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London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP)

Subject areas:

LISS DTP delivers much of its training through 13 Pathways, covering five broad strategic research areas: (1) health, well-being and social inclusion; (2) economics and business; (3) language, culture and education; (4) the environment and urban life; and (5) security and governance.


The application window is open until 24th January 2025, 5.00pm (UK time) for academic year 2025-26 ESRC Open Competition studentships through LISS DTP, offering full funding for postgraduate study.

Award details

The application window is open until 24th January 2025, 5.00pm (UK time) for academic year 2025-26 ESRC Open Competition studentships through the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP), offering full funding for postgraduate study. The Doctoral Training Partnership is led by King’s, partnered by Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London.

 Four and a half year (1+3.5) studentships, involving a Masters’ degree leading to a PhD, are available, as well as three and a half year (+3.5) doctoral studentships (PhD only) at one of three institutions. Part-time studentships are also available. Current 1st year full-time PGR students or 1st/2nd year part-time PGR students are eligible to apply for the remainder of their PhD study.

 We welcome applications in the following areas:

  • Any of LISS DTP’s 6 Research Areas covering the range of social science disciplines and methodologies.
  • Project proposals using advanced quantitative methods.
  • Projects using interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives.

Research in practice is a core component of doctoral experience for all our students. Working together with non-academic partners is encouraged and our studentship funding includes funding for a 3 month placement.

Our goal is to recruit outstanding and diverse candidates across the full range of studentships.  We welcome applications from UK and International students. We particularly invite applications from UK students from a BAME background who are currently under-represented in our DTP. More information with regard to eligibility requirements is available on the LISS DTP website. 

Award value

The studentship will cover UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Home fees for a Masters’ and/or PhD programme, and an annual tax free stipend valued at approximately £21,237 (the 2024/25 rate, as a guide). The ESRC will only fund the UKRI Home fee, but LISS DTP institutions will fund the fee difference for a limited number of International students. As part of your award, you will be able to access additional funding to help cover some of the costs of training, fieldwork, travel and more.

Eligibility criteria

Funding Eligibility for LISS DTP Studentships

LISS DTP studentships are now open to both Home and International students.  You must however be aware of the definitions of each category and their funding implications.

Nationality and residency requirements for both Home and International students can be found in UKRI-170321-InternationalEligibilityImplementationGuidance.pdf. Please read this document to determine whether you will be classed as a Home or International student.

Contact the Admissions team at the institution to which you have applied if you are uncertain of your tuition fee status. LISS DTP is unable to advise on complex cases and will abide by your institution’s assessment of your status.

Home students

To be classed as a home student, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status, or
  • Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter

International Students

International students (including EU students) are eligible for ESRC studentships. However, the total number of international studentships a DTP is able to offer has been capped by UKRI at 30% of the total number of studentships awarded each year, and so studentships for international students will be limited in number and competitive.

The ESRC will only fund the UKRI Home Fee, which means that the difference between the UKRI Home Fee and international fee must be found elsewhere, such as:

  • the applicant’s department,  
  • the applicant’s host institution,  
  • or another source such as self-funding.  

Academic Eligibility – For LISS DTP students

Due to the limited number of studentships available, successful applicants are likely to have:

  • a very good first degree (BA or BSc Honours or equivalent) at 1st class standard or upper 2nd with average of 65% or above,
  • for +3 awards, an appropriate Masters degree (at distinction or at least high merit level) is expected,
  • other qualifications relevant to the proposed area of study, such as professional or work-related expertise, will also be considered.

LISS DTP institutions will fund the difference between the UKRI Home Fee and international fee for a limited number of international students and at this stage we cannot guarantee that every international student offered a LISS DTP studentship will receive this funding as part of their studentship.

If you are currently in your first year of doctoral study (first or second year of study if you are a part-time student), then you are eligible to apply for a studentship to cover the remainder of your study time from October 2024.

Application process

Candidates should complete their application for LISS DTP funding for their chosen studentship (1+3.5 or +3.5). Forms and guidance on their completion can be found on the LISS DTP website in the apply now section. Candidates must also apply for admission to their chosen Masters’ or PhD programme at one of the LISS DTP partner institutions. Links to each LISS DTP partner’s admissions portals can be found the LISS DTP website.

The LISS DTP team is on hand at liss-dtp@kcl.ac.uk to advise any time ahead of the application deadline, should you have any questions. 

 
 

Academic year:

2025-26

Study mode:

Postgraduate research

Application closing date:

24 January 2025