Overview
Doctoral (PhD)
The scholarship supports full-time or part-time research degree programs for 3.5 years (full-time) or pro-rata for part-time study.
Description
Doctoral (PhD)
The scholarship supports full-time or part-time research degree programs for 3.5 years (full-time) or pro-rata for part-time study.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship 2026, applicants must:
Hold (or expect to hold) a UK First-Class Honours degree or equivalent.
Applicants with a 2:1 or lower may be considered if they:
Hold or expect a Distinction in a relevant Master’s degree, or
Have significant relevant experience (e.g. in industry or business).
Not already hold a PhD or be currently registered for one.
Be able to commence studies by 1 October 2026.
Live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds during the scholarship period.
Meet the English language requirement:
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 (or equivalent).
Some Faculties may have higher requirements.
Additional Information
Degree Level
Doctoral (PhD)
The scholarship supports full-time or part-time research degree programs for 3.5 years (full-time) or pro-rata for part-time study.
Available Subjects
The scholarship is open for research in any Faculty at the University of Leeds, including:
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
Faculty of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Business
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Environment
Faculty of Medicine and Health
Faculty of Social Sciences
Benefits
The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026 offer comprehensive funding, including:
Full tuition fee coverage for up to 3 years (full-time).
Annual maintenance grant of £20,780 (for Session 2025/26) — increases annually in line with UKRI rates.
Support for 3.5 years of full-time study (or pro-rata for part-time).
This funding ensures recipients can focus fully on their research without financial burden.
Eligible Nationalities
UK students only (Home fee-rated students)
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship 2026, applicants must:
Hold (or expect to hold) a UK First-Class Honours degree or equivalent.
Applicants with a 2:1 or lower may be considered if they:
Hold or expect a Distinction in a relevant Master’s degree, or
Have significant relevant experience (e.g. in industry or business).
Not already hold a PhD or be currently registered for one.
Be able to commence studies by 1 October 2026.
Live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds during the scholarship period.
Meet the English language requirement:
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 (or equivalent).
Some Faculties may have higher requirements.
Application Procedure
Stage 1 – Apply for a Research Programme
Submit an application for your chosen PhD programme via the University of Leeds online portal.
Include all supporting documents required by your chosen School or Faculty.
Applications without complete documentation by the deadline will not be considered.
Stage 2 – Apply for the Scholarship
Once you receive your 9-digit Student Application ID, complete the online scholarship application form.
Applications must be submitted before 17:00 (UK time) on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
Note: Due to the high volume of applications, the Postgraduate Scholarships Office will not provide updates until the results are announced.
Key Dates
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 1 April 2026 (17:00 UK time)
Funding Start Date: Thursday, 1 October 2026
Duration: 3.5 years (full-time) or pro-rata (part-time)
Number of Scholarships: 5 available
Selection Process
Each School shortlists top candidates for nomination.
Final awardees are selected by the University of Leeds Scholarship Selection Panel based solely on academic merit.
Financial need is not considered.
Results are announced within 10 weeks of the closing date.
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Who can apply for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026? Only UK (Home fee-rated) students are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
Can international students apply? No, this scholarship is currently open only to UK nationals. However, the University offers other scholarships for international applicants.
What is the duration of the funding? The scholarship provides 3.5 years of full-time funding (or pro-rata for part-time).
Do I need a Master’s degree to apply? A Master’s degree is not mandatory, but applicants with lower undergraduate results must demonstrate a Distinction at Master’s level or equivalent professional experience.
What is the value of the maintenance grant? The maintenance stipend is £20,780 per year (for 2025/26), aligned with UKRI rates and subject to annual increases.
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Card
Funding
Fully Funded
Organization
University of Leeds
Degree
PhD
Subjects
All Subjects
Nationality
Domestic Students
Country
UK
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.