Economic and Social Research Council - Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership

What the WGSSS studentship gives you

You get a fully funded PhD in the social sciences. Your tuition fees are paid in full, plus you receive a tax-free living stipend (a regular payment to cover your living costs) of £20,780 per year (about 24,300 EUR) at the UKRI standard rate. On top of that you get a Research Training Support Grant for research costs such as fieldwork, conferences, summer schools, language courses, small equipment and books. If you have a disability or long-term health condition, you also get a Disabled Students Allowance. Funding runs for 3.5 to 4.5 years full time (or the part-time equivalent). The exact length depends on a personal Development Needs Analysis, which checks how much extra training you need. The longest option includes a funded one-year master's before the PhD. The money comes from the ESRC (part of UK Research and Innovation) and is awarded through the Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences, a partnership of seven universities in Wales led by Cardiff University. More than 70 studentships are awarded each year.

Who can apply

• Degree: You have a good undergraduate degree (First or Upper Second Class / 2:1, or the equivalent) in a relevant subject. A first-class degree is not required.
• Master's: Not required. If your Development Needs Analysis shows you need one, a funded master's year can be added.
• Field of study: Open across 15 social-science subjects, including economics, management, psychology, education, linguistics, human geography, environmental planning, criminology and law, journalism, politics, sociology, social policy and sport science.
• Where you study: You study at one of the seven WGSSS universities in Wales: Cardiff, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff Metropolitan, South Wales, Gloucestershire or Swansea.
• Nationality: Open worldwide. International students can fill up to 30% of the funded places each year, with no extra charge for international fees. Visa costs, the Immigration Health Surcharge and travel are not covered.
• Work during the award: If you are funded full time, you cannot hold a full-time or permanent part-time job at the same time.
• Other funding: You cannot apply if you already have enough external funding for the PhD.
• Encouraged to apply: Black British, Asian British and minority ethnic candidates, care leavers and people with a disability are especially encouraged.

How to apply

There are two routes. In the General Competition you propose your own PhD project: choose a subject pathway, find a supervisor, and apply to your chosen university. For the 2027/28 start the deadline is 14 December 2026, though individual universities may set earlier dates. In the Collaborative Competition you instead pick from a list of ready-made projects; the 2027 round opens in March 2027. If you are shortlisted, a pathway panel interviews you before awards are decided.

How realistic are your chances?

With over 70 funded places a year the pool is larger than for a single named award, but ESRC studentships are well known and competitive across the whole UK. Your best lever is fit: a clear project matched to a specific pathway and a supportive supervisor lined up early matters more than perfect grades. The panel weighs your whole profile and does not require a first-class degree. International applicants face tighter odds because they compete for at most 30% of places.