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Eligibility
Application for 2027 entry is now open, and will close at 12:00 Noon GMT on Tuesday 12th January 2027.
Scope of research
We do not set restrictions on the types of research that are eligible for funding (e.g. quantitative or qualitative, empirical or purely theoretical), but they must meet the remit of the social sciences. In case of doubt, we will refer to the definitions at What is social science? – UKRI and at What is Social Science? – Academy of Social Sciences (acss.org.uk). We will not, for example, fund a research project in psychology or in our health, wellbeing and society pathway that is wholly a series of medical experiments without establishing the links to social science. We also will not fund a project in geography or in our Climate Change, Sustainability and Society pathway that is purely about developing a computational or mathematical model for hydrological forecasting. This does not preclude the possibility of research that is interdisciplinary in nature, but it must always have a clear, identifiable and substantial social science component. All proposals must be at least 50 per cent social science.
Home student
To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
– Be a UK National or,
– Have settled status or,
– Have pre-settled status or,
– Have indefinite leave to remain or enter or,
– Be an Irish National.
If an applicant does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.
International Students
We are pleased to accept applications from International students, but we are not permitted to allow our percentage of international students per annual intake to exceed 30 per cent. Because of this, we have to place restrictions on the number of international students each pathway is allowed to nominate at each stage of the shortlisting process.
Please note that the ESRC will fund international students only at the home fee and stipend rate. Whilst we anticipate that the difference between the UK rate and the international fee will be waived by our partner institutions at no cost to you, we recommend that you seek confirmation from the institution to which you are applying, that this will be the case. The SWDTP is not liable for and is unable to pay the difference should it arise.
Please also note that we are not permitted to pay for travel costs, visa fees and other costs associated with moving to the UK to study (e.g. the immigration health surcharge to access the National Health Service) and that there may be restrictions on who can travel with you to the UK, especially if you need to study for a Masters year. We recommend contacting the institution to which you are applying if you have queries about this, here.
We also recommend you research rental and other associated living costs in the city to which you are applying so you can assess their affordability. Reference to online cost of living tools may be of help such as Cost Of Living Comparison.
Residency requirements for all students
The SWDTP funds full and part time in-person study. This requires a recipient of our studentships to live within a reasonable distance and travel time from the university at which they are registered. This is defined as a straightforwardly commutable distance that allows the student to meet with their supervisor(s) regularly face-to-face, and to engage and participate with the intellectual and social activities on offer at their institution. Extended periods of remote study, online only supervision or learning at a distance are not permitted. Students must be resident within the UK. Exceptions are made for approved periods of fieldwork, personal leave for which permission has been granted, and overseas institutional visits and other time limited research activities permitted by the SWDTP. International students are also bound by the conditions of their visa.
Eligibility for applying
In terms of eligibility, under the SWDTP’s default rule, applications are not accepted from candidates who are currently enrolled on a programme leading to a PhD, or who were enrolled on one at any point in the three years before our application deadline. This covers:
– Having begun an MPhil that leads directly into a PhD, even where that progression is subject to a progress review; and
– Having started a PhD, within that three-year window, which was not completed.
In addition, the PhD topic must be substantially different from, and not a continuation of, any PhD previously started. If an applicant feels they have a case for which an exception might be made, then this must be discussed with the SWDTP Director well in advance of preparing an application. Anyone who has already been awarded a PhD or equivalent doctorate is not eligible to apply.
Other Eligibility Conditions
Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award of any kind from UKRI. A Student in part-time employment may be eligible for a part-time award, which should not be less than 50% of the full-time equivalent.
It is important that applicants also refer to the specific entry requirements/application process for their programme of study at their home institution.