(SENSS) (ESRC) Masters and PhD Studentships

Are you interested in pursuing a masters and / or doctoral studies in the social sciences? The University of Roehampton is pleased to be part of the South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS), a consortium of 8 universities working as a Doctoral Training Partnership to offer Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) masters and PhD studentships.

Roehampton welcomes applications for funding in eligible disciplines including interdisciplinary social science projects which speak to SENSS's core research themes:

Disciplines

SENSS themes

• Business and Management Studies
• Resolving Uncertainty and Addressing Crises
• Sustainability and Climate Emergency
• Justice, Institutions and Social Change
• Advanced Methods for Social and Economic Research
• Communication, Cultural and Media Studies
• Digital Social Sciences
• Education
• Resolving Uncertainty and Addressing Crises
• Justice, Institutions and Social Change
• Law
• Sustainability and Climate Emergency
• Justice, Institutions and Social Change
• Psychology
• Resolving Uncertainty and Addressing Crises
• Health, Wellbeing and Social Care
• Sociology
• Digital Social Sciences
• Resolving Uncertainty and Addressing Crises
• Justice Institutions and Social Change

More details and examples of the topics covered by each SENSS Theme can be found here:

To find out more about social sciences research at Roehampton and to explore the work supported by our research and knowledge exchange centres , where you can also find information about potential supervisors. We encourage applications from prospective doctoral students from diverse backgrounds and are committed to supporting an inclusive postgraduate research community at Roehampton.

Funding and duration of award

SENSS offers fully-funded PhD and Masters plus PhD studentships. For full details of the funding available please see here. Please also consult the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide, for further information on the different levels of funding available and the associated terms and conditions.

Eligibility for ESRC funding

Applicants should check that they meet the ESRC’s eligibility criteria before applying. SENSS funding at Roehampton is available only in the disciplines and themes listed above, for projects which address the core SENSS themes and can be supported by supervisors at the University. More advice on ESRC eligibility criteria can be obtained from senss@roehampton.ac.uk.

Application Process

New Students:

Prospective applicants should make contact with senss@roehampton.ac.uk by 1st December 2026 where they will be forwarded onto potential supervisors so you can speak to them about your project and potential supervision. You should have a clear idea of a proposal, research plan and SENSS theme at the time you make contact.

Current doctoral students:

Current AND prospective PhD / master’s plus PhD students who are encouraged to apply for a SENSS studentship at Roehampton must do so via the SENSS online application system, HEIApply. Current students should consult with their supervisors before applying.

Roehampton will be notified of your application automatically via HEIApply. You will also need to complete the Roehampton online application here.

Current Roehampton students do not need to complete another Roehampton application only the HEIApply application.

Candidates that are encouraged to apply must have completed Roehampton applications (both on the Roehampton system and HEIApply) by 11th December 2026. Interviews will take place before 13th January 2027.

All students:

Following the interview process, and once it has been indicated that you are going to be moved forward in the competition you will have an opportunity to discuss and refine your application and update it on HEIApply. You must then ensure that your application on HEIApply is ready for internal review by the 25th January 2026.

If chosen through the internal review stage your SeNSS application must then be submitted on HEIApply by 9th February 2026

Studentship awards are likely to be made by end April 2026.

Contact

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us at SENSS@roehampton.ac.uk