PhD Studentship: Do Educational Pathways Mitigate Social Class Inequalities in Early Labour Market Outcomes? Evidence from Growing Up in Scotland

Project summary:

This PhD will examine the role of educational attainment and educational pathways in mitigating the association between social class background and early labour market outcomes in Scotland using data from Growing Up in Scotland. The research will contribute to debates on social mobility, educational inequality and labour market stratification.  

Start date: 1^st October 2026

Deadline: 30^th April

Duration: 36 months

Funding: Funded

Funding towards: Home fee/international fee

Stipend -UKRI stipend rate for UK students. 

Funding details: Fully-funded scholarship for 3 years covers all university tuition fees (at UK level) and an annual tax-free stipend. International students are also eligible to apply, but they will need to find other funding sources to cover the difference between the home and international tuition fees. Exceptional international candidates may be provided funding for this difference. 

Number of places: 1

Number of places extra: There will be a shortlisting and interview process.

RCUK eligibility: No

Eligibility:

Essential criteria:

• First-class or upper second-class Honours degree (or equivalent) in social science related discipline.
• A Masters degree in social science related discipline.
• Demonstrated competence in applied quantitative methods, including regression analysis, evidenced through formal coursework, a quantitative dissertation or project, or equivalent research experience.
• A substantive interest in social inequality, education, and labour market research.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working with longitudinal datasets
• Familiarity with statistical software (e.g., Stata, R)

Full details, see advert: https://www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/postgraduateresearchphdopportunities/business/workemploymentorganisation/doeducationalpathwaysmitigatesocialclassinequalities/

Study modes eligibility: Full-time

Fee Status: 

• Home
• International

Project Details: This PhD addresses a central question in social mobility research: to what extent does education level the playing field for individuals from working-class backgrounds? Focusing on Scotland, the project will examine how educational attainment and pathways interact with social class origins to shape early labour market trajectories. The findings will contribute to the educational inequality and social mobility evidence base and provide policy-relevant evidence on the role of education in promoting social mobility and reducing labour market inequalities among young adults in Scotland.

Primary Supervisor: Dr Michael Vallely (michael.vallely@strath.ac.uk)

Additional Supervisor/s: Prof Patricia Findlay (patricia.findlay@strath.ac.uk) and Prof Markus Klein (markus.klein@strath.ac.uk)

Further information: If there is any further information related to the opportunity you would like to include, please use this space to do so.

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