Doctoral Scholarships at University of Leeds 2026

The University of Leeds is offering up to 5 Leeds Doctoral Scholarships to Home fee-rated students for Session 2026/27 for study in any Faculty. The fully funded research scholarship is available for 3.5 years for full-time study, pro-rata for part-time study.

Table of Content

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

Summary

• Application DeadlineApril 1, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorUniversity of Leeds
• City to studyLeeds
• School to studyUniversity of Leeds
• Eligible CountryUnited Kingdom

Benefits

• The award provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant (£20,780 in Session 2025/26) for full-time study, part-time will be pro-rata.  This amount increases per annum in line with the UKRI rate. Full-time awards provide full fees for 3 years and a maintenance award for 3.5 years (Part-time awards are pro-rata).

Requirements

Entry requirements

• Applicants must hold a First Degree at undergraduate level equivalent to at least a UK First Class* Honours degree. Applicants should either have graduated with the appropriate First Degree or be in their final year of study.
• *Candidates with a lower mark in their undergraduate degree will be considered if they have or are expected to receive a Distinction in a Masters programme relevant to their field of research, or if they can demonstrate relevant alternative experience (eg in industry or business). Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

English language requirements

• The University of Leeds minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. If the School/Faculty to which you have applied has a higher English language entry requirement you must meet this higher requirement. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

Other Conditions

• The awards are available for new Postgraduate Researchers undertaking full-time or part-time research study leading to the degree of PhD
• Applicants who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered.
• Awards must be taken up by 1 October 2026
• Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Scholarship

Selection Process

• Each School selects a shortlist of applicants who they wish to nominate for the award.  The University of Leeds Scholarship Selection Panel selects the final list of awards based on academic merit and no other factors such as financial hardship are taken into account.
• The University will publish the names of the successful applicants within the University within 10 weeks of the relevant scholarship closing date.

Check also:
Free Ongoing Fully Funded Scholarships Guide 2026 (Download Now)

Application Deadline

How To Apply

Stage 1 

• First of all apply for a research programme of study by completing the application form

In order to be considered for the scholarship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for study*. Any study applications that are not accompanied by the documents requested by the scholarship deadline will not be considered for the award. 

Please note that an unsuccessful application for this scholarship does not exclude you from applying for other research study opportunities or scholarships offered by the University of Leeds. 

*The supporting documents you need to provide with your study application are listed on website for the School/Faculty in which you are applying to study. 

Stage 2

• Once you are in receipt of your 9 digit Student Application ID complete the online application form.

Please note that, due to the large volume of applications, the Postgraduate Scholarships Office will not enter into any correspondence regarding the progress of an application until the outcome is known.

For more details, visit University of Leeds Scholarship webpage