United Kingdom · Fully funded
University of Edinburgh E5 DTP Funded PhD Studentships 2027 in the UK
Updated 20 October 2026
Open
The E5 Doctoral Training Partnership (E5 DTP) is a PhD programme led by the University of Edinburgh's School of Geosciences and funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It offers fully funded PhD studentships in earth, ecology and environmental sciences, and is open to students of all nationalities.
Deadline: 2 December 2026, 12 noon UK time (1:00 PM in Nigeria). Applications for 2027 are open now.
What the studentship covers
- Stipend: £21,805 a year (2026/27 rate), for up to 4 years
- Tuition fees: covered. For international students, the University covers the difference between home and international fees.
- Research costs for your project
- Training and development throughout the PhD
Not covered: visa application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, flights and relocation costs.
Who can apply
- Students of any nationality. UKRI limits international students to 30% of each intake.
- At least a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent. A master's is not required.
- Relevant professional experience and postgraduate qualifications are also considered
- You must meet the University of Edinburgh's English requirements. Test results are only needed if you receive an offer.
- You must live within commuting distance of Edinburgh during the PhD
Research areas
Projects cover the environment in its broadest sense: earth sciences, geography, ecology, climate, oceans, biodiversity and more. Browse the current supervisor-led projects on the E5 DTP website.
How to apply
- Choose one project from the E5 project list. You may apply for only one; multiple applications are rejected automatically.
- Contact the supervisor to discuss the project before you apply.
- Prepare your documents as PDFs:
- E5 Studentship form (with your EDI Response ID)
- Academic CV (maximum 2 pages)
- EDI monitoring form (completed online, then saved as PDF)
- Transcripts and certificates (interim transcripts if still studying)
- Ask two referees early. They must use the official E5 reference form and an institutional email address. Your proposed supervisor cannot be a referee, and reference letters are not accepted.
- Submit in the E5 portal before 12 noon UK time on 2 December 2026. Uploading is not enough; you must click submit.
Interviews
- In person in Edinburgh: 22–23 February 2027
- Online for applicants outside the UK: 24 February 2027
E5 DTP: Applications for 2027 · How to apply · Entry and eligibility