**Applications for PhD Studentships for entry for October 2021 are now closed. Applications for October 2022 entry will open in Autumn 2021.**
** Follow the application procedures of the institution at which you wish to be based**.
The SWDTP supports doctoral students by developing not only their research skills, but by offering a wide range of training, placements, activities and events as well. We work in a collaborative way across the five institutions and have SWDTC students that will also form part of your cohort. The SWDTP is funded by the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (ESRC).
We have 45 fully-funded studentships from the ESRC available through twelve disciplinary pathways. These span the social sciences and five innovative interdisciplinary pathways. This offers students the broadest possible approach to their studies with us.
Please Note: The University of the West of England only funds studentships on certain interdisciplinary whilst the University of Plymouth only funds studentships on certain disciplinary pathways.
Interdisciplinary Pathways
| Pathway | Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) | Global Political Economy | Health and Wellbeing | Security, Conflict and Human Rights | Sustainable Futures |
| Bath | X | X | X | X | X |
| Bristol | X | X | X | X | X |
| Exeter | X | X | X | X | X |
| UWE | X | X |
Disciplinary Pathways
| Pathway | Bath | Bristol | Exeter | Plymouth |
| Area & Development Studies | Area & Development Studies | N/A | Middle East Studies | N/A |
| Economic & Social History | N/A | N/A | Economic & Social History | N/A |
| Economics | Economics | Economics | Economics | N/A |
| Education | Education | Education | Educational Research | N/A |
| Human Geography | N/A | Human Geography | Critical Human Geographies | Human Geography |
| Management & Business Studies | Management & Business Studies | Management & Business Studies | Business & Management | N/A |
| Political Science & International Studies | Politics & International Studies | Political Science & International Studies | Politics | N/A |
| Psychology | Psychology | Psychology | Psychology | Psychology |
| Social Policy | Social Policy | Social Policy | N/A | N/A |
| Social Work | Social Work | Social Work | N/A | N/A |
| Socio-Legal Studies | N/A | Socio-Legal Studies | Social-Legal Research | N/A |
| Sociology | N/A | Sociology | Sociology | N/A |
All students have the opportunity to take part in a work placement during their time of study with us. Placements provide the opportunity for students to further develop their research and transferable skills in a non-academic environment. For more information on placements, please visit our collaboration pages.
What is an ESRC studentship?
An ESRC studentship is funding provided by the ESRC to make up at least 50% of a student’s postgraduate research programme. The programme supports part-time as well as full-time students. This is in recognition that students have different needs (i.e. caring responsibilities) and can require different flexibilities. Where the ESRC funding is less than 50%, the remainder of the funding must be found from an institution or other external sources. The ESRC has established 14 Doctoral Training Partnerships across the UK, of which the SWDTP is one.
A Masters is not a prerequisite for studying at the SWDTP. A range of training programmes are available based on an assessment of the applicants prior learning and training needs. All studentships are offered on a full or part time basis.
How much is an award?
The standard maintenance award for October 2020 is £15,285 per annum. The ESRC will also cover fees to the value of £4,407 per annum. Students are also eligible for an annual nominal allowance of £750 Research Training Support Grant (RTSG).
Please follow the link to our “How do I Apply for a Studentship” page for further information.