ESRC WGSSS PhD Scholarship in Economics (RS888) 2026

The ESRC Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) in partnership with Swansea University invites applications for the fully funded PhD Scholarship in Economics (RS888). This award covers full tuition fees and provides an annual tax-free living stipend of £20,780 for 2025/26, plus research training support funding. Open to UK and international applicants. Research areas include macroeconomics, applied microeconomics, regional economics, and energy economics. Applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors before applying.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: 11 December 2025
2. Value: Fully funded (tuition + £20,780 annual stipend + Research Training Support Grant)
3. Study Level: PhD (Economics)
4. Sponsor: ESRC Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) & Swansea University
5. Course to Study: PhD in Economics (ESRC WGSSS Economics Pathway – RS888)
6. Eligible Country: All Countries

Eligibility Criteria for ESRC WGSSS PhD Scholarship in Economics (RS888) 2026

To receive WGSSS studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equal to an honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters from a UK academic research organization. Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply.

English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. For further information, please see the English Language Requirements - Swansea University.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.

WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.

Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

WGSSS_Studentship_Application_Form_2026.pdf

1. CV
2. Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
3. Two academic or professional references on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
4. Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
5. Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
6. Confirmation of EDI form submission

For students pursuing a PhD in Economics, there will also be the option of a 2-year master's followed by a 2.5 year PhD programme (including a funded Research in Practice placement) but this will not necessarily be offered to all students.

Benefits of ESRC WGSSS PhD Scholarship in Economics (RS888) 2026

The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees and an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). Students also have access to a Research Training Support Grant.

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)

How to Apply

To apply, please complete the entire application form:

In order to be considered for this scholarship award, the following steps are also required.

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information,’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS888

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)

1. In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title,’ please input:
2. the RS Code, RS888 and
3. the scholarship title.
4. Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank
5. Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank
6. In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes
7. Then upload a copy of your completed WGSSS Studentship Application form

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).
2. Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

For more Information, visit Swansea University Scholarship webpage

Application Deadline

December 11, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for ESRC WGSSS PhD Scholarship in Economics (RS888) 2026