Scottish Graduate School of Social Science: Open Competition

Application Deadline

• Stage 1 (Programme Application): 5 pm GMT, 19 November 2026
• Stage 2 (SGSSS funding application): 5 pm GMT, 24 November 2026

This award covers the cost of UK or Overseas tuition fees, plus a stipend paid at UKRI rates.

How to apply

The application process has two stages. You must complete both stages in order to be considered for ESRC funding.

Stage One

Applicants interested in being considered for ESRC funding through the Student-led Open Competition must have applied online to the University for the PhD Education programme by 5pm GMT on 19 November 2026.  

This means that you need to identify two colleagues at Moray House School of Education and Sport: 

• who are accepting new supervisees
• whose research expertise matches your proposed research project
• who are, in principle, willing to supervise you and support your SGSSS application. 

For a list of supervisors and their expertise, please visit our postgraduate research degrees page.

Postgraduate research degrees

For those requiring 1+3.5 funding, please apply to the MScR Education programme. As part of this MScR application, you will be asked to submit a research proposal, which should be similar to the PhD project that you will include in the SGSSS funding application form in Stage Two. 

While you are only asked to identify one supervisor for an MScR application, you need to secure two supervisors for your PhD degree. Both colleagues need to have agreed to supervise you before you apply for SGSSS funding even though the PhD supervision will only start in 2028.

PhD/MScR applicants need to have received an offer of study from Edinburgh by 8 January 2027. If this is a conditional offer, applicants will have until September 2027 to meet any outstanding conditions.

Stage Two

All applicants must also make a funding application to include: 

• academic transcripts
• CV 
• referee details 

to the SGSSS before 5pm GMT on 24 November 2026. Any queries about registering or logging in to the system can be directed to the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science.

Contact the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science 

Selection process

The Open Competition includes three stages of review, with candidates updated after each stage until either you are awarded or your application is unsuccessful.

1. University of Edinburgh Review: This is a two-stage process: applications are first selected within your Unit of Assessment (i.e., "Education", or "Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism") and then across all Social Sciences Units of Assessment within the University of Edinburgh.
2. Challenge Led Pathway Review: Each of the six challenge pathways will consider applications shortlisted by universities.
3. Global Review: An executive panel of University Deans and members of the SGSSS Directorate meet and make the final award decisions.

Additional information

Information about the SGSSS student-led competition can be found both on the University website and on the SGSSS website. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read and familiarize themselves with the guidance on both sources before making an application.

University of Edinburgh: SGSSS funding information

SGSSS website

Unit of Assessment Lead

The Unit of Assessment Lead for "Education" and "Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism" at the University is Dr Vander Viana. He can be contacted for any additional queries on this studentship competition.

Contact Vander Viana

Award announcement date

The award decision will be communicated to applicants by May 2027.