If you plan to study in the UK with financial support, the Leeds Doctoral Scholarships are one of the best opportunities for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs across a wide range of fields. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Leeds Doctoral Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The Leeds Scholarship 2026-2027 is a fully funded doctoral scholarship for international students. This scholarship provides the recipients with £20,780 annually for full-time study in the UK.
Leeds Doctoral Scholarships offer fully funded opportunities for UK students to pursue their doctoral studies at the University of Leeds. With up to 6 scholarships available, these awards are designed to support promising researchers across a wide range of disciplines.
The scholarship provides full academic fees and a maintenance grant, making it an excellent opportunity for those looking to advance their academic careers in a world-class research environment.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: PhD
- Institution(s): University of Leeds
- Study Destination: United Kingdom
- Course Level: All PhD research programs
- Number of Scholarships: 5
- Program Period: 3.5 years for full-time study, pro-rata for part-time study
Eligible Fields of Study
Scholarships are available across the following faculties and schools:
- Arts, Humanities, and Cultures: Including the Institute for Medieval Studies, School of English, School of Fine Art, and more.
- Biological Sciences: Including the School of Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, and others.
- Business: Including accounting and finance, international business, marketing, and more.
- Environment: Including the School of Geography and the School of Earth and Environment.
- Medicine and Health: Including the School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, and Leeds Institute of Health Sciences.
- Social Sciences: Including the School of Politics and International Studies, the School of Law, and others.
The Leeds Doctoral Scholarship Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship is 1st April 2026.
Scholarship Coverage
- Full Academic Fees: Coverage for three years for full-time study (pro-rata for part-time study).
- Maintenance Grant: £20,780 annually for full-time study in 2025/26, with increases in line with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rate. Part-time awards will be provided at 60% of the full-time rate.
- Award Duration: 3.5 years for full-time study (pro rata for part-time). The initial award period is one year, with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory academic progress.
Eligibility Criteria for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship
To be eligible for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Required Languages: English. Applicants whose first language is not English are usually required to provide evidence of proficiency in English at the higher level required by the university.
- Eligible Countries: All World Countries
- Hold a first degree equivalent to a UK first-class honors degree. Applicants with a lower mark may be considered if they have a master’s degree with distinction or relevant experience.
- Be classified as a UK fee-paying student.
- Be new postgraduate researchers undertaking full-time or part-time PhD research. Students already registered for PhD study are not eligible.
- Meet the university’s minimum English language requirement (IELTS 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 or equivalent). Higher requirements may apply for specific schools.
- Live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds during the scholarship period.
How to Apply for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship?
Please follow the steps below to avail this scholarship:
Stage 1: Apply for a Research Programme
- Submit an application for your chosen research program at the University of Leeds.
- Ensure you provide all required supporting documents as specified by the relevant school/faculty. Applications without complete documents will not be considered.
Stage 2: Apply for the Scholarship
- Once you receive your 9-digit Student Application ID, complete the online scholarship application form.
- Note: Unsuccessful scholarship applications will not affect your eligibility for other funding opportunities at the University of Leeds.
Selection Process
Each school will nominate shortlisted candidates to the university’s Scholarship Selection Panel, which will make final decisions based on academic merit. Financial hardship is not a selection criterion. Successful applicants’ names will be published within 10 weeks of the application deadline.
Website
To know more about the Lead Doctoral Scholarship, please visit the official website: