URSS

The Undergraduate Research Support Scheme enables Warwick undergraduate students to carry out a non-assessed, self-directed research project. The project should be between 6-10 weeks, and you will receive supervision from a Warwick academic. URSS projects are usually carried out over the summer between July and September.

You can apply for a bursary of up to £1,500 to contribute to your living expenses and other associated costs whilst carrying out your project.

You can do the research in a different department from your home department, and the research topic does not have to be related to your degree course. You can carry out your project on campus, at home, or, if you are interested in travelling abroad, you can carry out your project outside of the UK. Campus accommodation is available over the summer.

This page is designed to support Arts staff and students who would like to apply for the URSS.

URSS 2025/26 key dates

URSS 2026 student application opens: 6 October 2025
URSS Showcase: Wednesday 12 November 2025

Useful links

Main URSS page Previous URSS projects Arts supervisor database WIE information on public engagement projects

This application cycle, we've developed a selection of projects that are available for students who interested in the URSS - follow this link to learn more:

Predeveloped projects

FAQs - Students

How do I come up with a project idea?

Ultimately, you want to pick something that interests you. Try to think of a question to address or a topic to explore where you think there might be something interesting to say, and go from there.

It would be useful to speak to academics and audiences who might know your area - they can help you identify and refine a project and a research question.

Are there pre-existing projects I can work with? How do I find a supervisor?

There are a few things you can do:

Speak directly to a staff member you already know who you might want to work with. If you don't know them, send them an email nonetheless and ask if they'd be interested in supporting a project
Look at staff profiles, and see if any of them have indicated that they are supervising URSS projects
If you want to work in the Faculty of Arts, check out our (non-exhaustive) supervisor database

How will the URSS project be assessed? Can PGRs supervise a URSS project?

FAQs - Staff

I want to supervise a URSS project - how do I start? How much time is required on the part of the supervisor? I'm unsure I have the skills to supervise a particular project - what should I do?

As academics, you're very familiar with the processes of conducting research and developing projects, so you certainly have the requisite skills, whether or not your interests align directly with a proposed project.

There are resources available from the URSS team, dealing with topics such as ethical approval - email URSS@warwick.ac.uk, and those can be sent your way.

Fundamentally, though, if you really feel that you're unable to supervise a particular project, you're probably not the right supervisor, and there's nothing wrong with that. Think about whether you know colleagues who are more aligned with the proposal, take a look at our supervisor database, or email the DSEP team at ArtsDSEP@warwick.ac.uk, and we'll try and help figure out a more suitable match.