1. Research
  2. Research degrees
  3. Doctoral funding and scholarships
  4. White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) studentships

White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) studentships

These studentships are only available for PhDs in Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE), Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) and the School of Sport and Physical Activity. 

The WRDTP is a collaborative partnership between seven universities – Sheffield Hallam, Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Manchester Metropolitan, Sheffield and York. Accredited by the ESRC, it builds on the research excellence of the partners to deliver PhD training across the social sciences.

The WRDTP provides access to a range of training and development opportunities across the partner institutions, as well as the opportunity to be part of an interdisciplinary social sciences network incorporating academic and non-academic partners.

To be eligible for ESRC funding, projects must be in a social sciences research area that is within the ESRC’s remit. Projects must fit with at least one of the WRDTP’s seven Thematic Interdisciplinary Training Pathways – these are detailed on the WRDTP website.

About the studentships

WRDTP studentships are available as:

  • +3.5 programme: funding for a 3.5-year PhD.  Typically, applicants with a social science masters degree and with 60 or more credits (or equivalent) of M-level social science research training are those most likely to benefit from this option.
  • +3.75 programme: funding for an integrated PGCert/PhD. Typically, applicants with a social science masters degree, but who have not undertaken core research training are those most likely to benefit from this option.
  • 1+3.5 programme: funding for a 1-year Masters programme, followed by the 3.5 year PhD.  Typically, applicants without a social sciences masters degree are those most likely to benefit from this option.

Applicants should apply for a place on our PhD programme as indicated below. The appropriate studentship route for individual candidates will be determined as part of the selection and nomination process.

All studentships are available on a full-time and part-time basis.

Further information on the WRDTP scholarships, including key information for applicants and the eligibility criteria, is available on the WRDTP website.

Applications will be welcomed for studentships starting in October 2027. A full studentship provides: 

  • Tuition fees 
  • A PhD stipend at the standard Sheffield Hallam PhD stipend rate (this is aligned with the net Real Living Wage and the current rate for academic year 2025/26 is £22,152 per annum for full-time study)
  • A research training support grant where eligible

Find out more about our potential studentships in Sheffield Institute of Education.

Find out more about our potential studentships in the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research.
 
Find out more about our potential studentships in School of Sport and Physical Activity.

Further information on the WRDTP, including key information for applicants and full eligibility criteria, can be found on the WRDTP website.

Eligibility

  • These studentships are only available to applicants to Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE), Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR), and the School of Sport and Physical Activity.
  • Applicants must hold at least a UK upper second-class honours degree or equivalent.
  • Applicants applying for a +3.5 award must demonstrate that they have already completed the full social sciences research methods training requirements at masters level. See the WRDTP website for more information.
  • Applicants who have already commenced a PhD are not eligible to apply for a WRDTP studentship, due to the programme’s specific requirements.
  • UKRI have confirmed that international students will be eligible for all UKRI-funded postgraduate studentships from the start of the 2021/22 academic year. Further information can be found through the WRDTP website.
  • Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the required minimum level of proficiency. Please see our online prospectus for the entry requirements based on your potential area of study: 
  • Please note that students must reside within a reasonable travel time of the Research Organisation at which they are registered, and we would expect there to be direct contact between the student and supervisor. This applies to full-time and part-time students. Remote, online or distance-learning PhD programmes are not eligible for ESRC funding.

How to apply

1. Pre-application stage:

First, you will need to contact one of the academics listed below to discuss your research interests. They will support you in identifying a suitable supervisor, but you must provide a proposal using the WRDTP Studentship Application Form which includes details of your research proposal in SECTION 2 – About Your Project.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to requests for supervision or provide further support without a proposal. Please submit your proposal in the first instance. It will be reviewed and, if appropriate, further guidance will be provided.

Please ensure that you allow yourself sufficient time for this process. Due to high demand, colleagues may not be able to respond to enquiries received close to the final submission deadline.

2. Application stage: 

You will need to make a formal application for a PhD at Sheffield Hallam University. As part of this application, you will need to: 
Submit a fully completed SHU online application form (see links below) and include the following which must be submitted as attachments: 

1. A WRDTP Studentship Application Form which includes details of your research proposal in SECTION 2 – About Your Project. Your research proposal should include an outline of the research questions/area, aim of the project, an understanding of the current knowledge/literature and context, the proposed methodology, the potential impact and contribution to knowledge of your project and referencing key background literature. 

2. A personal statement - In submitting your personal statement, you must answer these 4 questions. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question and include specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional). We want to learn more about you. This is part of the SHU online application form.

  • What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project? (200 words maximum).
  • How did you come up with your project proposal? (200 words maximum).
  • What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you? (200 words maximum).
  • Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences. (200 words maximum).

3. Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts.

4. Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.
 
5. Copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants.

Applications that do not include a fully completed SHU online application form and the documents listed in points 1 to 5 will not be considered. Please ensure that your application is complete before submitting it.

Key date: The closing date for Sheffield Hallam Applications is 12:00 pm GMT on 13 November 2026.
No late applications will be accepted.

What happens after you apply

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview. We are hoping to undertake these interviews either the first or second week of December 2026. 

If your application for a place on our PhD programme is successful, you will then be nominated to the DTP for an ESRC studentship. As WRDTP studentship awards are highly competitive, only the strongest applications will be selected to be nominated to go into the WRDTP’s studentship competition. Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with the WRDTP assessment criteria. 

If your application progresses to this second stage, additional paperwork will be required. These studentships are awarded through a competitive process, and further information on the second part of the application process will be provided to applicants. Please note that acceptance onto our PhD programme does not guarantee you a funded studentship. 

International Students (Additional Information)

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through one of the following:

1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score that meets the entry requirements in our online prospectus. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date. Please see our online prospectus for the entry requirements based on your potential area of study: 

2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit and above) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.

Please note that UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you are a national of one of these countries you will not need to provide evidence as listed above.

Sheffield Hallam Application Form

Applicants to Sheffield Institute of Education should apply via this application form for full-time study or part-time study.

Applicants to the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research should apply via this application form for full-time study or part-time study.

Applicants to the School of Sport and Physical Activity should apply via this application form full-time study or part-time study.

Application contacts

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their research proposal with us before submitting an application. Contact details for staff in each of the research themes can be found in the relevant research centre or project information. General admissions enquiries can also be directed to:

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