Who Should Apply
The Postgraduate Certificate in Research (PGCertR) is designed for early-career scholars, advanced students, and independent researchers who are committed to developing their research skills in the humanities and social sciences, particularly within the contexts of highland and borderland Asia. Applicants should demonstrate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a clear commitment to engaging with field-based and/or archival research.We especially welcome applicants who are:
- Recent graduates of postgraduate programmes (MA/MPhil) seeking additional training before pursuing a PhD
- Independent researchers or practitioners working in NGOs, museums, or policy institutions
- Junior faculty or early-stage doctoral candidates seeking to sharpen their research design and writing skills
- Indigenous researchers, community historians, and others rooted in local contexts with strong project ideas
Minimum Qualifications
- A completed master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as anthropology, history, religious studies, environmental studies, sociology, philosophy, literature, or related fields
- (Applicants with strong proposals but without a completed master’s degree may be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
- Proficiency in English (spoken and written) as the primary language of instruction and mentorship
- A clearly articulated research interest or preliminary idea, preferably aligned with the Institute’s core themes
Application Materials
To apply for the PGCertR programme, candidates must submit the following:
- Completed Application Form
- (Downloadable from our website or available on request via email)
- Statement of Purpose (1,000–1,500 words)
- Introduce your research interest and explain its relevance
- Describe your academic background and how this programme fits into your trajectory
- Reflect on why the Highland Institute is a suitable environment for your research
- Preliminary Research Proposal (1,000–1,500 words)
- Include your research question(s), theoretical orientation, methodology, and field site or archives (tentative proposals are acceptable at this stage)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic background, work history, publications (if any), and relevant experience
- Academic Transcript
- From your most recent degree (provisional certificates accepted for ongoing programmes)
- One Letter of Recommendation
- From a professor, supervisor, or colleague familiar with your work
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2025–26 cohort will open in February 2025, with a deadline of 15 May 2025. All materials must be submitted electronically.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by the Highland Institute’s Admissions Committee. Finalists may be invited for a short online interview. Selection will be based on academic promise, relevance to the Institute’s research priorities, and the feasibility of the proposed project.