Doctoral training partnerships

The WRDTP awards scholarships to students who can demonstrate consistently high academic performance. Students must have a good honours degree at first-class (1st) or upper second-class (2:1) level to apply. 

If you are applying for the PhD (+ 3.5), you must be able to show that you have completed substantial social sciences training in research methods. You should have at least 60 credits at masters-level of core social sciences research methods training.  

If you have a prior masters degree but without research methods training, you must take the +3.75 route which integrates conceptual and general research units.

If you do not have a masters degree, you must apply for the 1+3.5 route which includes an integrated MA in Social Research.

The awards are open to UK and International applicants.

The awards are available for full-time and part-time study. Part-time study will last between seven and nine years depending on the route.  

Distant learning is not available. 

Education, childhood and youth 

The Education and Social Research Institute (ESRI) carries out research on the nature and future of education, childhood and youth. Our researchers work in innovative ways, across different age groups, institutions and communities, to create transformational change. We have particular expertise to support PhDs pushing the boundaries of established knowledge in the following areas:  

• Children and childhood
• Digital and innovative pedagogies
• Education and global futures
• Literacy and language
• Youth and Community
• Theory and methodology
• Mathematics education
• Teacher education 

Wellbeing, health and communities 

Most of the research in the Department of Social Care and Social Work focuses on social and health inequalities. We have specific expertise to support PhDs in the following areas:      

• Experiences of digital technologies and digital health
• Sexual and reproductive health and sexuality 
• Research that aims to improve inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities and autism 
• Lived experience of dementia, both in the community and care settings
• Research that explores the social care workforce; research around unpaid care roles
• Research that engages with creative social research methodologies and participatory approaches. 
• Gender 
• Well-being and social lives of older people 
• Safeguarding adults, adult social care law & policy 
• Looked after children  

Space, Place, Environment and Liveability

The School of Sociology & Criminology offers research expertise in a diverse range of areas around the challenges that affect how people live their lives. To this end, we examine some of the most pressing issues facing modern society promoting understanding, encouraging debate and ensuring people can have their views and experiences heard. 
Our researchers are committed to research that informs real-world change and we have specific expertise in the following key areas:  

• Social justice and well-being
• The future of cities
• Public policy
• Young people
• Substance use and misuse
• Criminal justice
• Global politics
• Gender and sexuality
• Class and inequality
• Quantitative data, numeracy and data literacy 

Key contacts

• Wellbeing, Health and Communities: Dr Natalie Hammond [email protected]  
• Academic Quality Committee:  Prof Karen Pashby [email protected] and Dr Sarah Campbell [email protected] 

Other enquiries

• School of Sociology and Criminology: Dr Caitlin Nunn [email protected]
• Department of Education: Dr Harriet Rowley [email protected]
• Department of Social Care and Social Work: Dr Caroline Leah [email protected]
• General academic queries: contact Prof Karen Pashby  [email protected] or Dr Sarah Campbell [email protected]
• Admin enquiries: contact [email protected] 

To apply, you will need to fill out an online application form:

Apply for a research degree | Manchester Metropolitan University

Before applying, we strongly advise you to discuss your research with a relevant academic through the pathway leads. 

Information Sessions for guidance on the application process

Applicants who are interested in the WRDTP Pathway, AQM, ADA and WRDTP/SHF Awards are invited to attend an information session for guidance on the application process hosted by WRDTP. The session will be held online on the following date:

Pathway, AQM, ADA and WRDTP/SHF Awards:

• Wednesday 8 October 2025: 17:30 – 18:30

To book your place on a session, please follow this link.

The session will run on a virtual basis, via Zoom. You will receive a reminder email with the link to your session, nearer the time of your workshop.

If you are unable to attend but would like to receive further information, please indicate this via the form. Slides/recordings from the event will be posted on our website in due course, and you will be emailed once these are available.

The White Rose selection process involves two stages. 

Stage one  

First, you will need to contact an academic (or one of the pathway leads if you aren’t sure) to discuss your research. With their expertise and guidance, you will develop a project proposal.  

Then you will need to make a formal application for a PhD at Manchester Met. As part of this application, you will need to upload the supporting documents listed below to the application portal in order to satisfy MMU’s entry requirements:

1. WRDTP Studentship Application Form (please send this to [email protected]). Please download a copy of the WRDTP Studentship Application Form here.
2. Degree transcripts. These should include details of the modules taken. If you are currently studying for a degree, interim transcripts should be provided wherever possible.
3. ESRC WRDTP Studentships - EDI Monitoring Form
4. Qualifications and certificates, with English translation for non-UK qualifications
5. Your CV
6. A copy of your passport
7. Two letters of reference, of which one must relate to your most recent academic qualification*
8. Proof of English language proficiency where relevant*

*please note that if you do not have two letters of reference and/or Proof of English language proficiency (where relevant) by 5pm, the 5^th January 2026, you can supply these at a later stage. However, we would encourage you to have the documents listed above included in your application. We will take a holistic approach to ensure that applicants with clear potential to flourish as doctoral researchers are nominated for awards. 

Stage two  

As WRDTP studentship awards are highly competitive, applications are reviewed internally at Manchester Met, and only the strongest applications are selected to be nominated for the DTP’s studentship competition. If your application progresses to this second stage, you will be notified about any further requirements. The WRDTP assess the quality of all applications and project proposals to determine who will receive funding. Successful candidates will be announced by 24 April 2026. 

Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with the WRDTP assessment criteria. 

You must apply for a place on your chosen PhD programme by 5:00pm on 05 January 2026 to be considered for nomination for a WRDTP award. 

If you are successful in being nominated, you will receive the notification of this, and Doctoral Services will compile a nomination pack on your behalf.

Nominations will be sent to the WRDTP by Doctoral Services by 5:00pm on 25 February 2026.  

Outcomes will be communicated by 24 April 2026.