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ESRC Studentships

There is a good amount of funding available at LSE for students from all over the world

Laura Sochas, ESRC Studentship recipient

LSE has an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) and has ESRC studentships available for a number of programmes across 19 departments. Students of all nationalities are eligible for ESRC funding.

ESRC Studentships provide fees, a stipend and other additional forms of support. More information can be found here.

Funding for PhD study is also available in the form of LSE PhD Studentships.

Eligibility

ESRC Studentships are available for a number of programmes. Individual programme entries detail which programmes are eligible for ESRC funding. Find your graduate programme.

Students of all nationalities are eligible for ESRC funding, although there is a cap on the number of studentships that can be awarded to international, including EU, students.

Scholarship amount

Depending on the programme of study, ESRC Studentships will cover a one year's research training master's linked to a PhD, a two-year MRes linked to a PhD, or a PhD programme. Find out more about these different award types.

ESRC Studentships cover full fees (for overseas students, LSE will cover the difference between UK and overseas fees) and an annual stipend, which for 2024/25 entry is £21,237.

There is additional DTP funding available for ESRC funded students to support difficult language training, field work, overseas institutional visits and collaborative research activities.

How to apply

Applications for ESRC funding for MSc or MRes programmes linked to a PhD (1+3.5 or 2+2.5)

The 1+3.5 or 2+2.5 scheme provides funding for a one- or two-year research training master's (MSc or MRes) linked to a PhD programme and is designed for students who have not already completed an ESRC recognised programme of research training.

If you would like to be considered for this, you should submit an application for the relevant MSc or MRes programme, including a research proposal for the PhD element of the programme (but check whether the programme you are applying for has specific instructions about this). You must also indicate your wish to be considered for 1+3.5 or 2+2.5 funding in your personal statement.

There is no separate application for the studentship as such, but you must submit your application for the MSc or MRes programme by a specific deadline (see below).

Applications for ESRC funding for direct entry to an MPhil/PhD programme (+3.5)

There is no separate application for the studentship as such, but you must submit your application for the MPhil/PhD programme by a specific deadline( see below)

  • deadline for programmes in the Departments of Economics and Geography and Environment for 2023 entry (including PhD Studentships and ESRC funding): 14 December 2023
  • deadline for all other departments for 2024 entry: 15 January 2024

More information on how to apply for a place on a PhD programme.

Collaborations 

The ESRC are keen to see students involved in collaboration with non-academic partners (charities, private sector, public sector) and if you have an existing involvement with an organisation which might support your research and might benefit from your work, you should flag this up on your application. 

 

Student stories

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"I was awarded funding from the UK's ESRC. It was a requirement of my funding to do an MSc in research methods before going to do a PhD, and it's taught me very valuable skills that I can now bring to both academic and applied settings. There is a good amount of funding available at LSE for students from all over the world."

Laura Sochas
MSc Social Research Methods
LSE ESRC DTP Studentship