Structure of Awards
Types of ESRC funding available at the UBEL DTP
ESRC studentships at the UBEL DTP are structured around the following routes: 1+3.5, +3.5 and +4.5 funding.
Please note that not all route structures are available in all institutions or pathways – please check pathway pages for further information.
A one-year Master’s programme precedes the three-year MPhil/PhD which will deliver the majority of the core training requirements. If awarded, funding is provided for both the masters year of training and the PhD. This award will also have an additional 6 months of funding for extra PhD training and a placement.
Students who do not undertake a placement will not receive the additional three months of funding.
This is the standard ESRC PhD studentship offer. Funding for a three-year MPhil/PhD, which assumes that a student has already met the majority of the core training requirements or that the MPhil/PhD focus is largely on more advanced training. This studentship will also provide an additional 6 months of funding for extra training and a placement.
Students who do not undertake a placement will not receive the additional three
months of funding.
Up to four years’ funding for a PhD which assumes that core and advanced training requirements can be met during the course of the programme. The requirements are normally met by undertaking modules from a linked Master’s programme. This studentship will also provide an additional 6 months of funding for extra training and a placement.
PLEASE NOTE: candidates on this study route must demonstrate that the integrated level of training is necessary. The fourth year of a studentship is NOT for a writing up period.
Students who do not undertake a placement will not receive the additional three months of funding.
- Your studentship application will not be disadvantaged if you select the ‘wrong’ route: the DTP Board will recommend an appropriate route based on previous training if that is the most appropriate one for your studies.
- Occasionally, candidates may be awarded a slightly different configuration (depending on previous training, or two years if the candidate has already started doctoral study);
- Applications for all routes are considered equally by the pathways, Group Panels and DTP Board. There are no quotas at the UBEL DTP for applications to any particular route or pathway.
The ESRC has introduced a new PhD model from 2024/25. The new standard model for an ESRC studentship is 3.5 years.
Instead of the traditional three years of funding for a full-time PhD, ESRC studentships will include an extra three months of time (and stipend) to allow extra time for training throughout the PhD.
In addition, it is expected that ESRC studentship holders should have the opportunity to complete a high-quality placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations as part of their training. Students who participate in a placement will receive an extra three months of time (and stipend). This extra funded time would be in addition to the time periods indicated below and apply to all routes.
You may only apply for one route and it is important that you discuss which one is appropriate for you with your proposed supervisor.
Please note: the above time-frames are for full-time students; part-time ESRC students undertake their studentships pro rata. For example, a +3 route at a 50% rate would be seven years long for part-time student.