Last updated: 26 Aug 2026
SENSS (South and East Network for Social Sciences) is an ESRC-funded Doctoral Training Partnership spanning 8 UK universities, offering fully funded PhD studentships; including a combined Master’s-to-PhD route for applicants who do not already hold a relevant master’s degree.
SENSS Summary
- Sponsor: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), via the SENSS consortium
- Host institutions: 8 partner universities (see list below)
- Study level: PhD, or combined Master’s + PhD for those without an existing master’s
- International places: Capped at approximately 10 per year, across all 8 universities
- Stipend (2026/27): £21,805/year, plus £2,000/year London weighting where applicable
- Tuition fees: Fully covered for both home and international students
- Current status: Closed: next cycle opens autumn 2026 for October 2027 entry
What It Actually Funds
- PhD (minimum 3.5 years): for applicants who already hold a relevant master’s degree
- Master’s + PhD track (up to 4.5 years): for applicants whose highest qualification is an undergraduate degree. SENSS funds a master’s year before the PhD begins
- Full tuition fees for the entire funded period, for both home and international students
- Tax-free stipend: £21,805/year (2026/27 rate), + £2,000/year for London-based universities
- Research training support funds and additional funding for fieldwork, placements, or language training
The 8 SENSS Universities
- City St George’s, University of London
- Cranfield University
- University of East Anglia
- University of Essex (coordinating institution)
- Middlesex University
- University of Lincoln
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- University of Roehampton
The 6 SENSS Thematic Areas
- Climate Change and Sustainability
- Social Inequality and Social Justice
- Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity
- Renewable Energy
- Global Health and Well-being
- Technological Innovation and Society
Your proposed research must fit within one of these themes to be eligible.
Eligibility
- A relevant bachelor’s degree (minimum upper second-class/2:1 or equivalent) for the combined Master’s + PhD track, or a relevant master’s for the PhD-only track
- A clear, self-developed research proposal aligned with one of the 6 themes
- English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent) if required by your host university.
- International applicants are eligible, but places are tightly limited. Across the full consortium, only around 10 international places are typically available each year. This makes the process substantially more competitive than for home applicants.
How to Apply
This is a two-step process, and the order matters:
- Identify a proposed supervisor first. Review academic staff at one of the 8 SENSS universities working in your area, and read their published research. Contact your national/university-specific “SENSS Operational Lead” if you’re unsure who to approach.
- Contact your proposed supervisor directly before applying, with a short email summarizing your research idea, your background, and why their work aligns with your interests. Our scholarship email templates guide has a template for exactly this kind of supervisor outreach.
- Once your proposed supervisor is supportive, apply for a place at your chosen university as each university sets its own admissions deadline, separate from the SENSS funding deadline.
- Separately, apply for SENSS funding through HEIApply (SENSS’s online funding platform) by the SENSS-wide deadline (mid-January for October entry the same year).
- Applications are assessed first by your host university, then ranked by the relevant SENSS thematic panel, with final decisions made by the SENSS Management Board.
- Expect notification by mid-April.
If you need help with the research proposal or supporting statement, our statement of purpose guide covers structuring an academic proposal, though SENSS’s specific guidance documents (linked on their site) should take priority over general advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a standalone master’s through SENSS?
No: SENSS master’s funding only exists as part of the combined Master’s + PhD pathway for applicants without an existing master’s. There’s no standalone master’s-only award.
How competitive is this for international students specifically?
Significantly more competitive than for home applicants; roughly 10 places per year are available to international students across all 8 universities combined, out of a much larger applicant pool.
Is the application open right now?
No: the 2026/27 cycle closed on 14 January 2026. The next cycle opens in autumn 2026 for October 2027 entry.
Do I need a supervisor lined up before I apply?
Yes: this is a required first step, not optional. SENSS explicitly expects you to have secured your proposed supervisor’s support before submitting your funding application.
Does the stipend differ by university?
The base stipend is standardized across SENSS (£21,805/year for 2026/27), with an additional £2,000/year specifically for students at London-based partner universities.
Related Reading
For other UK-funded research routes, see the Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarship if you are not specifically focused on social sciences.
Full details and to apply: SENSS – Studentships Overview
Kukual verifies scholarship details against official sponsor pages at the time of publication and on each update. Given SENSS’s competitive international quota, confirm current numbers and deadlines directly before making application plans.
