The Department of Social Statistics and Demography at the University of Southampton invites applications for fully funded PhD studentships through the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP). This opportunity is ideal for prospective researchers passionate about social statistics, demography, and population change. The department is internationally recognized for its expertise in family and social demography, population and global health, migration and demographic modelling, statistical methodology for the social sciences, and official statistics and survey methods. Research in the department addresses real-world challenges such as fertility forecasting, maternal and neonatal health, migration, and the impact of climate change on population distribution. The department collaborates with leading research centres, including the National Centre for Research Methods and the Centre for Population Change. Students benefit from advanced quantitative training, interdisciplinary approaches, and engagement with policy-makers and international organizations. The SCDTP offers several funding routes: 1+3.5 MSc+PhD (with a Research-in-Practice placement), +3.5 PhD only (with placement), and +4.5 interdisciplinary route (with placement). All routes are fully funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), covering tuition fees and providing a maintenance grant. Both UK and international students are eligible to apply. Distance learning PhDs are not eligible for this funding. Applicants should have a strong academic background in a relevant field such as social science, statistics, or demography. Entry requirements include a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) for the 1+3.5 route, or a relevant master's degree for the +3.5 route. English language proficiency is required for non-native speakers. The department encourages applications from candidates with a passion for population change, social statistics, and research methods. The application deadline for 2026/27 entry is 16 January 2026, 16:00 GMT. Prospective applicants should review the SCDTP details, explore research in the department, and identify a potential supervisor. For further information and to apply, visit the SCDTP website or contact Dr Liliana Andriano (Doctoral Programme Director) at [email protected]. Key research keywords: social statistics, demography, population change, family demography, global health, migration, demographic modelling, statistical methodology, survey methods, official statistics.

The Department of Social Statistics and Demography at the University of Southampton invites applications for fully funded PhD and MSc+PhD positions through the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP). This opportunity is ideal for prospective researchers passionate about population change, social statistics, and advancing research methods and data for impactful social science research. The department supervises research in areas such as family and social demography, population and global health, migration and demographic modelling, statistical methodology for the social sciences, official statistics, and survey methods. Funding is provided by the Economic and Social Research Council and covers tuition fees and a stipend, with research-in-practice placements included. Applicants can choose from several funding routes: 1+3.5 MSc + PhD, +3.5 PhD only, or +4.5 interdisciplinary route, all with placements. A minimum of 34 studentships are awarded annually across the four partner institutions: University of Southampton, University of Brighton, University of Portsmouth, and University of Chichester. Applicants should have a strong academic background in social sciences, statistics, demography, public health, or related fields. For the 1+3.5 route, a relevant undergraduate degree is required; for the +3.5 and +4.5 routes, a relevant master's degree is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate research potential and a passion for population change and social statistics. Please note that distance learning PhDs are not eligible for this funding. International and UK applicants are welcome. The department is home to world-leading research centres, including the National Centre for Research Methods, Centre for Population Change, and the Statistical Sciences Research Institute. Research topics include fertility forecasting, migration and mobility, health and mortality, small-area estimation, online survey methodology, and population projections. The department’s interdisciplinary approach and advanced quantitative training prepare students to address contemporary economic and social challenges. To apply, review the SCDTP details and research areas, identify a potential supervisor, and prepare your application materials. Submit your application before the deadline of 16 January 2026, 16:00 GMT. For general or distance learning queries, contact Dr Liliana Andriano at [email protected]. Useful links: SCDTP details , Department research areas , Find a supervisor .

The Department of Social Statistics and Demography at the University of Southampton invites applications for fully funded PhD and MSc+PhD studentships through the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP). The department offers supervision across a broad spectrum of demographic research, including family and social demography, global health, migration modelling, and advanced statistical methodology applied to social sciences and official statistics. Research themes include population change, fertility, migration, health and mortality, and the development of statistical methods for social science data. The SCDTP is a collaboration between the Universities of Southampton, Brighton, Portsmouth, and Chichester, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. It awards a minimum of 34 studentships per year to social scientists pursuing PhD or combined MSc+PhD studies. The University of Southampton hosts several research centres of excellence, such as the National Centre for Research Methods and the Centre for Population Change, providing a vibrant academic environment for interdisciplinary research and advanced quantitative training. Available studentships include 1+3.5 MSc+PhD, +3.5 PhD, and +4.5 interdisciplinary awards, all featuring a Research-in-Practice placement. The programme emphasizes student-centred postgraduate training, advanced quantitative skills, and engagement with ESRC-funded resources. Applicants interested in distance learning are not eligible for funding, but may contact Dr Liliana Andriano for alternative options. Prospective students should have a strong academic background relevant to social demography, global health, migration modelling, or statistical methodology. The department encourages candidates to review its research areas and contact potential supervisors for guidance. The application deadline for the 2026/27 academic year is 16:00 GMT on 16th January 2026. For further details, visit the South Coast DTP website or contact Dr Liliana Andriano at [email protected]. Key research groups and centres include the Centre for Population Change, Gender and Inequalities Centre, Global Health Community of Practice, National Centre for Research Methods, and the Statistical Sciences Research Institute. The department's research impacts policy and practice in areas such as fertility forecasting, climate and health solutions, population distribution mapping, maternal and neonatal health, and survey methodology. For more information on the department's work and to identify relevant supervisors, visit the department's website and the supervisor directory. This opportunity is ideal for students seeking to advance their expertise in social demography, global health, and statistical methodology within a leading UK research environment.