Leeds Doctoral Scholarship 2027 – Fully Funded PhD Scholarship at University of Leeds, UK

Summary

The University of Leeds is offering up to 5 Leeds Doctoral Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic session. The scholarship is open to UK/Home fee-rated students undertaking a new full-time or part-time PhD research programme in any Faculty at the University of Leeds.

The award provides full academic tuition fees and a maintenance grant of £21,805 per year (2026/27 rate) for full-time students. The maintenance payment will increase annually in line with the UKRI rate.

The scholarship supports full-time PhD study for 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic progress, and must commence by 1 October 2027.

Key Details

Designation

PhD Researcher / Postgraduate Researcher

Successful candidates will undertake doctoral research leading to the award of a PhD at the University of Leeds.

Research Area

The Leeds Doctoral Scholarship is available for research degree study across all Faculties of the University of Leeds.

Applicants may propose their own research project or apply for an available linked PhD project.

One currently listed project is:

Investigating the Dynamics of Proteins and Engineered Biomolecular Systems Using High-Speed AFM

Applicants are encouraged to identify an appropriate research area, supervisor and School/Faculty before submitting their application.

Location

University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom

Scholarship recipients are required to live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds while receiving the scholarship.

Eligibility / Qualification

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be eligible for UK/Home fee status.
• Apply as a new postgraduate researcher undertaking a PhD.
• Hold a first undergraduate degree equivalent to at least a UK First Class Honours degree.
• Final-year undergraduate students may also apply if they are expected to achieve the required qualification.
• Candidates with a lower undergraduate degree may be considered if they have, or are expected to obtain, a Distinction in a relevant Master’s degree.
• Relevant alternative experience, such as professional experience in industry or business, may also be considered.
• Meet the English-language requirements for postgraduate research study.
• The minimum requirement is normally IELTS 6.0 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent qualification. Some Schools or Faculties may require a higher score.
• Applicants must not have previously been awarded a PhD.
• Applicants who are currently registered on a PhD are not eligible.
• Applicants who previously started a PhD but did not complete it may be considered.
• The scholarship must be taken up by 1 October 2027.

Selection is based on academic merit and ability. Financial hardship is not considered as a selection criterion.

Job Description

The successful applicants will undertake independent doctoral research at the University of Leeds under the supervision of academic researchers within the relevant School or Faculty.

The scholarship supports research leading to a PhD and includes:

• Conducting original doctoral research.
• Developing and completing a research project.
• Working with academic supervisors and research groups.
• Contributing to the research environment of the University.
• Completing the requirements of the relevant PhD programme.
• Meeting academic progress requirements throughout the scholarship period.

The scholarship is initially awarded for one year and may be renewed for up to a further 2.5 years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.

For full-time students, the award provides full tuition fees for three years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years.

How to Apply

The application process consists of two stages.

Stage 1 – Apply for a PhD Research Programme

First, applicants must apply for an eligible research programme of study at the University of Leeds.

Applicants should complete the University’s research degree application and submit all required supporting documents by the scholarship deadline.

The required supporting documents depend on the School or Faculty where the applicant intends to study.

Important: Applications that do not include all required supporting documents by the scholarship deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.

Stage 2 – Submit the Scholarship Application

After submitting the research degree application, applicants will receive a 9-digit Student Application ID.

Once the Student Application ID has been received, applicants must complete the online Leeds Doctoral Scholarship application form.

Applicants requiring reasonable adjustments during the admissions or scholarship selection process should contact the relevant postgraduate research admissions team as early as possible. The scholarship deadline cannot be extended.

Selection Process

Each School will shortlist candidates for nomination. The final selection will be made by the University of Leeds Scholarship Selection Panel based on academic merit.

The University expects to publish the names of successful applicants within 10 weeks of the scholarship closing date.

Last Date for Apply

23 March 2027 at 17:00 UK time

Important Date

Funding Start Date: 1 October 2027

Applicants are strongly advised to complete both the PhD application and scholarship application well before the deadline to ensure that all required documents are submitted on time.

Funding Benefits

The Leeds Doctoral Scholarship offers:

• Full academic tuition fee coverage
• Maintenance grant of £21,805 per year based on the 2026/27 rate
• Maintenance funding increases annually in line with the UKRI rate
• 3.5 years of funding for full-time study
• Pro-rata funding for part-time study
• Opportunity to undertake doctoral research in any Faculty at the University of Leeds

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