"PhD Studentships in Social Science starting in October 2026"

Heriot-Watt University invites applications for funded PhD studentships in Social Science starting in October 2026.

The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (SGSSS) is funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Scottish Funding Council. As the UK's largest facilitator of funding, training and support for doctoral students in social science, we combine the expertise of sixteen universities across Scotland to support world-class PhD research.

Successful funded PhD students will join the UK’s largest community of early career researchers addressing key societal challenges. As one of the lead institutions, Heriot-Watt is keen to attract talented doctoral applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, particularly those historically underrepresented in universities and academic careers.

About the studentship

A funded PhD studentship through SGSSS supports 3.5 - 4.5 years of full-time study (or pro rata for students wishing to study part-time).

The studentship provides:

• Tuition fees up to the value of the national UKRI rate for Home students; international students are welcome to apply but will need additional funding, from alternative sources, to cover the remainder of their fees and any immigration costs;
• An annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 in 2025-26 for full time students), and a substantial contribution towards research and additional training costs;
• A comprehensive individual training programme, across all years of the award;
• A funded three-month placement opportunity.

How to apply

You should first approach a potential lead supervisor in the area of your intended research and secure their support to apply for SGSSS funding.

You should then identify which of the six SGSSS ‘challenge pathways’ your project will sit in: 1. Communication, AI and New Technologies; 2. Environment, Migration and Demographic Change; 3. Governance and Institutions; 4. Health, Wellbeing and Communities; 5. Securities: Justice, Economies and Conflict; or 6. Social Inequalities. If your project does not fit one of these, you can still apply but you’ll be assigned to a suitable pathway if funded.

Please note that lead supervisors must be based in one of the eligible ‘Units of Assessment’ in Edinburgh Business School, the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies, or the Department of Research Methods and Practice/the Doctoral Centre. Awards can only be held at our Edinburgh campus.

Further information

To find out more about research degrees at Heriot-Watt University, please visit: www.hw.ac.uk/about/our-schools/social-sciences/staff, www.hw.ac.uk/ebs/about/our-faculty-and-staff, or www.hw.ac.uk/ebs/about/departments.

For further information about the scheme and the application process, please visit: www.sgsss.ac.uk/studentships/open-competition.

Informal queries not addressed in online resources can be addressed to Global Director of Doctoral Programmes and Head of Department, Research Methods and Practice, Prof. Jo Drugan at j.drugan@hw.ac.uk.

Deadlines

The official competition deadline is 5pm GMT on 24th November 2025. However, you will need to work closely with your intended supervisors to ensure your application and references are ready in good time, so we advise contacting your preferred supervisor as early as possible. You must apply via the SGSSS website apply.sgsss.ac.uk.

Following this, there will be additional review stages and award decisions will be shared from 7th May 2026.