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Empowering Tomorrow's Social Scientists: ESRC NWSSDTP Offers Postgraduate Training and Research Excellence Across North West England.
The North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) is a collaborative initiative involving five universities in North West England, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It offers postgraduate studentships with a focus on high-quality research training in social sciences.
With strong connections to public, private, and third-sector organisations, NWSSDTP provides a world-class research environment that prepares students for impactful careers in social science research.
Key features of this studentship
- Fully funded studentship (3-4 years) open to all applicants providing financial support for research expenses and living costs.
- Access to specialised training through initiatives like Methods North West, which focuses on advanced research methods and techniques.
- Opportunities for skills development that enhance employability in academic, public, private, and third-sector organisations.
- Encouragement to engage in research that addresses real-world issues and contributes to social good.
- Provision of academic and professional support from experienced supervisors and mentors throughout the doctoral programme.
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary research, allowing students to engage with various social science fields and methodologies.
How to be considered
You must meet the minimum academic requirements for your preferred programme, in addition to those specified by the ESRC NWSSDTP.
This award is available to existing postgraduate students. Please refer to the application guidance on the NWSSDTP website.
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 from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
1. Choose your preferred PhD programme
2. Prepare a research proposal
Guidance on preparing a research proposal can be found by school:
- Alliance Manchester Business School
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- School of Environment, Education and Development
- School of Social Sciences (all programmes except Economics)
- Economics
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
- 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.
- A copy of your master's academic transcript and certificate. If your master's degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
- If you have completed more than one bachelor's or master'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. Submit the ESRC NWSSDTP Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form 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.
+2 Applications:
To apply, please submit your latest 1500-word research proposal with the completed ESRC NWSSDTP application form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form to the Humanities Doctoral Academy via hums.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk no later than 5 pm GMT, 3 February 2025.
We may also reach out to you to request your academic transcripts and references if we do not already have them.
- 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
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