The South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) is offering 34 fully funded PhD studentships supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The studentships are available across eight partner universities in the United Kingdom and cover a wide range of social science disciplines and interdisciplinary research areas. Applications are open to UK and international candidates interested in doctoral research in fields including economics, education, psychology, sociology, political science, public policy, health, sustainability, and digital methods.
Important Dates / Deadline
- Application deadline: January 12, 2027
- Submission time: 12:00 noon GMT (UK time)
- Application day: Tuesday, January 12, 2027
Organization
- Funding council: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
- Doctoral training partnership: South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP)
- Number of studentships: 34
Participating universities:
- University of Bath
- University of Bristol
- University of Exeter
- University of Plymouth
- University of the West of England
- Bath Spa University
- Bournemouth University
- Plymouth Marjon University
The partnership brings together universities with experience in social science research and teaching, including collaboration with businesses, professional organizations, public services, third-sector organizations, and other research institutions.
Location / Study Destination
United Kingdom, with study opportunities across SWDTP partner institutions in Bath, Bournemouth, Bristol, Exeter, and Plymouth. The studentships are offered as full-time doctoral research opportunities, with the host institution determined by the selected research pathway and supervisory arrangements.
Who Can Apply
Applications are invited from:
- UK students.
- International students.
- Prospective doctoral researchers interested in social science research.
- Applicants seeking research opportunities in disciplinary or interdisciplinary social science pathways.
- Candidates from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Applicants with diverse personal backgrounds and protected characteristics.
Candidates should identify an appropriate research pathway and potential supervisor within the participating institutions.
Key Benefits / Funding
- Number of awards: 34 fully funded PhD studentships.
- Funding source: Economic and Social Research Council.
- Doctoral research support: Funding through the ESRC-accredited South West Doctoral Training Partnership.
- Research environment: Access to academic expertise and research facilities across participating universities.
- Supervisory support: Opportunities to work with researchers specializing in a broad range of social science disciplines.
- Interdisciplinary research: Access to pathways connecting social sciences with sustainability, health, global challenges, and digital technologies.
- Research partnerships: Opportunities within institutions collaborating with public services, businesses, professional organizations, and the third sector.
Main Requirements
Applicants must pursue doctoral research within one of the ESRC-accredited disciplinary or interdisciplinary pathways offered by SWDTP.
Disciplinary Research Pathways
- Advanced Quantitative Methods
- Area and Development Studies
- Economic and Social History
- Economics
- Education
- Human Geography
- Management and Business Studies
- Political Science and International Studies
- Psychology
- Social Anthropology
- Social Policy
- Social Work
- Socio-Legal Studies
- Sociology
Interdisciplinary Research Pathways
- Climate Change, Sustainability and Society
- Global Challenges and Transformations
- Health, Wellbeing and Society
- Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods
Strategic funding priorities
The SWDTP has a strategic allocation of three studentships in each of the following areas:
- Advanced Quantitative Methods
- Data Skills
Applicants should review the available research pathways, institutional arrangements, and strategic priorities before preparing their applications.
How to Apply
Step 1: Explore the research pathways
Review the disciplinary and interdisciplinary research pathways offered through the South West Doctoral Training Partnership.
Step 2: Identify a participating university
Select an SWDTP partner institution offering the research pathway that best matches your proposed doctoral research.
Step 3: Find a potential supervisor
Use the SWDTP Potential Supervisor Database to identify academics whose research expertise aligns with your interests.
Step 4: Review the application requirements
Consult the SWDTP application guidance for details about the application process, available pathways at each institution, and strategic funding priorities.
Step 5: Prepare and submit the application
Follow the application instructions provided by SWDTP and the relevant participating university.
Final application deadline: January 12, 2027, at 12:00 noon GMT.
For questions about the application process, contact:
SWDTP Enquiries
Email: swdtp-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk
Important Notes
- A total of 34 fully funded studentships are available.
- The studentships are supported by the Economic and Social Research Council.
- Applications are open to UK and international students.
- Research opportunities span eight partner universities in southwest England.
- Applicants can choose from 14 disciplinary and four interdisciplinary pathways.
- The partnership has strategic allocations of three studentships each in Advanced Quantitative Methods and Data Skills.
- Applicants should consult the SWDTP guidance for institution-specific pathways and application arrangements.
- The Potential Supervisor Database can help applicants identify suitable academic supervisors.
- SWDTP encourages applications from candidates of all socioeconomic backgrounds and protected characteristics.
- Applications must be submitted by 12:00 noon GMT on January 12, 2027.