Discover Funding Opportunities

Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026

The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026 program offers up to 5 fully funded research scholarships for Home fee-rated students at the University of Leeds for Session 2026/27. The scholarships are available for study in any Faculty and support full-time or part-time research leading to a PhD degree. The fully funded research scholarship is available for 3.5 years for full-time study, pro-rata for part-time study. The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26) for full-time study, with part-time awards pro-rated. This amount increases annually in line with the UKRI rate. Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years. The award is made for one year initially and is renewable for up to 2.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Applicants must hold a First Class Honours degree or equivalent, though candidates with a lower undergraduate mark may be considered if they have or are expected to receive a Distinction in a relevant Masters programme or can demonstrate relevant alternative experience. The scholarships are available for new postgraduate researchers who have not previously been awarded a PhD or are not currently registered on a PhD program. Selection is based on academic merit through a two-stage process involving School nomination and final selection by the University Scholarship Selection Panel. Successful applicants must take up the award by 1 October 2026 and live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of the scholarship. The scholarships are available for research degree study across seven faculties: Arts, Humanities and Cultures; Biological Sciences; Business; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Environment; Medicine and Health; and Social Sciences.

Social Sciences Access to Research Doctoral Scholarships

The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Leeds is inviting applications for doctoral scholarships specifically for UK Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups currently underrepresented within postgraduate research. Two scholarships are available for students to undertake PhD research within the Faculty's four schools: Education, Law, Politics and International Studies, and Sociology and Social Policy. Scholarship holders will have access to world-leading facilities and supervision, and to research centres which shape the research and innovation agenda within and beyond the social sciences. All postgraduate researchers in the Faculty are members of the Social Sciences Graduate School, bringing together a socially, culturally and intellectually diverse community of doctoral researchers in an interdisciplinary research environment geared to addressing global challenges. These scholarships are available on either a 1+3.5 (Masters and 3.5 year PhD) or a +3.5 (3.5 year PhD) basis, or part-time equivalent. Each scholarship covers full UK research degree fees and a maintenance grant at current UKRI rates (£20,780 in 2025/26). Research proposals should clearly demonstrate alignment with the research priorities and areas of expertise of one or more of the Faculty Schools, with interdisciplinary proposals particularly encouraged. Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate and must self-identify as being from UK Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups. The selection process is based on academic merit, with applicants normally requiring at least an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree and a Masters degree with Merit grade or equivalent.