ESRC PhD Studentships in the Social Sciences in the Midlands Graduate School at Midlands Graduate School Doctoral Training Partnership

The Midlands Graduate School is an accredited Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). One of 15 such partnerships in the UK, the Midlands Graduate School is a collaboration between Aston University, University of Birmingham, De Montfort University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and University of Warwick.

The Midlands Graduate School is looking to recruit top quality social science PhD students to commence study in October 2026 across a range of subjects and interdisciplinary training pathways. Our ESRC studentships – covering a maintenance stipend, payment of tuition fees at the home fee rate (please see our eligibility guidance for further information), and support for innovative research training – provide exceptional opportunities for highly motivated individuals who can demonstrate strong potential for PhD study, including opportunities for collaboration. These studentships are open to both home and international applicants.

A Masters degree is not a prerequisite for applying to the Midlands Graduate School DTP, and a number of our studentship awards are specifically ring-fenced for students applying for funding straight from an undergraduate degree. As well as undergraduate candidates, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

If you’re not sure if a PhD is for you, come along to our ‘What’s a PhD all about?’ online sessions at 1pm on 9^th and 16^th October:

• Session 1: An Introduction – this session will cover the basics of what a PhD is, the benefits it can bring you, and an overview of Doctoral Training Partnerships and funding
• Session 2: Research proposals and funding applications – this session will give you advice on how to identify and approach potential supervisors and develop your research proposal, and you’ll hear from current Midlands Graduate School students and academics who assess our applications 

Follow the links above for more details and to register. 

The MGS accepts applications for projects in a range of social science disciplines. We offer 17 different training pathways that span the following social science disciplines and interdisciplinary themes:

• Applied Linguistics
• Area Studies
• Communication & Media and Museum Studies
• Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis*
• Economic & Social History
• Economics
• Education
• Health & Wellbeing
• Human Geography
• Living in a Digital Society*
• Management & Business Studies
• Political Science & International Relations
• Psychology
• Socio-Legal Studies
• Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology
• Sport & Exercise Science
• Sustainable Development, Net Zero, and Climate Resilience* 

* These cross-cutting interdisciplinary pathways are available at all institutions via all other pathways available at that institution. 

Types of awards:

Studentships are available as PhD-only funding, or with a Masters in Social Science Research included in the first year (1+3.5). Details of when Masters + PhD funding should be applied for, and when additional research training may be required as part of a PhD-only award, are available in the Guidance Notes on our website via the above ‘Apply’ button.

All studentships are also available on a full-time or part-time basis and are open to applicants straight from undergraduate study.

How to apply:

1. Choose a pathway and university – Before applying you will need to decide which of the available training pathways is most suitable for you, and which university you would like to study at. Not all universities offer all pathways.
2. Apply for admission to your chosen university – Apply for the relevant research degree at your chosen university (even if you are applying for Masters + PhD funding) by completing an online application for PhD admission.
3. Complete an application for an ESRC studentship – There are several elements to the application process which also require academic staff input, and applicants should allow plenty of time to assemble all the information required.

Full details on how to apply for funding are available via the ‘Apply’ button above.

The closing date for completed studentship applications is midday on Tuesday 13^th January 2026 (12:00 GMT).

For more information on the Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership and applying for funding, please visit: www.mgsdtp.ac.uk.

Deadline: midday on Tuesday 13^th January 2026 (12:00 GMT)