You can apply to the Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistical Applied Mathematics at the University of Bath from 1 October each year. We recommend that you apply early as we have a limited number of places.
There is a pause on applications for entry to SAMBa in 2025 while we balance our numbers. Please keep checking this website for updates.
SAMBa is an EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training offering around 10 fully-funded studentships starting in September each year.
Our four-year scholarships cover university fees, payment of a tax-free stipend, all SAMBa activities, a budget to support your research development, office space and computing facilities.
The stipend is paid at the UKRI Doctoral Stipend rate in the first year (£19,237 for 2024/5). After successful completion of your first year you will receive the standard UKRI rate plus an additional payment (the UKRI rate plus £2,000 in 2025/6).
If you have any queries about the SAMBa programme and the application process, please contact the Centre Coordinator, Lou Adkin by emailing: samba@bath.ac.uk.
There is currently a pause on applications to SAMBa for entry in 2025. If places become available later in the year we will re-open for applications. Please continue to check this website for updates.
Please read through all the information on our programme pages before applying to SAMBa. When you are ready to apply, follow this guidance as you complete the online form.
Finance If you would like to apply for a fully-funded SAMBa place, please mark ‘yes’ against ‘do you wish to be considered for a scholarship or PhD studentship through the University of Bath?’. Write ‘SAMBa’ when you are asked to give the name of the scholarship.
Your research interests Where you are asked to enter statement or proposal, please include:
Where you are asked to enter Name of intended supervisor(s) at University of Bath:
Please upload the following documents with your application:
If you have any queries about filling in the application form, please contact the Centre Coordinator, Lou Adkin by emailing: samba@bath.ac.uk.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. We have a limited number of places available. We have placed a pause on applications for SAMBa for entry in September 2025 while we balance our numbers. We may re-open for applications in the future, if places become available. Please continue to check this website for updates.
Successful applicants normally hold, or expect to receive, both:
Although it is not a requirement, most applicants will have completed a master’s-level qualification. Contact the SAMBa team at samba@bath.ac.uk if you are unsure about your eligibility and would like to discuss your potential application.
You may find it useful to look at our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at the bottom of this page.
English language requirements
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.
Two references are required when a formal application is submitted. At least one of these should be an academic reference from the most recent place of study.
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home, Island or Overseas student.
Fully funded 4-year studentships are available for SAMBa offer holders.
A studentship covers:
Successful applicants normally hold, or expect to receive, a first or upper second class honours degree or equivalent in mathematics or a subject with substantial mathematical content. They also normally have research or professional experience (e.g. a Master's project, a degree with placement year, work experience in a graduate role), and many have a master's level qualification in a mathematical subject. We value candidates who bring experience from a range of backgrounds, and we will also consider candidates who can demonstrate strong mathematical research skills acquired though non-traditional routes. If you are unsure about whether you are eligible to apply and would like to discuss your potential application, please email us on samba@bath.ac.uk
You can apply to SAMBa from 1 October each year. We recommend that you apply early as we have limited places available.
You should make one application for the SAMBa programme. You can find out more about the co-designed projects on our programmes page. If you are interested in one of these projects, please indicate this in your application form. You will have the opportunity to find out more about the co-designed projects at your interview.
A formal application is submitted on the University’s online application form via the Doctoral College and will be forwarded to the SAMBa Executive team for consideration. The SAMBa Centre Coordinator, Lou Adkin, will aim to contact you within 2 weeks of your application to let you know whether you are being invited to interview or not. If you are invited for interview, SAMBa will cover reasonable expenses, and provide you with lunch.
When we contact you to offer you an interview, we will ask whether you have any accessibility requirements or would like to ask for adjustments to be made. Please let us know if there is anything we need to be aware of in terms of the access you need or if there are adjustments we can make to enable you to participate fully in the interview day.
On the day of the interview, you will meet some SAMBa students who will give you a tour of the campus and have lunch with you. They will talk to you about their experiences of SAMBa and you will have the opportunity to ask them questions. Prior to your interview, you will be given a short presentation about SAMBa from one of the SAMBa Co-Directors.
During your interview, there will be three members of the SAMBa Executive team on the panel who will cover a breadth of mathematical disciplines. The interview will last for around 30 minutes and the questions will mostly be around getting to know you better, i.e. about your background and your experiences, interests and motivation for why you want to join SAMBa. We’ll ask you some questions about the courses you’ve taken and your research projects, and will also ask you about the area of research you are interested in working in and whether there is anyone in the Department that you would like to work with. There will be time available at the end of the interview for you to ask questions.
We recommend that you contact the academic(s) by email or telephone prior to your interview to ask whether it would be possible to meet them whilst you are on campus during your interview day.
Where possible, we strongly encourage you to attend your interview in person. This will enable you to visit the campus and buildings and meet with current students. Do let us know if you have any accessibility or dietary requirements and if there is any additional support you may need. In terms of preparation, we suggest that you look at our website and read the Introduction to SAMBa booklet that will have been sent to you before the interview. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of the staff and students you meet so do give some thought to what you would like to know.
Based on your application, supporting documents and interview, the SAMBa Executive will decide whether you will be offered a place. There are three possible outcomes – you will be offered a place, you will be placed on a reserve list or you will not be offered a place. A member of the interview panel will contact you by email to confirm whether you have been offered a place. You will also receive a formal offer from the Doctoral College. Once this has been released (it may take a week or so), you will get notification via the Doctoral College Application Tracker. If you are offered a place, we ask you to email us directly to confirm whether you are accepting it, as well as accepting your offer via the Application Tracker.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be part of the SAMBa student cohort, and you will receive invites to various events and activities before starting in September. In the summer before you join SAMBa we will also assign you a first year supervisor and put you in touch with an existing SAMBa student who will act as a mentor and help you to settle in.
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about the programme
