PhD Politics of Global Challenges Scholarships - 2026/27

Two prestigious scholarships in the School of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) for excellent applicants, covering full fees and maintenance. <br /> <br /> The School of POLIS invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 for the Politics of Global Challenges Doctoral Scholarship. We are looking for excellent applicants who can contribute to our vision to investigate the &lsquo;politics of global challenges&rsquo; and to play a dynamic role in our research community in advancing original research informed by a rigorous research design. We are looking for applicants who can develop into future leaders in their research area and/or make an impact on the work of a non-academic organisation.

<p>Two highly competitive scholarships are available in the School of Politics and International Studies and provides full fees with a maintenance allowance that matches UKRI rates (currently £20,780 in 2025/26) which rises annually in line with UKRI rates for 3.5 years. This scholarship opportunity is open to UK and international applicants.</p> <p>This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in a range of fields relating to Politics and International Studies</p> <p>The School of Politics and International Studies invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 for the PhD Politics of Global Challenges Scholarships.</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 Politics and International Studies.</p> <p>All research proposals which fit within <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/stafflist?query=&new_categoryID=6">our staff’s area of expertise</a> will be considered – all applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate how their proposal relates to the school’s strategic vision for research and the work of at least one of our research centres: </p> <p><a href="https://cdp.leeds.ac.uk/">Centre for Democratic Politics</a><br /> Collectively our aim is to analyse and theorise changing forms of political engagement in an unstable and unpredictable political moment.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://cgd.leeds.ac.uk/">Centre for Global Development</a><br /> CGD helps to shape the international research agenda into the transformation of human societies in response to critical global challenges.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://css.leeds.ac.uk/">Centre for Global Security Challenges</a><br /> With multi-method expertise in the study of security this centre focuses on how security is framed, perceived, and experienced.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://ccpt.leeds.ac.uk/">Centre for Contemporary Political Theory</a><br /> Our current research activities span a range of areas united by our common interest in the interface between political theory, cultural values and practical politics.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://lucas.leeds.ac.uk/">Centre for African Studies</a><br /> This interdisciplinary centre operates across the University to bring together scholars with an active interest in Africa.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://lida.leeds.ac.uk/">Leeds Institute for Data Analytics</a><br /> Bringing together researchers and data scientists from across the University to raise the bar in standards of data quality, access, protection and exploitation.</p> <p>Our PhD programme provides comprehensive support in research training and professional development. Our postgraduate researchers are closely integrated within the School’s centres of research excellence and contribute actively to their research and engagement agendas. We are looking for excellent applicants who can play an active and dynamic role in our research centres. In addition to working on original and rigorous PhD projects, many of our PhDs attend and organise research events, publish in world-leading journals, and engage with practitioners and policy-makers.  It is our fundamental aim to foster an equal, diverse, inclusive and nurturing space for rigorous scholarship in the politics of global challenges, combined with a deep commitment to student education, and researcher training and development. We therefore encourage applications that support this aim from a diversity of backgrounds and all sections of the community.</p> <p><br /> <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 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 PhD Politics of Global Challenges Scholarship is <strong>Wednesday 15^th April 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 at least 2 weeks before the scholarship deadline 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><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 “PhD Scholarship in Politics and International Studies”. You will be expected to meet <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics-research-degrees/doc/entry-requirements-2">our eligibility criteria</a> for PhD candidates.</p> <p>In order to be considered for the Studentship you must submit all the <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics-research-degrees/doc/apply-2">required supporting documents</a> for your application for PhD study.<br /> Once you have received your student ID number (a 9-digit number) move on to stage 2.</p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong><br /> <br /> Apply for the Politics of Global Challenges Doctoral Scholarship by completing the <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/phd-scholarship-in-politics-and-international-studies-2026-27">Scholarship Application Form</a>. You must submit your scholarship application by <strong>12.00 p.m. on Wednesday 15^th April 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 this scholarship in the School of POLIS should normally have a First class Undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) AND a Distinction (or predicted Distinction) in their Masters degree (both in an appropriate discipline). Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the Graduate School Admissions Office prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of POLIS 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=Politics%20of%20Global%20Challenges%20Doctoral%20Scholarship">applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>