Leeds University Business School PhD Excellence Scholarships 2026/27

Leeds University Business School is a leading international business school, recognised globally for our excellence in teaching and impactful research. The last REF deemed 90% of the Business School’s submitted research to be either ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ overall and 5th in the UK for ‘research power’ in the business and management studies unit of assessment.

<p>A total of 21 highly competitive PhD Excellence Scholarships places are available at Leeds University Busineess School across our <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/departments">seven departments</a>, providing 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/ international applicants. </p> <p>Leeds University Business School invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 across the Leeds University Business School.</p> <p>The awards are open to full-time or part-time candidates (UK only) who have been offered a place on a PhD degree at Leeds University Business School.</p> <p><a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-centres">Our research centres</a> work across four main themes and connect knowledge with users, promote impact and provide a vibrant, stimulating and supportive environment for students, early career researchers and academics. Our themes are:</p> <ul> <li>Governance, financial systems and economic well being</li> <li>International business, marketing management and business networks</li> <li>Technology, innovation and management practices</li> <li>People, work and workplace</li> </ul> <p><a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees-phd/doc/facilities-support">Supporting PhD study</a> is central to our identity. We have a vibrant and inclusive community of around 210 postgraduate researchers within the School. We seek to attract the brightest and best scholars from around the world and provide them with an outstanding study experience. We also ensure that they have access to a wide array of career and personal development opportunities. Our postgraduate researchers are encouraged to get involved in a range of academic and social events, networks and societies.</p> <p>We are committed to diversifying our community and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, Black, Asian, people belonging to minoritised ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected on merit and ability.</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> <ul> </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^st October 2026</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>Students who are already registered for PhD research study are excluded from applying.</li> <li>Applicants must live within reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of the scholarship</li> </ul> <p><strong>Selection Process</strong></p> <ul> <li>You are required to submit your application for a PhD place (Stage 1) by <strong>Wednesday,</strong> <strong>4 March 2026 </strong>to give sufficient time to consider your PhD application ahead of the scholarship deadline, otherwise your Scholarship application will not be considered.</li> <li>The deadline to be considered for the Leeds University Business School PhD Excellence Scholarships is <strong>Wednesday, 11^th March 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>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 six to eight 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 by completing a study <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees-apply/doc/apply-4">application form</a>. Please state clearly the department scholarship you will be applying for. You will be expected to meet our <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees-apply/doc/entry-requirements-4">eligibility criteria</a> for PhD candidates.</p> <p>In order to be considered for one of the scholarships, you must submit all the <a href="https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees-apply/doc/apply-4">required supporting documents</a> for your application for PhD study.</p> <p>Once you have received your 9 digit student ID number move onto stage 2.</p> <p><strong>PhD application deadline</strong> – You are required to submit your application for a PhD place (Stage 1) by <strong>Wednesday,</strong> <strong>4 March 2026 </strong>to give sufficient time to consider your PhD application ahead of the scholarship deadline, otherwise your Scholarship application will not be considered.</p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong></p> <p>Apply for one of the Leeds University Business School Department Scholarships by completing the relevant scholarship application form below. There are seven different Departments at Leeds University Business School which hold their own scholarship competition. You must ensure you apply to the appropriate Department scholarship which corresponds to your application or offer for a place of study on the scholarship application form. You must submit your scholaship application by <strong>12pm on Wednesday 11th March 2026.</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/lubs-accounting-and-finance-department-scholarship-applicatio-1">Accounting and Finance Scholarship application form</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/lubs-analytics-technology-and-operations-department-scholarsh-1">Analytics, Technology and Operations Department Scholarship application form</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/lubs-economics-department-scholarship-application-2026-27">Economics Scholarship Application form</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/lubs-international-business-department-scholarship-applicatio-2">International Business Scholarship application form</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/lubs-management-and-organisations-department-scholarship-appl-1">Management and Organisations Scholarship application form</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/lubs-marketing-department-scholarship-application-2026-27">Marketing Scholarship application form</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/lubs-people-work-and-employment-department-scholarship-applicat">People, Work and Employment Department Scholarship application form</a></strong></p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the 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 an appropriate discipline. Applicants should hold a British Masters degree (or equivalent degree from an overseas university) or an equivalent professional qualification. Please see below for specific department Masters requirements<br /> <br /> Economics, Management and Organisations, Analytics, Technology and Operations, Marketing and People, Work and Employment require a minimum average score of 6o percent (or equivalent at a non UK institution) and in an appropriate academic discipline.<br /> <br /> Accounting and Finance and International Business require a score of 70 (or equivalent at a non UK institution), but exceptional candidates with 65 and above will be considered and in an appropriate academic discipline.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study at the Leeds University Business School is an IELTS of 7 overall with at least 6.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within 2 years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>For further information please contact the Admissions Team<br /> e: <a href="mailto:phd@lubs.leeds.ac.uk">phd@lubs.leeds.ac.u</a><a href="http://phd@lubs.leeds.ac.uk">k</a></p>