UBEL DTP ESRC PhD Studentships 2027 in London (Fully Funded)

The UCL, Bloomsbury and East London Doctoral Training Partnership (UBEL DTP) is offering fully funded ESRC PhD studentships for October 2027 entry. Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the studentships support social science research at six London universities.

The studentships are open to both UK and international applicants.

Partner universities

• University College London (UCL)
• Birkbeck, University of London
• SOAS University of London
• London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
• University of East London (UEL)
• University of Greenwich

What the studentship covers

• Tuition fees at the UKRI rate (£5,238 in 2026/27)
• Tax-free stipend of £23,805 a year (2026/27 rate, including London weighting), which usually rises each year
• Duration: 3.5 years for students with a research master's, or 1+3.5 years (master's plus PhD) for students who need research training first
• Extra funding for training and an optional three-month placement
• An extra £2,000 a year for successful advanced quantitative methods (AQM) projects

Support for international students

The ESRC pays fees only at the UK rate, so the partner universities cover the difference for international award holders:

• UCL: the International Scholars Award for Doctoral Training covers the fee difference.
• Birkbeck, SOAS, UEL and Greenwich: offer fee waivers to successful international candidates.
• LSHTM: offers one international fee bursary a year for an ESRC student, with priority for nationals of low and lower-middle income countries.

Up to 30% of studentships can go to international students, which is usually about ten awards a year. Visa costs are not covered.

Who can apply

• A first or upper second class (2:1) honours degree, or a master's degree, from a recognised university (or an international equivalent), held or expected by 30 September 2027
• For the 3.5-year PhD route, a master's with suitable research training
• A research project in one of the DTP's 30 social science pathways
• You may submit only one ESRC application to UBEL for 2027 entry

Research pathways

Business and data analytics: Accounting and Finance, Business Management, Economics, Quantitative Social Science

Digital footprints, environments and global development: Ecological Study of the Brain and Behaviour, Human Geography and Sustainability, International Development, Risk, Disaster and Resilience Studies, Science, Technology, Prosperity and Innovation, Urban Studies, Planning and Spatial Science

Diversity, communities, countries and economies: Anthropology, Gender and Sexuality, History and Heritage Studies, Knowledge, Evidence and Policy, Psychosocial Studies and Sociology, Race and Racialisation

Health, resilience, well-being and welfare: Behaviour Change, Biosocial Research, Health and Wellbeing, Lifecourse and Social Epidemiology, Mental Health Research, Population and Health

Learning, communication and cognition: Education, Educational Neuroscience, Linguistics, Multilingual Practices, Psychology

Political and judicial processes: Interdisciplinary Area Studies, Law, Socio-legal Studies and Criminology, Politics and International Relations

Key dates for 2027 entry

How to apply

1. Choose a pathway and a partner university that fits your research.
2. Contact a potential supervisor and the pathway leader to discuss your project. You need the supervisor's consent before naming them.
3. Pre-register online by 30 October 2026 with your pathway, institution and provisional research title.
4. Submit the preliminary application by 9 November 2026. It includes a research experience summary (up to 500 words) and a statement of motivation (up to 500 words). No references or full proposal are needed at this stage.
5. If shortlisted, submit the full application with your research proposal and supervisor statement by 1 February 2027.
6. Apply separately for the PhD programme at your chosen university, following its own deadline.

How competitive is it?

In 2026, UBEL received 819 preliminary applications, invited 213 to the full stage and made 34 awards. Contacting a supervisor early and writing a clear, focused project idea will make a big difference.

Tips

• Start with the supervisor. Strong support from a supervisor in your pathway is key.
• Keep your motivation statement specific: why this project, why this supervisor and why now.
• Read the official application guidance carefully before you start.
• Applying is free. Never pay anyone who promises a guaranteed studentship.