Are you an outstanding UK student with a first-class honors degree ready to pioneer groundbreaking research at one of the UK’s top research universities? The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026-2027 are now open! This fully funded program offers up to 6 awards across faculties, providing full academic fees and a £20,780 annual maintenance grant for 3.5 years of full-time PhD study. Supporting diverse disciplines from arts to medicine, these scholarships empower new postgraduate researchers to tackle global challenges. Don’t miss your chance to join Leeds’ vibrant research community and apply by April 1, 2026!

Overview of Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026-2027

• Host University: University of Leeds
• Country: United Kingdom
• Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
• Eligible Nationalities: UK fee-paying students
• Study Level: PhD
• Number of Awards: Up to 6
• Program Duration: 3.5 years full-time (pro-rata part-time)
• Application Deadline: April 1, 2026

The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026-2027 are merit-based awards for new PhD candidates, renewable annually with progress. Leeds, a QS Top 100 global university, hosts 10,000+ researchers.

Also apply for Cambridge University MBA Scholarship 2026

Eligible Fields of Study

Scholarships span all faculties:

• Arts, Humanities & Cultures: English, Fine Art, History, Institute for Medieval Studies
• Biological Sciences: Biology, Biomedical Sciences
• Business: Accounting, Finance, International Business, Marketing
• Environment: Earth & Environment, Geography
• Medicine & Health: Dentistry, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, Medicine
• Social Sciences: Law, Politics & International Studies

Also apply for: Taiwan ICDF Scholarship Program 2026

Scholarship Benefits

The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026-2027 include:

• Full academic fees coverage (3.5 years full-time)
• Annual maintenance grant: £20,780 (2025/26 rate; increases with UKRI)
• Pro-rata for part-time (60% rate)
• Initial 1-year award, renewable on progress

Eligibility Criteria for Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026

To qualify:

• UK fee-paying status
• New postgraduate researcher (not already registered)
• First-class honors degree (or equivalent)
• For lower marks: Master’s with Distinction or relevant experience
• Meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.0+ overall, no subscore <5.5)
• Live within commuting distance of Leeds during scholarship

Required Documents

Stage 1 (Research Program):

• PhD application form
• Research proposal
• Academic transcripts
• CV
• 2 references

Stage 2 (Scholarship):

• Online scholarship form (9-digit Student ID required)

Also see Royal Scholarship 2026 in Thailand

Application Timeline

• PhD Applications Open: Ongoing
• Scholarship Deadline: April 1, 2026
• Shortlisting: April 2026
• Results: Within 10 weeks (June 2026)
• Start: October 2026

How to Apply for Doctoral Scholarships 2026

Stage 1: Apply for PhD Program

1. Submit Application: Leeds Postgraduate Research; select program.
2. Include Docs: Proposal, transcripts, CV, references.
3. Get Student ID: Upon submission.

Stage 2: Apply for Scholarship

1. Online Form: Use Student ID at Scholarship Portal.
2. Submit: By April 1, 2026.

Nomination by school; no financial need criterion.

Why Choose the Leeds?

• Full funding at QS Top 75 university
• £20,780 stipend + fees
• 3.5-year support with renewal
• Leeds: Vibrant city, research hub
• Diverse faculties: Arts to medicine

Additional Opportunities

• University of Adelaide Scholarships for International Students
• SIIT Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded) | Study in Thailand

Tips for a Successful Leeds Doctoral Scholarships Application

• Proposal Strong: Original, feasible (faculty-aligned)
• First-Class Equivalent: Master’s Distinction if needed
• References Academic: Professors on potential
• Early PhD App: Before March 2026
• English: IELTS 6.0+

Conclusion

The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2026-2027 fund PhD excellence with £20,780 stipends. Pioneer at Leeds and apply by April 1, 2026!

University of Leeds Official Website for applications.