ESRC White Rose DTP Studentships 2026-2027 at University of Leeds

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.

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:

+3.5 Studentships: 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)

+3.75 Studentships: 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)

1+3.5 Studentships: 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)

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 21, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Leeds
• City to studyLeeds
• School to studyUniversity of Leeds
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• The award will cover fees at standard UKRI rates;
• A maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26 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 this website);
• 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;
• 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 (visa costs, Immigration Health Surcharge/medical insurance, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source.

Requirements

Entry requirements

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.

English language requirements

The minimum English language entry requirement for research 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. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

Other Conditions

• 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; 

• +3.5 and +3.75 awards must be taken up on 1 October 2026; 1+3.5 awards must be taken up in September 2026

• Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Scholarship;

• All WRDTP programmes include an integral 3-month 'Research in Practice' placement as standard;

• Applicants should read the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide and be willing to abide by the conditions and regulations therein.

Selection Process

• 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 2026.

Check also:
Wits-Edinburgh Programme in Sustainable African Futures by Mastercard Foundation 2026-2027
Department of Aeronautics MSc Scholarship at Imperial College London 2026

Application Deadline

January 21, 2026

How To Apply

Stage 1 

• First of all  apply for a research programme of study by completing the application form

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.

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.

*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.

Faculty Information

PhD application deadline – You are strongly encouraged to submit your application for a PhD place (Stage 1) by 7 January 2026 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.

Stage 2

• Once you are in receipt of your 9 digit Student Application ID complete the ESRC WRDTP online application form.

Before completing the studentship application form, you are strongly advised to read the WRDTP Pathway, AQM and ADA Awards – Guidance for Applicants and the WRDTP Pathway, AQM and ADA Awards – Assessment Criteria.  If applying for one of the WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation Awards, please read WRDTP/Stuart Hall Foundation Awards – Assessment Criteria, which provide further information about how to complete the form and how your application will be assessed.

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. 

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.

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.

For more details, visit University of Leeds Scholarship webpage