ESRC Open Competition in UK for PhD

  •  PhD
  •  24-Nov-2025
  •   United Kingdom
  • $$  Full tuition fees (UK/Overseas) plus a generous stipend

The University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences (SGSSS), is offering the ESRC Open Competition 2025 for PhD and Masters by Research + PhD programmes. The award covers full UK or Overseas tuition fees plus a generous stipend.

Applicants must hold or be expecting an offer for a doctoral programme starting in September 2026, have strong academic performance (usually 65% or above at Master’s level with a distinction-level dissertation), meet English language requirements (IELTS 7.0 overall with no section below 6.0 or equivalent), and satisfy ESRC residency criteria. Both UK and Overseas applicants are eligible.

Application Deadline:
  • Stage 1 (Programme Application): 23:59 GMT, 20 November 2025
  • Stage 2 (SGSSS Application): 17:00 GMT, 24 November 2025

Brief Description

  • University or Organization: University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with SGSSS and ESRC

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The University of Edinburgh Information

The University of Edinburgh Grants

ESRC Open Competition in UK for PhD Established in 1583, The University of Edinburgh is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Edinburgh (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Scotland. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Privy Council, The University of Edinburgh is a very large (uniRank enrollment range: 40,000-44,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. The University of Edinburgh offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 436 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Eligible Countries: All (UK and Overseas applicants; awards will be split between both categories)

  • Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded for doctoral studies in Business and Management or other social sciences fields under the SGSSS consortium.

  • Admissible Criteria:

    • Applicants must hold a conditional/unconditional offer for a doctoral programme at the University of Edinburgh (entry September 2026).

    • A strong academic record, normally requiring at least 65% overall at Master’s level, with a distinction-level dissertation.

    • English language proficiency: IELTS minimum score of 7.0 overall (with at least 6.0 in each section) or equivalent.

    • Must meet the ESRC residency requirements (see SGSSS website for details).

    • Current first-year PhD students at the Business School may also apply (except those already holding equivalent funding).

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Offered Benefits

  • Full coverage of UK or Overseas tuition fees.

  • A generous stipend to support living expenses during the course of study.

  • Access to high-quality training and research opportunities through the SGSSS network.

Application Process

The application process has two stages:

  1. Stage One (Programme Application)

    • For 1+3.5 funding, apply to the MScR Management programme by 23:59 GMT, 20 November 2025.

    • For +3.5 funding, apply to the PhD with Integrated Study in Management by the same deadline.

    • Applicants must secure PhD supervision and submit all required documents.

  2. Stage Two (Funding Application):

    • Apply separately to the SGSSS via SGSSS APPLY by 17:00 GMT, 24 November 2025.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Unit of Assessment Lead (Angelica Gonzalez) or the Admissions Team ( ) before applying.

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