Economic and Social Science Research Council PhD Studentships

About the project

We are delighted to announce the availability of 34 fully-funded studentships across the ESRC-accredited South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP). The SWDTP draws together the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, West of England, Bath Spa, Bournemouth and Plymouth Marjon. These have a strong track record in advancing knowledge through high quality research and teaching in partnership with business, professions, the public services, the third sector and other research and learning providers.

Applications are invited from potential doctoral students for the following social science pathways:

Disciplinary Pathways:

Interdisciplinary Pathways:

The SWDTP has a steer of three studentships to award in both Advanced Quantitative Methods and Data Skills.

As a fully inclusive research environment, we warmly welcome applications from candidates of all socio-economic backgrounds and protected characteristics. If you wish to discuss the application process please contact swdtp-enquiries@bristol.ac.uk

For further information about the SWDTP application process, pathways at each institution and details of strategic steers in some pathways, please visit the apply button above.

Please visit our Potential Supervisor Database for help in identifying a supervisor for an SWDTP studentship application Potential Supervisor Database – SWDTP

The closing date for SWDTP studentship applications is 12.00 (Noon) GMT Tuesday 12th January 2027

• Advanced Quantitative Methods
• Area & Development Studies
• Economic & Social History
• Economics
• Education
• Human Geography
• Management and Business Studies
• Political Science and International Studies
• Psychology
• Social Anthropology
• Social Policy
• Social Work
• Socio-Legal Studies
• Sociology
• Climate Change, Sustainability & Society
• Global Challenges & Transformations
• Health, Wellbeing & Society
• Sociotechnical Futures & Digital Methods

Research areas