School of Performance and Cultural Industries (PCI) Scholarships 2026

The School of Performance and Cultural Industries is delighted to offer up to three postgraduate research scholarship opportunities commencing October 2026.<br /> <br /> Up to 3 scholarships are open to home and/or international students. These include full PGR tuition fees (currently GBP 5,006 per year for full-time home students and GBP 24,500 for international students in 2026/27) for 3 years. They also include a UKRI-matched stipend (currently GBP 20,780) for 3.5 years for full-time candidates. Part-time awards are calculated pro-rata and only UK candidates are eligible for part-time studies.<br />

<p>The School of Performance and Cultural Industries invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 for the School of Performance and Cultural Industries Scholarship. </p> <p>The award is open to full-time or part-time candidates (UK only) who have been offered a place on a PhD degree at the School of Performance and Cultural Industries.  </p> <p><strong>Thematic research areas </strong><br /> PGR proposals will need to be generated from PGR interests and expertise, and could be grounded in any disciplinary background cogent to performance and cultural industries. We welcome proposals in the following areas represented by our research groups and by the Centre for Cultural Value:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/place-research-group">Place Research Group</a></li> <li><a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/participation-research-group-1">Participation Research Group</a></li> <li><a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/digital-research-group">Digital Research Group</a></li> <li><a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/pedagogic-research-group">Pedagogic Research Group</a></li> <li><a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/centre-cultural-policy-leadership">Centre for Cultural Policy & Leadership</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.culturalvalue.org.uk/">Centre for Cultural Value</a></li> </ul> <p>In particular, we hope to receive proposals that currently engage with the following research approaches and areas, which are currently underrepresented in the School:</p> <ul> <li>Studies that aim to decentre Eurocentric approaches to performance and the cultural industries; </li> <li>Place-based approaches that closely engage with a particular national and cultural context; </li> <li>Comparative projects that involve international case studies; </li> <li>Projects that focus on the link between performance and the creative and cultural industries; </li> <li>The music industry; </li> <li>Digital applications to heritage, performance and the cultural industries. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Practice-led and participatory approaches</strong><br /> We welcome project that employ practice-led and participatory approaches from candidates who have experience with these methodologies.</p> <p><strong>Please contact the Director of PGR Studies</strong>, Dr Alice Borchi: a.borchi@leeds.ac.uk, to discuss your plans to apply.</p>

<p><strong>Duration and Value of the Award </strong></p> <ul> <li>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). </li> <li>Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights, etc) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Eligibility Criteria </strong></p> <ul> <li>Applications are open to either International or Home (UK) applicants.  </li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Conditions </strong></p> <ul> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1 October 2026 </li> <li>Candidates 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. </li> <li>The awards are available for new Postgraduate Researchers undertaking full-time or part-time research study leading to the degree of PhD.  </li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Scholarship. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Selection Process</strong> </p> <ul> <li>The deadline to be considered for the School of Performance and Cultural Industry is <strong>March 23^rd 2026</strong>. Before you can apply for this scholarship/studentship, you will need to apply for your study place and have your 9-digit student identification number. We strongly advise you to submit your study application by <strong>23^rd February</strong> to allow the Admissions team time to process your application. </li> <li>All scholarship applications will be considered after the deadline. Only complete applications will be considered. </li> <li>The final list of awards are based on academic merit and no other factors such as financial hardship are taken into account. </li> <li>Applicants will be e-mailed within 10 weeks of the deadline to confirm the outcome. </li> <li>Please note that whilst you may be successful in securing an academic offer for any project specifically linked to this funding opportunity, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis. </li> </ul>

<p><strong>Stage 1</strong><br /> First, apply for a research place of study, through the <a href="https://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon">online application form</a>. Please state clearly that the funding you wish to be considered for is the “School of PCI Doctoral Scholarship 2026/27”. You will be expected to meet our <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-degrees/doc/doctor-philosophy-phd-6">eligibility criteria</a> for PhD candidates.</p> <p>In order to be considered for the Scholarship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for PhD study, including the below. You can find all information on our <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-researchdegrees/doc/apply-14">website</a>.</p> <p>Any study applications that are not accompanied by the documents requested by the deadline will not be considered for the award.</p> <p>We strongly recommend that you apply for your place of study by<strong> February 23rd 2026 </strong>to ensure you receive your student ID number and the Admissions team can process your application ahead of the scholarship deadline. </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 /> Apply for the School of PCI Doctoral Scholarship by completing the online <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/school-of-performance-and-cultural-industries-pci-scholarships-">Scholarship Application Form</a>.  You must submit your scholarship application by <strong>17h00 (5pm) on March 23rd 2026 (UK time)</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. Within the 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>

You should hold a good undergraduate honours degree (upper second class or first class) in a related discipline. A Masters degree isn’t a requirement if you have professional experience that is relevant to your PhD project. Your application, however, is seen more favourably if you have one - ideally you will have achieved a distinction or at least a merit, especially in your Masters dissertation.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries 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 PGR Admissions Office at ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk or Dr Alice Borchi on A.Borchi@leeds.ac.uk.</p>