How to apply
Applications are now open for the Midlands Graduate School DTP ESRC studentships for October 2027- Apply here
Webinar Series - What's a PhD all About?
Our two-part webinar series is designed to support prospective applicants at different stages of the PhD application process. Across the two sessions, we introduce the Midlands Graduate School, explore what doctoral study involves, and offer practical guidance on developing a strong application — including identifying supervisors, shaping a research proposal, and understanding the opportunities available through the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership.
Each webinar has its own registration form, so please sign up separately for any session you would like to attend.
Session 1 - An Introduction
Introduction to PhD study and the Midlands Graduate School
This webinar offers a welcoming introduction to doctoral study in the social sciences, including what a PhD involves, the benefits of postgraduate research, and the funding, training, and support available through the Midlands Graduate School.
Please register for the date you wish to attend:
Session 2 - Research proposals and funding applications
Developing a strong PhD application
This practical webinar is designed to support prospective applicants in developing a strong application, with guidance on identifying potential supervisors, shaping a research proposal, and understanding the application process.
Please register for the date you wish to attend:
If you are interested in applying for an ESRC studentship with the Midlands Graduate School DTP please complete the following steps:
1. Choose a pathway and university
Before applying you will need to decide which of the available training pathways is most suitable for you, and which university you would like to study at. For details of the relevant academic contacts for each pathway and institution please visit our Pathway Contacts pageLink opens in a new window.
Please be aware that you will only be able to submit one funding application to the MGS DTP and you cannot apply for funding on multiple different pathways or for pathway funding at multiple MGS DTP institutions.
Please also check your eligibility to apply for a MGS ESRC Studentship by visiting our Eligibility Requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
2. Apply for admission to your chosen university
Apply to your chosen university to study for a research degree by completing an online application for PhD admission. At the point of completing your application for an ESRC studentship (step 3) you only need to have submitted the PhD admissions application, and are not required to hold an offer at this stage.
Where a training pathway is offered in more than one department in your chosen institution, students should apply to the department most relevant to their specific research interests.
Details on how to apply for doctoral study at each institution (including information on the institution's PhD programmes linked to the relevant DTP training pathway) are listed on the relevant institution pages:
| Aston University | University of Birmingham | De Montfort University |
| University of Leicester | Loughborough University | University of Nottingham |
| Nottingham Trent University | University of Warwick |
3. Complete an application for an ESRC studentship
When you have applied to the university of your choice, you can then complete an application for Midlands Graduate School DTP funding.
Contents of the studentship application
Application form |
In your funding application form you will be asked for more details about your research topic and given space to tell us about relevant achievements and experience in support of your studentship application. Please be aware that while you may already have submitted some of this information as part of your PhD admissions application to your chosen university, we will require you to repeat it for the purposes of your funding application. Reviewers of the applications will only have access to the information included in the sections starting from 'Application Information' of the Studentship Application Form, the documents that you upload, and your references. It is therefore important that you include all relevant information. You can access the online application form via the institution pages listed above. |
Supporting Statement from Prospective Lead Supervisor |
As part of your online application you will need to upload a 'Supporting Statement from Prospective Lead Supervisor' a copy of which is available here as a Word Document. Please ask your prospective lead supervisor to complete this form as part of your studentship application. This will need to be directly uploaded by the applicant as part of the online funding application process. It is your responsibility to ensure that your lead supervisor fully completes this form. |
Project Details supporting statement |
Please refer to the Guidance Notes for further information regarding these documents. |
Transcripts |
Transcripts of your previous qualifications are required. Please refer to the Guidance Notes for further information regarding these documents. |
References |
As part of your ESRC DTP funding application, the Midlands Graduate School will also consider the two references submitted in support of your PhD application at your institution. We will download your references directly from the Admissions system at the institution to which you have applied. Your references must be available on your university's Admissions system by the funding application deadline. Applicants to Loughborough University should note the additional guidance on page 11 of the guidance notes. |
As previously outlined you will only be able to submit one funding application to the MGS DTP and you cannot apply for funding on multiple different pathways or for pathway funding at multiple MGS DTP institutions.
You must ensure that you have completed all aspects of the application form, uploaded all relevant documentation by the deadline, and ensured that your references are available. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Deadlines
We recommend that you make your PhD place application to your chosen university as early as possible, and no later than 1st December 2026 but you should also check for any earlier deadlines specific to their chosen university.
The funding deadline for studentships commencing in October 2027 is midday on Tuesday 12 January 2027 (12:00 GMT). Applicants should expect to hear the outcome of their application in mid-April 2027.
Collaborative and Strategic Joint Studentships
In addition to the pathway specific studentships, the process for which is outlined on this page, the Midlands Graduate School will be offering a number of Collaborative and Strategic Joint Studentships for entry in October 2027.
For prospective students who wish to apply to undertake a either a collaborative or strategic joint studentship, information regarding the projects available via these mechanisms, for entry in October 2027, will be advertised here on the DTP website.