Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP — Studentships at the University of Warwick

What the ESRC studentship gives you

You get a tax-free living allowance of about 24,900 EUR per year (£20,780 in 2025/26, rising to £21,805 in 2026/27, roughly 26,100 EUR). Your PhD tuition fees are paid in full at the UK home rate. If you are an international student at Warwick, you do not pay the difference between the home and international fee. Funding runs for the length of your doctorate and depends on your starting point. It lasts about 3.5 years if you already hold a suitable social-science master's, or 4.5 years on the '1+3.5' route, which adds a one-year Master's in Social Science Research before the PhD. You can study full-time or part-time. Every award also includes a three-month work placement in research, policy, business or the third sector (charities and non-profits). The money comes from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through the Midlands Graduate School, a partnership of eight universities led by Warwick.

Who can apply

• Degree: You normally have a first-class or upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree, or equivalent work experience.
• Master's: Not required. You can apply straight from a bachelor's degree, and some places are set aside for that route.
• Field of study: Your research must be in the social sciences and fit one of 14 subject pathways at Warwick, from Economics and Psychology to Education, Sociology and Sustainable Development. At least 51% of your project must be social science.
• Where you study: You do the PhD on campus at the University of Warwick. Distance-learning programmes are not funded.
• Nationality: Open to UK and international applicants. Up to 30% of awards each year can go to international students.
• Not already funded or enrolled: You cannot already be doing a PhD, and you cannot hold another award that covers your fees or living costs.
• Supervision: You need a team of at least two supervisors, found before you apply.

How to apply

First pick one pathway and apply for a PhD place at Warwick (recommended by 1 December). Then submit the separate ESRC studentship application, which includes a research proposal of up to 1,000 words and a statement from your lead supervisor. You may apply for only one pathway at one university. The 2027-entry round opens on 1 October 2026, and results are usually announced in mid-April.

How realistic are your chances?

Many studentships are awarded each year, but they are spread across eight universities and 17 pathways and draw strong applicants from across the social sciences. Your project is worth 40% of the score, and how well it fits your supervisors and pathway matters more than grades alone. Contacting potential supervisors early to shape a sharp proposal is what sets applicants apart. International places are capped at 30% per intake, so that route is more contested.