Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Studentships

Preliminary applications

UBEL DTP preliminary applications for ESRC funding are open until 10 November 2025 23:59 (UK Local Time).

Candidates should apply online via the Survey Monkey Apply portal. The application will consist of a preliminary form (including a proposed research summary) and equal opportunities information. References and a full research proposal are not expected at this stage of the competition.

Studentship competitions for 2026 entry are subject to confirmation of ESRC funding.

ESRC funding 

UBEL DTP studentships cover tuition fees at the UKRI rate and an annual maintenance stipend. For 2025/26 an UBEL studentship will cover tuition fees of £5006 and a minimum stipend of £22,780. This figure includes the London Allowance.

We offer a wide range of disciplinary pathways, in six groupings across six London institutions. Each pathway provides a range of study routes (+3.5; 1+3.5 +4.5) with MRes, MSc and MA programmes attached, and accommodates both full-time and part-time students. 

You can find the full information (entry criteria and pathways) and how to apply for the ESCR Studentships on the UBEL DTP website. For queries please contact ubel-dtp@ucl.ac.uk

Applicants who make a preliminary application for funding must ensure they apply to SOAS to study. For further information, please see our page how to apply (research).

Academic qualifications

You should normally have (or expect to achieve by 30 September 2026) an upper second or first class honours degree or a Master’s degree from a recognised UK university, or the equivalent qualification if gained outside the UK.

For the +3.5 award you must normally have (or expect to achieve by 30 September 2026) a Master’s degree with an appropriate level of research training.

Eligibility criteria

All UKRI studentships are open to both home and international students. To be classed as a home student, candidates must:

• be a UK National (meeting residency requirements) have settled status
• have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements)
• have indefinite leave to remain or enter

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classified as an International student. Please read the UKRI Eligibility guidance document (PDF) for full details on residency requirements. 

International students

UBEL cannot cover visa costs for international students. For any visa or immigration advice, please speak to your institution's visa compliance team.

UBEL is allowed to make no more than 30% of the total number of studentships (across competitions) to international students. This is an ESRC condition and cannot be waivered. (For 2025 entry, UBEL could award only 10 international studentships out of 485 international applicants.)

For enquiries, please contact the Scholarships Office:

• Email: scholarships@soas.ac.uk
• Phone: +44 (0)20 7074 5090