The UCL, Bloomsbury and East London Doctoral Training Partnership (UBEL DTP) invites applications for its fully funded Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) studentships for the 2026 academic year. These prestigious awards are designed to support outstanding candidates pursuing postgraduate research across a wide range of social science disciplines.
The studentships are available across six leading London institutions, covering full tuition fees and offering a generous annual maintenance stipend.
What the Studentship Covers
For the 2025/26 academic year, the UBEL DTP studentship provides:
- Full tuition fees at the UKRI-approved rate: £5,006
- Annual maintenance stipend of at least £22,780 (inclusive of London Allowance)
In addition to financial support, award holders benefit from high-quality training, supervision, and access to extensive academic networks and resources across partner institutions.
Pathways and Programme Structure
UBEL DTP supports a wide range of disciplinary pathways, grouped into six overarching clusters, across its six partner universities. Each pathway offers multiple study routes, accommodating different academic backgrounds and research preparation levels:
- +3.5 route: For applicants with a Master’s degree that includes appropriate research training.
- 1+3.5 route: For applicants requiring a Master’s-level year of research training before beginning the PhD.
- +4.5 route: For some programmes with extended requirements.
- Available in both full-time and part-time formats.
These routes allow flexibility while maintaining high academic and training standards, tailored to the needs of individual researchers.
New ESRC PhD Model
From 2024/25, the ESRC introduced a revised funding model. The standard studentship duration is now 3.5 years, rather than the traditional 3 years, to incorporate additional training opportunities.
Studentship holders will also be expected to undertake a professional placement in academia, policy, business, or the civil society sector. Those who complete a placement will receive an additional three months of funding and time, allowing for further skill development and real-world application of research.
This enhancement applies across all award types, including 1+3, +3, +3.5, 3.25, and 2+3 routes.
Academic Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following academic criteria:
- Hold, or expect to obtain by 30 September 2026, at minimum:
- A First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree, or
- A Master’s degree from a recognised UK university (or equivalent international qualification)
For the +3.5 route, a Master’s degree with significant research training is required.
Student Eligibility – Home and International Applicants
UBEL DTP studentships are open to both Home and International applicants. However, per ESRC regulations:
- Only up to 30% of total awards may be allocated to international applicants.
- In 2025, this translated to only 10 awards out of 485 applications from international candidates.
To be classed as a Home student, applicants must meet at least one of the following:
- Be a UK national meeting residency requirements
- Hold settled or pre-settled status (meeting residency criteria)
- Hold indefinite leave to remain or enter the UK
If these criteria are not met, applicants will be classed as international.
Note: UBEL DTP does not cover visa costs for international students. Prospective applicants should consult their university’s visa and compliance team for guidance.
Application Process and Timeline
The UBEL DTP follows a two-stage application process:
Stage 1: Preliminary Application
- Opens: 15 September 2025 (via SurveyMonkey Apply)
- Deadline: 10 November 2025 at 23:59 (UK time)
- Applicants must review guidance documents and pathway-specific information before submission.
- Decisions communicated to candidates by 12 December 2025
Stage 2: Full Application
- Opens: 15 December 2025 (for shortlisted candidates only)
- Deadline: 2 February 2026 at 23:59
- Final awards will be confirmed by the DTP Board in the week of 20 April 2026
Supporting Resources and Guidance
Applicants are encouraged to review the following materials to prepare their submission:
- Preliminary Application Guidance (2026 Entry)
- Scoring Criteria PDF
- Structure of ESRC Funding at UBEL
- ESRC Postgraduate Training & Development Guidelines
- Guidance for Supervisors
A recorded application guidance video is also available, led by the UBEL DTP Management Team, to assist candidates with the process and address common questions.
Contact Information
For any queries related to the studentship competition, application process, or eligibility:
Email: [email protected]
Further details and resources are available on the UBEL DTP website.
Partner Institutions in the UBEL DTP
- University College London (UCL)
- Birkbeck, University of London
- University of East London (UEL)
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
- SOAS, University of London
- The University of the Arts London (UAL)
Each institution contributes unique strengths to the DTP’s interdisciplinary and collaborative training environment.
Why Apply?
The UBEL DTP ESRC studentships offer not just generous financial support, but access to an exceptional network of academics, institutions, training opportunities, and policy engagement platforms. The revised funding model also reflects a deeper commitment to researcher development, professional growth, and real-world impact.
Whether pursuing doctoral research in economics, sociology, development studies, education, or any of the other supported disciplines, studentship holders become part of a dynamic community shaping the future of social science research in the UK and globally.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
