How to Apply

We are looking for students with demonstrable academic potential, from all backgrounds, with an appetite for research and an aspiration towards a career in the humanities and social sciences.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in applying for a PhD place at Cambridge in the ESRC DTP, you should first contact one of our participating DTP Departments to discuss your interest in a studentship and to find out more about the supervision and training on offer.

Further information about the application process

You cannot apply directly to the ESRC DTP – you must be nominated by your Department once they have accepted you for admission to study.

All DTP applicants follow the University’s standard admission process.  This is done via the Postgraduate Admissions Portal

When making your application, please ensure you indicate that you wish to be considered for funding.

If you are made an offer of admission, your Department will decide whether to nominate you for an ESRC DTP studentship.

Departments will consider all eligible applicants who have applied for admission by the appropriate funding deadline and have indicated they wish to be considered for ESRC funding;

Departments may nominate up to five candidates. Nominations are based on a fully-rounded assessment of your academic abilities, prior training, background and suitability for study at Cambridge;

If you are nominated by your department, you will be asked to complete a DTP nomination form which includes details of your prior training.

All nominations are reviewed by the DTP Management Executive Group.

DTP studentships are awarded on a competitive basis.

The DTP notifies each department of the outcome of its nominations. The department will then let you know if you have been successful or not.

Formal studentship offer letters are issued by the Student Registry in March.