糖心TV

MGS DTP at a glace

• Applications for October 2026 entry are now closed
• Applications for 2027 entry open on 1 October 2026
• Studentships are available full-time or part-time
• You do not need a Masters to apply
• Some applicants may be considered for a 1+3.5 route, which includes a research training Masters before the PhD
• There are 17 training pathways across the MGS partnership
• You can only submit one MGS funding application

Before you apply for MGS funding, you must first apply for PhD admission at your chosen university and obtain an applicant ID.

Who can apply?

MGS studentships are open to applicants in the social sciences and related interdisciplinary areas.

You may be applying:

• straight from an undergraduate degree
• after a Masters
• after a break from studies
• for PhD-only funding
• for a combined Masters + PhD route
• for full-time study
• for part-time study

If you are not sure whether your project fits an MGS training pathway, at the university where you want to study.

You should also check the to understand whether you would be classed as a Home or International applicant under UKRI rules.

Funding routes

Depending on your background and training needs, funding may be available through different study routes.

PhD-only funding

This route is for applicants who already have the appropriate research training for direct entry to a PhD.

Masters + PhD funding (1+3.5)

This route includes a year of research training before you continue to the PhD. It can be suitable if you need additional social science research methods training.

A Masters is not required before applying. Some studentships are ring-fenced for applicants applying directly from undergraduate study.

Find your pathway and university

MGS offers 17 training pathways across the partnership. Not every pathway is available at every university.

To explore your options, you can:

• browse by pathway to see which universities offer that area
• browse by university to see which pathways are available there
• use the downloadable gridLink opens in a new window if you want a quick overview

If you are unsure which pathway best matches your research project, contact the relevant pathway lead.

How to apply

Applying for MGS funding involves two separate applications.

Step 1: Apply to your chosen university

Before starting your MGS funding application, you must apply for PhD admission at your chosen university and receive your applicant ID number.

If you want to be considered for the Masters + PhD route, you should still apply for PhD admission first. If you are successful, you will then be told which Masters course to apply for.

Step 2: Read the applicant guidance

Read the MGS guidance notes carefully before completing the funding form.

Step 3: Complete the online MGS funding application

You must submit the online funding application form.

A Word version may be available to help you prepare your answers in advance, but it is not accepted as an application.

Step 4: Upload your supporting documents

You will need to upload all required documents as part of the MGS application.

Even if you have already given similar information to your university as part of your PhD application, you must include it again here because reviewers only see what is provided in the MGS studentship application.