Fully Funded SENSS Scholarships in UK 2027 | Step-by-Step Process

The SENSS Scholarship provides a tax free stipend of £27,036 per year for postgraduate study in the UK, with an additional £2,000 per year available to students studying at a London based university.

The SENSS ESRC Studentship gives students the opportunity to work with experienced academic supervisors while receiving advanced research training. Scholars become part of a postgraduate research community covering 8 universities and 6 interdisciplinary themes.

This post explains the SENSS Scholarship, including its eligibility requirements, benefits, required documents and application process.

SENSS Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Study Abroad: Study in UK
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: Fully Funded | £29,780 per year for eligible London based students | Travel & Research Support
• IELTS: Not Required
• Deadline: January 11, 2027

SENSS ESRC Studentship Details:

Applications for the 2027 South and East Network for Social Sciences (SENSS) competition are open.

SENSS offers studentships each academic year across its 6 interdisciplinary themes and 8 partner universities.

What is a SENSS student led studentship?

• Students develop and work on a research project of their own design.
• Each student receives guidance from an expert academic supervisory team.
• The research may involve a collaborative partner, such as a business, charity or think tank. Partners may provide access to data, equipment or research participants, additional funding, supervision or placement opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements for SENSS ESRC Studentship 2027

To be considered for the SENSS ESRC Studentship, applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Residential eligibility: Studentships are open to applicants regardless of nationality or residency across the 8 SENSS universities and 6 SENSS interdisciplinary and cross disciplinary Pathways. However, only a limited number of studentships, approximately 10 each year, are available to international applicants.
• Applicants can review the full residential eligibility requirements through the official UKRI guidance.
• For a Masters plus PhD (+4.5 year award), applicants need qualifications or relevant professional experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree with Honours.
• For a PhD only (+3.5 year award), applicants need qualifications or professional experience equivalent to a Master’s degree, or a Master’s degree together with the research skills required to complete the proposed project successfully.
• Applicants who have already started a PhD may apply for SENSS funding provided they have not completed a substantial part of their doctoral studies.

Benefits of SENSS Scholarship 2027

The SENSS studentship provides the following support for the duration of the award:

• A tax free maintenance stipend of £27,036 per year to support living expenses.
• Students studying at London based universities receive an additional £2,000 per year as London Weighting. This additional payment does not apply if you study outside London but choose to live in London.
• Full university tuition fee coverage for both home and international students receiving SENSS funding.
• Access to research training support funds.
• Funding opportunities for overseas fieldwork, overseas institutional visits and language training.
• Additional support for research activities, UK or international fieldwork, international study visits and language training.

SENSS Partner Universities

• City St George’s University of London
• Cranfield University
• University of East Anglia
• University of Essex
• Goldsmiths University of London
• University of Lincoln
• Middlesex University
• University of Roehampton

How to Apply for SENSS Scholarship 2027 (Step by Step)

To apply for the 2027 SENSS Scholarship, interested and qualified candidates should:

• First, identify an academic at the SENSS university you would like to work with and ensure that your proposed research fits within one of the 6 SENSS Themes.
• Contact the academic who may serve as your proposed supervisor and discuss your research idea and potential supervision.
• If you are unsure which academic to contact, reach out to the SENSS Operational Lead at your preferred university for guidance on finding a suitable supervisor.
• If the proposed supervisor agrees to support your application, apply for admission to your chosen SENSS university.
• After submitting your university application, complete the separate SENSS funding application for your proposed studies.
• Ensure that all required documents are submitted according to the instructions and deadlines provided by the relevant university and SENSS.