North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) 2026

The North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) is a major doctoral funding scheme in the United Kingdom, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It funds postgraduate research training in the social sciences across partner universities in North West England, including opportunities advertised by institutions such as the University of Liverpool and Lancaster University.

NWSSDTP studentships are typically available for PhD study and, in some cases, Master's plus PhD (1+3) pathways for applicants who need research training before starting doctoral study. The partnership supports a wide range of social science and interdisciplinary topics, with examples from recent postings including politics, housing and health inequalities, geography, urban accessibility, and applied linguistics linked to social science research.

Funding is generally fully funded. Reference postings show support can include tuition fees, a tax-free maintenance stipend, and additional help with research, training, conference, fieldwork, overseas visits, and sometimes placement-related costs. Some awards for international applicants may cover tuition only at the Home rate, so applicants should check the terms of the specific project or pathway.

Eligibility depends on the individual studentship and host department, but applicants usually need a strong academic background relevant to the proposed project. Some opportunities require a master's degree for a standard PhD route, while others accept strong bachelor's graduates for a 1+3 pathway. Both UK and international applicants are mentioned in recent NWSSDTP postings. Applicants normally apply first to the host university's research degree programme and then complete the relevant NWSSDTP or departmental funding process.

Because NWSSDTP is a partnership rather than a single-university scholarship, available subjects, supervisors, deadlines, and document requirements vary by project. Students should review the specific host university advert carefully and follow its application instructions.