PhD Studentship - Postgraduate Research Training in Social Sciences (ESRC funded)

The South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) is pleased to offer Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding for PhD students for September 2027 entry.

We welcome applications from talented individuals working across the social sciences to be based at one of six higher education institutions in London and the south-east:

• University of Kent
• Kingston University
• University of Reading
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• University of Surrey
• University of Sussex

The world-class research and training environments of these institutions are enhanced by the partnership’s strategic relations with non-HEI partner organisations.

SEDarc’s vision is to offer a transformative social science training experience that combines leading- edge research skills training, high-quality placements for all, and an individual research project based in one of five interdisciplinary, challenge-led pathways. These include:

• Living Sustainably
• Healthy Thriving Communities
• Inclusive Economic Growth
• Secure, Effective, & Trusted Institutions
• Transformative Technologies for Society

SEDarc is committed to principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) throughout the student journey, from application to completion of the PhD programme. The DTP will reserve up to 3 ring-fenced scholarships for home students from certain Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic groups. The eligibility criteria for these ring-fenced studentships are available on the SEDarc website.

The standard SEDarc PhD is 3.5 years full-time including a 3-month placement (or part-time equivalent). Students who do not already possess a Masters degree in the social sciences may also be eligible for funding to undertake an approved Masters course in the SEDarc consortium (see website for details). Awards cover UK tuition fees and provide a stipend at the UKRI home rate on a full-time and part-time basis. The UKRI has not yet announced the fees and stipend for 2027/28, but for the academic year of 2026/27 the UK fees are £5,238 and the stipend is £21,805 (£23,805 if London weighting applies). The difference between home and international tuition fees for successful overseas applicants will be covered by the SEDarc institutions, with the exception of the University of Reading.

How to apply: Students must be nominated by one of the six SEDarc institutions to apply to the doctoral programme. Please contact one of our Administrators at the SEDarc institution of your choice as each institution has a different deadline and process for the institutional stage of the application process.

The deadline for applications to SEDarc is 29th January 2027 at 16:00 (GMT).

Eligibility: These PhDs are open to UK and international students and consist of UK home fees and stipend awards.

If you have any queries about applying for a studentship award, please contact the administrator at your chosen SEDarc university in the first instance:

• Kingston University: hssce-research@kingston.ac.uk
• Royal Holloway, University of London: esrcdtp@rhul.ac.uk
• University of Kent: kentgrc@kent.ac.uk
• University of Reading: doctoralstudentshipsofficer@reading.ac.uk
• University of Surrey: doctoralcollege@surrey.ac.uk
• University of Sussex: pgr-scholarships@sussex.ac.uk

Please note: ESRC DTPs are subject to a mid-term review in 2026, and studentship numbers may be revised based on the review findings. Allocations for the 2027 cohort are expected to be confirmed around January 2027.