University of Leeds

The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026 provide an excellent opportunity for outstanding UK students to pursue a fully funded PhD at the University of Leeds. The scholarship is designed to support exceptional researchers across all academic disciplines by covering tuition fees and providing an annual maintenance stipend.

Funded by the University of Leeds, this prestigious doctoral award allows successful candidates to undertake independent research while receiving financial support for up to 3.5 years of full-time study or the part-time equivalent. Students from all eligible faculties are encouraged to apply before the application deadline.

Scholarship Summary

Financial Benefits

Successful applicants will receive comprehensive financial support throughout their doctoral studies, including:

• Full tuition fee waiver.
• Annual maintenance stipend of £20,780 (2025/26 rate), with yearly adjustments in line with UKRI funding rates.
• Pro-rata funding for students studying part-time.

The scholarship enables researchers to focus on their academic work without the burden of tuition costs.

Scholarship Duration

The award is granted initially for one year and is renewed annually based on satisfactory academic progress.

The maximum funding period includes:

• Full-time study: Up to 3.5 years.
• Part-time study: Pro-rata equivalent.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026, applicants must:

• Hold, or expect to achieve, a UK First-Class Honours degree or an equivalent qualification.
• Applicants with lower undergraduate grades may still be eligible if they:
  • Hold or expect to obtain a Master’s degree with Distinction in a relevant subject, or
  • Have significant professional or research experience.
• Be eligible for UK Home tuition fee status.
• Not already be enrolled in or have completed a PhD programme.
• Live within a reasonable travelling distance of the University of Leeds during the scholarship period.
• Be available to begin their research programme by 1 October 2026.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the University’s English language requirements before admission.

Minimum requirement:

• IELTS overall score of 6.0.
• At least 5.5 in each test component.

Some Schools and Faculties may require higher English language scores depending on the research programme.

Available Faculties

Applications are accepted across all major academic faculties, including:

• Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
• Faculty of Biological Sciences
• Leeds University Business School
• Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Faculty of Environment
• Faculty of Medicine and Health
• Faculty of Social Sciences

Selection Process

Applications are assessed through a competitive academic selection process.

The evaluation includes:

• Academic excellence.
• Research potential.
• Strength of the proposed research project.
• School nomination and University Scholarship Selection Panel review.

Financial circumstances are not considered during the selection process.

Successful applicants are expected to be notified within approximately 10 weeks after the application deadline.

How to Apply

The application process consists of two stages.

Step 1: Apply for a PhD Programme

Applicants must first submit an online application for their chosen doctoral research programme.

Ensure that all required supporting documents requested by the relevant School or Faculty are uploaded before the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Step 2: Submit the Scholarship Application

After receiving your 9-digit Student Application ID, complete the online Leeds Doctoral Scholarship application form before the closing date.

Applicants who are unsuccessful may still apply for other postgraduate funding opportunities offered by the University of Leeds.

Equality and Inclusion

The University of Leeds is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. Applications are welcomed from candidates of all backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented communities, people with disabilities, and other diverse groups.

Scholarships are awarded solely on academic merit and research ability.

Important Dates

Why Apply for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarships?

The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships are among the University’s most competitive PhD funding opportunities. They provide complete financial support, access to world-class research facilities, expert academic supervision, and the opportunity to study at one of the UK’s leading research universities.

Students can focus on producing high-quality research while benefiting from a vibrant academic community and extensive professional development opportunities.

Source: University of Leeds