The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø is delighted to be part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc). This Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is a strong consortium of 6 leading universities: Royal Holloway, University of London, the University of Kent, Kingston University, the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø, the University of Surrey, and the University of Sussex.
SEDarc DTP funding allows for innovative doctoral support, including the development of broader skills through a comprehensive training programme, and experience in working outside academia through placements.
For entry in October 2026, studentships can be for social science research in the following areas:
Architecture and Built Environment
Geography and Environmental Studies
Politics and International Relations
3. Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences
SEDarc applications will be assessed within five cross-disciplinary, challenge-led themes that span the social sciences:
Healthy Thriving Communities
Inclusive Economic Growth
Living Sustainably
Secure, Effective and Trusted Institutions
Transformative Technologies for Society
Interested applicants should discuss with their potential supervisors how their project fits within the SEDarc themes.
What is on offer?
1. Awards of 3.5 years duration to cover PhD fees and a maintenance stipend (living allowance) at the UKRI rate.
For reference, the annual UKRI stipend rate in 2025/26 is £20,780.
Please note that 3.5 years of funding is to include a 3-month placement. Placements also have an associated £1000 travel fund. Studentships in which the student does not undertake a placement are for 3.25 years of funding only.
2. A limited number of awards are available which also include a further year of funding to study for a Master’s degree prior to commencing a PhD programme. Only applicants without an existing Social Science Master’s degree may apply for this type of award.
Eligible Master’s programmes at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø for which it is possible to apply are:
MSc Research Methods in Psychology
Eligibility
UK/Republic of Ireland students (who satisfy certain residency criteria which are detailed in the ) are eligible for awards covering fees at the UK/Republic of Ireland rate and providing a maintenance grant (stipend), the current (2025/26) level of which is £20,780 for full-time study.
International applicants are eligible for awards covering fees at the UK/Republic of Ireland rate and providing a maintenance grant (stipend), the current (2025/26) level of which is £20,780 for full-time study. ESRC funding covers tuition fees at the UK/Republic of Ireland rate only; for International candidates offered an ESRC award, the difference between UK/Republic of Ireland and International fees will NOT be covered by the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø. International applicants awarded a SEDarc studentship will therefore be required to pay the difference between UK/Republic of Ireland and International fees. Please note, although International applicants are eligible to apply, due to the nature of the funding of this studentship, a maximum of 30% of SEDarc studentships will be awarded to International students.
Students who have already commenced doctoral study may NOT apply for this funding.
How to apply for these studentships
1. Contact the academic responsible for SEDarc in your subject area:
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Subject Area |
Contact |
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Agriculture and International Development |
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Architecture and Built Environment |
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Business and Management |
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Economics |
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Education |
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Geography and Environmental Science |
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Linguistics |
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Politics |
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Psychology and Clinical Language Science |
2. Apply online for a place of admission to a PhD programme at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø via the .
Once you have submitted your application for a place of admission, your application will be reviewed by academics in your School. The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø can only nominate a fixed number of applicants to SEDarc, so we cannot guarantee that all those who apply can be nominated. Schools will review the applicants to their School and select nominees for the internal phase of the selection in which the University selects its nominees for SEDarc. You will be contacted by someone from the School about your application if you are considered for nomination to SEDarc.
3. Applicants who are chosen for nomination to the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø selection phase will be provided with a template of the SEDarc application form to complete. The selection process at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø will be based upon these forms.
Application deadline
The deadline for applications to the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø is .... Applicants must have applied to a PhD programme at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø via RISIS by this time.
The deadline for final applications to SEDarc is 30 January 2026. Applicants shortlisted by the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø will need to submit their final application to SEDarc by this date.
Selection Process
1. SEDarc applicants must complete an application for PhD study at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø by ....
2. Applicants selected by their Schools for nomination to the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø selection panel must complete and submit a draft SEDarc application by ....
3. In early January, draft SEDarc proposals will be reviewed within the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø.
4. In mid-January, a panel will be convened at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø to select the University’s nominees who will be forwarded to the main SEDarc studentship competition.
5. In mid to late January, nominated candidates will be provided feedback to make final changes to their SEDarc applications.
6. ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø SEDarc nominees must submit their SEDarc application to the SEDarc application portal by 30 January 2026.
Successful applicants will be informed by the SEDarc DTP that they are being made awards by April 2026.
For further information and advice about these studentships, please contact the Doctoral and Researcher College by emailing the Doctoral Studentships Support Officer .
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive student community. It supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBTQIA+ rights equality.
The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Equal Opportunities policy applies:
The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and non-discriminatory treatment for all members of its community regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race (to include colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.