Defined Research Projects (funded and unfunded)
Defined research projects have a dedicated project title and summary when they are advertised to prospective students. These projects can be funded or unfunded. Funded projects will have funding secured from an internal research studentship scheme or from an external company. Funding usually covers student stipend/maintenance grant and/or tuition fees.
Research Studentship Schemes (funded)
Studentship schemes are available for academics and supervisors to apply for funding for a doctoral project. Depending on the scheme, a student may or may not need to be named on the application. If a student isn’t named, then these projects will be advertised as defined research projects. If you have your own idea for a research topic, you would work with your potential supervisor to develop a doctoral project. The supervisor could then make the application for funding through one of the schemes, with you as the named student. Funding usually covers your stipend/maintenance grant and/or tuition fees.