SENSS ESRC PhD scholarships at 8 UK universities (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the SENSS ESRC Studentships 2027/28, fully funded PhD scholarships in the social sciences at 8 UK universities. The studentships are funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through the South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) and start in October 2027. They cover your tuition fees and pay a tax free living stipend of £21,805 per year, plus £2,000 extra if you study at a London university.

The awards run from 3.5 to 4.5 years, depending on whether you need a Masters first, and are open to home and international students. Only around 10 places each year are available to international applicants. The Student Led competition closes at 12pm (noon) GMT on 11 January 2027. The official SENSS pages do not mention an application fee, but confirm this on the HEIApply platform before you submit. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Funder: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), through SENSS
• Degree level: PhD, or Masters plus PhD
• Host country: United Kingdom
• Funding type: Fully funded
• Application deadline (Student Led): 12pm (noon) GMT, Monday 11 January 2027
• Open to all nationalities: Yes
• Study mode: Full time and part time
• Application fee: Not mentioned on the official pages. Please confirm on the HEIApply platform

What This Scholarship Offers:

What This Scholarship Offers

• A tax free living stipend of £21,805 per year (2026/27 rates), which is roughly £1,817 per month, so you can focus fully on your research
• An extra £2,000 per year if you study at a London based university
• Full payment of your tuition fees for the whole award, whether you are a home or international student, so you pay nothing towards your degree
• Up to around £3,000 for research training costs across your award
• Up to £8,000 for overseas fieldwork if your project needs it
• Funding for overseas institutional visits, which also extends your award
• A paid placement of about 3 months that gives you real work experience and professional contacts
• Advanced research training and guidance from excellent supervisors
• Membership of a postgraduate community across 8 UK universities and 6 interdisciplinary themes
• Connections with government departments, industry and NGOs that help you launch your career
• Continued stipend during sickness, and paid maternity, paternity and parental leave under the SENSS Leave Policy

Types of Studentships:

Student Led Studentships

You write your own research proposal and develop it with a supervisor of your choice.

Collaborative Studentships

You work on a project designed by a supervisor together with an external partner.

You can apply to both competitions at the same time. You can submit only one Student Led application at one university, but you can apply for more than one Collaborative project.

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Eligibility Criteria:

Academic Requirements

For a Masters plus PhD (4.5 year award):

• A degree equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree (Honours), or equivalent professional experience

For a PhD only (3.5 year award):

• A qualification or professional experience equivalent to a Masters degree, or
• A Masters degree plus the research skills needed to complete your chosen project

If you have already started your PhD:

• You can still apply, but only if you have not completed a substantial part of your studies

Nationality and Residency

Studentships are open to all applicants, whatever their nationality or residency.

You count as a home student if you meet one of these conditions:

• You are a UK national who meets the residency requirements
• You have settled status
• You have pre settled status and meet the residency requirements
• You have indefinite leave to remain or enter

If you do not meet any of these, you are classed as an international student. Your status is checked on the first day of your studentship and stays the same for the whole award.

Other Requirements

• Your project must fit one of the 6 SENSS themes
• You must apply for a place at your chosen university before you submit your SENSS funding application
• You must speak to your proposed supervisor before you start your application
• You cannot receive funding for PhD study at a non SENSS university, although you may have studied your earlier degrees elsewhere

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SENSS Partner Universities:

• City St George’s, University of London
• Cranfield University
• University of East Anglia
• University of Essex
• Goldsmiths, University of London
• University of Lincoln
• Middlesex University
• University of Roehampton

SENSS Research Themes:

SENSS offers studentships across 6 interdisciplinary themes. Your research project must fit into one of them. The descriptions below are indicative only, so your project can cover other topics within a theme.

1. Sustainability and Climate Emergency

Universities involved: All 8 SENSS universities

Example topics:

• Economic sustainability, including productivity, employment, human capital and business development
• Social sustainability, including equity, health, culture, history and accessibility
• Ecological sustainability, including pollution, habitat preservation and biodiversity
• Climate and human activities
• Greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuels

2. Health, Wellbeing, and Social Care

Universities involved:

• City St George’s, University of London
• University of East Anglia
• University of Essex
• Goldsmiths, University of London
• University of Lincoln
• Middlesex University
• University of Roehampton

Example topics:

• Mental illness
• Learning disabilities
• Physical disabilities and illness

3. Justice, Institutions, and Social Change

Universities involved: All 8 SENSS universities

Example topics:

• Equality, diversity and inclusivity
• Development
• Institutions

4. Resolving Uncertainty and Addressing Crises

Universities involved: All 8 SENSS universities

Example topics:

• Migration
• Global economic crises
• Humanitarian crises, including poverty and displacement
• Global pandemics
• Conflict and civilian deaths
• Food insecurity
• Cost of living

5. Digital Social Sciences

Universities involved:

• City St George’s, University of London
• University of East Anglia
• University of Essex
• Goldsmiths, University of London
• University of Lincoln
• University of Roehampton

Example topics:

• Machine learning and methodological approaches
• Archival and computer assisted qualitative methods
• Digital governance and e governance
• Social networks and dating apps
• The digitalisation of society
• Social engagement with digital technology and services
• Digital markets and industries

6. Advanced Methods for Social and Economic Research

Universities involved:

• City St George’s, University of London
• University of East Anglia
• University of Essex
• Goldsmiths, University of London
• Middlesex University
• University of Roehampton

Example topics:

• New methodological approaches and contributions to the social sciences

Read the full theme descriptions on the official SENSS About page before choosing your theme.

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Useful Links:

• SENSS Studentships Overview
• SENSS Student Led Competition
• SENSS Collaborative Studentships
• SENSS Themes
• SENSS Funding Factsheet

How to Apply:

1. Read the SENSS Funding Factsheet and the UKRI residential eligibility guidance
2. Choose one of the 6 themes and check that your project fits it
3. Choose a SENSS partner university
4. Find a supervisor and speak to them before you begin.
5. Apply for a place to study at your chosen university
6. Complete your funding application on HEIApply, the SENSS online platform
7. Press the submit button before 12pm (noon) GMT on 11 January 2027

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