Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship 2025

Three Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarships (LORS) are available to prospective postgraduate researchers from Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups for study in any Faculty in Session 2025/26. These scholarships are part of our wider commitment to postgraduate diversity and inclusion as outlined by the Access and Student Success Strategy (2025), including involvement with the Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE).  Through YCEDE, we offer opportunities to home-rated applicants from BAME backgrounds.  These include virtual events to support submitting an application, as well as additional engagement and mentoring, whilst undertaking the PhD studentship.

• Table of Content
• About University of Leeds
• University of Leeds PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of Leeds PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for University of Leeds PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is a redbrick university located in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Originally named the Yorkshire College of Science and later simply the Yorkshire College, it incorporated the Leeds School of Medicine and became part of the federal Victoria University alongside Owens College (which eventually became the University of Manchester) and University College Liverpool (which became the University of Liverpool). In 1904, a royal charter, created in 1903, was granted to the University of Leeds by King Edward VII. ... continue reading

University of Leeds PhD Scholarship

• Category PhD
• SponsorUniversity of Leeds
• City to study Leeds
• School to study University of Leeds
• Course to study Not specified
• Application Deadline April 1, 2025

Aim and Benefits of University of Leeds PhD Scholarship

• This award is available to Home fee-rated applicants. The award will cover fees at the University of Leeds standard home rate of fees.
• A maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£17,668 in Session 2022/23 for full-time study).

Requirements for University of Leeds PhD Scholarship Qualification

• Applicants must identify as Black or Black British - Caribbean; Black or Black British - African; Other Black backgrounds; Asian or Asian British - Indian; Asian or Asian British - Pakistani; Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi; Chinese or Other Ethnic Background - Chinese; Other Asian backgrounds; Mixed - White and Black Caribbean; Mixed - White and Black African; Mixed - White and Asian; Other Mixed backgrounds; Arab; Other Ethnic backgrounds.
• Candidates must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.
• Applicants to research degree programs should normally have at least a first-class or an upper second-class British bachelor's Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.
• The University of Leeds minimum English language entry requirement for the 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.

Application Deadline

April 1, 2025

How to Apply

The PGR Diversity Group will be running a workshop on Wednesday 29 January 13:00 -14:30. This will provide advice and guidance on writing your personal statement and financial declaration as well as guidance on what the Selection Panel will be looking for from Personal Statements. You can sign up for the workshop at Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship application workshop.

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. 

You are advised to read the ‘Guidance for applicants’ available on website https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-funding/doc/scholarships-under-represented-groups before completing your scholarship application form.

If you have any questions about your LORS application, or the support available, please contact the PGR Diversity Team ([email protected]).

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.