The SENSS Scholarship provides a stipend of £20,780 per year to undertake postgraduate studies in the UK (plus an extra £2,000 per year if you study at a London-based university). The SENSS ESRC Studentship enables students to be guided by excellent supervisors and receive high-quality advanced research training. You will be part of a postgraduate community spanning 8 universities and 6 interdisciplinary themes.

Eligibility: 

To be considered for the SENSS ESRC Studentship, note the following criteria:

• Residential criteria: studentships are available to all applicants, regardless of nationality or residency, across all 8 SENSS universities and 6 SENSS interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary Pathways. However, there are a limited number of studentships (approximately 10 each year) available to international applicants.
• You can view the full residential eligibility guidance here.
• To apply for a Masters plus PhD (+4.5-year award), you will need: qualifications or professional experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree (Honours).
• To apply for a PhD only (+3.5-year award), you will need: qualifications or professional experience equivalent to a Masters degree, or a Masters degree and already have the research skills needed to successfully complete your research project.
• If you have already started your PhD, you are eligible to apply for SENSS funding, but only if you have not already completed a substantial proportion of your studies.

Benefits of SENSS Scholarship 2026

Studentships include the following for the duration of the award:

• A tax-free maintenance stipend to cover your living costs: this is set at £20,780 per year. For those studying at universities based in London, there is an additional £2,000 per year paid as London Weighting, given that the cost of living is higher for those living in London. If you are not studying at a London-based university, but still choose to live in London, you will not receive the London Weighting payment;
• Fees: whether home or international, no SENSS-funded student will have to pay any university tuition fees for the duration of their funding award.
• Access to research training support funds; and,
• Access to other funds to support overseas fieldwork, overseas institutional visits, and language training.
• Access to additional funding to support your research, UK or overseas fieldwork, international study visits, and language training.

SENSS Partner Universities

• City St George’s University of London
• Cranfield University
• University of East Anglia
• University of Essex
• Goldsmiths University of London
• University of Lincoln
• Middlesex University
• University of Roehampton

Type: Postgraduate
Deadline: January 14, 2026
Host Country: UK