Overview
PhD (Doctoral Level)
Master’s + PhD pathway (for eligible UK students from underrepresented groups)
Description
PhD (Doctoral Level)
Master’s + PhD pathway (for eligible UK students from underrepresented groups)
Eligibility
For Universities
Must be a UK university with research degree awarding powers.
Applications can also come from a consortium of up to two universities.
For Students
PhD Scholarships: Open to outstanding UK and international candidates (selection is by the host university, not directly via the Trust).
Master’s + PhD Route (ring-fenced for underrepresented groups in the UK):
Must be UK domiciled.
Must not already hold a Master’s degree from the host university.
From a low-income background (e.g., receiving full maintenance loan during undergraduate study). OR from one of the following ethnic groups:
Black African
Black Caribbean
Black Other
Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
Mixed – White and Black African
Other mixed background including Black African/Black Caribbean/Black Other.
Additional Information
Degree Level
PhD (Doctoral Level)
Master’s + PhD pathway (for eligible UK students from underrepresented groups)
Available Subjects
Open to interdisciplinary research areas identified as a priority by the applying UK university.
Universities propose thematic areas that can sustain up to 30 doctoral students.
Ineligible fields include: medical and clinical research, policy-driven projects, commercial applications, or database-heavy research.
Benefits
UK Doctoral Scholarships
Maintenance allowance (at UKRI base levels).
Full tuition fees (UK rate).
£10,000 research and training grant per student.
Maintenance allowance (UKRI base levels).
Tuition fees (covered up to £25,000 per year).
£10,000 research and training support per student.
Master’s + Doctoral Scholarships
Master’s (1 year): Maintenance + tuition fees (up to £12,000).
PhD (up to 4 years): Maintenance + tuition fees (UKRI base levels).
£10,000 research and training grant (usable across both Master’s and PhD).
Additional Support
£75,000 for cohort-building activities.
£400,000 for postdoctoral opportunities for LCDS graduates.
£225,000 for programme administration support.
Eligible Nationalities
UK students (Home rate)
International students (Overseas rate – up to six places per award)
Eligibility Criteria
For Universities
Must be a UK university with research degree awarding powers.
Applications can also come from a consortium of up to two universities.
For Students
PhD Scholarships: Open to outstanding UK and international candidates (selection is by the host university, not directly via the Trust).
Master’s + PhD Route (ring-fenced for underrepresented groups in the UK):
Must be UK domiciled.
Must not already hold a Master’s degree from the host university.
From a low-income background (e.g., receiving full maintenance loan during undergraduate study). OR from one of the following ethnic groups:
Black African
Black Caribbean
Black Other
Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
Mixed – White and Black African
Other mixed background including Black African/Black Caribbean/Black Other.
Application Procedure
University Application Stage
Only UK universities (not students) can apply directly to the Leverhulme Trust.
Universities may apply individually or in consortium with one partner institution.
Selection of Students
Once funding is awarded, participating universities will recruit doctoral candidates.
Students apply directly to the host university for advertised Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships.
Timeline (for institutions)
Opens: 3 November 2025
Closes: 6 March 2026 (12pm UK time)
Decisions Announced: July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Can individual students apply directly to the Leverhulme Trust? No. Applications are only accepted from UK universities. Students must apply to participating universities once awards are granted.
How many scholarships are available per award? Each award funds 18 UK/home students and 6 international students, with an option for up to 6 additional Master’s + PhD students from underrepresented groups.
Who covers tuition fees for international students? The Leverhulme Trust covers tuition fees up to £25,000 per year, along with maintenance and research expenses.
Which subject areas are eligible? Universities choose broad interdisciplinary themes aligned with institutional research priorities. However, clinical, medical, policy-driven, or commercially focused research is not eligible.
What is the duration of funding? Each PhD scholarship runs for 48 months (4 years). For the Master’s + PhD route, funding can last up to 60 months (5 years).
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Funding
Fully Funded
Organization
UK Universities
Degree
Masters, PhD
Subjects
All Subjects
Nationality
International Students, Domestic Students
Country
UK
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.