Applications are now open for SENSS student-led studentship for the 2026 Academic year.
The SENSS ESRC Studentship 2025-2026 is a fully funded scholarship program offered by the South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) Doctoral Training Partnership. Aimed at supporting exceptional students pursuing postgraduate studies in the social sciences, the studentship provides a generous stipend of £19,237 per year (2024/25 academic year rates), with an additional £2,000 per year for those studying at a London-based university. The program includes comprehensive support such as tuition fee coverage, access to resources for overseas fieldwork, and opportunities to collaborate with influential external partners. The studentship duration typically ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 years, covering a PhD and a mandatory placement.
SENSS Scholarships 2025-26 Summary
1. Host Institution: South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) Doctoral Training Partnership
2. Study Level: PhD
3. Study Programs: Postgraduate studies in the social sciences
4. Eligibility:
Exceptional students pursuing PhD studies in social sciences
5. Funding:
Stipend of £19,237 per year (2024/25 academic year rates)
Additional £2,000 per year for students studying at a London-based university
Tuition fee coverage
Access to additional funding to support your research, UK or overseas fieldwork, international study visits, and language training.
Opportunities to collaborate with influential external partners
6. Duration: Typically ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 years, covering a PhD and a mandatory placement
7. Application Deadline: January 22, 2025
SENSS ESRC Studentship Details
The SENSS student-led studentship involves:
Students work on a research project they have come up with themselves.
They will be guided in this work by an expert academic supervisory team.
The project may involve working with a collaborative partner (for example, a business, charity or think tank) who provides researchers with access to data, equipment or participants for a study, additional funding for their studentship, an additional supervisor, and/or a placement.
Eligibility Requirements for SENSS ESRC Studentship 2025
To be considered for the SENSS ESRC Studentship, note the following criteria:
1. Nationality: Open to all applicants, regardless of nationality or residency across all 8 SENSS universities and 6 SENSS interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary
2. Study Level: PhD (3.5-year award) or Master's plus PhD (4.5-year award).
3. Academic Qualifications:
For the 3.5-year PhD award: Equivalent to a Master's degree or a Master's degree with the necessary research skills.
For the 4.5-year Master's plus PhD award: Minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent.
4. Current Study Status: Applicants who have already started their PhD are eligible if they have not completed a substantial proportion of their studies.
5. Institutional Requirements: Must meet the specific entry requirements of the chosen institution, including English language proficiency.
6. Placement: The studentship includes a mandatory placement of approximately 3 months with a collaborative partner (e.g., business, charity, think tank).
SENSS Partner Universities
City St George’s University of London
Cranfield University
University of East Anglia
University of Essex
Goldsmiths University of London
University of Lincoln
Middlesex University
University of Roehampton
SENSS student-led studentship Application Procedure
To apply for the SENSS student-led studentships, follow below steps:
1. Choose a University:
Identify the SENSS university and academic supervisor with whom you wish to work.
2. Contact Your Supervisor:
Reach out to your chosen supervisor to discuss your research proposal and ensure it aligns with one of the six SENSS themes linked here.
Alternatively, if you are unsure about who to approach, get in touch with the SENSS Operational Lead at that university, as they may be able to support you in finding a supervisor
3. Apply to the University:
submit your application for a place to study at your chosen SENSS university. The deadline for your application is set by your chosen university. Please check with them to find out what the deadline is.
4. Apply for the Studentship:
After securing a place at the university, apply for the SENSS ESRC studentship.
To do this, click on the “Apply” button available at the bottom of this page. This will take you to HEIapply, the SENSS online application platform, where you will need to draft and submit your application
5. Submit Required Documents:
Prepare and submit all necessary documents, including your research proposal, CV, academic transcripts, and references as outlined in the application form.
6. Attend an Interview:
If shortlisted, you may be invited for an interview as part of the selection process.
7. Receive Notification:
Applicants will be notified of the outcome and, if successful, will receive funding details and next steps.
🗓️ Application Deadline
The Deadline to submit your application for the SENSS ESRC Studentship 2026 academic year is January 22, 2025.
ℹ️ To Find out further details about the SENSS student-led studentship click on button below.
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