ESRC Studentships

ESRC Studentships are available for a number of programmes. Individual programme entries detail which programmes are eligible for ESRC funding. Find your graduate programme.

Students of all nationalities are eligible for ESRC funding, although there is a cap on the number of studentships that can be awarded to international, including EU, students.

Depending on the programme of study, ESRC Studentships will cover a one year's research training master's linked to a PhD, a two-year MRes linked to a PhD, or a PhD programme. Find out more about these different award types.

ESRC Studentships cover full fees (for overseas students, LSE will cover the difference between UK and overseas fees) and an annual stipend, which for 2024/25 entry was £21,237.

There is additional DTP funding available for ESRC funded students to support difficult language training, field work, overseas institutional visits and collaborative research activities.

Applications for ESRC funding for MSc or MRes programmes linked to a PhD (1+3.5 or 2+2.5)

The 1+3.5 or 2+2.5 scheme provides funding for a one- or two-year research training master's (MSc or MRes) linked to a PhD programme and is designed for students who have not already completed an ESRC recognised programme of research training.

If you would like to be considered for this, you should submit an application for the relevant MSc or MRes programme, including a research proposal for the PhD element of the programme (but check whether the programme you are applying for has specific instructions about this). You must also indicate your wish to be considered for 1+3.5 or 2+2.5 funding in your personal statement.

There is no separate application for the studentship as such, but you must submit your application for the MSc or MRes programme by a specific deadline (see below).

Applications for ESRC funding for direct entry to an MPhil/PhD programme (+3.5)

There is no separate application for the studentship as such, but you must submit your application for the MPhil/PhD programme by a specific deadline( see below)

• deadline for programmes in the Departments of Economics and International Development for 2025 entry (including PhD Studentships and ESRC funding): 18 December 2024
• deadline for all other departments for 2025 entry: 15 January 2025

More information on how to apply for a place on a PhD programme.