The 2026 doctoral scholarship season is officially underway, and the United Kingdom has begun releasing some of its most competitive fully funded research opportunities. Among them, the University of Leeds has opened applications for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026, offering a limited number of fully funded PhD positions for the upcoming academic year.
This announcement signals a strong early move by one of the UK’s leading research universities to secure high-calibre doctoral researchers and support them with long-term funding, academic stability, and institutional backing from the start of their PhD journey.
What This Scholarship Actually Is (and Why It Matters)?
The Leeds Doctoral Scholarship is a university-funded doctoral research award administered directly by the University of Leeds. Unlike government-quota schemes or external councils, this scholarship is awarded through an internal academic selection process led by individual Schools and finalized by a central University selection panel.
Applicants are first assessed academically by their chosen School, which nominates candidates based on research potential and academic excellence. Final awards are then confirmed by the University of Leeds Scholarship Selection Panel, with merit as the sole evaluation criterion.
Being selected means securing a fully funded PhD position at one of the UK’s most research-intensive universities, with long-term financial stability and institutional backing throughout the doctoral journey.
Key structure at a glance:
- Degree level: PhD (Doctoral research only)
- Study mode: Full-time or part-time
- Awarding body: University of Leeds
- Funding duration: Up to 3.5 years (pro-rata for part-time)
- Selection authority: School nomination + University scholarship panel
Scholarship Winners Will Receive the Following Support
Successful recipients of the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship receive a comprehensive funding package designed to support both academic progress and day-to-day living throughout the PhD period.
The award covers full UK academic tuition fees for the standard doctoral registration period and provides a maintenance grant aligned with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rates. For the 2025/26 session, the annual stipend is £20,780, with increases applied annually in line with national funding adjustments.
The maintenance grant is paid for 3.5 years for full-time study, while tuition fees are covered for 3 years. Part-time awards are provided on a pro-rata basis. The scholarship is initially awarded for one year and is renewed annually subject to satisfactory academic progress.
This scholarship does not include relocation expenses, visa costs, or dependent support. Holders must reside within reasonable commuting distance of the University of Leeds while receiving the award, and the scholarship must be taken up by 1 October 2026.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Rules You Must Match
1# Nationality & Residence Status
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- Applicants must be Home fee-rated under UK regulations.
- This scholarship is not open to international (overseas-fee) applicants.
2# Academic Background & Degree Requirements
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- Applicants must hold, or be completing, an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK First Class Honours.
- Candidates with a lower undergraduate classification may be considered if they hold, or expect to achieve, a Distinction at Master’s level in a relevant field.
- Relevant professional or industry experience may be considered in exceptional cases.
3# PhD Status Restrictions
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- Applicants who already hold a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD programme are not eligible.
- Candidates who previously withdrew from a PhD without completion may be considered.
4# Residency Requirement During Award
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Scholarship holders must live within reasonable distance of the University of Leeds for the duration of funding.
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Programs Covered: What You Can Study at the University of Leeds?
The Leeds Doctoral Scholarship supports PhD research programmes across all major academic Faculties at the University of Leeds. The award is strictly for doctoral research degrees and does not apply to undergraduate, taught master’s, or non-degree programmes.
Eligible Faculties include Arts, Humanities and Cultures; Biological Sciences; Business; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Environment; Medicine and Health; and Social Sciences. Research topics span a broad disciplinary range, including advanced engineering, artificial intelligence, life sciences, health research, social policy, sustainability, and interdisciplinary innovation.
The language of instruction for doctoral study at Leeds is English.
Language Requirements for Admission at the University of Leeds
Applicants must meet the University of Leeds’ English language requirements for postgraduate research study. Individual Schools may impose higher standards depending on the research field.
| Program Language | Required Proof | Minimum Score | Exemption Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | IELTS Academic or equivalent | Overall 6.0, with 5.5 in each component | Higher requirements may apply at School level |
English language test results must be dated within two years of the programme start date to be considered valid.
Application Method
The application process is completed in two mandatory stages and is entirely online.
First, applicants must submit an application for a PhD research programme at the University of Leeds, including all required supporting documents specified by the relevant School or Faculty. Applications missing documentation by the scholarship deadline are not considered for funding.
Once a 9-digit Student Application ID is issued, applicants must complete the separate Leeds Doctoral Scholarship online application form.
Application Deadline
The application window for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026 closes at 17:00 (UK time) on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.