Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) · Application cycle 2027/2028

Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) ESRC PhD Studentships 2027/2028

Applications open Fully funded?

About this scholarship

ESRC-funded PhD studentships in the social sciences for a research project of your own design, starting in the 2027/2028 academic year. International students can apply, and up to 30 percent of the studentships in each cohort can go to them.

Funding type

Covers: full tuition fees, a tax-free yearly stipend at the UKRI minimum rate (GBP 21,805 in 2026/2027), and access to a research training support grant. International winners receive the full award and are not charged the difference between home and international fees. Does not cover: visa costs, the immigration health surcharge or travel costs for international students.

Tuition fees: Covered
Living costs: Covered
Travel: Not covered
Insurance: Not covered

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities: All nationalities
Residence condition: No residence condition

Home and international students. Up to 30 percent of fully funded studentships in each cohort can go to international students Normally a first or upper second class degree in a relevant subject, an equivalent international qualification, or equivalent professional experience. A first class degree is not required You must meet the entry requirements of the host university A PhD project of your own design, with a supervisor in an accredited department at a WGSSS university Only one application across all partner universities The member universities are Cardiff, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff Metropolitan, South Wales, Gloucestershire and Swansea

Minimum grade: Not stated
Work experience asked for: Not stated
Return condition: Return condition not stated
How to apply: Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test required Other test Waiver not mentioned

Proof of English is needed where relevant, following the entry requirements of the university you apply to.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

The competition opened on 11 September 2026. The WGSSS page gives the deadline as 14 December 2026 in its text, but its table of application links gives 11:55 pm on 11 December 2026. Use the earlier date. Some universities set earlier deadlines in their adverts, such as 12 pm on 27 November 2026 at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Choose the pathway that fits your topic, contact a supervisor, then apply through the advert link for your university on the WGSSS page. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by a pathway panel, and nominations go to WGSSS on 18 February 2027. Awards are agreed between 22 and 26 March 2027, and formal offers follow in June 2027. All documents must arrive by the deadline. Incomplete applications are not accepted.

Required documents

WGSSS studentship application form Academic CV of up to 2 pages Two academic or professional references, which you include yourself Degree certificates and transcripts, with translations if needed Proof of English where relevant ESRC equality and diversity monitoring form

Application steps

Read the pathway pages and choose the pathway and university that fit your topic. Contact a supervisor in an accredited department and work on your research proposal. Apply through your university's link in the table on the competition page, with all the documents. Apply before 11:55 pm on 11 December 2026, or before your university's own deadline if it is earlier.

Requirement checklist

WGSSS studentship application form Required

You give full details of your project and yourself.

A supervisor at a partner university Required

You choose a pathway that fits your topic and contact a supervisor in an accredited department before applying.

Academic CV Required

Two pages at most.

Two references Required

Academic or professional. You ask for them yourself and include them with the application.

Degree certificates and transcripts Required

With translations if needed.

Scholarship contacts

WGSSS general enquiries: [email protected]

Universities and contacts