AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award PhD Studentships at University of Exeter 2026

The University of Exeter is offering up to three fully funded AHRC doctoral studentships and training and development opportunities across a range of the AHRC’s disciplines for candidates aiming to begin studying in September 2026.

The University of Exeter is part of the AHRC South West and South East regional group and successful students will have opportunities to support their doctoral training as part of this group.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineFebruary 23, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Exeter
• City to studyExeter
• School to studyUniversity of Exeter
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

The studentship will be for a period of up to 3.5 years (42 months), dependent on satisfactory progress, and will cover full tuition fees and an annual maintenance grant of £20,780 (2025/26 rate).

Requirements

Applicants should have at a minimum a good first degree (at least 2.1, or international equivalent) in a relevant field of the humanities, arts or social sciences, and have obtained, or be currently working towards a Master's degree at Merit level, or international equivalent, in a relevant discipline. Evidence of relevant professional expertise can also be taken into consideration.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

Applicants must have identified and approached a potential supervisor and have supervision agreed in principle. This prospective supervisor must be named in your application and a supporting statement from your named supervisor will be part of the selection process. To help find an appropriate supervisor please look at the staff pages of departmental websites or use the Research Expertise search function on our Postgraduate Study pages: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research.

•  Applicants would be expected to start their studies in September 2026.
• Recipients are expected to commit to engagement with the research environment of their discipline, the Faculty and the AHRC regional Hub by participating in research activities, accessing skills development training and opportunities and career development etc. Continued funding would be dependent on satisfactory evidence of this engagement having taken place.

Please note that these studentships are only open to applicants who will start their study in September 2026, not those who have already started.

Applications for full-time or part-time study are welcome however applications will only be supported for campus-based programmes as this studentship is not open to Distance-Learning programmes.

UKRI have opened up UKRI studentships to International students from 2021/22 entry onwards. Successful students will receive a full award, to include a stipend and fees at the home level. Exeter will cover the difference between the UK home fee and the International fee. The proportion of international students that may be appointed each year is limited to one studentship.

Residency Entry Requirements

1)      UK and International

This studentship, including full tuition fees and maintenance allowance, is available to UK and International candidates.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You will be asked to submit the following by 12:00 (Noon) GMT Monday 23 February 2026:  

• A research proposal of 1,500-2,000 words (exclusive of bibliography), with supervisors agreed in principle. Guidance about how to write a research proposal is available here.
• We encourage you to include in your research proposal a 250-word (max) statement outlining how your background will enrich our diverse and inclusive research community. You are encouraged to reflect on your own experience, interests and/or proposed research for the statement. Please note this is optional.
• A 200-500 word statement on your fit with the department/Faculty research culture and your prospective supervision team. You should also name which programme of study you are applying for
• A CV
• Proof of academic track record (transcripts/certificates)
• Two references, at least one to be an academic reference
• Proof of your English language proficiency, if relevant

Please submit all documents, apart from your references and degree transcripts, as one combined file and submit this against the research proposal section of the application form.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please note that we will seek a supporting statement from named prospective supervisors for all shortlisted candidates as part of the final assessment process.

Please quote reference 5722 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

For more details, visit University of Essex Scholarship webpage