SENSS ESRC Studentships 2025/26 (for an October 2025 start)

Why you should consider applying for SENSS funding?

• You will be paid £19,237 per year (2024/25 academic year rates) to undertake postgraduate studies (plus an extra £2,000 per year if you study at a London-based university), and your tuition fees will be paid for you.

• You will be guided by excellent supervisors and receive high quality advanced research training.

• You will be part of a postgraduate community spanning 8 universities and 6 interdisciplinary themes.

• You will make connections with our influential external partners including government departments, industry and NGOs.

• This funding and these connections will help you launch your career.

• Our studentships are open to both "home" and "international" students. 

What options does SENSS offer?

• The structure of the studentship offered will depend on your personal training needs. However, the minimum duration of a SENSS-funded studentship will be 3.5 years: this covers a PhD and a mandatory placement of approximately 3 months. The maximum duration of a studentship will be 4.5 years: this covers a Masters degree followed by a PhD, as well as the mandatory 3-month placement.

• Full-time and part-time study.

• Studentships include the following for the duration of the award:

• A tax-free maintenance stipend to cover your living costs: this is set at £19,237 per year. For those studying at universities based in London, there is an additional £2,000 per year paid as London Weighting, given that the cost of living is higher for those living in London. If you are not studying at a London-based university, but still choose to live in London, you will not receive the London Weighting payment;

• Fees: whether home or international, no SENSS-funded student will have to pay any university tuition fees for the duration of their funding award.

• Access to research training support funds; and,

• Access to other funds to support overseas fieldwork, overseas institutional visits, and language training.

• Access to additional funding to support your research, UK or overseas fieldwork, international study visits, and language training.

• SENSS offers two different types of studentships:

• Student-led studentships: create your own research proposal, and work on it with your chosen supervisor; or,

• Collaborative studentships: work on a research project devised by a supervisor and an external partner.

Am I eligible?

• Residential criteria: studentships are available to all applicants, regardless of nationality or residency, across all 8 SENSS universities and 6 SENSS interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary Pathways. However, there are a limited number of studentships (approximately 10 each year) available to international applicants.

• You can view the full residential eligibility guidance here.

• To apply for a Masters plus PhD (+4.5-year award), you will need: qualifications or professional experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree (Honours).

• To apply for a PhD only (+3.5-year award), you will need: qualifications or professional experience equivalent to a Masters degree, or a Masters degree and already have the research skills needed to successfully complete your research project.

• If you have already started your PhD, you are eligible to apply for SENSS funding, but only if you have not already completed a substantial proportion of your studies.