Discover Funding Opportunities

Leeds University Business School PhD Excellence Scholarships 2026/27

Leeds University Business School offers 21 highly competitive PhD Excellence Scholarships across seven departments for the 2026/27 academic year. These scholarships provide full tuition fees plus a maintenance allowance matching UKRI rates (currently £20,780 in 2025/26) for 3.5 years of full-time study. The Business School is recognized globally for excellence in teaching and impactful research, with 90% of submitted research deemed 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the last REF. The scholarships are open to both UK and international applicants pursuing PhD research in areas including strategic innovation, digitalization and employment, UK growth and productivity, workplace inclusion, organizational and consumer behaviour, sustainable business, and global markets. The School maintains a vibrant community of around 210 postgraduate researchers and is committed to diversifying its community, particularly encouraging applications from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic communities, LGBT+ individuals, and people with disabilities. Part-time study options are available for UK applicants on a pro-rata basis.

PRHS Doctoral Scholarships 2026

Two full scholarships are available in the School of Philosophy, Religion, and History of Science in 2026/27. These scholarships cover home-rate fees and a maintenance payment, and are available for 3.5 years full-time study (part-time calculated pro-rata). These fully funded PhD places provide an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in a range of fields covered by the School: applied ethics; history of science; philosophy; and theology and religious studies. The School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science is committed to research excellence, productivity, and the international development of its disciplines. With around 50 research-active staff and almost 100 PhD students, the School has a diverse, lively, and robust community of researchers. The School's strong ethos of supporting research ensures high-quality research at the cutting edge of these disciplines, with staff publishing in peer-reviewed journals, serving on editorial boards and international research groups, and achieving an impressive record of research grant capture. Awards provide full academic fees and a maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26) for full-time study, with full-time awards providing full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and will renew each year subject to satisfactory academic progress.

Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship 2026

Up to 5 Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarships (LORS) are available to prospective postgraduate researchers from Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups for study in any Faculty at the University of Leeds in Session 2026/27. These scholarships are part of the University's wider commitment to postgraduate diversity and inclusion as outlined by the Access and Student Success Strategy (2025), including involvement with the Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE) and Generation Delta. The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26, increasing annually in line with the UKRI rate) for full-time study, with part-time options pro-rata. Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years. The LORS selection process acknowledges historic awarding gaps and barriers often faced by those from minoritised ethnic groups, with selection based on personal circumstances, personal statements, and financial declarations rather than solely on extra-curricular activities. Recipients also benefit from additional engagement, mentoring, and support from the PGR Diversity Team throughout their PhD studentship.

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.

School of History Access to Research Scholarship 2026/27

The School of History invites prospective postgraduate researchers from Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups who wish to study for a PhD commencing in the academic year 2026/27 to apply for the School of History Access to Research Scholarship. One full scholarship is available covering Home fees plus a maintenance stipend. The scholarship is open to prospective postgraduate researchers who are eligible to pay UK fees. This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in historical studies. The award is open to full-time candidates who have been offered a place on a PhD degree at the School of History. Applications are especially welcome that connect to the School's research interests in health histories, war and conflict, politics, diplomacy and international relations, empires and their aftermaths, women, gender and sexualities, and public histories. The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant for full-time study (part-time pro-rata). Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years.

School of Music International Research Scholarship

The School of Music invites applications for the School of Music International Research Scholarship from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27. The scholarship is open to prospective postgraduate researchers who are eligible for the International rate of tuition fees. One award is available each year for applicants who have been offered a PhD place in the School of Music. The School of Music at the University of Leeds has an international reputation for research, bringing together a community of acclaimed scholars, composers and performers. The scholarship especially welcomes applications that connect to the School's core research areas: Music as Culture (musicology exploring the role of music within historical, theoretical, literary, aesthetic, technological, popular, and interdisciplinary contexts); Music, Science and Technology (including music psychology, music and wellbeing, music technology, musical instrument studies, sound studies, and scientific perspectives on music); Making Music (composition, performance, and practice-based research methodologies); and Pedagogic Research in Music (research regarding teaching and learning processes, experiences, and contexts in music). The award provides full academic fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years (£20,780 in Session 2025/26) for full-time study. This amount increases per annum in line with the UKRI rate. Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the International (outside UK) rate and must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Scholarship. Awards must be taken up by 1 October 2026. Selection is based on academic merit. Applicants should hold a good honours degree (upper second class or first class) in a related discipline. A Masters degree isn't a requirement but applications are seen more favourably if applicants have one, ideally with a distinction or at least a merit, especially in the Masters dissertation.

School of Music Opportunity Research Scholarship

The School of Music at the University of Leeds invites applications for the School of Music Opportunity Research Scholarship from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27. The scholarship is open to prospective postgraduate researchers from Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups who are eligible for the Home/UK rate of tuition fees. One award is available each year for applicants who have been offered a PhD place in the School of Music. The School of Music at the University of Leeds has an international reputation for research, bringing together a community of acclaimed scholars, composers and performers. The scholarship especially welcomes applications that connect to the School's core research areas: Music as Culture (musicology exploring the role of music within historical, theoretical, literary, aesthetic, technological, popular, and interdisciplinary contexts); Music, Science and Technology (including music psychology, music and wellbeing, music technology, musical instrument studies, sound studies, and scientific perspectives on music); Making Music (composition, performance, and practice-based research methodologies); and Pedagogic Research in Music (research regarding teaching and learning processes, experiences, and contexts in music). The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26) for full-time study, with part-time options available on a pro-rata basis. This amount increases per annum in line with the UKRI rate. Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years. Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2026, and applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship. Applicants should hold a good honours degree (upper second class or first class) in a related discipline. A Masters degree is not a requirement but applications are viewed more favourably if candidates have achieved a distinction or at least a merit, especially in their Masters dissertation. The final list of awards is based on academic merit and no other factors such as financial hardship are taken into account.

Stanley Burton Research Scholarship 2026

The Stanley Burton Scholarship was established in 2000 from funds bequeathed by Mr Stanley Burton, who had a long association with the University of Leeds. The purpose of these Scholarships is to assist Home-rated postgraduate researchers to undertake research study in the School of Music at the University of Leeds. The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant for full-time study (or pro-rata for part-time), supporting doctoral research in music. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit and provides funding for 3.5 years for full-time students. Recipients must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds while holding the scholarship. Selection is made by the University of Leeds PGR Recruitment Group after initial shortlisting by the Admissions Team.