Arts and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Landscape Awards 2026/27

PGR-F-424

Key facts

Deadline: Monday 2 February 2026
Funding start date: Thursday 1 October 2026
Number of funding places: 5
Country eligibility: International (open to all nationalities, including the UK)
Source of funding: Research council
Schools: Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre, Management, Marketing, School of Civil Engineering, School of Design, School of Education, School of English, School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, School of Geography, School of History, School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, School of Law, School of Media and Communication, School of Music, School of Performance and Cultural Industries, School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science, School of Politics and International Studies, School of Sociology and Social Policy

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

The University of Leeds is delighted to announce the availability of three fully-funded Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Landscape PhD studentships for entry in October 2026 across all relevant Schools in any Faculty. Applicants who are applying for a PhD in one of the 9 Schools in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (AHC) will also all be considered for two additional fully-funded AHC Faculty Scholarships.

Closing date for applications 17:00 GMT Monday 2 February 2026 Applications are welcome for any school or department at the University where the research falls within the <a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/ahrc/remit-programmes-and-priorities/" target="_blank">remit</a> of the AHRC. If you have any doubts about whether your research falls within the remit, please talk to your prospective supervisor. The awards provide: <ul> <li>Full fees for three years</li> <li>A maintenance grant for 3.5 years (£20,780 in Session 2025/26), part-time awards will be pro-rata. This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate</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. Only one international AHRC Doctoral Landscape award is available and one international AHC Faculty Scholarship</li> </ul> These awards are open to all applicants, whether Home or International (including EU). If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please see our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page</a>. Applicants whose first language is not English must have a valid English Language test result by 2 February 2026 (the studentship deadline), otherwise your application will be ineligible. The test must be dated within two years of your official start date at the University of Leeds, which would be 1 October 2026. Other Conditions <ul> <li paraeid="{62986b49-41b1-40d9-b1bb-803e2ed45eef}{26}" paraid="1213401318">Awards must be taken up by 1 October 2026 </li> <li paraeid="{62986b49-41b1-40d9-b1bb-803e2ed45eef}{26}" paraid="1213401318">Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this Scholarship</li> <li paraeid="{62986b49-41b1-40d9-b1bb-803e2ed45eef}{26}" paraid="1213401318">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> </ul>

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Faculty information</h2>

The University of Leeds offers extensive opportunities for <a href="https://researchersupport.leeds.ac.uk/postgraduate-researcher-development/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">training and development for doctoral researchers</a>. We also provide bespoke support for postgraduate researchers from underrepresented and minoritised groups through our <a href="https://students.leeds.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/doc/postgraduate-research-diversity" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">PGR Plus programme</a>. Our Graduate Schools host a diverse range of postgraduate researchers from around the world. PhD research at the University of Leeds is designed to prepare you for professional success both within and beyond academia. Our doctoral graduates go on to shape their academic fields and make critical contributions in a vast range of other sectors. Whatever your longer-term ambitions, these prestigious scholarship awards will provide a platform for supportive professional development. AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards The <a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/ahrc/">Arts and Humanities Research Council</a> (AHRC) funds outstanding original research across the whole range of the arts and humanities. As a member of the AHRC-funded Doctoral Training Hub across the North of England, award-holders of the AHRC PhD studentships, will also be part of a multi-institutional cohort of PhD researchers, with extensive skills, leadership, and professional development opportunities including residential workshops, writing retreats, careers events, mentoring, and an annual conference. Full terms and conditions for these awards can be found on the <a href="https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/">UKRI website</a>. Arts, Humanities and Cultures Faculty Awards We encourage applications for PhDs across the full range of disciplines represented in the Faculty. This includes practice-based PhDs, available in <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">relevant Schools</a> within the <a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/graduate-school">Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures</a>. As well as academic qualifications and experience, we recognise and value complementary forms of expertise, particularly professional, creative, and lived experiences, where these are critical to the proposed research. AHC Faculty awards are available in the Schools of: Design; English; Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies; History; Languages, Cultures and Societies; Media and Communication; Music; Performance and Cultural Industries; Philosophy, Religion and History of Science.

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

Stage 1 First of all apply for a research programme of study by completing the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/130206/applying/91/applying_for_research_degrees" target="_blank">application form</a> We strongly recommend that you apply for your PhD programme at least four weeks ahead of the scholarship deadline to allow your host School to process your application In order to be considered for the scholarship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for study, including any English language qualification evidence*. 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 <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/ahrc-dla-studentships-2026">studentship application form</a>. Closing date for applications 17:00 GMT Monday 2 February 2026. 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.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

Applicants must hold a First Degree at undergraduate level equivalent to at least a UK Upper Second Class Honours degree. You should either have graduated with the appropriate First Degree or be in your final year of study. While many of our applicants have, or are working towards, a postgraduate qualification such as a Master’s degree, we warmly welcome applicants who have equivalent professional experience. Please note that individual Schools may have further requirements which will be set out on their webpages. Assessment criteria: Applications will be assessed according to three main criteria: strength of the candidate, the quality of the proposed research project, and the fit to the existing research at the University of Leeds (especially, but not exclusively, in the proposed host School and Faculty). Applicants whose first language is not English must have met your School's English Language requirement by Monday 2 February 2026. This may be via a recognised English language test, other accepted test or a previous degree from a University in an English speaking country.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

The minimum requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.0, with no component less than 5.5 however many Schools have a higher requirement. We accept alternative English language tests or qualification, further information can be found on the School's webpages. The test must be dated within two years of your start date to be valid. We encourage you to explore the opportunities for pre-sessional study at the University's Language Centre, to help improve your academic English to a standard which would help you make the most of your time as a postgraduate researcher at Leeds.

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

If you wish to study in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures or any other School not mentioned below, please contact ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk If you wish to study in the School of Geography, contact env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk If you wish to study in the Schools of Education, Law, Politics and International studies, or Sociology and Social Policy, contact applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk If you wish to study in the Leeds University Business School, contact phd@lubs.leeds.ac.uk If you wish to study in the School of Civil Engineering, contact phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk