Applying for Funding from the DTP

Applications for entry in October 2026 are closed. Applications for entry in 2027 will open on 1 October 2026.

We will also be offering a number of Collaborative and Strategic Joint project-led studentships for October 2026 entry. Information on the different projects available and how to apply will be published during late January and early February 2026 on our Collaborative and Strategic Joint Studentships page.

The Midlands Graduate School DTP makes an annual award of a large number of studentships to outstanding applicants across the Social Sciences. The studentships are linked to disciplinary and inter-disciplinary training pathways, and some have a built-in element of collaboration.

A Masters is not a prerequisite for studying at the Midlands Graduate School DTP. Students are able to apply directly from undergraduate programmes and we ring-fence a number of studentship awards for students applying straight from an undergraduate degree. A range of training programmes is available based on an assessment of the applicant’s prior learning and training needs, including a 1+3.5 award option, which includes a one-year Masters in Social Science Research before continuing onto PhD study.

All studentships are offered on a full- or part-time basis.

There are 17 training pathways available across the eight universities in the MGS consortium. Not all pathways are available at all universities. You can use the lists below to browse pathways and institutions, or you can download a PDF grid summarising who offers each pathway .

If you are not sure which training pathway your proposed research project fits into please contact the pathway lead at the university you would like to study at.

For information on submitting an MGS DTP scholarship application please visit our 'How to Apply' pagesLink opens in a new window. Please also check your eligibility by visiting our Eligibility Requirements pageLink opens in a new window to confirm whether you will be classed as a Home or International applicant under UKRI rules.

Browse by pathway Select a pathway title from the list below to find out which consortium partner offers programmes in that area.

Browse by partner Select a consortium partner from the list below to find out which pathways are offered at that university.

Applied Linguistics University of Birmingham University of Nottingham University of Warwick Area Studies Aston University University of Birmingham University of Nottingham University of Warwick Communication & Media and Museum Studies University of Leicester Loughborough University Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis All MGS institutions Economic & Social History University of Birmingham University of Leicester University of Nottingham Nottingham Trent University University of Warwick Economics University of Nottingham University of Warwick Education University of Birmingham Loughborough University University of Nottingham University of Warwick Health & Wellbeing Aston University University of Birmingham De Montfort University University of Leicester Loughborough University University of Nottingham University of Warwick Human Geography University of Birmingham Loughborough University University of Nottingham Living in a Digital Society All MGS institutions Management & Business Studies Aston University University of Birmingham University of Leicester Loughborough University University of Nottingham University of Warwick Political Science & International Relations University of Birmingham University of Nottingham University of Warwick Psychology University of Birmingham University of Leicester University of Nottingham University of Warwick Socio-Legal Studies University of Birmingham University of Nottingham Nottingham Trent University University of Warwick Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Aston University University of Birmingham De Montfort University University of Leicester Loughborough University University of Nottingham University of Warwick Sport & Exercise Science University of Birmingham Loughborough University Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience All MGS institutions

Aston University Area Studies Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis Health & Wellbeing Living in a Digital Society Management & Business Studies Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience University of Birmingham Applied Linguistics Area Studies Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis Economic & Social History Education Health & Wellbeing Human Geography Living in a Digital Society Management & Business Studies Political Science & International Relations Psychology Socio-Legal Studies Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Sport & Exercise Science Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience De Montfort University Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis Health & Wellbeing Living in a Digital Society Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience University of Leicester Communication & Media and Museum Studies Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis Economic & Social History Health & Wellbeing Living in a Digital Society Management & Business Studies Psychology Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience Loughborough University Communication & Media and Museum Studies Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis Education Health & Wellbeing Human Geography Living in a Digital Society Management & Business Studies Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Sport & Exercise Science Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience University of Nottingham Applied Linguistics Area Studies Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis Economic & Social History Economics Education Health & Wellbeing Human Geography Living in a Digital Society Management & Business Studies Political Science & International Relations Psychology Socio-Legal Studies Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience Nottingham Trent University Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis Economic & Social History Living in a Digital Society Socio-Legal Studies Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience University of Warwick Applied Linguistics Area Studies Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis Economic & Social History Economics Education Health & Wellbeing Living in a Digital Society Management & Business Studies Political Science & International Relations Psychology Socio-Legal Studies Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience