Back to search results
Header Image

PhD Studentships in Social Science starting in October 2026

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University invites applications for funded PhD studentships in Social Science starting in October 2026.

The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (SGSSS) is funded jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Scottish Funding Council. As the UK's largest facilitator of funding, training and support for doctoral students in social science, we combine the expertise of sixteen universities across Scotland to support world-class PhD research.

Successful funded PhD students will join the UK’s largest community of early career researchers addressing key societal challenges. As one of the lead institutions, Heriot-Watt is keen to attract talented doctoral applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, particularly those historically underrepresented in universities and academic careers.

About the studentship

A funded PhD studentship through SGSSS supports 3.5 - 4.5 years of full-time study (or pro rata for students wishing to study part-time).

The studentship provides:

  • Tuition fees up to the value of the national UKRI rate for Home students; international students are welcome to apply but will need additional funding, from alternative sources, to cover the remainder of their fees and any immigration costs;
  • An annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 in 2025-26 for full time students), and a substantial contribution towards research and additional training costs;
  • A comprehensive individual training programme, across all years of the award;
  • A funded three-month placement opportunity.

How to apply

You should first approach a potential lead supervisor in the area of your intended research and secure their support to apply for SGSSS funding.

You should then identify which of the six SGSSS ‘challenge pathways’ your project will sit in: 1. Communication, AI and New Technologies; 2. Environment, Migration and Demographic Change; 3. Governance and Institutions; 4. Health, Wellbeing and Communities; 5. Securities: Justice, Economies and Conflict; or 6. Social Inequalities. If your project does not fit one of these, you can still apply but you’ll be assigned to a suitable pathway if funded.

Please note that lead supervisors must be based in one of the eligible ‘Units of Assessment’ in Edinburgh Business School, the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies, or the Department of Research Methods and Practice/the Doctoral Centre. Awards can only be held at our Edinburgh campus.

Further information

To find out more about research degrees at Heriot-Watt University, please visit:

www.hw.ac.uk/about/our-schools/social-sciences/staff

www.hw.ac.uk/ebs/about/our-faculty-and-staff

www.hw.ac.uk/ebs/about/departments

For further information about the scheme and the application process, please visit: www.sgsss.ac.uk/studentships/open-competition

Informal queries not addressed in online resources can be addressed to Global Director of Doctoral Programmes and Head of Department, Research Methods and Practice, Prof. Jo Drugan at j.drugan@hw.ac.uk

Deadlines

The official competition deadline is 5pm GMT on 24th November 2025. However, you will need to work closely with your intended supervisors to ensure your application and references are ready in good time, so we advise contacting your preferred supervisor as early as possible. You must apply via the SGSSS website apply.sgsss.ac.uk

Following this, there will be additional review stages and award decisions will be shared from 7th May 2026.

Qualification Type: PhD
Location: Edinburgh
Funding for: UK Students
Funding amount: £20,780 - please see advert
Hours: Full Time
Placed On: 7th October 2025
Closes: 24th November 2025
We value your feedback on the quality of our adverts. If you have a comment to make about the overall quality of this advert, or its categorisation then please send us your feedback
Show all PhDs for Heriot-Watt University …
Advert information

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):

PhD tools
 

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Ok Ok

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Account Verification Missing

In order to create multiple job alerts, you must first verify your email address to complete your account creation

Request verification email Request verification email

jobs.ac.uk Account Required

In order to create multiple alerts, you must create a jobs.ac.uk jobseeker account

Create Account Create Account

Alert Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your account is currently blocked. Please login to unblock your account.

Email Address Blocked

We received a delivery failure message when attempting to send you an email and therefore your email address has been blocked. You will not receive job alerts until your email address is unblocked. To do so, please choose from one of the two options below.

Max Alerts Reached

A maximum of 5 Job Alerts can be created against your account. Please remove an existing alert in order to create this new Job Alert

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your alert was not created at this time. Please try again.

Ok Ok

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

 
 
 

Browser Upgrade Recommended

jobs.ac.uk has been optimised for the latest browsers.

For the best user experience, we recommend viewing jobs.ac.uk on one of the following:

Google Chrome Firefox Microsoft Edge