Difficult Language Training and Overseas Fieldwork

Please read the following information in conjunction with the ESRC funding guide.

Overseas fieldwork and Difficult Language Training are two different activities, and can be undertaken separately. However, they may overlap, if for example, you are going to undertake language lessons in the field. 
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Overseas Fieldwork

  • Full-time ESRC studentship award holders undertaking the doctoral element of their award can make one claim for overseas fieldwork expenses in the lifetime of their award, however this may cover more than one trip. 
  • Overseas fieldwork must be an integral part of the PhD and students must have indicated that they would be undertaking overseas fieldwork on their original studentship application. 
  • The DTP has limited funds available for fieldwork and will prioritise applications from students who indicated that they would be undertaking overseas fieldwork on their original studentship application. 
  • Only one application for overseas fieldwork funding may be made during the lifetime of your award.
  • Students in receipt of overseas fieldwork funding do not have their studentship award extended.
  • Funding is intended as a contribution towards fieldwork costs and is not intended to cover the full amount.
  • Students will be required to provide receipts of any expenditure and UBEL reserves the right to recover any overpayments.
  • If fieldwork is abandoned, or students return early to the UK, the DTP is required to recover some or all of the overseas fieldwork funding. The amount to be recovered is the total funding granted, less any reasonable expenditure you have already incurred.
  • Retrospective claims for overseas fieldwork expenses cannot be considered.
  • Before making your application for funding, please check the Country funding rates: UBEL Schedule of Funding Rates. 

Eligible costs include transport, accommodation costs and visas. Students must provide evidence to support the estimation of costs and upload a spreadsheet detailing the requests for funds.

The amount approved will be based on the “up front” amount (UBEL Schedule of Funding Rates) to contribute to initial transport and/or accommodation costs and an additional sum as determined by the DTP, based on the duration of the trip to support living costs.

Once the allowance has been calculated, it is the student’s responsibility to manage the funds allocated.

Please note: it is still essential for students to provide receipts of expenditure throughout their trip (i.e. flights, accommodation). Any overpayments of fieldwork funding will be recovered by the DTP.

Students will still be in receipt of their stipend for the duration of their overseas fieldwork visit.

It is possible to cover any additional costs with RTSG. Please list any associated fieldwork costs that are due to be covered by RTSG on your fieldwork application also. As ever, these costs will also need to be approved by UBEL, prior to purchase.

  • Current UBEL students can apply for funding via the Survey Monkey Apply portal. See “Apply Now” button at the top of this page. 

  • It is essential that student’s obtain institutional support for their fieldwork and follow institutional procedures, including risk assessments.

    A request for fieldwork funding from UBEL will not be approved without supervisor support.

  • You are strongly advised not to make any training or travel plans before being advised of the outcome of your application. 

  • Students should apply for overseas fieldwork funding at least 3 months before the proposed trip to ensure time for consideration and to allow for plenty of planning time. Students can expect to receive the outcome of their application within 6 weeks.

  • The DTP cannot provide support for overseas travel if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against visiting the country or area concerned.

  • Fieldwork is considered an integral part of the PhD and therefore studentships will not be extended to reflect periods in the field.

Difficult Language Training

  • Up to 12 months extra support may be considered if a student needs to acquire or develop a
    working ability with a difficult language in order to carry out fieldwork (including UK
    fieldwork) or other parts of their research.
  • Doctoral students who have followed a pre-described Master’s course are expected to have already made some degree of language progress and may therefore apply for a maximum of six months’ extension.  
  • Claims may not be made during the Masters element of your award. 

  • Overseas Fieldwork and Difficult Language Training are two different activities and can be undertaken separately. However, they may overlap, if for example, you are going to undertake language lessons in the field. Difficult Language Training should support a student’s fieldwork.

  • Up to one extra year’s extra support may be considered if a student needs to develop difficult language skills in order to carry out their research. 
  • The length of the extension depends on the language, see here the full list of the language groups and potential extensions. 
  • Extensions beyond six months should only be
    allowed if the student needs to spend an extended period of time overseas in order to obtain
    these language skills. 

  • Studentship funding end dates will not be extended to reflect periods of fieldwork alone, however students undertaking difficult language training to support their research will have their funding end date extended by the duration of their language training.

Current UBEL students can apply for Difficult Language Training via the Survey Monkey Apply portal. See “Apply Now” button at the top of this page.

Any costs associated with Difficult Language Training will be considered as part of RTSG. There are no separate funds to support Difficult Language Training. 

Please read carefully the guidance notes in the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide.

Outcome of your application

UBEL endeavours to approve applications within 6 weeks. The team will approve applications in the Survey Monkey Apply portal and students will receive an automated email.

Following this, UBEL will be in touch with students directly to confirm the details of the approval. If an accompanying Difficult Language Training request is also successful, departments will be contacted to ensure that funding end dates are extended.

Students should communicate any changes to their fieldwork plans to the UBEL team; please inform the team via ubel-dtp@ucl.ac.uk as soon as possible, it is crucial that we have the updated information.

UK Based Fieldwork

Students undertaking fieldwork in the UK do not need to apply via this online application form. UK fieldwork expenses can be recovered via the standard RTSG procedure.  Students undertaking UK based fieldwork should still follow processes set out by their institution.