Applications for 2023/24 are now closed.
The South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to provide postgraduate research training in the social sciences. The SWDTP is one of the UK’s largest centres of postgraduate research training for social scientists and comprises of staff and students from the Universities of Plymouth, Bath, Bristol, Exeter and the University of the West of England.
Pathways available at Plymouth:
The University of Plymouth joined the SWDTP in 2016 to provide research expertise in the human geography and psychology pathways. We have a wide range of opportunities for research study in these pathways based in relevant research centres and groups. Plymouth’s research is characterised by its partnerships with external organisations and provides excellent opportunities for placements during study and for research with impact. The ESRC SWDTP encourages collaboration across the universities of the partnership and with external organisations.
The SWDTP delivers a number of research training pathways. Each pathway may comprise two parts: a one year MSc course, followed by the three-year PhD research degree (1+3) or a stand-alone three-year research degree (+3).
Discipline-specific pathways (as part of the SWDTP):
| Pathway | Programme |
|---|---|
| Human geography (‘1+3’ PhD) | A one year MSc Social Research Methods followed by three years of doctoral (PhD) study |
| Human geography (‘+3’ PhD) | Three years doctoral (PhD) research for students that already hold a master’s degree recognised by the ESRC |
| Psychology (‘1+3’ PhD) | A one year MSc Psychological Research Methods followed by three years of doctoral (PhD) study |
| Psychology (‘+3’ PhD) | Three years doctoral (PhD) research for students that already hold a master’s degree recognised by the ESRC |
Research relevant to the human geography pathway at Plymouth is primarily associated with the Centre for Research in Environment and Society (CeRES). Details of our staff and their research interests can also be viewed on our school’s webpage.
Research relevant to the psychology pathway at Plymouth can be found within Research in the School of Psychology.
Initial enquiries
We strongly encourage you to discuss your proposed research topic with an academic staff member in your field. You can explore the member lists of Plymouth's research groups and centres or search staff profiles using subject-area search terms (e.g. citizenship) or an individual's name.
If you would like advice on potential supervisors, please contact Dr Simon Dickinson for the human geography pathway and Dr Patricia Kanngiesser for the psychology pathway.
We encourage applications from candidates who share research interests with any of our staff as detailed in the links above.
The ESRC SWDTP encourages collaboration across the universities of the partnership and with external organisations.
