:  

Modern Languages, PhD  

Mode of study:   

Full or Part-time study is possible. 

Project description:  

Please see Welsh advert for further information.

Candidates must have attained, or must be expected to attain, a first-class honours degree and/or a distinction at master’s level. 

• Where applicants have multiple master’s degrees, a distinction must be held in the degree that is most relevant to the intended PhD study. 

• If you are currently studying for a master’s level qualification with an expected award date that is later than 01/10/2025, you should hold a minimum of an upper-second-class (2:1) honours degree.   

• You should be able to demonstrate a pass with a minimum grade average of at least 70% for your part-one master’s degree modules (the taught aspect of your master’s course rather than a research-focused dissertation) and submit your dissertation by no later than 30/09/2025.  

NB: If you hold a non-UK degree, please see the Swansea University degree comparisons to find out if you meet the eligibility criteria.  

Applicants must be able to begin their course of study in October 2025 or January 2026.  As a cohort-based programme, deferral to an alternative enrolment window within the academic year or to another academic year is not permissible. 

Welsh language Requirements:  

Standard programme entry requirements apply, with the additional requirement of being able to confidently write in Welsh (and or/hold a Welsh literature GCSE grade C or above). 

Scholarship open to UK fee eligible applicants ONLY. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for 2024/25).

Additional research expenses of up to £500 - £1,000 per year will also be available.

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information: 

1. Course choice – please select as per preferred mode of study or intake, either: 

*For October 2025 select: 

(Full-time) Modern Languages / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October 

(Part-time) Modern Languages / PhD / Part-time / 6 Years / October 

OR 

*For January 2026 select: 

(Full-time) Modern Languages / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / January 

(Part-time)  Modern Languages / PhD / Part-time / 6 Years / January 

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application. 

• Start year – please select 2025 or 2026 
• Funding (page 8 on the application process) – 
• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No 
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS737 - Difficult Conversations' 

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.   

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form)  

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

• CV
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
• Confirmation of EDI form submission
• Evidence of meeting Welsh Language requirement  

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Geraldine Lublin  (g.lublin@abertawe.ac.uk

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.