WELCOME TO THE SOUTH COAST DTP
Through an exciting collaboration between the Universities of Southampton, Brighton, Portsmouth and Chichester, the South Coast DTP aims to deliver the latest developments in training in research methods and skills to produce highly qualified and rounded social scientists, equipped to meet contemporary economic and social challenges.
Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, the South Coast DTP will be awarding a minimum of 34 studentships per year to social scientists carrying out PhD studies, or Masters + PhD studies at its four partner institutions.
All four universities are home to research centres with global reputations for their expertise and excellence. The University of Southampton currently hosts ESRC centres of research excellence, including the National Centre for Research Methods and the Centre for Population Change – Connecting Generations.
The University of Portsmouth hosts the Centre for European and International Studies Research and the International Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology. The University of Brighton hosts the Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics, Centre for Arts and Wellbeing, and the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender. The University of Chichester hosts the Centre for Health and Applied Sport and Exercise Research.
Drawing on these, and coupled with each University’s reputation for excellence in research methods and advanced methodological techniques, the South Coast DTP aims to offer a unique academic environment for doctoral training.
Driven by its focus on world leading research which makes a difference, the SCDTP has seven key strategic priorities:
- STUDENT-CENTRED POSTGRADUATE TRAINING
- ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE TRAINING AND SOCIAL SCIENCE SUBJECT EXPERTISE
- INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH
- ENGAGEMENT WITH ESRC-FUNDED RESOURCES
- COLLABORATION AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE WITH PARTNERS
- PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
- FACILITATING NON-ACADEMIC IMPACT
4
institutions involved The Universities of Brighton, Chichester, Portsmouth and Southampton
34
studentships per year to social scientists carrying out PhD studies, or Masters + PhD studies at its four partner institutions
8
research centres with global reputations for their expertise and excellence across the four universities
Events
View AllDate: 26/01/2024
Final Year Conference 2024
NOC, University of Southampton
Date: 12/10/2023
Welcome Event for the new 2023-2024 SCDTP student cohort
Garden Court, Building 40, University of Southampton.
News
View AllNews
Winners of the 2024-25 SCDTP Impact Prizes
The ESRC SCDTP is delighted to announce the winner of the 2024-25...
Date: 13/10/2025
News
Applications Now Open: SCDTP Studentships for 2026/27
Studentship Call Opens We are pleased to announce that applications for fully...
Date: 29/09/2025
News
NEW Trauma in Research Special Interest Group (TiR SIG)
What are the unintended impacts of research on participants and on us,...
Date: 16/07/2025
Blog Posts
View AllBlog post
Success for a Researcher: Win with Humility, Lose with Gratitude
How would you define your success in a PhD? Curiosity often sparks promising PhD research, while tenacity—whether innate or developed—is essential...
Date: 13/10/2025
Blog post
A Report on the SCDTP Visit to Parliament, Research, Policy and...
In his seminal play on the chasms between state schooling and Britain’s universities, The History Boys, English playwright Alan Bennett
Date: 12/10/2025
Blog post
Embedding Trusted Research into Parliamentary Decision Making
The Palace of Westminster is home to the House of Commons, House of Lords, and globally recognised features such as the Big Ben bell in the Elizabeth Tower, with the word ‘Westminster’ synonymous with UK Parliament.
Date: 11/10/2025