Fully Funded Social Science PhD Studentship

The White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership, an ESRC-funded consortium of seven universities in the north of England (Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Manchester Metropolitan, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam and York), funds social science PhDs starting in October 2027. Each studentship pays full tuition fees and a tax-free living stipend for the whole funded period, and is open to UK and international applicants. You apply through the partner university where you hold a PhD offer, with a separate studentship application form that is scored competitively across the partnership.

What you get:

• Full tuition fees for the funded period, at the UK rate, with the partner universities covering the gap for international students
• A living stipend at the UKRI rate for the funded period (21,805 GBP a year in 2026/27; the 2027/28 rate is published in early 2027)
• Funding for 3.5 years (PhD), 3.75 years (integrated PGCert and PhD) or 4.5 years (one-year Masters then PhD), depending on your prior research training
• Access to a Research Training Support Grant for fieldwork, conferences and training, typically up to 2,800 GBP over the PhD
• A compulsory three-month Research in Practice placement, plus cohort training and events across seven partner universities
• Full-time or part-time study

What you'll do:

• Secure a PhD offer in an eligible social science school or department at one of the seven partner universities
• Complete the WRDTP Studentship Application Form, setting out your research project and how it fits one of seven interdisciplinary pathways
• If nominated by your university, compete against nominees from all seven universities, scored by two independent assessors
• Undertake a social science PhD in the UK starting 1 October 2027

Key dates:

• Applicant information session (online): 8 October 2026, 17:30 to 18:30 UK time
• 'What is a PhD and is it for me?' session (online): 13 October 2026, 10:00 to 11:30
• Applicant drop-in session (online): 3 November 2026, 17:30 to 18:30
• University application systems open: late autumn 2026
• Student applications close: 17:00, 20 January 2027 (some departments set earlier internal deadlines)
• Universities submit nominations to the WRDTP: 17:00, 24 February 2027
• Applicants told the outcome: by 23 April 2027
• Studentships start: 1 October 2027

More information:

• Call for nominations, Guidance for Applicants and FAQs are linked from the WRDTP How to Apply page
• Check your chosen department's own internal deadline, which can be earlier than 20 January 2027
• General enquiries: enquiries@wrdtp.ac.uk

• Must hold an offer for a PhD place in an eligible social science school or department at one of the seven partner universities
• Research project must be within the ESRC's social science remit and fit at least one WRDTP interdisciplinary pathway
• A first or upper second class honours degree, or demonstrated equivalence through qualifications and experience
• Open to home and international applicants; the ESRC caps international awards at 30 percent, and each university limits how many international candidates it nominates
• You cannot apply if you have already started a PhD
• You must live within reasonable travel distance of your university and study in the UK; remote and distance learning PhDs are not eligible
• You cannot apply directly to the WRDTP; your university nominates you
• Stuart Hall Foundation awards: Black British applicants only, not open to international students