ESRC funded students
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This section includes specific information for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded students. For all queries, please contact the College PGR Student Office - pgawards@ed.ac.uk
- ESRC Student Guidance - information for MSc by Research and PhD students funded by the ESRC.
- Claiming RTSG funds (Research Training Support Grant) - including information on eligibility, allowable and non-allowable costs, and how to claim.
General ESRC Student Guidance
The ESRC has devolved administration of its postgraduate awards to the University, represented by the CAHSS College Postgraduate Office.
The College PGR Student Office (pgawards@ed.ac.uk) will handle payments to students and changes to awards, and any queries related to the award.
All ESRC students must follow the UKRI Terms and Conditions.
UKRI Standard Terms and Conditions of Training Grant – 1st October 2025
SGSSS Handbook
https://www.sgsss.ac.uk/student-handbook/
ESRC funded students
The University of Edinburgh has around 75 ESRC funded students.
ESRC payments
Stipend
If you are in receipt of a maintenance grant/stipend, the stipend will be paid monthly in advance by BACS directly into your UK bank account. For example, your February stipend will be paid at the end of January.
Fees
Fees will be paid automatically to the University.
If you receive an email regarding fees you should contact The College PGR Student Office so they can remind the Fee Section of your funding: pgawards@ed.ac.uk
Research Training Support Grant (RTSG)
Depending on your SGSSS award, each student can access up to £750 - £940 per year during the funded period.
This is requested via the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) website.
Please contact the HEI Admin Lead, pgawards@ed.ac.uk with any RTSG queries.
Interruptions of study
If at some point in your studies you require a break for a month or more - for example, due to illness, personal problems, maternity leave - you must request an interruption of studies both from the University and from the ESRC (via pgawards@ed.ac.uk).
Interruptions of study can be requested via your supervisor. They cannot be granted retrospectively (by either the ESRC or the University) so please keep your Supervisor, the SPS PGR Support Team (pgresearch.sps@ed.ac.uk), and College PGR Student Office (pgawards@ed.ac.uk) informed.
Extensions to your study
If you are approaching your maximum end date of your studies and require more time, you can request an extension to your studies.
As with interruptions, extensions require approval from both the University and the ESRC.
Please note that while the University may approve a certain extension request, the ESRC may not. For example, the ESRC will not approve requests for any extra time due to employment.
Monitoring progression
The College PGR Student Office will monitor your progress via the University's reporting mechanisms - first year review and annual reports and submission dates. The University must comply with the ESRC submission rate criteria.
It is important that these reports are submitted each year in order the studentship can continue. Stipend payments may be delayed if a satisfactory report is not received.
Any change of supervision will require the permission of the SGSSS and thesis title should also be noted during the annual reviews.