ESRC White Rose DTP Studentships 2025

The Economic and Social Research Council is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues.<br /> <br /> The University of Leeds is part of the ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership, forming a collaboration between the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, Hull and Manchester Metropolitan. Through this, the University is able to offer a range of social science PhD studentships.

<p>These studentships are available to UK and international (including EU) applicants in seven named Thematic Interdisciplinary Training Pathways and can be held full-time or part-time for the following award types:</p> <p><strong>+3.5 Studentships:</strong> funding for a 3.5-year PhD (for students with a social science Masters degree, and with 60 or more credits of M-level social science research methods training)</p> <p><strong>+3.75 Studentships: </strong>funding for an integrated PGCert/PhD (for students who already have a social sciences Masters degree but have fewer than 60 credits of M (Masters) level social science research training)</p> <p><strong>1+3.5 Studentships: </strong>funding for a 1 year Masters programme, followed by the 3.5 year PhD, (for students without a social science Masters degree, the Masters programme will deliver the core social sciences research methods training requirements)</p> <p><strong>The Thematic Interdisciplinary Training Pathways are as follows:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/" target="_blank">Civil Society, Development, and Democracy (CDD)</a></p> <p><a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Digital Technologies, Communication and Artificial Intelligence (DCA</a><a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/dct-data-communication-and-new-technologies-pathway/" target="_blank">)</a></p> <p><a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/" target="_blank">Education, Childhood and Youth (ECY)</a></p> <p><a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/">Security, Conflict and Justice (SCJ)</a></p> <p><a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/">Space, Place, Environment and Liveability (SPEL)</a></p> <p><a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/">Sustainable Growth, Business, Work and Economic Productivity (SBE)</a></p> <p><a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/">Wellbeing, Health, And Communities (WHC)</a></p> <p>There are a range of studentships available:</p> <p><a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/" target="_blank">WRDTP Pathway Studentships</a> offer applicants the opportunity to develop proposals for impactful social science research that engages with the key themes and challenges identified in our <a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/">thematic interdisciplinary pathways</a>. Pathway Awards fund candidates who have submitted their own research project, and successful students will be supervised by a team of academic colleagues who share their subject expertise.</p> <p>Up to 2 ESRC <a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/" target="_blank">WRDTP Advanced Quantitative Methods Studentships</a> are available for researchers who will use cutting edge quantitative research methods to facilitate impactful research that is aligned with WRDTP <a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/interdisciplinary-pathways/">thematic interdisciplinary pathways</a>.   These projects will use either primary or secondary quantitative data to answer research questions about society.</p> <p>Up to 2 ESRC <a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/">Advanced Data Analytics Awards</a> are available for researchers who will use cutting edge data analysis techniques (which can be quantitative and/or qualitative), or will deploy large scale or ‘big’ data, to facilitate impactful research that is aligned with WRDTP <a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/interdisciplinary-pathways/">thematic interdisciplinary pathways</a>.  These projects are likely to use forms of secondary data that are not commonly used in social science research, and that require particular techniques to understand and interpret those data. </p> <p>Up to 2 <a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/studentships/" target="_blank">WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation Studentships</a> are available for Black British students.  If you have any questions or require support with your application for a WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation Studentship, please email the <a href="mailto:pgrdiversity@leeds.ac.uk">postgraduate research diversity team</a> at the University of Leeds.</p> <p>There will be a number of ESRC WRDTP Collaborative Studentships available - information will be provided in early Spring 2025</p> <p><strong>Closing Date for Application forms 17:00 (UK time) Wednesday 22 January 2025</strong></p> <h4>Duration of the Award</h4> <ul> <li> <p>1+3.5 studentships: Full-time (4.5 years) or part-time (7 years 10 months); </p> </li> <li> <p>+3.5 studentships: Full-time (3.5 years) or part-time (5 years 10 months).</p> </li> <li> <p>+3.75 studentships: Full-time (3 years 9 months) or part-time (6 years 3 months).</p> </li> </ul> <p>Full-time awards will be made for one year in the first instance and will be renewed each year, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Part-time awards will be made for 24 months (two calendar years) in the first instance and will be renewed each year, subject to satisfactory academic progress;</p> <h4>Funding</h4> <ul> <li> <p>The award will cover fees at standard Research Council rates;</p> </li> <li> <p>A maintenance grant (£19,237 in Session 2024/25 for full-time study, pro-rata for part-time study). This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate (announced on <a href="https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/developing-people-and-skills/find-studentships-and-doctoral-training/get-a-studentship-to-fund-your-doctorate/" target="_blank">this website</a>);</p> </li> <li> <p>Research Training Support Grant covers travel and research costs during the PhD part of the award – variable amount depending on the scheme plus other allowances where applicable;</p> </li> <li> <p>This award is open to all applicants, whether Home or International (including EU).  Please note that the award does not cover the costs associated with moving to the UK.  All such costs <span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline">(visa costs, Immigration Health Surcharge/medical insurance, flights etc)</a> </span></span></span>would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Other Conditions</h4> <ul> <li> <p>Applicants applying on both a 1+3.5, +3.5 and +3.75 basis MUST in the first instance apply for a place on a research postgraduate programme and be in receipt of a Student ID Number to be eligible for an ESRC White Rose DTP Studentship. Applications without a valid ID Number will be rejected; </p> </li> <li> <p>+3.5 and +3.75 awards must be taken up on 1 October 2025; 1+3.5 awards must be taken up in September 2025;</p> </li> <li> <p>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Scholarship;</p> </li> <li> <p>All WRDTP programmes include an integral 3-month 'Research in Practice' placement as standard;</p> </li> <li> <p>Applicants should read the <a href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/esrc-postgraduate-funding-guide/" target="_blank">ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide</a> and be willing to abide by the conditions and regulations therein.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Selection Process</h4> <p>After a School selection process, applicants will be informed as to whether they are being nominated for an ESRC WRDTP Studentship. The White Rose Academic Quality Committee will review the nominations and decide on the final list of awards. The University will use the data provided in the application form for internal selection and statistical purposes and publish the names of the successful applicants within the University. The final outcome is expected mid/end April 2025.</p>

<p>Stage 1 </p> <ul> <li> <p>First of all  apply for a <a href="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/130206/applying/91/applying_for_research_degrees">research programme of study</a> by completing the application form</p> </li> </ul> <p>In order to be considered for the scholarship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for study*. Any study applications that are not accompanied by the documents requested by the scholarship deadline will not be considered for the award.</p> <p>Please note that an unsuccessful application for this scholarship does not exclude you from applying for other research study opportunities or scholarships offered by the University of Leeds.</p> <p>*The supporting documents you need to provide with your study application are listed on website for the School/Faculty in which you are applying to study.</p> <h3>Faculty Information</h3> <p><strong>PhD application deadline</strong> – You are strongly encouraged to submit your application for a PhD place (Stage 1)  <strong>by 8 January 2025 </strong>to give sufficient time to consider your PhD application ahead of the studentship deadline, otherwise we cannot guarantee that your studentship application will be considered.</p> <h3>Stage 2</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Once you are in receipt of your 9 digit Student Application ID complete the <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/esrc-white-rose-dtp-studentships-university-of-leeds-2025">ESRC WRDTP online application form</a>.</p> </li> </ul> <p>Before completing the studentship application form, you are strongly advised to read the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/179_M-JjlZ6FLEDXPk2EAhCCpF3HvuLTMDXjZdPLknEo/edit">WRDTP Pathway, AQM and ADA Awards – Guidance for Applicants</a> and the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ao8mVdIyMjGP-B6oNIYLC5jrvvpO0KWwcbvwXMv2NuE/edit">WRDTP Pathway, AQM and ADA Awards – Assessment Criteria</a>.  If applying for one of the <a href="https://wrdtp.ac.uk/wrdtp-stuart-hall-foundation-awards/">WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation Awards</a>, please read <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_nmN55sp7KcgaNowGXryyCRUp2ZHcox47faefBwuDE8/edit">WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation Awards – Assessment Criteria</a>, which provide further information about how to complete the form and how your application will be assessed.</p> <p>After receipt of your Studentship application, the relevant Admissions Team will provide further advice on your suitability for either a 1+3.5, +3.5 or a 3.75 studentship and advise whether you should undertake the MA Social Research (Interdisciplinary) programme. </p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+; and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p> <p>Please note that, due to the large volume of applications, the Postgraduate Scholarships Office will not enter into any correspondence regarding the progress of an application until the outcome is known.</p>

Applicants must meet the entry requirements of their nominating School. The ESRC also stipulates that for all studentships, students must have qualifications of the standard of a good honours degree at first- or upper second-class level, from a UK academic higher education institution, or through a combination of qualifications and/or experience, be able to demonstrate equivalence. In the majority of cases, students will have undertaken an undergraduate course at a recognised UK higher education institution or equivalent international qualification. Prior qualifications may be enhanced to meet these requirements by the acquisition of at least one satisfactorily completed academic year of full-time study or its part-time equivalent towards a UK higher degree, if applying for an award without an undergraduate degree. Applicants must satisfy the nominating School's entry requirements AND the ESRC's minimum threshold.

The University of Leeds minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. If the School/Faculty to which you have applied has a higher English language entry requirement you must meet this higher requirement. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>For further information please contact the Postgraduate Scholarships Office: <a href="mailto:pg_scholarships@leeds.ac.uk">pg_scholarships@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>