Economic and Social Research Council studentship funding
As one of 16 member universities of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science, the University of St Andrews is able to offer full- and part-funded PhD scholarships across a range of social science disciplines.
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The University of St Andrews offers two types of ESRC funded scholarships through the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) to suitably qualified UK and international applicants:
- 1+3 scholarships comprise a one year Masters degree followed by a three year doctoral degree
- +3 scholarships comprise a three year doctoral degree
Scholarships are available in the following Schools/Departments for projects aligned with the SGSSS disciplinary hubs and pathways:
Economies, Mind, and Technologies
Economics
Accounting, Finance, Business, and Management
Psychology
Society and Welfare
Health, Families, Relationships, and Demographic Change
People and Place
Human Geography, Environment, and Urban Planning
Economic and Social History
Politics and International Relations
Social Anthropology
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ESRC scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence.
If you are applying for a 1+3 scholarship you must hold or be completing a UK undergraduate degree in a social science subject with first- or upper second-class honours (or an international qualification at an equivalent level).
If you are applying for a +3 scholarship you must, in addition to holding a UK undergraduate degree in a social science subject with first- or upper second-class honours (or an international qualification at an equivalent level), hold or be completing a Masters degree in a social science subject and satisfying the ESRC training requirements.
ESRC scholarships are open to UK applicants; a proportion of the awards available may also be offered to international applicants. Awards cover tuition fees for the award term and include a stipend at the regular Research Council rate.
Full eligibility requirements can be found in the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide.
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Scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarship competition opens in autumn for degrees starting the following September.
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible:
- Identify and contact a potential supervisor - you must have the support of your preferred supervisor before making an application. If you are unable to identify a potential supervisor, contact the relevant pathway contact (details below).
- Apply for admission as a student – see the advice on applying for admission
- Create an account on the SGSSS GradHub – see the SGSSS application advice
- Add contact details for your referees to the SGSSS GradHub. It is vital that you contact your referees as soon as possible and let them know that they will be expected to provide a reference no later than 5pm on 7 January 2021.
- Upload your application and supporting documents to the SGSSS GradHub – applications must be uploaded by 5pm on 7 January 2021.
Applications will be considered by the University in the first instance. Shortlisted applications will go forward to the next round of the competition.
Pathway Contacts
Accounting, Finance, Business, and Management
Dr Shona Russell, mgmtdopg@st-andrews.ac.uk
Economics
Prof. Miguel Costa-Gomes, miguel.costa-gomes@st-andrews.ac.uk
Economic and Social History
Dr Jacqueline Rose, histdopg@st-andrews.ac.uk
Health, Families, Relationships, and Demographic Change
Prof. Hill Kulu, hill.kulu@st-andrews.ac.uk
Human Geography, Environment, and Urban Planning
Dr Katherine Keenan, klk4@st-andrews.ac.uk
Politics and International Relations
Professor Anthony F. Lang, al51@st-andrews.ac.uk
Psychology
Dr Ines Jentzsch, ij7@st-andrews.ac.uk
Social Anthropology
Dr Adam Reed, ader@st-andrews.ac.uk
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The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) is the UK's largest facilitator of funding, training, and support for doctoral students in social science.
By combining the expertise of 16 universities across Scotland, the SGSSS facilitates world-class PhD research. The SGSSS is funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Scottish Funding Council.
To complement the discipline-specific research training delivered through the partner universities the SGSSS hosts advanced training courses as well as an annual summer school. These provide SGSSS students with opportunities to develop further their research, knowledge exchange, and transferable professional skills.
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As a doctoral student at the University of St Andrews you will be part of a growing, vibrant, and intellectually stimulating postgraduate community. St Andrews is one of the leading research-intensive universities in the world and offers a postgraduate experience of remarkable richness.
St Leonard’s Doctoral and Postgraduate College is at the heart of the postgraduate community of St Andrews. The College supports all postgraduates and aims to provide opportunities for postgraduates to come together, socially and intellectually, and make new connections.
St Leonard’s College works closely with the Postgraduate Society which is one of the most active societies within the Students’ Association. All doctoral students are automatically welcomed into the Postgraduate Society when they join the University.
In addition to the research training that doctoral students complete in their home School and the advanced training provided by the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science, doctoral students at St Andrews have access to GRADskills – a free, comprehensive training programme to support their academic, professional, and personal development.