White Rose DTP PhD Studentship at Leading UK Universities | Fully Funded) Deadline: 21 January, 2026
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) offers the White Rose DTP PhD Studentship, the largest funder in the UK of postgraduate research and training related to social and economic issues.
The University of Leeds is a key member of the ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP), a strong research collaboration between the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, Hull, and Manchester Metropolitan.
Through this distinguished academic alliance, the University of Leeds provides a wide range of fully funded PhD scholarships across various fields of social sciences.
Applications are now open for the 2026/27 academic year, and the deadline is Wednesday 21 January 2026 at 17:00 UK time.
Scholarship Details
- Application deadline: 21 January 2026
- Funding start date: 1 October 2026
- Eligible nationalities: All nationalities (including the UK)
- Studying Location: Leeds University
- Funding Institution: Research Council
Participating institutes and schools in Leeds University:
- Institute for Transport Studies
- School of Computer Science
- School of Earth and Environment
- School of Education
- School of Geography
- School of Healthcare
- School of History
- School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
- School of Law
- School of Media and Communication
- School of Politics and International Studies
- School of Sociology and Social Policy
- Research Institutes: Leeds Institute of Health Sciences
Types of Studentships Available
- +3.5 Studentships
3.5 years of PhD funding
(For applicants with a Master’s in social sciences and 60+ training credits in research methods at Master’s level) - +3.75 Studentships
Funding for a PGCert integrated with the PhD
(For applicants with a Master’s in social sciences but fewer than 60 research training credits) - 1+3.5 Studentships
Funding for 1 year of Master’s + 3.5 years of PhD
(For applicants without a Master’s in social sciences)
Duration of Funding
- 1+3.5 Studentships: 4.5 years full-time or part-time pro rata
- +3.5 Studentships: 3.5 years full-time or part-time
- +3.75 Studentships: 3 years and 9 months full-time or part-time
Funding is initially awarded for one year (full-time) and renewed based on academic progress.
Part-time awards are granted for 24 months initially and renewed annually.
Funding Coverage
- Tuition fees covered at UKRI rates
- Living stipend of £20,780 for 2025/26 (full-time), pro rata for part-time
- RTSG (Research Training Support Grant) to cover travel and research costs
- Additional allowances may be added depending on the type of studentship
Important: The scholarship does NOT cover relocation costs to the UK (visa, flights, etc.). The student must fund these expenses.
Special Conditions
- +3.5 and +3.75 studentships start on 1 October 2026
- 1+3.5 studentships start in September 2026
- You must reside within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds during the studentship
- All WRDTP programmes include a 3-month practical placement (Research in Practice)
- You must read and comply with the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide
Selection Process
- After applying within the school, applicants will be notified of nomination
- The White Rose Academic Quality Committee will determine the final shortlist
- Data will be used for statistical purposes within the university
- Names of awardees will be published within the university
Final outcome expected in mid/late April 2026
School supplies
Academic Entry Requirements
- Must meet the entry requirements of the nominated school
- A good honours degree (First or Upper Second Class) from a recognised university
- Equivalence may be demonstrated through qualifications or experience
- Qualifications may be enhanced through partial or full Master’s study
- Must meet both the school’s requirements AND the ESRC minimum criteria
English Language Requirements
- IELTS overall 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in each skill
- Test must be within 2 years of the start of study
- Some schools may require higher scores
How to Apply
Stage 1
- Apply for a research postgraduate programme by completing the application form
- All required documents must be attached before the deadline
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
- An unsuccessful studentship application does not prevent you from applying for other scholarships
- Required documents are listed on the faculty/school website
- Recommended deadline: 7 January 2026 to ensure the PhD application is reviewed before the studentship deadline
Stage 2
- After receiving a 9-digit student ID number, complete the ESRC WRDTP Studentship application form
You must read:
- Application guidance for Pathway, AQM, ADA
- Assessment criteria for each
- WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation criteria (if applying)
After submission, the Admissions Committee will determine the most suitable studentship type for you (1+3.5, +3.5, or +3.75), and may advise you to study the MA Social Research (Interdisciplinary) programme.