SEDarc Scholarships in UK 2027/2028 | How To Apply
SEDarc Scholarships in UK are now open for the 2027/2028 academic year, and this is one funding option that students interested in a PhD in the social sciences should not ignore. The South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) is offering Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded doctoral awards across six UK universities, and the good news is that both UK and international students can apply.
The scholarship covers tuition fees and a yearly stipend, and for international students, the gap between home and international fees is covered by the host university (except the University of Reading). Applicants who do not yet have a Master’s degree are not left out, as there is a 1+3.5 option that funds an integrated Master’s before the PhD. Applications must go through one of the six partner universities, and the final deadline is 29 January 2027 by 4:00pm GMT.
SEDarc Scholarships Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | SEDarc Scholarships (ESRC Doctoral Studentships) |
| Host Country ⇒ | UK |
| Study Level ⇒ | Masters, PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full tuition fees, annual stipend at UKRI rates, London weighting where applicable, international fee difference covered (except Reading), skills training, funded placement, fieldwork and research support funding |
| Funded by ⇒ | Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | UK and international students |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 29 January 2027, 4:00pm GMT |
Participating Universities
You can apply through any one of these six SEDarc institutions:
- Kingston University
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- University of Kent
- University of Reading
- University of Surrey
- University of Sussex
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Benefits of the SEDarc Scholarships
- Full tuition fees at the UK home fee rate
- Annual stipend at UKRI/ESRC rates, plus London weighting where applicable
- International fee difference covered by the host university (except University of Reading)
- Funding for 3.25 to 4.25 years depending on award type, plus up to 3 months for a placement
- 200 hours of general skills training in the first year
- 200 hours of specialist skills training in the second and third years
- Funded placement opportunity in academia, policy, business or the third sector
- Extra funding for UK or overseas fieldwork, overseas institutional visits and difficult language training
- Part-time awards paid at 50% of full-time rates
The award does not cover flights, visa fees or the immigration health surcharge.
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Award Structures Available
- +3.5: Three and a half years of PhD funding, including a placement. For applicants with a Master’s degree or equivalent experience who already have the research skills needed.
- +3.75: Three years and nine months of PhD funding, including a placement. For applicants with a Master’s or equivalent but with some skill gaps that need extra modules.
- 1+3.5: Four and a half years of funding covering a one-year integrated Master’s followed by a PhD. For applicants with a Bachelor’s (Honours) or equivalent who have not done a social science Master’s.
The Master’s and PhD must be done at the same university, and the ESRC does not fund standalone Master’s programmes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to UK and international applicants
- Must be nominated by one of the six SEDarc institutions
- Research must fit into at least one of SEDarc’s five interdisciplinary thematic pathways
- Applicants who have already started a PhD anywhere are not eligible
- Only one SEDarc application is allowed per applicant
- Part-time study is only available to home fee status students
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Ring-fenced awards: Up to 3 studentships are reserved for home fee status students who identify as Black or Black British (Caribbean, African or other Black background), or Asian or Asian British (Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Indian), and who meet all other eligibility requirements.
Selection Criteria
- Fit to Themes (20%): How well your project fits one or more of the five SEDarc themes
- Project Quality and Feasibility (40%): Your research plan, knowledge of the literature, and the potential impact of your work
- Student Quality (40%): How your academic, professional and life experience has prepared you for doctoral research
Projects involving advanced data skills, advanced quantitative methods, or collaboration with researchers outside the social sciences are given special attention, so make sure you highlight these if they apply to you.
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Application Process for the SEDarc Scholarships – Step by Step
- Choose one of the six SEDarc universities.
- Contact the institution’s administrator to get their internal deadline and process, as each university runs its own first stage.
- Find and contact a potential supervisor before applying. The university’s professional service lead can suggest supervisors if you share your theme, research area and topic.
- Prepare your research proposal and personal statement.
- Submit through your chosen university before its internal deadline. The final SEDarc deadline is 29 January 2027, 4:00pm GMT.
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University contacts:
- Kingston University: [email protected]
- Royal Holloway: [email protected]
- University of Kent: [email protected]
- University of Reading: [email protected]
- University of Surrey: [email protected]
- University of Sussex: [email protected]
Application Deadline
The final deadline for the SEDarc Scholarships in UK is 29 January 2027 at 4:00pm GMT.
However, each of the six partner universities runs its own internal application stage with an earlier deadline, so you must apply through your chosen university before its own closing date. Contact the administrator at your preferred university early to confirm their deadline and avoid missing out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply for the SEDarc Scholarships?
Yes. The scholarship is open to both UK and international students, and the difference in tuition fees is covered by the host university, except at the University of Reading.
Can I apply to more than one SEDarc university?
No. You can only submit one application for a SEDarc studentship.
Do I need a Master’s degree to apply?
No. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree can apply for the 1+3.5 award, which includes a funded integrated Master’s before the PhD.
Can I defer the scholarship if I am selected?
No. SEDarc awards cannot be deferred, and there is only an October intake.
Will I get feedback if my application is not successful?
No. Because of the high number of applications, SEDarc does not give individual feedback. If you are still eligible, you can apply again in a future cycle.
When will award numbers for 2027 be confirmed?
ESRC doctoral programmes are going through a mid-term review, so studentship numbers may change. Allocations for the 2027 cohort are expected around January 2027.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of October 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official SEDarc website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) or the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
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