Social Sciences Access to Research Doctoral Scholarships

The Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Leeds, is inviting applications for the next round of its doctoral scholarship scheme for UK Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups to undertake postgraduate/PhD research within the Faculty. Two scholarships are available this year.

<p>The Faculty is inviting applications from candidates from UK Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups currently underrepresented within postgraduate research.</p> <p>Scholarship holders will have access to world leading facilities and supervision, and to research centres which shape the research and innovation agenda within and beyond the social sciences. All postgraduate researchers in the Faculty are members of the <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/">Social Sciences Graduate School</a>, bringing together a socially, culturally and intellectually diverse community of doctoral researchers, in an interdisciplinary research environment geared to addressing global challenges. Our doctoral researchers also have access to bespoke training and support via the <a href="https://lssi.leeds.ac.uk/engagement-partnerships/wrdtp/">White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership.</a></p> <ul> <li> <p>These scholarships are available on either a 1+3.5 (Masters and 3.5 year PhD) or a +3.5 (3.5 year PhD) (or part-time equivalent) basis. Depending on the level of research training already achieved, and where applicants do not yet meet our entry requirements for PhD study, we can also support applications via the 1+3.5 scheme. This would include funding to undertake an appropriate Masters degree (MA, MSc, LLM) in the <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/">Faculty of Social Sciences</a> in the first instance followed by the PhD. </p> </li> <li> <p>Each scholarship will cover full UK research degree fees and a maintenance grant at current UKRI rates.   </p> </li> <li> <p>Applicants must, as a first step, apply for a doctoral programme in one of the Faculty Schools to be considered for one of these awards. You should submit your application for a research degree by <strong>Wednesday 1^st April 2026</strong> at the latest, so that the School has sufficient time to consider your application for a place on the research degree programme. Applicants should then submit an application for the scholarship before the scholarship deadline of <strong>Friday 1^st May 2026. </strong></p> </li> <li> <p>Research proposals should clearly demonstrate how they align with the research priorities and areas of expertise of one or more of the Schools of the Faculty (<a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/education-research-expertise">Education</a>, <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/law-research-expertise">Law</a>, <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics-research-expertise">Politics and International Studies</a>, and <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/sociology-research-expertise">Sociology and Social Policy</a>).  </p> </li> <li> <p>We strongly encourage proposals which are interdisciplinary in nature and are relevant to more than one School, or more than one of the research centres based within our Schools. </p> </li> <li> <p>These scholarships are open to applicants from UK Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups only. Applicants will self-identify and sign a disclaimer to the effect that the information they provide is correct.  </p> </li> </ul> <h3><strong>Funding on Offer</strong></h3> <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>Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li> Awards must be taken up by 1st 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>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 Social Sciences Access to Research Doctoral Scholarship is <strong>Friday 1^st May 2026</strong>. Before you can apply for this scholarship, you will need to apply for your study place and have your 9-digit student identification number.</li> <li>We strongly advise you to submit your study application by <strong>Wednesday 1^st April, </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 6 to 8 weeks of the deadline to confirm the outcome.</li> </ul> <p> </p>

<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>.</p> <p>Once you have received your student ID number (a 9-digit number) move onto stage 2. </p> <p>We strongly advise you to submit your study application <strong>by Wednesday 1^st April 2026 </strong>to allow the Admissions team time to process your application.</p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong><br /> <br /> Apply for the Scholarship by completing the <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/leeds-university-faculty-of-social-sciences-doctoral-scholars-3">Scholarship Application Form</a>. You must submit your scholarship application by <strong>12:00 p.m. on Friday 1^stMay 2026.</strong></p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <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 research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline. They should also have (or expect to obtain) a Masters degree with a Merit grade (or equivalent) in an related subject area. Where applicants have not yet met the entry requirements for a research degree, we can support successful candidates to first undertake an appropriate Masters degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences via the 1+3.5 scheme. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the Admissions office prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate study in the School of Law is an IELTS of 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate study in the School of Politics and International Studies, School of Education and School of Sociology and Social Policy 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:applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk?subject=Doctoral%20Scholarships%20for%20researchers%20from%20UK%20Black%2C%20Asian%20and%20other%20minoritised%20ethic%20groups%20PhD%20Students">applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>