Economic and Social Science Research Council PhD studentships in Education, Management & Business Studies and Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods (interdisciplinary)

Overview

Bath Spa University offers PhD studentships through the Economic and Social Science Research Council accredited South West Doctoral Training Partnership. This partnership funds places for doctoral students in social sciences across eight participating institutions. Supervision at Bath Spa University is available within eligible pathways that include Education, Management and Business Studies, and Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods, which is interdisciplinary.

What you get

The studentship offers funding that includes a stipend and home or international fees. The standard funding offer typically starts from three years and three months, plus a three-month full-time equivalent Research in Practice placement. Part-time studentships are offered pro rata to their full-time equivalents. Additional allowances and grants are available to support research and professional development, including difficult language training and overseas fieldwork allowances through a separate application process. Recipients also gain access to tailored training and development activities across the partnership, along with further funding opportunities to run collaborative, impact, and cohort-building activities.

Requirements

Candidates submit research proposals to explore supervision opportunities at Bath Spa University where there is a strong track record in advancing knowledge through high-quality research. Candidates are usually invited to discuss their research proposal with a potential supervisor or Pathway Lead. Where there is a strong proposal with a good fit with a Bath Spa University supervisor, Pathway Leads nominate candidates to apply to the South West Doctoral Training Partnership. Successful candidates of the Bath Spa application process receive an opportunity to be put forward for the partnership funding application process rather than a guarantee of funding.

How to apply

Potential doctoral students submit research proposals to Bath Spa University by the initial institutional deadline. Candidates with strong proposals that fit a supervisor are nominated to apply to the South West Doctoral Training Partnership. Questions can be directed to Postgraduate Research Admissions.

Key dates

The closing date for research proposals to be submitted to Bath Spa University is Sunday 8th November 2026 at 11:59pm. This timeline allows time for proposal reviews and supervision discussions ahead of the South West Doctoral Training Partnership application deadline on 12th January 2027.