fully funded phd positions in uk

• Skip to content
• Skip to footer
• Accessibility options

• Business and employers
• Alumni and supporters
• For students

• Postgraduate research degrees
• Funding and studentships
• Funded PhD programmes 2024 UK

Funded PhD research programmes 2025 UK

The University of Brighton invites applicants for PhD study across all its disciplines, and highlights regular opportunities to develop applications for full-funding or partial funding.

These opportunities allow motivated, high-calibre applicants for research degrees to join our thriving academic community and contribute to our rich and innovative research environment. 

Our funding pages publicise any funding offered directly from the university, partnership funds to which we can help students apply, and other financial help that can allow students to study at doctoral level. Our processes often allow us to support promising candidates for applications to external funders and, if unsuccessful, we welcome self-funded applicants to programmes .

Please visit our PhD funding advice page  for current offers or see below for further general advice about applying for a funded PhD in the UK. 

Visit our PhD disciplinary programme lists

Current funding opportunities for study at the University of Brighton, UK

The University of Brighton is proud to be a partner in five Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTP) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT), and  funding opportunities are currently available through two of them for doctoral, PhD degree study starting in autumn 2025. 

South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

The ESRC-funded DTP aims to develop the next generation of research leaders in social science in academia, government, business and civil society.

Techne Doctoral Training Partnership

This AHRC-funded DTP draws together traditional scholarship, history, theory and practice across seven universities, with collaboration from world-leading partners.

University of Brighton funding opportunities

On this page we post all funding opportunities available through the University of Brighton, its partners and networks. 

Applying for PhD study

Depending on the discipline area, applicants for postgraduate research study may be:

• applying to work on specific, defined research projects
• applying to work with an academic department or individual with specific interests
• or applying with a self-identified research topic proposal.

When available, studentships are open to home and international students and will be given to candidates who best fulfil the promise outlined by these academic departments.

When funding schemes are open, the application will usually involve: 

• approaching and securing the assistance of a relevant member of the University of Brighton's academic staff
• submitting a full application through the university's PhD application portal; you will upload your research proposal as part of this process.
• The submission will typically require two references, academic qualifications, a proposed project approach and a personal statement.

Please note, funding schemes are only open at specific times of year. Applications for funding outside of these timeframes will not be considered. See our  PhD funding opportunities page  for details of any current funding calls.

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can watch the video on YouTube .

Can you be a researcher? Professor Bhavik Patel reassures applicants of all backgrounds that they can study for a PhD and aim for a research career. 

What does PhD funding include?

The funding for the PhD usually covers the full fee and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus an allowance of £1,500 per year for researcher training for three years (or part-time equivalent). 

Successful candidates benefit from expert supervisory teams, a programme of postgraduate researcher development workshops and membership of specialist, interdisciplinary research centres and groups. There will be introductions to a network of relevant researchers, careers advice and opportunities for interaction within and beyond the university. Through this, our PhD students have the best start possible towards ambitious careers that make use of their research degrees.

The University of Brighton fosters research careers and will provide doctoral training, attentive and expert supervision and access to world-class laboratories and equipment. 

We are renowned as a leading applied university, with pioneer academics in disciplines from sport science to design history and applied science research that translates efficiently to the global challenge of worldwide health and wellbeing. Our strategy of 'practical wisdom' leads to real-world partnerships and beneficiaries across all disciplines while the development of community-university partnership practices have placed us among the best universities for many aspects of co-produced research and innovation.

We pride ourselves on the ways we work in partnership with those outside higher education, across the European Union and internationally. Through our research collaborations we work with a wide range of universities, both internationally and with universities in the UK. We are also founding members of two UKRI Doctoral Training Partnerships which, this year, are dealt with outside our University of Brighton studentship offer. We learn constantly from our involvement in these, and our rich resources are offered across all doctoral research programmes.

Recently the University of Brighton celebrated its performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) and the Knowledge and Exchange Framework (KEF2023). Over 87 per cent of our submitted impact case studies in REF2021 were rated as having 'outstanding' or 'very considerable' impact beyond academia. We are dedicated to developing this quality work with new students. Read more about the review of our research and knowledge exchange performance in REF2021 . Also, read more about our KEF2023 results, which placed Brighton in the top tier for economic and social benefits .

How will you build a relationship with your supervisor? Professor Annebella Pollen and Dr Tom Ainsworth are among those offering advice. This film was made by the University of Brighton for UKRI and also features academics from other institutions.

How do I increase my chances of getting a PhD studentship?

You must be able to show your suitability for a UK research degree if you wish to apply for fully-funded studentships.

This includes evidence either of a relevant and successful academic background or equivalent relevant professional/expert background in the applied subject area. Applicants from overseas will also have to fulfil any English language and visa requirements.

This will be true for studentships in the UK across most of the UK universities. It is usual for applicants either to have completed (or be about to complete) a masters degree, have an exceptional undergraduate record and references, or demonstrate the equivalent scholarly potential.  

Supervisory staff and research students at the University of Brighton consider how important diverse thinking and inclusive practice are to their doctoral studies.

Can I get PhD funding at the University of Brighton?

We have a long-standing annual programme of funded PhD opportunities across all our disciplines, including several rooted in research council (UKRI) partnerships .

The initiatives allow postgraduate study for UK-based students as well as study in the UK for international students (depending on the PhD programme). 

We are also keen to encourage students who might be able to self-fund their doctoral studies. Studying part-time, for example, is likely to prove more affordable and more easily balanced with professional life than you'd imagine. 

We are dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere and structure for your studies. Show us your own qualities and your suitability for programmes as they become available and we will look forward to receiving your application. 

Please visit our  PhD funding advice page  for current offers or see below for further general advice about applying for a funded PhD in the UK. 

Insitutions and funding bodies for PhD study

On the Funding pages of our website we post advice as to the regular and specific funding opportunities available through the University of Brighton, its partners and networks. 

These include  Doctoral Training Partnership  and University of Brighton PhD studentship calls,  individual studentship projects , University of Brighton  international research scholarships  and our  alumni scholarships  for current and past students. 

We also include below some of the major funding options for international students wanting to do a PhD with us, each of which may support all or part of your studies.

Worldwide international funding schemes for PhD research

The british council.

The British Council offers a search engine for UK courses, institutions (including the University of Brighton) and scholarships.

Find out more about scholarships and funding through The British Council.

The Gen Foundation

The Gen Foundation considers applicants living in all countries. It is a charitable trust which principally provides grants to students/researchers in natural sciences, in particular food sciences/technology.

Find out more about grants to students and researchers from The Gen Foundation .

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender. Our multifaceted development approach aims to help communities and individuals become self-reliant.

Find out more about research funding through the Aga Khan development network .

The Open Society Foundations

The Open Society Foundations are active in more than 120 countries around the world, using grant-giving, research, advocacy, impact investment, and strategic litigation to support the growth of inclusive and vibrant democracies. The four main themes of the Open Society Foundations are climate justice, equity, expression, and justice and they will award grants and fellowships throughout the year to organisations and individuals who share those values. The Open Society Foundations look for grantees who have a vision and whose efforts will lead to lasting social change.

Find out more about postgraduate funding through The Open Society Foundations .

International Education and Financial Aid

The International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA) provides students from all over the world comprehensive information on financial aid for studying abroad. Using the IEFA website, you can easily search the IEFA database for scholarships, grants, loan programs, and other options available to help finance your international education.

Find out more about international PhD research funding through the IEFA .

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds 

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) awards PhD fellowships of two to three-and-a-half years to outstanding junior scientists worldwide who wish to pursue an ambitious PhD project in basic biomedical research in an internationally leading laboratory.

Find out more about the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds fellowships .

Resource sites for international PhD research funding

Internationalstudent.com.

InternationalStudent.com is a leading online resource for international students around the world providing advice pages for studying in the USA, UK and Australia for international students, plus a dedicated study abroad center for US students who want to travel abroad.

Find out more about international study through InternationalStudent.com .

ScholarshipTab

ScholarshipTab is an online portal that connects international students to available scholarship opportunities round the world.

Find out more about the Scholarship Tab resource .

International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA)

The IEFA provides students from all over the world comprehensive information on financial aid for studying abroad. Search the IEFA database for scholarships, grants, loan programs, and other options available to help finance your international education.

Find out more from the International Education and Financial Aid website .

The European Funding Guide 

Scholarships and grants for students from the European Union

Find out more through the European Funding Guide  

The Americas: Postgraduate doctorate funding from institutions and bodies to study in the UK

• Marshall Scholarship:  Provides for United States students to study abroad.
• Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship provides for United States students to study abroad.
• American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
• Global Affairs Canada International Scholarships Program
• Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund
• Canada's Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
• The Bolsas Lideres Estudar Program provides for Brazilian students studying in the UK .

Asia: Postgraduate doctorate funding from Asian institutions and bodies to study in the UK

The Charles Wallace Bangladesh Trust

The Charles Wallace Burma Trust

China and Hong Kong

Great Britain – China Educational Trust is a charity that promotes mutual understanding between the UK and China and aims to build long-term connections between the two countries. It delivers awards contributing towards university tuition fees and living expenses for Chinese nationality students studying for a PhD in any subject at a UK university.

Great Britain China Centre Chinese Student Awards  offers scholarships of up to £3,000 for citizens of China and Hong Kong studying for a PhD in any subject at a UK university

The Hong Kong People Association (HKPA)  aims to provide financial aids for further university education to students from Hong Kong who are not able to afford international tuition fees. 

The Charles Wallace India Trust  offers PhD funding for study in the arts, heritage conservation or the humanities.

The Inlaks India Foundation

The JN Tata Endowment award funds 90 to 100 scholars across disciplines ranging from the sciences to management, law and commerce and the fine arts.

The KC Mahindra Education Trust

The Persia Educational Foundation Abdolreza Ansari Scholarship   is designed to support the education of students of Iranian descent enrolled in a Master or Doctorate programme in human rights or public service in the UK.

Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships  offer partial funding scholarships for international students of Iranian descent towards a PhD in any subject.

The Kenneth Lindsay Scholarship Trust

The Anglo-Jewish Association (AJA)  provides funding for Jewish students to study a Masters or PhD in the UK.

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies  funds students of macroeconomics with a view to them working at the International Monetary Fund.

The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan . The HEC offers government scholarships for Pakistani students to study abroad in various countries, including the UK.

Saudi Arabia

The Cultural Bureau of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (SACB)  offers scope for full tuition fees and supporting fees for PhD level study.

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

The Thai Office of Educational Affairs 

Europe: Postgraduate doctorate funding from European institutions and bodies to study in the UK

The European Funding Guide  - Scholarships and grants in the EU.

France -  Entente Cordiale scholarships for postgraduate studies  provide funding to help students enrolling for a Masters or a PhD qualification in the UK or in France.

Italy -  Il Circolo Italian Cultural Association is a UK-registered charity based in London with the mission to support deserving students with awards and scholarships.

Norway - Lanekassen  - The Norwegian student loans and grants awarding body supports Norwegian students studying overseas.

Scandinavia - Fundraising.how  - article database offering funding advice for Scandinavian students.

Sweden - CSN -  loans and grants for Swedish students studying overseas.

Australia: funding for PhD study in the UK

The Australia Day Foundation  offers grants to young Australians for fees and course materials.

Africa: funding for PhD study in the UK

Sudan -  The Gordon Memorial College Trust Fund (GMCTF)

Studentships and doctoral training

Get a studentship to fund your doctorate.

UKRI studentships offer funding for doctoral research. They also offer you access to training, networking and development opportunities to help you build a research and innovation career.

Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You could get:

• a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments
• support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)

The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back. Some research organisations may offer more if you study in London, or they or one of their collaborators might decide to top up the payment. This will be outlined in the studentship advert from the research organisation.

We normally pay the support for tuition fees directly to your research organisation.

The levels given here are for the academic year 2024 to 2025. UKRI’s approach to doctoral stipend and fee levels will be reviewed through the  new deal for postgraduate research .

Additional support for your doctoral studies

As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you may be able to access additional funding to cover the cost of other related training and development opportunities.

This could include:

• conference attendance
• language training
• overseas research visits
• internships or placements with a non-academic partner

The availability of support will depend on the research organisation and the training grants they have on offer. You should contact the research organisation you are interested in applying to, to find out what you could get.

Extra support if you have a disability

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

You should speak to your research organisation’s disability advisor to assess your needs. They can help put the right support in place, including a DSA application if necessary. You cannot claim DSA directly from UKRI.

DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

The allowance covers:

• non-medical personal assistance
• specialist equipment
• extra travel costs
• general expenses

Find out more about DSA in our framework .

If you are a research organisation you can download claim forms and guidance for DSA .

Who can apply

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award, both the stipend to support living costs, and home-level fees at the UK research organisation rate.

How to find opportunities

Many UK research organisations offer some form of studentship funding from UKRI. These opportunities will depend on the subject you want to study and will normally be advertised by the research organisations.

Research organisations may have additional opportunities that do not involve UKRI. UKRI supports around 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You should speak to the research organisation you are interested in to find out what studentships are available.

You could also consider using a specialist website like   FindaPhD  to look for opportunities.

When to apply

Research organisations set their own deadlines for applications.

Many open for applications early in the academic year and close in January or February. This is not a hard and fast rule. It is important that you check the deadlines for the research organisation where you want to study.

How to apply

You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship. You must contact the research organisation you are interested in studying with and use their application process.

For doctoral students who are already studying with a studentship, there are opportunities to get additional funding to support placements that are separate from your doctorate. Get training and development to support your doctorate .

Last updated: 29 October 2024

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

• Postgraduate
• PhD and Professional Doctorates
• PhD opportunities

Fully funded PhD studentships

Come and be a part of our mission to change the world – we're offering 45 fully-funded PhD studentships for committed, talented, future researchers who want to make a difference in three, key challenge areas.

With world-class facilities, dedicated doctoral support, and a wide portfolio of interdisciplinary and collaborative research programmes NTU is the place to truly realise your potential.

Our research is focused into three key challenge areas where we believe we can create and deliver meaningful and lasting change for society. We’re now actively seeking talented PhD candidates for fully-funded research projects in these areas.

You can find details of the studentships available below:

Digital, Technology and Creative PhD Studentships

Our fully funded digital, technology and creative studentships have been designed to push the limits of virtual reality, artificial intelligence and digital design.

Health Innovation PhD Studentships

Shape the future of healthcare and improve people’s lives with a fully funded PhD studentship.

Safety and Sustainability PhD Studentships

Learn more about the studentship opportunities available in the theme of safety and sustainability.

How we support you

Finance shouldn't be a barrier to delivering world-leading research. Our ethos is ‘success for all’, so if you’ve got the talent, the perspectives and the capacity to drive change, we’ll support you. In return for the contribution you'll make to our research activity, our fully-funded PhD studentships will:

• cover the full cost of your PhD fees
• fund the research project, including field or lab work
• provide a tax-free stipend for your living expenses.

You’ll also be able to access support to present your work at at least one  conference. All of our studentships are open to both UK and international students.

As a doctoral candidate at NTU you will become a big part of an interdisciplinary community of like-minded people who are passionate about driving innovation In Digital, Technology and Creative, Health Innovation and Safety and Sustainability with a full programme of events, seminars and sandpits.  You will also automatically become a member of our institution-wide Doctoral School which offers a comprehensive programme of training and events that support all our doctoral candidates to grow, change, learn, and to build their interdisciplinary networks. You'll be able to access workshops on everything from academic writing to innovative research methods, from  healthy research practices to open research and publishing. We support our candidates throughout their doctoral journey, enabling them to reach their potential as developing experts in their field.

How to apply 

The closing date for applications is Friday 14 February 2025 .

Take a look at the projects available and get guidance on how to submit your application.

Find out more at a webinar

Find out about research at NTU and the PhD studentship opportunities available at a webinar. Hear from our staff and get the answers to any questions you have.

Digital, Technology and Creative PhD Discovery Webinar Friday 13 December, 10 - 11 am

Health Innovation and Safety and Sustainability PhD Discovery Webinar

Tuesday 7 January, 2 - 3 pm

A diverse community

Hear how Farah Shahrin's research is helping communities to make more sustainable choices.

Our Doctoral School is a diverse and highly inclusive community; it enables its members to become confident, skilled researchers, regardless of their backgrounds.

Join us to help fulfil our boldest ambitions — to embrace sustainability, empower people, enrich society, and connect on a global scale. We believe in applied, meaningful research that delivers better answers. Be part of a community that champions your voice and experience.

By breaking down the financial barriers to PhD study, our fully funded studentships ensure you’ll have the freedom and confidence to deliver the kind of research that truly matters. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply.

Re:searchers Re:vealed

Here at NTU, our researchers come from a variety of backgrounds, and they all have a powerful story to tell. In this series, we share their stories.

Please start typing and select a location from the list

  Hide introduction

  View introduction

Find the latest PhD scholarships available at universities across the UK and globally. We regularly advertise new fully-funded PhD studentships and PhD scholarships in STEM, the humanities, business and management studies and the social sciences plus many more.

Find your ideal funded PhD opportunity in Engineering and Technology, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Languages and Literature or Biological sciences here. Updated regularly with new PhD opportunities across all disciplines.

699 PhDs Found

Agriculture, Food & Veterinary 19

Agriculture 15

Food Science 7

Veterinary Science 2

Architecture, Building & Planning 14

Architecture & Building 13

Urban & Rural Planning 8

Biological Sciences 168

Biochemistry 49

Biology 136

Genetics 41

Microbiology 42

Molecular Biology & Biophysics 48

Other Biological Sciences 94

Business & Management Studies 37

Accountancy & Finance 25

Business Studies 26

Hospitality & Leisure 4

Human Resources Management 7

Management 22

Marketing 12

Other Business & Management Studies 17

Real Estate Management 5

Computer Sciences 148

Artificial Intelligence 80

Computer Science 129

Cyber Security 11

Information Systems 31

Software Engineering 41

Creative Arts & Design 9

Other Creative Arts 7

Performing Arts 5

Economics 36

Education Studies (inc. TEFL) 13

Education Studies 0

Research Methods 2

Teacher Training 0

TEFL/TESOL 0

Engineering & Technology 252

Aerospace Engineering 59

Biotechnology 23

Chemical Engineering 73

Civil Engineering 42

Electrical & Electronic Engineering 88

Maritime Technology 9

Mechanical Engineering 101

Metallurgy & Minerals Technology 23

Other Engineering 117

Production Engineering & Manufacturing 41

Health & Medical 71

Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology 30

Medical Technology 20

Medicine & Dentistry 51

Nutrition 5

Pharmacology, Toxicology & Pharmacy 16

Historical & Philosophical Studies 21

Archaeology 4

History of Art 3

Philosophy 6

Theology & Religious Studies 6

Information Management & Librarianship 11

Curatorial Studies 4

Information Science 6

Librarianship 2

Other Information Management & Librarianship 4

Languages, Literature & Culture 20

Cultural Studies 10

Languages 15

Linguistics 7

Literature 10

Mathematics & Statistics 133

Mathematics 118

Statistics 71

Media & Communications 13

Communication Studies 11

Journalism 4

Media Studies 12

Publishing 5

Physical & Environmental Sciences 349

Chemistry 107

Environmental Sciences 122

Geography 53

Materials Science 94

Ocean Sciences 36

Other Physical Sciences 111

Physics & Astronomy 165

Politics & Government 31

Psychology 40

Social Sciences & Social Care 49

Anthropology 10

Human & Social Geography 16

Other Social Sciences 24

Social Policy 23

Social Work 6

Sociology 34

Sport & Leisure 7

Sports & Leisure Management 0

Sports Coaching 2

Sports Science 7

Administrative 0

Estates & Facilities Management 0

Finance & Procurement 0

Fundraising, Alumni, Bids & Grants 0

Health, Wellbeing & Care 0

Hospitality, Retail, Conferences & Events 0

Human Resources 0

International Activities 0

IT Services 0

Laboratory, Clinical & Technician 0

Legal, Compliance & Policy 0

Library Services, Data & Information Management 0

PR, Marketing, Sales & Communication 0

Project Management & Consulting 0

Senior Management 0

Sports & Leisure 0

Student Services 0

Sustainability 0

Web Design & Development 0

Integrated Masters / Doctorate 0

International Doctorate 1

Professional Doctorate 2

EU Students 479

International Students 437

Self-funded Students 59

UK Students 682

Kisumu County 1

Guangdong Province 1

Hong Kong 3

Singapore 1

Lower Austria 1

Politischer Bezirk Tulln 1

Klosterneuburg 1

North Rhine-Westphalia 1

Paderborn 1

County Dublin 1

Metropolitan City of Milan 5

Metropolitan City of Florence 1

Luxembourg 2

Catalonia 1

Barcelona 1

Switzerland 1

Canton of Bern 1

Bern-Mittelland District 1

United Kingdom 676

England 614

Bath and North East Somerset 7

Berkshire 2

Brighton and Hove 6

Bristol City 12

Cambridgeshire 25

Cambridge 25

Central Bedfordshire 7

Cranfield 6

County Durham 1

Okehampton 1

Colchester 13

Gloucestershire 2

Cheltenham 2

Greater London 52

Greenwich 1

Kingston upon Thames 3

Greater Manchester 23

Manchester 22

Hertfordshire 1

Harpenden 1

Canterbury 2

Kingston upon Hull 3

Lancashire 4

Lancaster 4

Leicester 1

Leicestershire 47

Loughborough 46

Loughborough University 1

Lincolnshire 1

Merseyside 4

Liverpool 4

Milton Keynes 10

Oxfordshire 24

Plymouth 17

South Yorkshire 16

Sheffield 16

Southampton 52

Guildford 5

Tyne and Wear 22

Newcastle 1

Newcastle upon Tyne 22

Warwickshire 1

West Midlands 93

Birmingham 74

Coventry 20

West Yorkshire 20

Northern Ireland 3

Newry, Mourne And Down 1

Scotland 33

Edinburgh 32

Glasgow City 1

Rhondda Cynon Taff 2

Pontypridd 2

On Site 695

Up to £9,999 1

£10,000 - £14,999 1

£15,000 - £19,999 286

£20,000 - £24,999 32

£25,000 - £29,999 3

£30,000 - £39,999 2

£40,000 - £49,999 6

£50,000 - £59,999 3

£60,000 - £69,999 0

£70,000 - £79,999 0

£80,000 - £89.999 0

£90,000 - £99,999 0

Over £100,000 0

Full Time 695

Part Time 36

Permanent 40

Fixed-Term/Contract 659

Commercial Organisations 0

European Universities and Colleges 17

North American Universities and Colleges 0

Other Public Sector 2

Public Sector - Education 1

Research and Other Institutes 1

UK and Irish HE Institutions 674

UK FE Colleges 0

• Date Placed
• Closing Date

Welcome to jobs.ac.uk’s PhD Studentship section. Here you can find the latest PhD scholarships available at universities across the UK and globally. We regularly advertise new fully-funded PhD studentships and PhD scholarships in STEM, the humanities, business and management studies and the social sciences plus many more. Find your ideal funded PhD opportunity in Engineering and Technology, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Languages and Literature or Biological sciences here. Updated regularly with new PhD opportunities across all disciplines.

PhD Alert Created

Job alert created.

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Account Verification Missing

In order to create multiple job alerts, you must first verify your email address to complete your account creation

jobs.ac.uk Account Required

In order to create multiple alerts, you must create a jobs.ac.uk jobseeker account

Alert Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your account is currently blocked. Please login to unblock your account.

Email Address Blocked

We received a delivery failure message when attempting to send you an email and therefore your email address has been blocked. You will not receive job alerts until your email address is unblocked. To do so, please choose from one of the two options below.

Max Alerts Reached

A maximum of 5 Job Alerts can be created against your account. Please remove an existing alert in order to create this new Job Alert

Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your alert was not created at this time. Please try again.

Create PhD Alert

Create job alert.

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria. When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

Max Saved Jobs Reached

A maximum of 500 Saved Jobs can be created against your account. Please remove an existing Saved Job in order to add a new Saved Job.

Please sign in or register for an account to save a job.

Wondering if a PhD is right for you? What is it like to take on a PhD? What can you do with a PhD once you’ve finished? We have lots of advice on all these topics in our career advice section.

What Can You Do With a PhD?:

Are you thinking about a PhD as the next stage in your educational and professional development? It’s an exciting road to travel with many potential benefits and opportunities. But you have to earn it first so considering what’s involved is important.

What is it really like to do a PhD?

Watch our vlog series, where real PhD students from all walks of life and various levels of study recorded themselves to showcase what undertaking a PhD is actually like.

PhD Funding – A Checklist of Possible Sources

Funding bodies support PhD students in different ways. Some pay course fees only, some include a stipend (maintenance costs) or travel expenses, and others offer a one-off award to ease the financial burden of academic study.

Make sure you never miss out on the perfect PhD opportunity by signing up to our jobs by email service , and for more helpful articles head to our career advice site .

Targeted PhDs

Copyright © jobs.ac.uk 1998 - 2024

• Career Advice
• Jobs by Email
• Advertise a Job
• Terms of use
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Accessibility Statement

Browser Upgrade Recommended

For the best user experience, we recommend viewing jobs.ac.uk on one of the following:

Website navigation

In this section

• Imperial Home
• Fees and funding
• Postgraduate doctoral
• Grants and scholarships

President's PhD scholarships

• What the scholarship covers

Check if you're eligible

How to apply, review and selection, when you'll hear, current scholar or imperial staff member.

If you have a question about the application process/application form, please speak with the relevant Admissions department and/or your department or supervisor.

If you have a question about our President's PhD Scholarships, please email the Student Financial Support team:  [email protected]

If you are a high performing undergraduate or Master's student and have a strong desire to undertake a PhD programme at a world-class research institution, a President's PhD Scholarship could provide you with the outstanding opportunity to receive full funding for tuition fees and a generous stipend for a 3.5 year PhD place at Imperial College London.

The President’s PhD Scholarships allow students to undertake a research project of their choosing with the support of an excellent supervisor, alongside cohort-building opportunities with other President's PhD Scholars.

Meet our scholars

Read stories of Imperial students who have received a President's PhD Scholarship.

What the scholarship covers

Each of the 50 scholarships available provides the following support during the 3.5 years of study:

• Full funding for tuition fees
• A stipend of for is £25,224 (2024/25 rate)  per annum to assist with living costs 
• A consumables fund of £2,000 per annum for the first 3 years of study
• A programme of bespoke opportunities and events delivered by the Graduate School

You will also have access to the  full range of support available to postgraduates at Imperial, including tailored support for disabled and international students, and the wider Graduate School programme of professional skills courses.

This competitive scheme has higher than usual eligibility requirements, attracting candidates that show excellent academic performance and promising research potential. 

We accept applications from talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK and worldwide. There are no restrictions on nationality.

The scholarship applies to both full- and part-time study.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, as we recognise that diversity not only benefits Imperial but also helps the sector to better represent the communities that we serve.

Academic criteria

• Candidates must be in receipt of, or due to receive, a  first class or equivalent  in an undergraduate or integrated Masters degree; or if this has not been achieved
• Candidates must be in receipt of (or where this has yet to be received be able to provide evidence of high performance that will lead to) a distinction in a standalone Master’s qualification.

This allows candidates who have demonstrated excellence at Master's level, but not achieved a first class undergraduate degree, to be able to apply to the scheme.

Candidates with only a single undergraduate degree or integrated Master’s must still must be in receipt of, or due to receive, a first class or equivalent.

Alternate Pathways

At Imperial we are committed to attracting, nurturing and championing the best local, national and global talent by providing equality of opportunity and removing barriers.  Through the Alternate Pathways route, candidates with non-traditional academic and/or career pathways, who show exceptional research potential can apply for this scholarship.  

Other criteria

• Applications are accepted from talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK and worldwide. There are no restrictions on nationality, although some departments may be unable to support international candidates.
• The scheme is only open to new PhD applications. Current registered Imperial PhD students are  not eligible  to be considered for a President's PhD Scholarship.

Read our scholarships terms and conditions .

Applications for this scholarship scheme will be considered at three points throughout the academic year – see 'When you'll hear' below.

Before you apply

• You must have made contact with a supervisor in an academic department at Imperial College London who has agreed to supervise your research project.
• Supervisors are limited to supervise one scholar at any time. Please review the  President's PhD Scholarships - Unavailable Supervisors page for more information.

Application process

• There isn't specific scholarship application form. 
• You should submit your application for admission to study at Imperial through our  online admissions system  and your department will put you forward for the scholarship based on academic merit and potential.

Scholarship-specific instructions for the admissions process are below; you must also meet any additional application requirements stated by your department of choice.

Additional admissions instructions

• For the 2025–26 academic year, the earliest start date for funded places is 1 August 2025, the latest start date is 1 November 2025.
• the first page should be a personal statement (motivations for applying to Imperial and the scholarship, and any other supporting information not included elsewhere on the form that you feel will enhance your application)
• the second page should be your research proposal. You may submit updated versions of this statement if required following application submission if your department shortlists you for the scholarship. You are encouraged to write in the first person. 
• When prompted for the names of  two academic referees , these should be people who can provide an academic reference in support of your application (e.g. your personal tutor or your thesis supervisor). You should not include your proposed PhD supervisor. You are encouraged to share this guidance  with your two referees, noting, in particular, the recommendation to use ‘they/them’ language (rather than gender pronouns).
• To be considered for the President's PhD Scholarship scheme, you must select this option in the funding section of the additional questions tab within the online application form.

50 scholarship places are available. Applications will be reviewed by a two-stage process:

• Candidates meeting or predicted to meet the eligibility criteria will be reviewed by the Department to which they have applied. Departments will select a shortlist of candidates to present to the College Selection Panel for consideration. 
• A Faculty allocation stage will score and rank candidates in Departmental shortlists, making initial offers to the most promising candidates. Faculty Vice Deans present these candidates with justification for offers at the College Selection Panel.
• The College Selection Panel makes additional offers from a ring-fenced allocation to candidates that meet widening participation or other strategic alignment goals. 

Assessment criteria

Candidates are assessed by the Faculties and College Selection Panel against the following criteria:

• past academic results
• transcripts
• relative class position
• distinctions
• the candidate’s research experience to date
• their interest in discovery
• the research plan and its potential contribution as described in their research proposal
• the departmental statement, which also reflects on performance at interview

Successful candidates will receive written confirmation of their scholarship. Any offer of a PhD place will be conditional on the candidate receiving the predicted qualifications.

Applicants not selected for the scholarship will automatically be considered for a standard PhD.

Successful candidates will receive written confirmation of their scholarship. Any offer of a PhD place will be conditional on the candidate receiving the predicted qualifications.

• Applicants who apply by 23:59 (UK time) 4 November 2024  and are awarded a scholarship will be notified by  end of January 2025. 
• Applicants who apply by 23:59 (UK time) 9 January 2025  and are awarded a scholarship will be notified by  end of March 2025.
• Applicants who apply by 23:59 (UK time) 10 March 2025  and are awarded a scholarship will be notified by end of May 2025.

If you're a current Imperial President's PhD Scholar or Imperial staff member, please find information for you at the following links:

• information for current scholars
• information for Imperial staff