Funding for PhD study is extremely competitive and applicants need to be preparing their applications early and in dialogue with staff in the Department.

There are two primary routes into funded doctoral study within the Department of Sociology.

ESRC NINEDTP

The scheme is open to all UK and International applicants, providing tuition fees (at UK rate), a tax-free living stipend, research training and fieldwork support.

Applicants must first be accepted for doctoral study in their chosen department, which then nominates candidates to the DTP on a ranked basis.

Deadlines:

Submission of the draft proposal to Sociology for feedback and mentoring: 3rd January 2025.    Please note: we strongly encourage you to submit your draft proposal in advance of this deadline.

Submission of the completed online application to the department along with the student section of the NINEDTP nomination form: 20th January 2025.  (Please note that all application documents are required by this deadline, including references - so please make your referees aware well in advance).

Department nomination to DTP: 10th February 2025.

Find out more information

China Scholarships Council

Closing date: 15th January 2025.

These important scholarships are available thanks to a partnership with the China Scholarships Council. The scholarships are open to applicants who are citizens and permanent residents of mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) wishing to study for a PhD at Durham. Further Information about scholarships from the China Scholarships Council is available here.