School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Studentship Award for Excellence 2025/26

The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies is delighted to offer 1 Studentship Award for Excellence for 2025/26 for a PhD candidate commencing their studies in October 2025.<br /> <br /> The Scholarship is open to UK fee-rated applicants. Award holders will receive fees at the UK rate and a maintenance grant matching UKRI rates (GBP 19,237 in 2024/25, scaled pro-rata for part time applicants). <br /> <br /> The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional research potential, have a well-developed research proposal that is achievable within the funded period and is in line with the research interests of their prospective supervisors. <br /> <br /> The award holder should hold a good honours degree (upper second class or first class) in a related discipline. A Masters degree is not a formal requirement but your application will be seen more favourably if you have one - ideally you will have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a distinction or at least a high merit, especially in your Masters dissertation.

<p>Leeds is recognised as a global centre for research in the arts and humanities, achieving 70th in the world for Arts, Humanities and Cultures QS World Rankings by Subject 2019, and with a consistent record of performing exceptionally in UK measures of quality, excellence and impact. As one of the largest and most diverse arts and humanities faculty in the UK, our research projects range widely by period, geography and theme but are united by their focus on innovation, academic rigour and global reach.<br /> <br /> With world-leading researchers, and world-class archives and facilities, we generate innovative, intellectually and socially significant research within a wide spectrum of disciplines, and across an exceptionally strong range of interdisciplinary strengths.</p> <p>We conduct interdisciplinary and impact-orientated quality research to address challenges at regional, national and global levels. To achieve this our research is user-led and solutions focused, driven by the needs of our partners and stakeholders..</p> <p><strong>Duration of the Award</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full-time (3.5 years), pro-rata for part-time. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to 2 and a half years (pro-rata for part-time), subject to satisfactory academic progress. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Funding</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Fees for 3 years (5 years for part-time)</li> <li>Maintenance for 3.5 years (The stipend matches the UKRI rate, which was £19,237 in Session 2024/25 for full-time study, part-time will be pro-rata at 60%). This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2025.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> <li>Please note that the award does not cover the costs associated with moving to the UK.  All such costs (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa costs, Immigration Health Surcharge/medical insurance, flights etc</a>) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source.</li> </ul>

<p><strong>Stage 1</strong></p> <p>First, apply for a research place of study, through the <a href="https://studentservices.leeds.ac.uk/pls/banprod/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon">online application form</a>. Please state clearly that the funding you wish to be considered for is “The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Scholarship”. You will be expected to meet <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/languages-research-degrees/doc/doctor-philosophy-phd-8">our eligibility criteria</a> for PhD candidates.</p> <p>In order to be considered for the Studentship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for PhD study.</p> <p>Once you have received your student ID number (a 9-digit number) move onto stage 2.</p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong><br /> <br /> Apply for the School of Languages, Cultures and Socities Doctoral Scholarship by completing the <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/school-of-lcs-safe-202526">Scholarship Application Form</a>. You must submit your scholarship application by <strong>17:00 p.m. on 2^nd June 2025.</strong></p> <ul> <li>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. </li> <li>Please note that, due to the large volume of applications, the University of Leeds will not enter into any correspondence regarding the progress of an application until the outcome is known. </li> <li>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the minimum English language requirements (below). </li> </ul> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies should normally hold a good honours degree (upper second class or first class) in a related discipline. A Masters degree is not a formal requirement but your application will be seen more favourably if you have one - ideally you will have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a distinction or at least a high merit, especially in your Masters dissertation.<br /> <br /> 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.<br />

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Language, Cultures and Societies is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>For further information please contact the Graduate School Admissions Office.<br /> e: <a href="mailto:ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>