Funding for PhD study is extremely competitive and applicants need to be preparing their applications early and in dialogue with staff in the Department.

ESRC NINEDTP

The scheme is open to all UK and International applicants, providing tuition fees (at UK rate), a tax-free living stipend, research training and fieldwork support.

Applicants must first be accepted for doctoral study in their chosen department, which then nominates candidates to the DTP on a ranked basis.

Deadlines:

Submission of the draft proposal to Sociology for guaranteed feedback and mentoring: Tuesday 13th October 2026.   

Durham University Admissions application: 23^rd October 2026.

Deadline to submit Stage 1 nomination form to NINEDTP (Studentship Application Form): 27th October 2026

The NINE DTP is an exciting collaboration between seven universities producing world-class research across the full range of social science disciplines. NINE DTP builds upon the previous North East Doctoral Training Centre. These studentships require use of a social science methodology, e.g. an element of empirical research. For full details, please see the NINE DTP website and in particular the section on how to apply. Please note that prior to the 27th October deadline, you need to have already separately applied to the PhD programme at Durham as you will require the application ID for the Stage 1 nomination form (Studentship Application Form).   We would encourage you to have put in your university application no later than 23rd October to facilitate this.

Please note that your application to study for a PhD with us will be considered concurrently with your application for the funding, so you may still receive an offer to study with us even if you are not successful in being put forward for the funding. If you have any questions, please email sociology.pgradmin@durham.ac.uk. Supervisors, and the school itself, can only support a limited number of the strongest applications for NINE DTP funding. If your application is not selected for nomination, this does not affect your eligibility or competitiveness for a self-funded place or other funding opportunities. 

Please note if we do not receive a completed application with required documents including your two references, you will not be considered.

SUBMITTING YOUR DURHAM APPLICATION

Candidates wishing to apply for a studentship must complete the relevant institution’s online postgraduate application form and submit all other supporting documentation by the date detailed.

Candidates must complete a NINE DTP Equal Opportunities Monitoring form online and insert the code number on to their nomination form before submission. The form can be found here.

Candidates must provide/attach the following additional paperwork to their online application forms:

1. A detailed research proposal. This should not be longer than 2,000 words in length (including footnotes, but excluding bibliography / reference list). If a proposal exceeds this maximum length of 2,000 words it will not be considered.
2. Current CV [maximum 2 pages]
3. Personal statement elaborating on aspects of the candidate’s background and suitability for the proposed studentship, beyond what is evident on the CV
4. Two letters of reference
5. Full transcripts of their previous qualifications obtained to date
6. A signed copy of the NINE DTP Consent Form

Candidates should avoid nominating referees who are named as their potential supervisors in their application; however, if this is not possible a justification of their use as a referee should be provided within the body of the reference.

China Scholarships Council

Closing date: TBC

These important scholarships are available thanks to a partnership with the China Scholarships Council. The scholarships are open to applicants who are citizens and permanent residents of mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) wishing to study for a PhD at Durham. Further information about scholarships from the China Scholarships Council is available here.