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
SCDTP Researcher Sadie Rockcliffe Featured on BBC News
We’re thrilled to see Sadie Rockcliffe in the spotlight for her work...
Date: 13/06/2025
News
🎙️ Speaking of Research, the SCDTP Podcast Series : Episode 5
We’re excited to launch Speaking of Research: the SCDTP podcast, the first...
Date: 10/06/2025
News
🎙️ Speaking of Research, the SCDTP Podcast Series : Episode 4
We’re excited to launch Speaking of Research: the SCDTP podcast, the first...
Date: 03/06/2025
Blog Posts
View AllBlog post
Exploring the Rich Heritage of Mijikenda: A Glimpse into the Giriama...
In November 2024, I was given the opportunity by the SCDTP to be a part of a research trip to Mombasa, Kenya
Date: 11/06/2025
Blog post
A big step for a quantitative researcher
While doing a placement at the end of 2024, I had the opportunity to participate in the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP) research trip to Mombasa.
Date: 30/04/2025
Blog post
Continuous Colonial Clouds: Tear gas and the enduring legacies of Empire...
As subtle chills began to descend on Nairobi, Kenya, in July and August of last year the city’s residents begun to notice increasingly persistent bouts of eye pain, whilst others spoke of headaches and increasing mental distress
Date: 17/03/2025