Applications are now OPEN!

Essex Summer School Scholarship for Q-Step students

The Essex Summer School in Social Science Data Analysis (ESS) invites applications for the Q-Step Scholarship from undergraduate students currently enrolled in a Q-Step programme. These scholarships are designed for outstanding students who are seeking to further strengthen their methodological expertise.

Participation in ESS provides advanced training in quantitative social science methods, enabling students to:

  • Deepen their technical and analytical skills.
  • Strengthen the methodological foundation of their dissertation.
  • Enhance their academic profile and their postgraduate or professional prospects.

Eligibility
Applicants must:

  • Be enrolled in a Q-Step programme at their home institution at the time of application.
  • Have achieved first-class marks (or equivalent) in their quantitative methods modules.

Award
The scholarship provides a full tuition waiver to attend one in-person two-week session at the 59th Essex Summer School (University of Essex, July 2026). The tuition waiver includes essential course support materials (e.g., required books and access to software).

How to apply

  1. Complete the Microsoft Forms application: ESS 2026 – Q-Step Scholarship. In the form, applicants will be required to:
    • List the quantitative methods modules they have completed or are currently undertaking.
    • Indicate the marks achieved in these modules.
    • Indicate what ESS course they intend to take if awarded the scholarship (full list here)
    • Explain how attending the ESS would benefit their academic development, particularly in relation to their dissertation or future plans (400 words max.).
  1. Email a copy of your grade report to essexsummerschoolssdascholarship@essex.ac.uk. Please use the subject line: “Q-Step Scholarship_[your last name]”. The grade report does not need to be official.

Only complete applications received by the deadline will be considered.

Selection criteria
Scholarships will be awarded based on:

  • Demonstrated academic excellence, particularly first-class performance in quantitative methods
  • The applicant’s explanation of how participation in the selected ESS course will contribute to the successful completion of their degree, to their dissertation, or to their postgraduate or professional plans

In case of a tie among best applicants, scholarships will be randomly allocated among those applications.

Key dates
Application deadline: 3 April 2026, 5pm (BST)
Notification of decisions: 20 April 2026
Acceptance of scholarship and ESS complete application: 5 May 2026

Given the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to notify non-recipients or to provide feedback on applications.

Points to note
Successful applicants will be required to submit an ESS application form within 2 weeks of receiving notice of the award. If the application form is not received within this timeframe, the ESS maintains the right to withdraw the award and offer it to another candidate.

By accepting the scholarship, participants are agreeing to be included in ESS promotional material, including photography that could be used on the ESS website.