£21,805 CAM-DTP Social Science PhD Studentship

The CAM Doctoral Training Partnership, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and run by Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Bedfordshire and the University of Cambridge, has published 39 supervisor-led social science PhD topics for October 2027 entry. Topics range from AI and finance to public health, climate messaging, autism screening and refugee entrepreneurship. You pick a topic, talk to its supervisors, then apply to the lead supervisor's university to be nominated for a funded studentship.

What you get:

• Tuition fees paid up to the UKRI Home fee rate
• A tax-free annual stipend at the UKRI rate (GBP 21,805 a year for full-time students in 2026 to 2027)
• Up to GBP 900 from your department for research training
• A personalised training programme covering research, communication and employability skills
• Support for a required three-month placement, called an Innovation Fellowship, with an academic or non-academic partner
• 3.5 to 4.5 years of full-time funding, with part-time study (at least 50 percent) also possible

What you'll do:

• Choose one of 39 advertised topics and contact its supervisory team before applying
• Develop a research proposal within the topic with the supervisors
• Apply for a PhD at the lead supervisor's university by that university's deadline
• Interview with the supervisory team, who nominate their preferred candidate to CAM-DTP in early February
• If funded, start your PhD on 1 October 2027 and complete a three-month Innovation Fellowship placement during it

Key dates:

• Anglia Ruskin University and University of Bedfordshire applications close 15 November 2026
• University of Cambridge applications close 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course
• ARU interviews for supervisor-led topics run 7 to 18 December 2026
• Supervisory teams nominate candidates to CAM-DTP in early February 2027
• Studentships start 1 October 2027

More information:

• Full list of 39 topics and supervisor contacts on the CAM-DTP Studentship Opportunities page
• Application deadlines per university on the CAM-DTP Routes to Funding page
• ARU's own CAM-DTP page carries per-topic application links and an FAQ

• A UK first or upper second-class honours degree, or a master's, or equivalent qualifications or experience; non-traditional academic backgrounds are encouraged
• You must speak to the topic's supervisory team before applying
• Apply to the lead supervisor's university (Anglia Ruskin, Bedfordshire or Cambridge) through its standard PhD admissions process
• You must hold an offer of admission and be nominated by your department to be considered for funding
• International students are eligible but must secure other funding for the difference between Home and international fees, plus visa and health surcharge costs (around GBP 3,500); ARU asks for evidence of that extra scholarship when you apply
• ARU students must live within reasonable travel distance of their campus (Cambridge, Chelmsford or Writtle)
• Cambridge charges a GBP 20 doctoral application fee unless you qualify for a waiver