1+3 Studentships for Masters and PhD Success (ESRC NWSSDTP)
The ESRC NWSSDTP 1+3 studentship offers a unique opportunity for students to seamlessly transition from a Master’s programme to a PhD, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded academic experience. This studentship not only provides essential funding for both stages of study but also grants access to valuable resources, training, and expert supervision.
By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting innovative research, the NWSSDTP equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle complex social challenges.
Key features of this studentship
- Open to applicants from all backgrounds and provides full tuition fees and maintenance allowance for master’s and PhD study.
- The 1+3 format allows you to complete a one-year master's programme followed by three and half years of doctoral research, providing a comprehensive postgraduate trajectory.
- Opportunities for networking and collaboration across various disciplines within social sciences, encouraging innovative approaches and diverse perspectives in research.
- You will benefit from tailored training that equips you with research skills critical for your master's and PhD studies, including methodologies, data analysis, and ethical considerations.
How to be considered
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and are at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
You must meet the minimum academic requirements for your preferred programme, in addition to those specified by the ESRC NWSSDTP. As a 1+3 applicant, this is the bachelor’s qualification either awarded or on course to achieve (First Class or 2:1 UK honours degree (or equivalent)).
1. Choose your preferred PhD programme. Your programme must be available through the ESRC NWSSDTP pathways (your taught master's programme is typically decided after the initial interview stage).
2. Prepare a research proposal
Guidance on preparing a research proposal can be found by school:
3. Find a supervisor
- Have a look at our online guide 'Find a Supervisor'
4. Complete an online application form by the deadline
Section 9 of the application asks for your funding intentions. Please add a funding source, and populate the fields below:
- Type of Funding: Research Council
- Awarding Body: ESRC NWSSDTP 1+3
- Status of Funding: Intend to Apply
5. Include all necessary supporting documents.
- A 1500-word PhD research proposal. If you revise your research proposal following the submission of your programme application, please attach the latest draft of your proposal along with the ESRC NWSSDTP application form in your email to hums.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.
- A copy of your bachelor's academic transcript and certificate. If you have completed more than one bachelor's degree, please provide evidence for each. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
- An up-to-date academic CV summarising your academic record, employment history, and publications and highlighting experience demonstrating your research potential.
- The names of two academic referees, including one from your most recent institution. Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following the submission of your application form.
- A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency.
6. The ESRC NWSSDTP Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be submitted to hums.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk no later than 5 pm GMT, 3 February 2025.
- Please note all deadlines are strict and applications received after 5 pm will not be included in the competition.
The academic transcripts and references submitted with your programme application will be attached to your ESRC NWSSDTP application form and provided to the panels for review.
- Programme Application Deadline
Alliance Manchester Business School: 1 December 2024
School of Arts, Languages and Cultures: 13 January 2025
School of Education, Environment and Development: 20 January 2025
School of Social Sciences: 1 December 2024
- Funding Application Deadline – 5 pm, 3 February 2025
- Receive Formal Offer – By 17 February 2025
- Funding Decision – By 28 March 2025
- Deadline for candidates to confirm acceptance of the award – 11 April 2025
Sign up for our email alerts
Interested in PhD or other postgraduate research study in 2025/26? Join our update list to be the first to know about:
- New studentships, funded-projects and other funding opportunities
- Application and funding deadlines
- Live events, virtual sessions, blog features and more...
Have a question?
If you’re not sure where to start or have a question about applying, funding or anything else – our friendly application team is here to help. Get in touch with them today.
