The UBEL DTP (University-Based European Learning Doctoral Training Partnership) offers fully funded ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) studentships for doctoral research. These prestigious awards provide comprehensive financial support for both UK and international students pursuing PhD studies across six London institutions.
Financial Support
What the Studentship Covers
For the 2025/26 academic year, each UBEL studentship provides:
- Tuition Fees: £5,006 (at UKRI rate)
- Annual Stipend: Minimum £22,780 (including London Allowance)
These figures are subject to annual review and may increase for subsequent years.
New PhD Model (Introduced 2024/25)
The ESRC has restructured its PhD funding model. The standard ESRC studentship now runs for 3.5 years instead of the traditional three years.
Additional Benefits:
- Extra three months of funding and stipend for enhanced training throughout the PhD
- Opportunity to complete a high-quality placement in academia, policy, business, or civil society organizations
- Students undertaking placements receive an additional three months of funding and stipend
Academic Routes Available
UBEL offers multiple study routes across six disciplinary groupings:
- +3.5 route: For students with a Master’s degree
- 1+3.5 route: Includes a Master’s program before the PhD
- +4.5 route: Extended program structure
All routes accommodate both full-time and part-time students and include MRes, MSc, and MA programs.
Who Can Apply
Academic Requirements
Applicants must normally possess (or expect to achieve by 30 September 2026):
- An upper second class (2:1) or first class honours degree from a recognized UK university, OR
- An equivalent qualification obtained outside the UK
For +3.5 awards specifically: Applicants must hold (or expect to achieve by 30 September 2026) a Master’s degree with appropriate research training.
Eligibility: UK vs International Students
Home Student Classification
To qualify as a home student, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), OR
- Have settled status, OR
- Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), OR
- Have indefinite leave to remain or enter the UK
International Student Classification
Any applicant who does not meet the above criteria is classified as an international student.
International Student Limitations
Important: The ESRC imposes a strict quota on international student awards:
- UBEL may award no more than 30% of total studentships to international students
- This restriction applies across all competitions and cannot be waived
- For 2025 entry: Only 10 international studentships were available from 485 international applications
Note: UBEL does not cover visa costs for international students. Applicants requiring visas should consult their institution’s visa compliance team for immigration advice.
For complete eligibility details, applicants should review the UKRI Eligibility guidance document available on the UBEL website.
Application Timeline for 2026 Entry
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 15 September 2025 | Preliminary application portal opens (Survey Monkey Apply) |
| 10 November 2025 | Preliminary applications deadline (23:59) |
| 12 December 2025 | Pathway teams submit decisions to DTP |
| 15 December 2025 | Full Application Stage opens for successful preliminary candidates |
| 2 February 2026 | Full applications deadline (23:59) |
| Week of 20 April 2026 | DTP Board confirms studentship awards for 2026 entry |
Application Process
The competition follows a two-stage process:
- Preliminary Application Stage: Initial screening (opens 15 September 2025)
- Full Application Stage: Only invited candidates may proceed (opens 15 December 2025)
Application guidance, FAQs, and scoring criteria are available on the UBEL DTP website.
Partner Institutions
The UBEL DTP comprises six London institutions:
- Birkbeck, University of London
- University of East London
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- University College London
- And two additional London institutions
Additional Resources
Applicants should consult the following documents available on the UBEL website:
- 2026 Entry Preliminary Application Guidance for Candidates
- Scoring Criteria
- Structure of ESRC funding at UBEL DTP
- ESRC Postgraduate Training and Development Guidelines
- Guidance for Supervisors
Contact Information
For inquiries about the ESRC Studentships Main Competition:
Email: Ubel-dtp@ucl.ac.uk
The information in this article is based on the 2026 entry competition. Deadlines, funding amounts, and eligibility criteria may be subject to change. Prospective applicants should verify all details directly with UBEL DTP.
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