PhD Studentship in the ESRC WGSSS Politics, International Relations and Area Studies Pathway 2026

The Global Language Based Area Studies/Politics/International Relations pathway at Swansea University is based within the Department of Politics, Philosophy, and International Relations (PPIR). It aligns with our PhD program in Politics and International Relations, and encompasses a variety of substantive foci and research approaches.  

Our breadth of specialisms incorporates (i) international relations, area studies, and international development; (ii) comparative politics, including sub-national politics and the study of political identity; (iii) political communication, with a particular focus on digital politics; and (iv) political and social philosophy. Our research crosses boundaries with development studies, media and communication, and philosophy. We are intellectually pluralist, use a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and our geographical coverage includes Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. We place a premium on connecting scholarly work to real world impact and seek to disseminate our findings and co-produce change with partners in Welsh and UK government and parliament, global policy advocates including the International Drug Policy Consortium, and a range of local and international civil society actors.  

• Table of Content
• About Swansea University
• PhD Studentship
• Aim and Benefits of PhD Studentship
• Requirements for PhD Studentship Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

PhD Studentship

Aim and Benefits of PhD Studentship

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 

Requirements for PhD Studentship Qualification

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 organisation. 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.  

Documents Required for Application

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 
• CV 
• Degree certificates and transcripts?(if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 
• Two academic or professional 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. 
• Evidence of meeting?English Language requirement?(if applicable)
• Copy of UK resident visa?(if applicable)
• Confirmation of?EDI form submission

Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

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. RS895 

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

1.In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:  

• the RS Code, RS895 and 

• the scholarship title.   

2. Please leave 'Proposed Supervisor' field blank 

3. Please leave 'Research Project' (if applicable) blank 

4. In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 

5. Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

For more details, visit Swansea University Scholarship webpage