Hello everyone,
I'm confused about whether I can apply to the ESRC for a +3 award. I have done two masters degrees already, but not specifically about research methods, and I don't really want to do another one.
I looked at the outlets guide on the ESRC website, but I don't really understand it. Should I be looking at the departments where I did my masters (Psychology Department at Leicester Uni and Anthropology Department at Oxford Brookes), or the place where I want to study (Psychology Department, Stirling)

(MSc in Forensic Psychology at University of Leicester)
Outlets with 1+3 recognition
LES08000 Psychology FT1+3/PT1+3 PSY Dr K Paterson (I think this is referring to the whole Psychology Department?)

(MSc in Primate Conservation at Oxford Brookes University)
Outlets with +3 recognition
OBU05000 Department of Anthropology FT+3/PT+3 ANTH Prof JV Macclancy

Want to apply for a PhD at the University of Stirling, Psychology Department.
(outlets with 1+3 recognition)
STI08000 Department of Psychology FT1+3/PT1+3/ PSY Dr DI Donaldson

If anyone could clear the fog I'd be most grateful. I'm quite confused about the whole thing.

Thanks a lot for your time,
Ally

Oooh, hang on a minute. Now I looked on another list of outlets with recognition from 2003 and my department from Leicester is on there as +3

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
Outlets with +3 recognition
LES07000 School of Education PT+3 EDU Prof KR Fogelman
LES12000 Department of Psychology FT+3 PSY Prof GM Davies

Does that mean I'm ok to apply for a +3, or am I still scuppered because the host uni (Stirling) only has 1+3 recognition?

I feel really dense, but I don't get it!

To be automatically eligible for funding you need an ESRC recognised masters.

Without one it is basically up the ESRC if you existing qualifications make you eligible to go straight to a PhD - even having two masters might not be enough to go straight to a PhD if neither is recognised by the ESRC.

Any university department that has ESRC recognition will be able to do a 1+3 or just a +3.

hey cheeky,
i believe that those lists refer to the possibility for people wanting to study at that institution to apply for 1+3 and +3 funding. it has nothing to do with your MSc being good enough or not. it is not just you who has to qualify, your institution has to qualify, too. so, if your institution of choice for your PhD is not listed as a +3 outlet, you cannot get +3 funding for studying there - no matter how good your grades & qualifications.
to see if you yourself qualify for +3 rather than 1+3, you need to look at another list: the list of ESRC recognised Masters degrees. if neither of your masters is on that list, chances are slim (but not hopeless). perhaps you can make a case that you have equivalent education through your two masters and maybe some work experience or something.