PhD Studentship in Health, Education and Life Sciences at Birmingham City University 2026

This PhD project offers the opportunity to examine the history of service provision for deafblind people, focusing on the UK within an international context. Candidates may come from a range of academic disciplines and adopt different approaches to this examination, but should determine how the past should inform future planning: what lessons can be learnt.  Possible areas of investigation include deafblind people’s own understanding of their history, and examination of the development of different approaches to support for this population, such as community development rather than traditional disability support (see, for example, Hallinan et al., 2025).

Table of Content

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

Summary

• Application DeadlineSeptember 17, 2025
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorBirmingham City University
• City to studyBirmingham
• School to studyBirmingham City University
• Course to studyHealth and Human Sciences , Health Sciences , Life Science
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

This funding model includes a 36-month funded PhD Studentship, set in-line with UK Research and Innovation values. For 2025/6, this will be £20,780 per year. The tax-free stipend will be paid monthly. This PhD Studentship also includes a Full-Time Home Fee Scholarship for up to 3 years. The funding is subject to your continued registration on the research degree, making satisfactory progression within your PhD, as well as attendance on and successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice. 

International applicants are reminded, that it if they are successful following interview, they are liable to pay the fee difference between the Home and International Tuition Fee Rate. The tuition fees for new doctoral researchers are listed here.

All applicants will receive the same stipend irrespective of fee status.

Requirements

• An Honours degree, that includes an independent research project, in a relevant discipline from a recognised university in the UK or comparable university overseas.
• Clear understanding of disability and/or social care/welfare research. 
• Commitment to inclusive, participatory and/or co-produced research.

Desirable:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university in the UK or comparable university overseas
• Experience of practice in or engagement with deafblind/ sensory impairment or disability settings.

Overseas applicants:

International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification, such as International English Language Test System (IELTS) or equivalent with an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.  

Application Deadline

How To Apply

To apply, please follow the below steps:

1. Complete the BCU Online Application Form.
2. Complete the Doctoral Studentship Proposal Form in full, ensuring that you quote the project ID. You will be required to upload your proposal in place of a personal statement on the BCU online application form.
3. Upload two references to your online application form (at least one of which must be an academic reference).
4. Upload your qualification(s) for entry onto the research degree programme. This will be Bachelor/Master’s certificate(s) and transcript(s).
5. International applicants must also provide a valid English language qualification. Please see the list of English language qualifications accepted here. Please check the individual research degree course page for the required scores.

For more details, visit Birmingham City University Scholarship webpage