Postgraduate research

ESRC Midlands Graduate School Doctoral Training Partnership

Qualification: PhD

Departments: Geography History Museum Studies Population Health Sciences Media and Communication Management Psychology Sociology School of Criminology

Application deadline: Tuesday 23 January 2024 (12.00pm GMT).

Start date: 23 September 2024

Overview

The Midlands Graduate School is an accredited Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership and forms part of the ESRC’s new Doctoral Training Network which significantly widens access for postgraduates to ESRC funding across the UK.

The Midlands Graduate School (MGS) is is part of an ESRC network of Doctoral Training Partnerships in collaboration with:

  • Aston University
  • University of Birmingham
  • University of Leicester
  • Loughborough University
  • University of Nottingham
  • University of Warwick

This Doctoral Training Partnership offers 17 different training pathways that span various social science disciplines; several postgraduate studentships will be awarded annually across the pathways and institutions. These studentships are linked to a specific training pathways and some studentships have a built-in element of collaboration.

Please refer to the above link for details of areas of research we offer and contact with the Pathway Lead to discuss your research before submitting your Leicester PhD application and Research Proposal Form. .

You also need to submit your ERSC funding application. Please be aware that you will only be able to submit one funding application to the MGS DTP and you cannot apply for funding on multiple different pathways or for pathway funding at multiple MGS DTP institutions.

Application information and the link to the Research Proposal Form can be found below.

Doctoral training partnerships

Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) are multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional schemes designed to support the training of the next generation of world-class researchers. The University of Leicester is a lead partner in four DTPs/CDTs through which we can offer funded PhD studentships in a wide range of research areas.

Studentships are available to highly motivated and qualified applicants and provide a generous support package usually including a full fee waiver, annual stipend, and research training support grant. Studentships are in most cases offered early in the year for October start. Enquiries outside of the main application periods are welcomed.

Funding

Funding

Funding information can be found on the Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP website.

Types of awards

Studentships are available as:

  • +3 year (PhD)
  • +3.5 year (PhD requiring 2 ESRC research skill modules) or
  • 1+3 (4 year with a Masters leading directly to a PhD) award.

All studentships are available on a full-time or part-time* basis, and are open to applicants straight from undergraduate study.

The PhD studentship will provide UK fees and a stipend at UKRI rates.

*Part time study is not available to International applicants who do require a student Visa to study in the UK

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Students are able to apply directly from undergraduate programmes (as we have a 1+3 award option with a Masters continuing onto PhD study) and we ring-fence a number of studentship awards for students applying straight from an undergraduate degree (or overseas equivalent).

University of Leicester English Language conditions apply.

Informal enquiries

Informal enquiries

  • For more information about the Midlands Graduate School Doctoral Training Partnership and for details of eligibility, funding, and research supervision areas contact esrcdtp@leicester.ac.uk.
  • For academic enquiries, contact the Leicester Institutional Lead Dr Sally Horrocks (smh4@le.ac.uk).

How to apply

How to apply

Step 1: University of Leicester application

  • Choose a pathway
  • Submit your Leicester PhD application using the relevant subject Apply button at the bottom of the page
  • Prepare your proposal on our Research Proposal Form and upload the form to your online application. Include the names of supervisors in the space provided.
  • Upload your CV
  • Copies of your degree certificates and marks transcripts. Also include details of any study currently being taken
  • In the funding section select Studentship and ESRC Midland Graduate School from the drop down menu.
  • Include referee contact details in the space provided or upload references if you have them available.

Step 2: Midlands Graduate School funding application

Submit your Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP funding application. Please make sure you carefully read the funding application guidelines.

ESRC offer study modes of full or part time. You can indicate your preference on the ESRC application.

Deadline for applications is Tuesday 23 January 2024 12.00pm.

Applicants should expect to hear the outcome of their application in mid-April 2024.

Eligibility

Eligibility

UK and International* applicants welcome to apply.

All applicants will be eligible for an award consisting of

  • a maintenance stipend (currently £18,622 entry for rates for 2023/4. 2024/5 rates to be confirmed),
  • tuition fees at the home (UK) fee rate.

For further details of eligibility requirements, please visit the Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP website.

*International applicants will be required to pay the difference between UK and International fees.

International students will require a student visa in order to be able to study in the UK. There are costs associated with the visa application process, which must be met by the student; approximately £2,500 for the visa and healthcare surcharge. Please ensure you have the means to meet these costs before you apply to the programme.

Student profiles

Student profiles

Read our Midlands Graduate School (MGS) student profiles to find out the reasons they chose to study here at Leicester through the MGS.

Criminology

Building icon

Apply Geography

Building icon

Apply Population Health Sciences

Building icon

Apply History

Building icon

Management

Building icon

Apply Media and Communications

Building icon

Apply Museum Studies

Building icon

Psychology

Building icon

Sociology

Building icon

Back to top
MENU