2026 Fully Funded SENSS Scholarships, UK

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6 months ago

2026 Fully Funded SENSS Scholarships, UK

The SENSS Scholarship provides a stipend of £20,780 per year to undertake postgraduate studies in the UK (plus an extra £2,000 per year if you study at a London-based university). The SENSS ESRC Studentship enables students to be guided by excellent supervisors and receive high-quality advanced research training. You will be part of a postgraduate community spanning 8 universities and 6 interdisciplinary themes.

Eligibility:

To be considered for the SENSS ESRC Studentship, note the following criteria:

Residential criteria: studentships are available to all applicants, regardless of nationality or residency, across all 8 SENSS universities and 6 SENSS interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary Pathways. However, there are a limited number of studentships (approximately 10 each year) available to international applicants.
You can view the full residential eligibility guidance here.
To apply for a Masters plus PhD (+4.5-year award), you will need: qualifications or professional experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree (Honours).
To apply for a PhD only (+3.5-year award), you will need: qualifications or professional experience equivalent to a Masters degree, or a Masters degree and already have the research skills needed to successfully complete your research project.
If you have already started your PhD, you are eligible to apply for SENSS funding, but only if you have not already completed a substantial proportion of your studies.

Benefits of SENSS Scholarship 2026

Studentships include the following for the duration of the award:

A tax-free maintenance stipend to cover your living costs: this is set at £20,780 per year. For those studying at universities based in London, there is an additional £2,000 per year paid as London Weighting, given that the cost of living is higher for those living in London. If you are not studying at a London-based university, but still choose to live in London, you will not receive the London Weighting payment;
Fees: whether home or international, no SENSS-funded student will have to pay any university tuition fees for the duration of their funding award.
Access to research training support funds; and,
Access to other funds to support overseas fieldwork, overseas institutional visits, and language training.
Access to additional funding to support your research, UK or overseas fieldwork, international study visits, and language training.

SENSS Partner Universities