ESRC Wales DTP

Group of postgraduate researchers drinking coffee and sitting outside in Bay Campus

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Training the next generation of leading social scientists

The WGSSS (Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences) formerly ESRC Wales Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) trains top-level social scientists across Wales on a range of issues affecting society today. WGSSS is a collaboration between Cardiff University, and Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the University of South Wales, the University of Gloucestershire, and Swansea University. As an associate member of WGSSS, the University of Wales, Trinity St David participates in our shared training and researcher development.

It is building on and developing a track record of successful social science doctoral training collaboration in Wales – the WGSSS and its predecessor, have offered around 50 new postgraduate studentships every year. The WGSSS prepare doctoral students for their future careers through the generation of knowledge and building of intellectual capacities and research skills that allow outstanding contributions to be made to environmental, political, economic and social development.

WGSSS is part of a national network of 14 ESRC accredited Doctoral Training Partnerships across the UK providing PhD students with access to quality research training in the social and economic sciences

At Swansea University, WGSSS students also benefit from regular networking events, a local newsletter, student representatives on two campuses and a dedicated delivery team based in Swansea University's Postgraduate Research Office. This delivery team provides support and guidance for a range of queries, including recruitment, admissions, finance, progression, skills development and more.

The WGSSS recruits students in two ways: the Collaborative Call, in which you can apply for predetermined projects that include non-academic partners, and the General Call, in which you can develop your PhD studentship proposal.

Through its collaborative studentships, public, private or third sector organisations can have a genuine stake in a social science research project and a role in producing the next generation of leading social scientists. Collaborative studentships hosted by Swansea University include partners such as the NSPCC, the NHS, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Welsh Government, Brecon Beacons National Park, Welsh Water, Oxford University Press and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Swansea University hosts the following pathways: