UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD (WHITE ROSE DOCTORAL TRAINING PARTNERSHIP, ESRC)
University of Sheffield ESRC White Rose DTP Scholarships
full · masters, phd
- Fully fundedTuition plus stipend and research support
- ~GBP 19,237 (est.)Annual tax-free maintenance stipend
- 3 universitiesWhite Rose DTP partners (Sheffield, Leeds, York)
- ESRC fundedUK Economic and Social Research Council
- 1+3 / +3 / +3.5Studentship formats available
- UK, EU, internationalWho may apply
At a glance
full
Funding
€23k
Max amount
Jan 22, 2027
Deadline
United Kingdom
Country
University of Sheffield (White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership, ESRC)
Provider
The University of Sheffield ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) scholarships fund postgraduate research in the social sciences, humanities and arts. The White Rose DTP is a collaboration funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) across the universities of Sheffield, Leeds and York, and it offers fully funded studentships in 1+3, +3 and +3.5 formats covering master's-plus-doctoral or doctoral-only study. Awards cover full tuition and pay an annual tax-free maintenance stipend, set at GBP 19,237 for the 2024/25 rate and uprated each year, plus a Research Training Support Grant for conferences, fieldwork and essential research activities. Additional funding is available for overseas fieldwork, language training and institutional visits. To apply you need a UK 2:1 honours degree or equivalent (a lower grade may be considered alongside a relevant master's), and applicants for +3.5 awards must evidence completed research training. The scheme is open to UK, EU and international students, with non-native English speakers meeting the university's language requirements. Applications go through Sheffield's postgraduate portal with a start date of 1 October and a deadline historically around 22 January at 5:00 PM GMT. Stipend figures and the exact 2026/27 deadline change each year, so confirm the current details on the official University of Sheffield PhD scholarships page before you apply.
What's covered
- Full tuition fees — Tuition is fully covered for the duration of the studentship at the home rate; international fees are met where the award supports international students.
- Maintenance stipend — An annual tax-free maintenance allowance, GBP 19,237 at the 2024/25 rate (~EUR 23,000 (est.)) and uprated each year, paid throughout the funded period.
- Research Training Support Grant — A dedicated grant for conferences, fieldwork and essential research activities tied to the project.
- Overseas fieldwork funding — Extra funding is available to support fieldwork carried out overseas during the doctorate.
- Language training and visits — Additional support for language training and institutional / placement visits relevant to the research.
How to apply
Applications are made through the University of Sheffield's postgraduate portal, selecting the correct start date to unlock the ESRC White Rose DTP application form, which must be uploaded before the deadline.
- Complete the online application — Submit your application through the University of Sheffield's postgraduate online portal.
- Choose the correct start date — Select 1 October 2026 (for 2026/27 entry) so that the ESRC White Rose DTP application becomes available.
- Download and complete the DTP form — Download the White Rose DTP application form, complete it in full and upload it back through the portal.
- Prepare your research proposal — Develop your research proposal and supporting statements in line with the DTP's social sciences, humanities and arts pathways.
- Meet the deadline — Submit all materials by 5:00 PM (GMT) on the deadline, historically around 22 January, and check for any earlier departmental internal deadline.
Eligibility
Academic standardA UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent; lower grades may be considered if combined with a relevant master's degree.
Research readinessApplicants for a +3.5 award must provide evidence of completed research training.
English proficiencyNon-native English speakers must meet the University of Sheffield's English language entry requirements.
ResidencyOpen to UK, EU and international students, subject to ESRC eligibility rules for the relevant funding category.
Some departments set earlier internal deadlines than the central date, so check your specific department ahead of time. Choose the 1 October start date to access the ESRC White Rose DTP application within the portal.
Eligible countries
United Kingdom, European Union, Open to international students
Deadlines
2027 October entry~22 January 2027 (est.)
2026 October entry~22 January 2026 (est.)
Selection
Selection is based on academic record, the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, fit with the White Rose DTP's social sciences, humanities and arts pathways, and references. For +3.5 awards, completed research training is assessed. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed before final ESRC studentship decisions are confirmed.
Verified sources
- PhD Scholarships - University of Sheffieldsheffield.ac.ukofficial
- White Rose Doctoral Training Partnershipwrdtp.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
The University of Sheffield is a research-intensive Russell Group university in the United Kingdom and a partner in the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership with the universities of Leeds and York. The partnership is funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to train doctoral researchers across the social sciences, humanities and arts.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What does the White Rose DTP scholarship cover?
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Full tuition, an annual tax-free maintenance stipend (GBP 19,237 at the 2024/25 rate, ~EUR 23,000 (est.)) and a Research Training Support Grant, plus extra funding for overseas fieldwork, language training and visits.
Who funds the scholarship?
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It is funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership, a collaboration between the universities of Sheffield, Leeds and York.
What grades do I need?
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A UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent. A lower grade may be considered if you also hold a relevant master's degree.
What is the difference between +3 and +3.5 awards?
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A +3 award funds doctoral study, while a +3.5 award includes additional research training time; +3.5 applicants must evidence completed research training.
Can international students apply?
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Yes. The scheme is open to UK, EU and international students, subject to ESRC eligibility rules for the relevant funding category.
What is the deadline?
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Historically around 22 January at 5:00 PM GMT, though some departments set earlier internal deadlines. Confirm the 2026/27 date on the official Sheffield scholarships page.
Which subjects are eligible?
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Postgraduate research in the social sciences, humanities and arts across the White Rose DTP pathways.
What start date should I choose?
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Select 1 October for the relevant year so the ESRC White Rose DTP application becomes available within the portal.
Do I need a research proposal?
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Yes. A research proposal aligned with the DTP pathways is a core part of the application and a key factor in selection.
Is there an interview?
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Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed before final ESRC studentship decisions are confirmed.
What English level is required?
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Non-native English speakers must meet the University of Sheffield's standard English language entry requirements for postgraduate study.
Where can I confirm the current details?
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On the official University of Sheffield PhD scholarships page, which lists the current stipend rate, pathways and the 2026/27 application deadline.