School of Education Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Education, Childhood or Youth 2026/27 (UK)

One highly competitive scholarship is available in the School of Education for academic year 2025/26 and provides full fees with a tax-free maintenance allowance that matches UKRI rates (currently &pound;20,780 in 2025/26) and rises annually in line with UKRI rates. This scholarship opportunity is open to UK applicants only. Outstanding candidates without a Masters will be considered for an additional fully-funded year to complete one of our taught masters programmes.<br /> <br /> The award is open to full-time and part-time candidates who have been offered a place on a PhD degree at the School of Education. We invite any applications that connect to the School's core research areas of inclusion, childhood and youth, language education; digital education; curriculum, pedagogy and policy. We particularly welcome applications in the areas of: inclusion in higher education; creativity and play in education, assessment in higher education, performing arts for inclusion, maths education, cognitive theory and language teacher, learner motivation, child and pupil wellbeing and EMI (English as medium of instruction).<br /> <br />

<p>The School of Education is an intellectually rich and stimulating environment for postgraduate research. We recognise Education as a hub for many disciplinary perspectives, all of which contribute to our challenge-led, global, and transformative research with social justice at its core. We are committed to supporting your professional learning, your academic identity development, and your belonging as part of our research community.  </p> <p>Supporting PhD study is central to the School of Education’s identity as an academic institution. We seek to attract the brightest and best scholars from around the world and provide them with an outstanding study experience. All postgraduate researchers are members of one of the Research Centres, creating a hub of internationally leading research across interdisciplinary teams in: <a href="https://ccpp.leeds.ac.uk/">Curriculum, Pedagogy and Policy</a>; <a href="https://crde.leeds.ac.uk/">Digital Education</a>; <a href="https://cler.leeds.ac.uk/">Language Education Research</a>; and <a href="https://icy.leeds.ac.uk/">Inclusion, Childhood and Youth</a>.</p> <p>We have a vibrant community of postgraduate researchers both within the School and the University of Leeds more broadly. Our PhD students are encouraged to get involved in a range of academic events, social events, networks and societies. We provide a range of leadership, teaching, and presenting opportunities alongside your research to ensure our postgraduate researchers have the opportunity to develop a range of skills above and beyond their research. </p> <p>We are offering one PhD scholarship for a UK candidate. This covers tuition fees for three and a half years and a maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate, subject to satisfactory progress. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive study experience and we welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. Successful applicants without a Masters will be eligible to join one of our MA programmes to meet the PhD entry requirements. Progression to the PhD is dependant on passing the Master’s programme.</p> <p><strong>Duration and Value of the Award </strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>T</strong>he 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> <h4><strong>Other Conditions</strong></h4> <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 Education Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Education, Childhood or Youth 2026/27 is <strong>Wednesday 15^th April</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 two weeks before the scholarship/studentship 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://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 “School of Education Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Education, Childhood or Youth”. You will be expected to meet <a href="https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/education-research-degrees/doc/entry-requirements">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/education-research-degrees/doc/applying">required supporting documents</a> 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 Education Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Education, Childhood or Youth by completing the <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/postgraduate-research-scholarship-in-education-or-childhood-2-4">Scholarship Application Form</a>. You must submit your scholarship application by <strong>12.00 p.m. on 15^th April 2025.</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 Education should normally have a First class Undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) AND/ OR 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 School or Graduate School prior to making an application. <br /> <br />

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Education 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:EMAIL@leeds.ac.uk">a</a><a href="mailto:applypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk ?subject=School%20of%20Education%20Postgraduate%20Research%20Scholarship%20in%20Education%2C%20Childhood%20or%20Youth">pplypgr.socialsciences@leeds.ac.uk </a></p>