Leeds Doctoral Scholarships in the UK offer fully funded PhD opportunities with £19,237 annual stipend and full tuition coverage. Apply now to pursue doctoral research at the University of Leeds and advance your academic career in a world-class research environment. It sets no nationality restriction, so Nigerian appli...
Offered by University of LeedsLast checked 13 Oct 2026
Full Academic Fees: Coverage for three years for full-time study (pro-rata for part-time study)
Maintenance Grant: £19,237 annually for full-time study in 2026-2027, with increases in line with the 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). Initially awarded for one year and renewable based on satisfactory academic progress
In Nigerian terms
The award's terms mention a first class degree. On a Nigerian transcript that is written as First Class. Check the exact minimum on the provider's page.
For Nigerian applicants
The award states no nationality restriction, which means a Nigerian applicant is eligible on that point. This is phd & doctoral funding, so you would be applying with M.Sc, M.A, MBA or M.Phil. An English test (IELTS) is mentioned in the requirements. Many Nigerian graduates are waived on a medium-of-instruction letter, but that is the university's decision, not the award's — confirm it before booking.
Great news! The University of Leeds Doctoral Scholarship is now open. In this article, we explain the scholarship details, benefits, and the complete step-by-step application process.
Leeds Scholarship 2026-2027 is a fully funded PhD scholarship for international students. It provides recipients with £19,237 annually for full-time doctoral study in the UK.
The Leeds Doctoral Scholarships offer up to 6 fully funded opportunities, covering tuition fees and a generous maintenance grant. These awards are designed to support talented researchers across diverse fields, helping them advance their academic careers in a globally recognized research environment at the University of Leeds.
Scholarship Summary
Level of Study: Doctoral (PhD)
Institution(s): University of Leeds
Study in: United Kingdom
Course Level: PhD research programs
Number of Scholarships: 6
Program Period: 3.5 years full-time (pro-rata part-time)
Deadline: Tuesday, 1 April 2026
Scholarship Coverage
Full Academic Fees: Coverage for three years for full-time study (pro-rata for part-time study).
Maintenance Grant: £19,237 annually for full-time study in 2026-2027, with increases in line with the 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). Initially awarded for one year and renewable based on satisfactory academic progress.
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, 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, School of Law, and others.
Eligibility Criteria for Leeds Doctoral Scholarship
To be eligible for 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 Honours 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 Leeds Doctoral Scholarship?
Please follow the following steps to avail this scholarship:
Stage 1:Apply for a Research Programme
Submit an application for your chosen research programme 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 Lead Doctoral Scholarship, please visit the official website:
Official Website
Ready to apply
Apply on phd.leeds.ac.uk
Applications close 1 April 2026. Check the current call before you start — terms change between cycles.
Details quoted from the award's published terms, last reviewed 13 Oct 2026. Deadlines and amounts change between cycles — confirm on the official website before you apply.
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