White Rose funded PhD Scholarships 2027

• Full tuition fees
• PhD stipend at the standard Sheffield Hallam rate (aligned with the net Real Living Wage; £22,152 per annum for full-time study in 2025/26)
• A research training support grant where eligible
• Access to training and development opportunities across all seven partner universities
• Membership in an interdisciplinary social sciences network with academic and non-academic partners

1. Pre-application stage:

First, you will need to contact one of the academics listed below to discuss your research interests. They will support you in identifying a suitable supervisor, but you must provide a proposal using the WRDTP Studentship Application Form which includes details of your research proposal in SECTION 2 – About Your Project.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to requests for supervision or provide further support without a proposal. Please submit your proposal in the first instance. It will be reviewed and, if appropriate, further guidance will be provided.

Please ensure that you allow yourself sufficient time for this process. Due to high demand, colleagues may not be able to respond to enquiries received close to the final submission deadline.

• Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE) – Dr Lisa McGrath l.mcgrath@shu.ac.uk 
• Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) - Dr Sadie Parr s.parr@shu.ac.uk
• School of Sport and Physical Activity – Dr Kate Whitfield k.whitfield@shu.ac.uk 

2. Application stage: 

You will need to make a formal application for a PhD at Sheffield Hallam University. As part of this application, you will need to: 
Submit a fully completed SHU online application form (see links below) and include the following which must be submitted as attachments: 

1. A WRDTP Studentship Application Form which includes details of your research proposal in SECTION 2 – About Your Project. Your research proposal should include an outline of the research questions/area, aim of the project, an understanding of the current knowledge/literature and context, the proposed methodology, the potential impact and contribution to knowledge of your project and referencing key background literature. 

2. A personal statement - In submitting your personal statement, you must answer these 4 questions. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question and include specific examples from your previous experiences (academic and professional). We want to learn more about you. This is part of the SHU online application form.

• What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project? (200 words maximum).
• How did you come up with your project proposal? (200 words maximum).
• What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you? (200 words maximum).
• Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences. (200 words maximum).

3. Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts.

4. Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study.
 
5. Copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants.

Applications that do not include a fully completed SHU online application form and the documents listed in points 1 to 5 will not be considered. Please ensure that your application is complete before submitting it.

Key date: The closing date for Sheffield Hallam Applications is 12:00 pm GMT on 13 November 2026.
No late applications will be accepted.

What happens after you apply

Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview. We are hoping to undertake these interviews either the first or second week of December 2026. 

If your application for a place on our PhD programme is successful, you will then be nominated to the DTP for an ESRC studentship. As WRDTP studentship awards are highly competitive, only the strongest applications will be selected to be nominated to go into the WRDTP’s studentship competition. Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with the WRDTP assessment criteria. 

If your application progresses to this second stage, additional paperwork will be required. These studentships are awarded through a competitive process, and further information on the second part of the application process will be provided to applicants. Please note that acceptance onto our PhD programme does not guarantee you a funded studentship. 

International Students (Additional Information)

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through one of the following:

1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score that meets the entry requirements in our online prospectus. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date. Please see our online prospectus for the entry requirements based on your potential area of study: 

• PhD Education
• PhD Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research
• PhD Sport and Physical Activity

2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit and above) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.
Please note that UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you are a national of one of these countries you will not need to provide evidence as listed above.

Sheffield Hallam Application Form

Applicants to Sheffield Institute of Education should apply via this application form for full-time study or part-time study.
Applicants to the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research should apply via this application form for full-time study or part-time study.
Applicants to the School of Sport and Physical Activity should apply via this application form full-time study or part-time study.

For more information, kindly visit  Sheffield Hallam WRDTP

• WRDTP Studentship Application Form (including research proposal in Section 2)
• Personal statement (4 questions, ~200 words each)
• Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts
• Details of two academic referees
• Copies of passport and relevant visas (international applicants only)