ESRC Studentships
Nottingham Trent University is part of the Midlands Graduate School, an accredited Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). See how the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership can help support you in your research.
Doctoral Research at Nottingham Trent University
Doctoral Research at Nottingham Trent University is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. It's about bringing together the brightest minds to reimagine research and find the answers to the questions that really matter. Courage, creativity and collaboration are the foundation of our doctoral community. If you're wanting to join our research community, consider the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).
The Midlands Graduate School is an accredited Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). One of 15 such partnerships in the UK, the Midlands Graduate School is a collaboration between Aston University, University of Birmingham, De Montfort University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and University of Warwick.
The Midlands Graduate School
The Midlands Graduate School is looking to recruit top-quality social science PhD students to study across a range of subjects and interdisciplinary training pathways. Our ESRC studentships – covering a maintenance stipend, payment of tuition fees at the home fee rate (please see our eligibility guidance for further information), and support for innovative research training – provide exceptional opportunities for highly motivated individuals who can demonstrate strong potential for PhD study, including opportunities for collaboration. These studentships are open to both home and international applicants.
Please note: all ESRC DTP students will have at least two supervisors.
For ESRC DTP funding, you must have identified two supervisors.
What pathways are available?
Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis
Structure of provision: Masters + PhD funding or PhD-only funding, either full-time or part-time.
Prospective students wishing to apply for funding under the Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis pathway should apply for a Social Sciences PhD or a Law PhD, depending on which department their project would be based in.
Pathway Contact: Dr Nicholas Morton, nicholas.morton@ntu.ac.uk
Economic & Social History
Structure of provision: Masters + PhD funding or PhD-only funding, either full-time or part-time.
Prospective students wishing to apply for funding under the Economic & Social History pathway should apply for a Social Sciences PhD.
Pathway Contact: Prof Steven King, steven.king@ntu.ac.uk.
Living in a Digital Society
Structure of provision: Masters + PhD funding or PhD-only funding, either full-time or part-time.
Prospective students wishing to apply for funding under the Living in a Digital Society pathway should submit an application for a Social Sciences PhD or a Law PhD, depending on which department their project would be based in.
Pathway Contact: Dr Nicholas Morton, nicholas.morton@ntu.ac.uk
Socio-Legal Studies
Structure of provision: Masters + PhD funding or PhD-only funding, either full-time or part-time
Prospective students wishing to apply for funding under the Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology pathway should submit an application for a Law PhD.
Pathway Contact: Pamela Henderson, pamela.henderson@ntu.ac.uk
Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience
Structure of provision: Masters + PhD funding or PhD-only funding either full-time or part-time.
Prospective students wishing to apply for funding under the Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience pathway should submit an application for a Social Sciences PhD or a Law PhD, depending on which department their project would be based in.
Pathway Contact: Dr Nicholas Morton, nicholas.morton@ntu.ac.uk
How to apply for a PhD
Applying for a PhD at NTU
We offer opportunities for self-funded, part-funded and fully-funded PhDs, as well as Professional Doctorates. How you apply differs slightly depending on the type of Research Degree you are applying for.
Further information for doctoral applicants
NTU Doctoral
NTU Doctoral provides a multi-disciplinary home for all our researchers, here to support you throughout your entire doctoral degree. Explore our research community.
Support for Researchers
Details about training support, Worktribe and other professional development opportunities for our researchers.
PhD fees and funding
Find out more about the fees and funding options available for research study at Nottingham Trent University.