ESRC/SENSS Doctoral Studentships

Goldsmiths is a member of the South and East Network of Social Sciences (SENSS) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to train the next generation of social scientists.   

A range of fully funded studentships are available across eight SENSS partner universities, including Goldsmiths, for entry in October 2025.  

Routes for research and training 

There are a variety of flexible routes for research and training, depending on your background and the research you’re planning to undertake. SENSS positively encourages applicants from talented students whose highest qualification is an undergraduate degree, who may be funded to undertake a master’s programme.  

The structure of the studentship offered will depend on your personal training needs. However, the standard duration of a SENSS-funded studentship is 3.5 years – this covers a PhD and a mandatory placement of approximately three months. The maximum duration of a studentship will be 4.5 years – this covers a master’s degree followed by a PhD, as well as the mandatory three-month placement.  

Value

These studentships cover tuition fees at the appropriate rate and an annual maintenance grant (also called stipend), the level of which is currently £21,237 per year for full-time study, including London weighting). They will also include access to training and development funds.

Number available

There are up to 32 studentships available across the eight SENSS partner universities for entry in October 2025. 

Year of entry

2025 (Autumn Term)* *Please note that if you have already started doctoral study, you may still be eligible for SENSS studentship funding providing that, at the start of the SENSS award, you will have at least 50% of your fundable period of study remaining (nb. this excludes what at Goldsmiths is called the writing-up or completion period). A student who has started their doctoral studies on a part-time basis and is awarded funding is permitted to convert to full-time status from the start of their funding award. The amount of funding granted will be adjusted in line with fundable study time already undertaken. 

Eligibility criteria

Information about eligibility and guidance including links to applicant webinars and to the applicant portal may be found on the SENSS website.

Further information on Goldsmiths academic departments 

The following will Goldsmiths departments are eligible for SeNSS:

• Art 
• Design 
• Education 
• Law 
• Media, Communications and Cultural Studies 
• Politics and International Relations 
• Psychology 
• Anthropology 
• Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies 
• Sociology 
• Visual Cultures

How to apply

Applicants for SENSS studentships are advised first to review their eligibility for this funding.  

The process of application is in two parts:    

• Firstly, you must apply for a place to study (academic admission) at Goldsmiths. The general deadline for this step is Friday, 10 January.  However, some departments specify earlier deadlines and all applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the PGR convenor and admissions tutor for their academic area as soon as possible so that they may be advised of any department-specific deadlines and admissions processes.  

• Secondly, you will need to apply for studentship funding via the SENSS online platform, HEIApply. The deadline to submit this application is 12pm (noon) GMT on Wednesday, 22 January, 2025.  

Applicant Webinars  

Watch a recording of the Goldsmiths Applicant Information Workshop.

SENSS is also running a series of applicant information webinars with recordings of previous sessions available on their website.  

Subject areas and thematic pathways   

Goldsmiths students who are undertaking social science-led research or interdisciplinary research that crosses arts and humanities and social sciences can apply for funding to pursue research aligned to one of six interdisciplinary thematic pathways.    

The pathways are set out below and under each are listed the Goldsmiths departments/subject areas that are considered eligible for that pathway. In order to apply for SENSS funding in one of the thematic pathways, you must first have applied for a place to study for a research degree in one of the participating subject areas at Goldsmiths.  

Advanced Methods in Social & Economic Research    

• Art, Design and Visual Cultures    
• Media, Communications and Cultural Studies   
• Psychology   
• Sociology   

Digital Social Sciences    

• Anthropology   
• Art, Design and Visual Cultures    
• Media, Communications and Cultural Studies   
• Psychology   

Health, Wellbeing & Social Care    

• Anthropology   
• Educational Studies     
• Psychology   
• Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies  
• Sociology   

Justice, Institutions & Social Change    

• Anthropology   
• Art, Design and Visual Cultures    
• Educational Studies     
• Law   
• Media, Communications and Cultural Studies   
• Psychology   
• Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies    
• Sociology    

Resolving Uncertainty & Addressing Crises     

• Anthropology   
• Art, Design and Visual Cultures    
• Media, Communications and Cultural Studies   
• Politics and International Relations   
• Sociology   

Sustainability & Climate Emergency    

• Anthropology   
• Art, Design and Visual Cultures    
• Educational Studies     
• Media, Communications and Cultural Studies   
• Politics and International Relations    
• Sociology   

Contact us

If you have any queries, please contact the Goldsmiths Graduate School: graduateschool (@gold.ac.uk). If the title of your email includes ‘SENSS application’, it will assist us in answering your query as soon as we can.