The 2025 Student-led Open Competition will launch on 10 September 2025 (12 p.m.).
Please note that you should await the outcome of your application to the SGSSS student-led open competition before applying for a PhD at Glasgow and you must have secured an unconditional offer by the time the studentship will start in October 2026.
The application process for the Student-led Open Competition, for ESRC-funded PhD studentships is given below.
ESRC Funded Studentships - How To Apply
Step 1 >>>>>
Find a supervisor
Step 3 >>>>>
Read application guidance and apply
Scholarship financial support
- Annual stipend at UKRI rates - in the region of £20,780 for the year 2025 to 2026.
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Access to a Research Training Support Grant of £940
Key Dates and Deadlines
Key dates for the 2025 competition are given below:
- 12:00pm, 10 September 2025 - SGSSS Apply opens for applications.
- 12:00pm - 1300pm, 30 September 2025 - SGSSS to hold online webinar for applicants, Starting Your Journey Towards a PhD: First Steps in the Application Process
- 12:00pm - 1300pm, 7 November 2025 - SGSSS to hold online drop-in session for applicants with questions
- 17:00pm, 24 November 2025 - Deadline for applicants to upload Stage 1 application documentation onto SGSSS Apply.
- 17:00pm, 24 November 2025 - Deadline for referees to upload references onto SGSSS Apply.
- 26 December 2025 – 16 February 2026 - HEI review stage during which successful applicants will be invited to submit their Supervisor Statement of Support and Disciplinary Statement templates.
- 17:00pm, 19 February 2026 - Deadline to upload Supervisor Statement of Support and Disciplinary Statement templates onto SGSSS Apply.
- 17:00pm, 9 April 2026 - SGSSS advise candidates the outcome of the Challenge Pathway Review Stage (successful and unsuccessful).
- 17:00pm, 7 May 2026 - SGSSS advise candidates the final outcome of the competition (successful and unsuccessful).