South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership - University of Chichester

South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership - University of Chichester
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South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership
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ESRC funded bursary for your PhD studies
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Supporting World Class Social Science Research
The University of Chichester is one of four universities making up the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) – an exciting collaboration delivering the latest in research methods and skills training for social scientists.
Backed by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the South Coast DTP provides a wide range of funding opportunities to doctoral students, as well as some incredible opportunities for postgraduate and postdoctoral study. It aims to support the next generation of highly qualified and well-rounded social scientists, equipping them to understand and respond to pressing economic and social challenges.
Application dates for the 2026/27 academic year
Applications open: 26 September 2025
Application deadline: 16 January 2026 at 5pm
These fully-funded studentships are available for PhD programmes (for 3.5 years) or Masters + PhD programmes (1+3.5 years). The University of Chichester will be supporting applications in the subject pathways of
Sport, Leisure and Tourism and Psychology (Social Sciences)
What the South Coast DTP Offers to Applicants
In addition to covering the cost of programme fees, those in receipt of a South Coast DTP studentship will also receive
an annual maintenance grant of £20,780
(2025/26 UKRI rate).
South Coast DTP students will also have access to additional funding for things such as carrying out fieldwork, purchasing essential equipment and attending academic conferences.
Entry Requirements
Academic entry requirements
1+3.5 funding
Applicants must have or expect to gain:
· a good honours degree at first or upper second-class level, from a UK academic higher education institution, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience that is equivalent to a relevant UK degree.
Applicants are also required to submit a research proposal of 750 words.
+3.5 PhD funding
Applicants must have:
· a good honours degree at first or upper second-class level, from a UK academic higher education institution, or a combination of qualifications and/or experience that is equivalent to a relevant UK degree.
And have or expect to gain:
· a level of research training that would allow them to proceed directly to PhD. This is usually gained through the attainment of a previous masters qualification in the social sciences with a Merit grade.
Applicants are also required to submit a research proposal of 1,500 words.
English language entry requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must have successfully completed a Secure English language Test (SELT) in the last two years. Applicants who have obtained a UK degree in the last three years or who are currently studying for a UK degree may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made. See
UK Government guidance
for full details.
English language IELTS requirements should be 7.0 overall, including at least a 7.0 for writing, and none below 6.0.
Residential eligibility
For this additional call for October 2024 entry, only applications from Home (UK) students can be accepted.
The ESRC guidelines for funding stipulate that if successful, students must live within reasonable access to the institution they are registered at.
Further information on residential eligibility is available on the
SCDTP website
How to Apply
To apply for the South Coast DTP you will need to apply through both the University of Chichester and through SCDTP itself. Please follow the instructions below.
The deadline for both applications is Friday 16 January 2026 at 5pm
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to potential supervisors, whose research interests and expertise match well with their intended area(s) of study. We want to hear from you.
1 - University of Chichester Postgraduate Form
Please
contact our PGR Support Team
to obtain an application number.
Download and complete section 1 of the form linked below.
Applicants applying for
1+3.5 funding
should apply to the masters programme; applicants applying for
3.5 and 4.5 funding
should apply to the PhD programme.
Email the form to
pgrsupport@chi.ac.uk
Download an Application Form
Your form will be circulated to the appropriate academics so we can identify any supervision options and arrange an interview with you.
Please proceed to completing part 2 of the application - submitting a form via the SCDTP portal. You do not need to wait for a response from us before submitting your SCDTP application.
2 - South Coast DTP Funding Application Form
An application form must be submitted to the South Coast DTP for the studentship. Please use the application number given to you by the research office when completing the University of Chichester application.
If you have submitted the application for the previous round and would like to resubmit, please kindly contact SCDTP office with your application number. The SCDTP office can reopen the application for you to update. You must resubmit by the deadline to be eligible.
To register and complete your online application, please follow the link below:
South Coast DTP Application Portal
If you have any questions regarding the SCDTP or its application procedure, please
send them an email
for more information.
SCDTP Prospective Staff Supervisors
Dr Suzanne Everley
Reader in the Sociology of Physical Education, Activity and Health.
I am able to support applications that focus on listening to children’s voices in sport, including with particular reference to welfare and safeguarding. I have conducted research for the Child Protection in Sport Unit of the NSPCC in understanding how National Governing Bodies listen to children in sport and am now involved with the FA supporting the development of an ever-safer culture in football by centralising children’s voices. I am a member of the Association of Child Protection Professionals and founding Chair of its Safeguarding in Sport Special Interest Group.
Having supervised women’s leadership in sport PhDs and as Development Lead for the University of Chichester’s Women’s Leadership in Sport programme I am also able to offer support in this field.
Contact:
S.Everley@chi.ac.uk
Dr Jenny Smith
I am seeking to support applications that focus on drowning prevention, including with particular reference to hazard detection and the development and evaluation of water safety programs.
I have conducted research for the Royal Life Saving Society and Royal National Lifeboat Institution to understand the cognitive processes that underpin hazard detection performance.
I am a chartered practitioner psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council, a committee member for the International Life Saving Federation, a member of the International Drowning Research Alliance, and member of the Occupational Performance Research Group.
Contact:
jenny.smith@chi.ac.uk
Dr Chris Pocock
I am interested in skill acquisition in sport and other domains, including how individuals develop perceptual skill and how to design effective practice environments for skill learning.
I am currently involved in multiple projects related to visual exploratory activity (scanning) in sporting environments, including using virtual reality headsets to test and train scanning in women’s football.
I have experience in leading (and supervising) quantitative and qualitative research projects, which has included interviewing international Rugby Union players and coaches to support effective practice design.
Contact:
c.pocock@chi.ac.uk
Dr Jordan Matthews
My research focuses on gender and leadership in sport. I am looking to support a studentship to examine the effectiveness of Women’s Leadership Development Programmes (WLDPs) given the strong connection that the University has with delivery of its own branded WLDP (‘WSLA’; www.wsla.co.uk) and the emergence of similar programmes nationally and globally.
I have been commissioned twice by UK Sport since 2021 to analyse gender and leadership amongst international sport organisations. I have experience of two doctoral supervisory completions premised on women’s leadership in sport. I am also interested in exploring women’s leadership in esports.
Contact:
jordan.matthews@chi.ac.uk
Dr Melissa Day
My research interests are in the psychology of injury and the impact of trauma and traumatic events. My research uses a range of qualitative methods and I specialise in the use of narrative inquiry.
I am also interested in how these methods lend themselves to translating knowledge and creating usable resources. I have experience working with a variety of charities, with the NHS, and with organisations.
Contact:
M.Day@chi.ac.uk
Professor Sam Blacker
Professor of Exercise Physiology & Nutrition.
I am seeking to support applications that focus on the following areas:
Practices or interventions to improve health, wellbeing and/or performance of individuals working in physically demanding occupations. Particularly where there is downstream impact of social benefits for the workers (employees or volunteers), organisations or public.
Improving health, wellbeing and social outcomes through a combination of physical activity and nutrition interventions. Particularly through engaging children and teenagers in sport and exercise.
Contact:
s.blacker@chi.ac.uk
Dr Phil Birch
My research interests are in performance psychology in both traditional sports and esports.
I am currently examining stress, coping, and mental ill health and the use of think aloud protocols to capture in-event cognitions.
I am Director of Studies for one fully funded PhD student examining heart rate variability as an indicator of self-regulation in esports and I will be Director of Studies for another South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership funded PhD student examining mental health in youth golfers.
Given my interest in mental health in a variety of contexts, I am keen to supervise projects which examine broader research questions within social sciences.
Contact:
P.Birch@chi.ac.uk
For more information on our research, please visit our
Centre for Health and Applied Sport and Exercise Research (CHASER)
centre.
Have a question?
For further information please contact Dr Suzanne Everley
s.everley@chi.ac.uk
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West Sussex, PO19 6PE
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