White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP), funded by the ESRC · Application cycle 2027/2028

White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) ESRC PhD Studentships 2027/2028

Applications open Fully funded?

About this scholarship

PhD studentships in the social sciences funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) at seven universities in the north of England, starting in October 2027. International students can apply, and the universities cover the gap between home and international fees.

Funding type

Covers: full tuition fees, a tax-free yearly stipend at the UKRI rate (GBP 21,805 in 2026/27, with the 2027/28 rate published in early 2027), and research costs from the Research Training Support Grant, usually up to GBP 2,800 per student over the PhD. The partnership pays fees at the UK rate, and the seven universities have agreed to cover the difference for international students, so you do not pay the fee gap. Does not cover: visa costs, the Immigration Health Surcharge, flights or other costs of moving to the UK. Funding lasts 3.5 years for a PhD, 3.75 years for a PGCert plus PhD, or 4.5 years for a one year MA Social Research followed by the PhD, depending on your earlier research training.

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 applicants. The ESRC lets the partnership give at most 30 percent of its awards to international candidates, and each university limits how many international applicants it puts forward An offer of a PhD place in an eligible social science department at Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Manchester Metropolitan, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam or York A social science project within the ESRC remit that fits at least one of the seven WRDTP pathways A first or upper second class degree or an equivalent international qualification, plus the entry requirements of the department You must not have started a PhD already Up to 38 Pathway Awards, 2 Advanced Quantitative Methods Awards and 2 Advanced Data Analytics Awards. The numbers are provisional because of an ESRC review in 2026. Two of the Pathway Awards are only for Black British applicants

Minimum grade: Not stated
Work experience asked for: Not stated
Return condition: Return condition not stated
How to apply: Through a nomination

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test not mentioned

The WRDTP pages set no English score. The university and department you apply to set their own entry requirements.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

You do not apply to the WRDTP directly. You apply to a partner university, which nominates the candidates it chooses. Submit your PhD application and the WRDTP Studentship Application Form to the university by 5 pm UK time on 20 January 2027. Some departments set earlier internal deadlines, so check with yours. Departments shortlist and interview, then send nominations to the WRDTP by 24 February 2027. Two assessors from other WRDTP universities score each application in March 2027, and all applicants hear by 23 April 2027. Every award includes a compulsory 3 month Research in Practice placement. Studies start in October 2027. An online drop-in session for applicants is on 3 November 2026, 5:30 to 6:30 pm UK time.

Required documents

WRDTP Studentship Application Form from your university, within the word limits Your PhD application to the university Degree transcripts with module details, or interim transcripts if you are still studying The letter confirming your PhD place, which your department adds to the nomination pack

Application steps

Pick an eligible department at one of the seven universities and contact a possible supervisor early. Read the applicant guidance and the assessment criteria, and choose with your supervisor the funding route that fits your earlier training. Apply for the PhD and fill in the studentship form your university gives you, declaring any use of AI. Submit both by 5 pm UK time on 20 January 2027, or earlier if your department says so.

Requirement checklist

PhD application to an eligible department Required

At one of the seven partner universities. Contact a possible supervisor early.

WRDTP Studentship Application Form Required

Your university gives it to you. Word limits are strict and an over-length form is excluded. You declare any use of AI in it.

Degree transcripts Required

With module details, or interim transcripts if you are still studying.

Offer of a PhD place Required

Your department adds the letter confirming your place to the nomination pack.

Scholarship contacts

WRDTP general enquiries: [email protected]

Universities and contacts