Swansea University Fully Funded PhD in Digital Economy and Society 2026

Swansea University is looking for students and applications that are interested in pursuing interdisciplinary projects incorporating elements of computational science methodologies in the context of social science challenges spanning the remits of the UK Research Institute’s ESRC and EPSRC.

The pathway is seeking to develop expertise in researching human behaviour, combining advanced quantitative and digital analytical methods, applied to data generated through digital footprints, with qualitative research on interaction in on-line spaces. Projects should include some strategies ranging from the analysis of social media posts to the passive capture of movements via accelerometer data and evaluate how current and emerging socio-technical systems respond to and influence situated particulars in human-algorithm interaction. Furthermore, projects that at how the desire for new ways of expressing economic and social needs can drive developments in digital technology and their applications is similarly in scope. Substantive areas of focus for projects include: problems of health and social care; constrained communities; business and innovation; cyber security; and crime and safety.  

Table of Content

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

Summary

• Application DeadlineDecember 11, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorSwansea University
• City to studySwansea
• School to studySwansea University
• Course to studySocial Science , Digital Economy and Society
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees and an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £20,780 for 2025/26) and includes a Research Training Support Grant. 
• If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) 

Requirements

• To receive WGSSS studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equal to an honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters from a UK academic research organisation. Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply. 
• English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. For further information, please see the English Language Requirements - Swansea University. 
• Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.
• studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.???? 

Selection Process

Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to give a short presentation and answer a series of panel questions? 

Application Documents

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• WGSSS_Studentship_Application_Form_2026.pdf 
• CV 
• Degree certificates and transcripts?(if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 
• Two academic or professional references on headed paper or using the?Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address?for verification of reference. 
• Evidence of meeting?English Language requirement?(if applicable). 
• Copy of UK resident visa?(if applicable) 
• Confirmation of? EDI form submission 

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

How To Apply

To apply, please complete the entire application form:

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. R886 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  
  • the RS Code, RS886 and
  • the scholarship title
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload a copy of your completed WGSSS Studentship Application form

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:? 

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).? 
2. Email?[email protected]?with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.? 
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.? 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE:?Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form. ?  

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

For more details, visit Swansea University Scholarship webpage