Funded PhD research programmes 2025 UK

The University of Brighton invites applicants for PhD study across all its disciplines, and highlights regular opportunities to develop applications for full-funding or partial funding.

These opportunities allow motivated, high-calibre applicants for research degrees to join our thriving academic community and contribute to our rich and innovative research environment.

Our funding pages publicise any funding offered directly from the university, partnership funds to which we can help students apply, and other financial help that can allow students to study at doctoral level. Our processes often allow us to support promising candidates for applications to external funders and, if unsuccessful, we welcome self-funded applicants to programmes .

Please visit our PhD funding advice page for current offers or see below for further general advice about applying for a funded PhD in the UK.

Visit our PhD disciplinary programme lists

Current funding opportunities for study at the University of Brighton, UK

The University of Brighton is proud to be a partner in five Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTP) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT), and funding opportunities are currently available through two of them for doctoral, PhD degree study starting in autumn 2025.

South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

The ESRC-funded DTP aims to develop the next generation of research leaders in social science in academia, government, business and civil society.

Techne device reads Techne the craft of research in the arts and humanities

Techne Doctoral Training Partnership

This AHRC-funded DTP draws together traditional scholarship, history, theory and practice across seven universities, with collaboration from world-leading partners.

Huxley Building, Moulescoomb, Brighton. Glass and steel exterior.

University of Brighton funding opportunities

On this page we post all funding opportunities available through the University of Brighton, its partners and networks.

Applying for PhD study

Depending on the discipline area, applicants for postgraduate research study may be:

applying to work on specific, defined research projects
applying to work with an academic department or individual with specific interests
or applying with a self-identified research topic proposal.

When available, studentships are open to home and international students and will be given to candidates who best fulfil the promise outlined by these academic departments.

When funding schemes are open, the application will usually involve:

approaching and securing the assistance of a relevant member of the University of Brighton's academic staff
submitting a full application through the university's PhD application portal; you will upload your research proposal as part of this process.
The submission will typically require two references, academic qualifications, a proposed project approach and a personal statement.

Please note, funding schemes are only open at specific times of year. Applications for funding outside of these timeframes will not be considered. See our PhD funding opportunities page for details of any current funding calls.

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Can you be a researcher? Professor Bhavik Patel reassures applicants of all backgrounds that they can study for a PhD and aim for a research career.

What does PhD funding include?

The funding for the PhD usually covers the full fee and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus an allowance of £1,500 per year for researcher training for three years (or part-time equivalent).

Successful candidates benefit from expert supervisory teams, a programme of postgraduate researcher development workshops and membership of specialist, interdisciplinary research centres and groups. There will be introductions to a network of relevant researchers, careers advice and opportunities for interaction within and beyond the university. Through this, our PhD students have the best start possible towards ambitious careers that make use of their research degrees.

The University of Brighton fosters research careers and will provide doctoral training, attentive and expert supervision and access to world-class laboratories and equipment.

We are renowned as a leading applied university, with pioneer academics in disciplines from sport science to design history and applied science research that translates efficiently to the global challenge of worldwide health and wellbeing. Our strategy of 'practical wisdom' leads to real-world partnerships and beneficiaries across all disciplines while the development of community-university partnership practices have placed us among the best universities for many aspects of co-produced research and innovation.

We pride ourselves on the ways we work in partnership with those outside higher education, across the European Union and internationally. Through our research collaborations we work with a wide range of universities, both internationally and with universities in the UK. We are also founding members of two UKRI Doctoral Training Partnerships which, this year, are dealt with outside our University of Brighton studentship offer. We learn constantly from our involvement in these, and our rich resources are offered across all doctoral research programmes.

Recently the University of Brighton celebrated its performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) and the Knowledge and Exchange Framework (KEF2023). Over 87 per cent of our submitted impact case studies in REF2021 were rated as having 'outstanding' or 'very considerable' impact beyond academia. We are dedicated to developing this quality work with new students. Read more about the review of our research and knowledge exchange performance in REF2021. Also, read more about our KEF2023 results, which placed Brighton in the top tier for economic and social benefits.

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How will you build a relationship with your supervisor? Professor Annebella Pollen and Dr Tom Ainsworth are among those offering advice. This film was made by the University of Brighton for UKRI and also features academics from other institutions.

How do I increase my chances of getting a PhD studentship?

You must be able to show your suitability for a UK research degree if you wish to apply for fully-funded studentships.

This includes evidence either of a relevant and successful academic background or equivalent relevant professional/expert background in the applied subject area. Applicants from overseas will also have to fulfil any English language and visa requirements.

This will be true for studentships in the UK across most of the UK universities. It is usual for applicants either to have completed (or be about to complete) a masters degree, have an exceptional undergraduate record and references, or demonstrate the equivalent scholarly potential.

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Supervisory staff and research students at the University of Brighton consider how important diverse thinking and inclusive practice are to their doctoral studies.

Can I get PhD funding at the University of Brighton?

We have a long-standing annual programme of funded PhD opportunities across all our disciplines, including several rooted in research council (UKRI) partnerships.

The initiatives allow postgraduate study for UK-based students as well as study in the UK for international students (depending on the PhD programme).

We are also keen to encourage students who might be able to self-fund their doctoral studies. Studying part-time, for example, is likely to prove more affordable and more easily balanced with professional life than you'd imagine.

We are dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere and structure for your studies. Show us your own qualities and your suitability for programmes as they become available and we will look forward to receiving your application.

Please visit our PhD funding advice page for current offers or see below for further general advice about applying for a funded PhD in the UK.

Insitutions and funding bodies for PhD study

On the Funding pages of our website we post advice as to the regular and specific funding opportunities available through the University of Brighton, its partners and networks.

These include Doctoral Training Partnership and University of Brighton PhD studentship calls, individual studentship projects, University of Brighton international research scholarships and our alumni scholarships for current and past students.

We also include below some of the major funding options for international students wanting to do a PhD with us, each of which may support all or part of your studies.

Worldwide international funding schemes for PhD research

The British Council

The British Council offers a search engine for UK courses, institutions (including the University of Brighton) and scholarships.

Find out more about scholarships and funding through The British Council.

The Gen Foundation

The Gen Foundation considers applicants living in all countries. It is a charitable trust which principally provides grants to students/researchers in natural sciences, in particular food sciences/technology.

Find out more about grants to students and researchers from The Gen Foundation.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender. Our multifaceted development approach aims to help communities and individuals become self-reliant.

Find out more about research funding through the Aga Khan development network.

The Open Society Foundations

The Open Society Foundations are active in more than 120 countries around the world, using grant-giving, research, advocacy, impact investment, and strategic litigation to support the growth of inclusive and vibrant democracies. The four main themes of the Open Society Foundations are climate justice, equity, expression, and justice and they will award grants and fellowships throughout the year to organisations and individuals who share those values. The Open Society Foundations look for grantees who have a vision and whose efforts will lead to lasting social change.

Find out more about postgraduate funding through The Open Society Foundations.

International Education and Financial Aid

The International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA) provides students from all over the world comprehensive information on financial aid for studying abroad. Using the IEFA website, you can easily search the IEFA database for scholarships, grants, loan programs, and other options available to help finance your international education.

Find out more about international PhD research funding through the IEFA.

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) awards PhD fellowships of two to three-and-a-half years to outstanding junior scientists worldwide who wish to pursue an ambitious PhD project in basic biomedical research in an internationally leading laboratory.

Find out more about the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds fellowships.

Resource sites for international PhD research funding

InternationalStudent.com

InternationalStudent.com is a leading online resource for international students around the world providing advice pages for studying in the USA, UK and Australia for international students, plus a dedicated study abroad center for US students who want to travel abroad.

Find out more about international study through InternationalStudent.com.

ScholarshipTab

ScholarshipTab is an online portal that connects international students to available scholarship opportunities round the world.

Find out more about the Scholarship Tab resource.

International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA)

The IEFA provides students from all over the world comprehensive information on financial aid for studying abroad. Search the IEFA database for scholarships, grants, loan programs, and other options available to help finance your international education.

The European Funding Guide

Scholarships and grants for students from the European Union

Find out more through the European Funding Guide

The Americas: Postgraduate doctorate funding from institutions and bodies to study in the UK

Asia: Postgraduate doctorate funding from Asian institutions and bodies to study in the UK

Bangladesh

The Charles Wallace Bangladesh Trust

Burma

The Charles Wallace Burma Trust

China and Hong Kong

Great Britain – China Educational Trust is a charity that promotes mutual understanding between the UK and China and aims to build long-term connections between the two countries. It delivers awards contributing towards university tuition fees and living expenses for Chinese nationality students studying for a PhD in any subject at a UK university.

Great Britain China Centre Chinese Student Awards offers scholarships of up to £3,000 for citizens of China and Hong Kong studying for a PhD in any subject at a UK university

The Hong Kong People Association (HKPA) aims to provide financial aids for further university education to students from Hong Kong who are not able to afford international tuition fees.

India

The Charles Wallace India Trust offers PhD funding for study in the arts, heritage conservation or the humanities.

The Inlaks India Foundation

The JN Tata Endowment award funds 90 to 100 scholars across disciplines ranging from the sciences to management, law and commerce and the fine arts.

The KC Mahindra Education Trust

Iran

The Persia Educational Foundation Abdolreza Ansari Scholarship is designed to support the education of students of Iranian descent enrolled in a Master or Doctorate programme in human rights or public service in the UK.

Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships offer partial funding scholarships for international students of Iranian descent towards a PhD in any subject.

Israel

The Kenneth Lindsay Scholarship Trust

The Anglo-Jewish Association (AJA) provides funding for Jewish students to study a Masters or PhD in the UK.

Japan

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies funds students of macroeconomics with a view to them working at the International Monetary Fund.

Pakistan

The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan. The HEC offers government scholarships for Pakistani students to study abroad in various countries, including the UK.

Saudi Arabia

The Cultural Bureau of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (SACB) offers scope for full tuition fees and supporting fees for PhD level study.

Singapore

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

Thailand

The Thai Office of Educational Affairs

Europe: Postgraduate doctorate funding from European institutions and bodies to study in the UK

The European Funding Guide - Scholarships and grants in the EU.

France - Entente Cordiale scholarships for postgraduate studies provide funding to help students enrolling for a Masters or a PhD qualification in the UK or in France.

Italy - Il Circolo Italian Cultural Association is a UK-registered charity based in London with the mission to support deserving students with awards and scholarships.

Norway - Lanekassen - The Norwegian student loans and grants awarding body supports Norwegian students studying overseas.

Scandinavia - Fundraising.how - article database offering funding advice for Scandinavian students.

Sweden - CSN - loans and grants for Swedish students studying overseas.

Australia: funding for PhD study in the UK

The Australia Day Foundation offers grants to young Australians for fees and course materials.

Africa: funding for PhD study in the UK

Sudan - The Gordon Memorial College Trust Fund (GMCTF)