ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship, WRDTP Studentship supports ESRC-funded doctoral studentship funding and training across the WRDTP partner universities. WRDTP Studentship opportunities include Pathway, AQM, ADA and Collaborative Awards, with programmes starting in October 2027 and options for +3.5, +3.75 and 1+3.5 routes.
The White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) coordinates awards across seven partner institutions in the UK, works with partners such as the Stuart Hall Foundation for targeted awards, and provides guidance, contacts and administration for studentship nominations and applications.
ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship Benefits
- Annual stipend (2026/27 rate: £21,805)
- Full tuition fees
- International fee difference covered by participating universities
- Research Training Support Grant (up to approximately £2,800)
- Access to specialist doctoral training and mentoring
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across the WRDTP network
ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Hold or secure an offer for a PhD in an eligible department at one of the seven WRDTP universities.
- Propose a research project within the ESRC social sciences remit.
- Demonstrate strong academic achievement and research potential.
- Align their research with at least one WRDTP interdisciplinary training pathway.
Research Themes
- Inequality and social justice
- Communities and culture
- Education and lifelong learning
- Environment and sustainability
- Health and wellbeing
- Digital society and data
- Governance, policy and global challenges
How to Apply for ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship?
- Nominations: call for nominations for WRDTP studentship funding (see call for nominations document linked on the studentships page).
- Students can apply for a studentship linked to their preferred Collaborative Award project in early Spring each year.
- Applicants should choose a programme (+3.5, +3.75 or 1+3.5) based on prior academic and research experience, and in consultation with their proposed supervisor.
- Refer to the Guidance for Applicants and the Guidance for Supervisors and Nominating Universities linked on the studentships page.
- For further details use the ‘Eligibility Criteria’ and ‘How to apply’ pages linked from the studentships section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship. These answers summarise eligibility, award types, start dates, contacts and how to apply based on the official WRDTP studentships page.
What awards does the ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship offer?
ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship offers Pathway Awards (including Interdisciplinary Research and WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation Awards), Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) Awards, Advanced Data Analytics (ADA) Awards, and Collaborative Awards. Each award type targets different research methods and topics aligned with WRDTP thematic interdisciplinary pathways.
When do ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship start?
WRDTP social sciences PhD studentships start in October each year. The studentships page specifically notes studentships commencing their studies in October 2027 for the current call for nominations.
Who is eligible for the WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation Awards?
The WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation Awards are open to Black British students (including Black British African, Black British Caribbean, Black British other, or Mixed Black British). Applicants must self-identify and sign a disclaimer confirming their information. International students are not eligible for these awards.
Can I apply part-time for a ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship award?
Yes. The ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship states that all awards are available for study on either a full-time or part-time basis. Applicants should choose a programme route appropriate to their prior academic and research experience.
What are the ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship programme routes?
The ESRC Studentship PhD Scholarship offers +3.5 (3.5-year PhD), +3.75 (integrated PGCert/PhD), and 1+3.5 (1 year Master followed by 3.5-year PhD). Applicants are advised to choose a programme in consultation with their proposed supervisor based on prior research training.
What is the difference between AQM and ADA awards?
AQM awards focus on advanced quantitative research methods, often involving complex statistical techniques and primary or secondary quantitative data. ADA awards focus on cutting-edge data analysis using innovative quantitative or qualitative data, including large-scale or ‘big’ data and associated methods like machine learning.
Is additional support available for AQM and ADA award holders?
Yes. An enhanced Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) is offered alongside AQM and ADA awards, available during the +3.5 stage of the programme, to support additional research training needs.
How are Collaborative Awards structured?
Collaborative Awards are supervisor-led projects designed by academic colleagues to fund doctoral research involving partners in the private, public or third sectors. Students apply for studentships linked to collaborative projects, with further details available on the WRDTP Collaborative Awards webpage.
Where can I find contacts for WRDTP studentship matters?
Your local university’s WRDTP link administrator handles studentship matters. The studentships page lists contacts for University of Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Manchester Metropolitan, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam and University of York, including names, departments and email addresses.
Who do I contact for general enquiries?
For general enquiries about WRDTP studentships, the studentships page provides the contact email [email protected] for further information and assistance.
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