SEDarc Studentship Programme 2027

Applicants are expected to develop a research project aligned with one of SEDarc’s interdisciplinary thematic pathways:

• Living Sustainably

• Healthy, Thriving Communities

• Inclusive Economic Growth

• Secure, Effective and Trusted Institutions

• Transformative Technologies for Society

Doctoral Training And Programme Activities

Students complete doctoral training and professional development activities alongside their research. The programme also includes research-in-practice and knowledge-exchange activity designed to connect doctoral work with organisations and challenges beyond academia.

• Doctoral research in an eligible social science discipline

• SEDarc research training

• Professional development activities

• A funded placement in academia, policy, business or the third sector

• Research-in-practice and knowledge-exchange activities

• Interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers outside the social sciences

Eligibility And Requirements

• The programme is open to eligible UK and international students.

• Applicants must apply through, and be nominated by, one of the six SEDarc partner universities.

• Applicants must meet the academic, disciplinary and admissions requirements of their chosen host university and doctoral project.

• Applicants may submit only one SEDarc studentship application.

• Applicants who have already started a PhD are not eligible.

• Applicants without a relevant social science Master’s degree may be considered for the integrated Master’s-plus-PhD route, subject to the applicable academic requirements.

• Part-time study is available only to applicants with UK home-fee status.

• International applicants cannot use the part-time route because of visa restrictions.

• The proposed research should align with one of SEDarc’s five interdisciplinary pathways.

• Applicants should demonstrate a suitable basis for advanced data skills, advanced quantitative methods and interdisciplinary collaboration where relevant to their project.

• Up to three studentships are ring-fenced for eligible home-fee applicants from specified Black and Asian ethnic groups who meet all other eligibility requirements.

Funding And Benefits

• ESRC-funded doctoral studentship

• Stipend for the funded period

• Coverage of UK home-rate tuition fees

• Support for the difference between home and international tuition fees for successful overseas applicants, generally provided by the host institution

• Additional support that may cover approved research costs

• Possible support for UK or overseas fieldwork, overseas institutional visits and difficult-language training

• Funded placement in academia, policy, business or the third sector

• Doctoral training and professional development

Overseas applicants should note that the host institution generally supports the difference between the UK home fee and the international tuition fee, except at the University of Reading. The studentship does not cover flights, visa costs or the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Assessment And Selection

Projects are assessed through a panel review process. Particular attention is given to the project’s potential for advanced data skills, advanced quantitative methods and interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers outside the social sciences.

Because each partner institution runs its own process before submitting nominations, applicants must follow the internal requirements and deadline set by their chosen university. The final nominated applications must reach SEDarc by 29 January 2027 at 16:00 GMT.

Key Details

• Study start: September 2027

• Duration: At least 3.25 years for the standard funded PhD; up to 4.25 years for the integrated Master’s-plus-PhD route

• Study mode: Full-time; part-time for eligible UK home-fee applicants

• Location: One of six SEDarc partner universities in the United Kingdom

• Final deadline: 29th January, 2027 at 16:00 GMT

• Application contact: hssce-research@kingston.ac.uk

• Deferral: SEDarc awards cannot be deferred

Apply now