PhD Studentship with Integrated Master’s: Sustainability, Government and Political Science University of Essex in United Kingdom

[Home tuition fee waiver; living costs stipend at the UKRI recommended level (£21,805 for 2026-27); £10,000 research allowance in total; £2,500 Proficio training support.]

PhD Studentship at the University of Essex: Sustainability, Government and Political Science

This is a fully funded Masters-plus-PhD studentship under the Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme at the University of Essex. The opportunity combines an initial master’s year with an interdisciplinary doctoral project focused on environment and sustainability as it relates to government and political science. The successful applicant will begin the master’s phase in January 2027 and then proceed to the PhD phase after developing the proposal further in consultation with the supervisory team.

The programme is designed to train the next generation of interdisciplinary scholars working on sustainable transitions at local, national and international levels. Applicants are invited to submit a broad research proposal of up to 1000 words describing the project area they want to investigate. During the master’s year, the student will refine the project before doctoral registration, while receiving structured training and support across the programme.

The research area is anchored in politics, government, and public policy, and applicants must choose one additional discipline to integrate into the project: Law, Business, Sociology, or Life Science. Prior knowledge of that extra discipline is not required, as relevant training will be provided when the PhD begins. Scholars will also have access to interdisciplinary methods training, secondary discipline training, ongoing development, and support from both the Sustainable Transitions management team and the supervisory team. In addition, students can join the University of Essex’s Centre for Environment and Society for events and networking opportunities.

Funding: The award covers all tuition fees and provides a living costs stipend at the UKRI recommended level. The stipend for 2026-27 is £21,805. The package also includes a £10,000 research allowance for authorised research costs such as supplies, equipment, and fieldwork, plus £2,500 through Proficio for training courses and additional development.

Eligibility: This opportunity is open only to UK domiciled applicants who do not already hold a master’s degree. Applicants must also come from a low-income household background and/or belong to one of the specified ethnic background categories listed in the call. A prior undergraduate degree in political science or a related subject is expected.

Deadline: Submit by 11:59 pm BST on Monday 14 September 2026.

Application: Use the official University of Essex application page to submit your proposal and supporting information.