How to apply and selection process

How to apply and selection process

The White Rose selection process involves two stages.

Stage one

First, you will need to contact an academic (or a relevant department lead listed above if you have not secured your supervisory team) to discuss your research. With their expertise and guidance, you will develop a project proposal.

Then you will need to make a formal application for a PhD in an eligible department or school on the University’s application portal at Manchester Met by 5pm, 4 January 2027 .

As part of this application, you will need to email and upload the supporting documents listed below to the application portal in order to satisfy Manchester Met’s entry requirements by 5pm, 4 January 2027 :

If you encounter any technical issues when uploading the requested supporting documents, please email copies of the documents to [email protected] and quote the reference in the following format: “your individual application number + WRDTP October 2027 Entry.”

• WRDTP Studentship Application Form (please send this to [email protected] ). Please download a copy of the WRDTP Studentship Application Form here .
• Degree transcripts. These should include details of the modules taken. If you are currently studying for a degree, interim transcripts should be provided wherever possible.
• ESRC WRDTP Studentships - EDI Monitoring Form .
• Qualifications and certificates, with English translation for non-UK qualifications
• Your CV
• A copy of your passport
• Two letters of reference, of which one must relate to your most recent academic qualification
• Proof of English language proficiency where relevant
• Please note that if you do not have two letters of reference and/or Proof of English language proficiency (where relevant) by 5pm, 04 January 2026 , you can supply these at a later stage. However, we would encourage you to have the documents listed above included in your application. We will take a holistic approach to ensure that applicants with clear potential to flourish as doctoral researchers are nominated for awards.

Stage two

As WRDTP studentship awards are highly competitive, applications are reviewed internally at Manchester Met, and only the strongest applications are selected to be nominated for the DTP’s studentship competition. If your application progresses to this second stage, you will be notified about any further requirements in January 2027. The WRDTP assess the quality of all applications and project proposals to determine who will receive funding. Successful candidates will be announced by 23 April 2027.

Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with the WRDTP assessment criteria .

Research areas