SoCoBio DTP offers research placements to undergraduate students each summer between July and September. These are excellent for gaining experience in research and determining your aptitude for further research. Placements are funded and for a period of 6 weeks.
Applications to the 2025 SoCoBio DTP UG Summer Studentship programme has closed.
Each year we offer undergraduates from across the UK the opportunity to undertake a summer research studentship at one of our partners. Placements last up to 6 weeks (30hr per week) and can be taken between 1 July and 30 September. Students also receive a salary set at the living wage (currently this is £12.60 per hour).
Studentship awards summer 2025
We have 5 studentship awards available for first-generation students and/or students from under-represented groups in 2025.
Summer Studentship Opportunities Across Multiple Locations
We are excited to offer studentship awards at all our DTP partners: University of Kent, University of Portsmouth, NIAB East Malling, University of Southampton, and University of Sussex. These studentships are ideal for students residing near one of our DTP partners, regardless of whether they are currently studying at these institutions. Additionally, NIAB has onsite accommodation for students to rent throughout the duration of the studentship.
Application process
links will be live when the application window next opens
Please complete the application form by 5pm GMT on 31st March 2025.
Important: read the SoCoBio UG Summer Studentship Programme application guidance before completing this application.
Students are invited to select the locations where they would like to undertake the summer studentship on the application form. Once accepted to the programme and a DTP partner location, students will be sent a list of projects at their preferred location to choose from.
**We encourage applications from groups currently under-represented in Bioscience research**
Eligibility
Eligible criteria for the UG Summer Studentship Programme is:
- Students must be a first-generation student: First generation means that neither of your parents/guardians have attended university and been awarded a degree. You count as being first generation to go to university even if the following people have gone to university: your siblings, your biological parents (if you’re adopted), or a parent with whom you’ve had no contact during your secondary and post-16 education.
- Students should be in the middle years (in either 2nd year of study for 3-year long degrees or 2nd /3rd year for 4-year long degrees) of their first degree.
- Students must be resident in the UK at time of application.
- Students don’t need to be studying at a DTP partner they can be from anywhere in the UK.
- Under-represented groups include: students with caring responsibilities, minority ethnic groups (BAME), first generation students, mature students, disabled students, students from areas of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status.
Review criteria & selection process
The DTP Management Board will select students based on the information provided in their application form. Students will be informed of the outcome of their application by 1 May 2025. Successful students will be sent a list of projects to choose from at the location of their studentship award.
What students said about their experience.........
“I had the opportunity to interact with numerous PhD students which enabled me to paint a realistic picture of what doing PhD was like, as well as what make them great at what they were doing namely, having pure passion in their research, the ability to put aside research after work and agile thinking when faced with unexpected scenarios. “
” I found the experience has given me a much better understanding of careers in research and postgraduate study and I am very grateful for the opportunity.”
“It has been very beneficial in giving me reassurance that I would suit a research career and that little extra confidence in knowing that I am doing the right thing will give me that little push in third year of undergrad to keep going!”
“I would like to thank you for the opportunity as it has felt like the once in a life time – behind the scenes moment and even though we did not get the results we were hoping for it has made me ponder more on postgraduate research which I initially thought coming in to this placement was not for me.”
“I’ve achieved laboratory skills e.g., pipetting skills, microscopy skills, and research analytical skills. I also went into a meeting discussing how to write a really good CV, this meeting was very insightful. Overall, this studentship has been an eye opener, and has taught me the necessary skills for later research courses.”
“I made friends on the way and established what kind of work environment I feel supported in and can thrive in.”