The Faculty of Arts and Humanities invites applications from outstanding UK and international students for a range of fully-funded PhD studentships to begin in the 2026/27 academic year.
We are globally recognised as leading research in Arts and Humanities, and we are committed to developing thoughtful, critical, and engaged citizens for a rapidly changing and complex world. Our vibrant and diverse research community is enriched by our several lively and welcoming centres and institutes, including the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies and the Institute for Medical Humanities.
Whatever your goal, the Durham PhD empowers you to combine rigorous research with high quality supervision and training to enable you to make a unique contribution to your field of study. You will have the opportunity to carry out your project in a supportive academic environment and through genuine collaboration with a diverse faculty community engaged in world-leading research.
With the support of our AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award and the Faculties of Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences, this scheme supports outstanding candidates on projects related to the themes of our Transformative Humanities framework. They include Creativity, Culture, and Heritage; Digital Humanities; Environmental Humanities; Medical Humanities; Science-Humanities; Social Justice, Communities, and Policy. Eight full studentships are available for projects beginning in October 2026: seven awards are open to home students and one award is open to overseas students.
Find out more about the PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities
Durham University is delighted to launch The Global Grand Challenges Studentships (Hunt-Raymond GGC Studentships) which are designed to support five excellent early career researchers wishing to pursue doctoral research and training in areas aligned to a highlighted Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
This call is for research and researchers aligned to SDG13: Climate Action for projects that aim to address issues associated with climate change and building a more resilient global future.
Find out more about the Global Grand Challenges Studentships
The ESRC Northern Ireland and North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership is a centre of excellence for doctoral training across the North East of England and Northern Ireland, bringing together the seven partner institutions, students and non higher education partners to create a vibrant and dynamic environment in which innovative economic and social science research can thrive. Each training pathway is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council for the quality and relevance of its research and training provision, and each is offered only in departments which have met the rigorous quality standards of the ESRC (ranked as either world-leading, or of internationally excellent quality).
The Economic and Social History Training pathway is offered at the Department of History.
The Environment, Climate & Sustainability pathway is offered at the School of Modern Languages and Culture.
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures and the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS) invite applications for two PhD studentships through the Institute’s flagship programme of research, Inventing Futures (IFs). These studentships are for full-time study and cover home-level fees and an annual stipend at the level set by UKRI. International candidates are eligible to apply, but must cover the difference between home and international fees.
Find out more about the Inventing Future Barker PhD Studentships
One full scholarship is available to a UK postgraduate researcher who demonstrates exceptional potential within the field of Modern European Languages, for entry in October 2026.
Find out more about the Barker Doctoral Scholarship in Modern European Languages
This award will cover home fees, catering and accommodation at St Mary's College, and a stipend to support a PhD student in the Department of Classics and Ancient History beginning in 2026/27.
Find out more about the Edna Jenkinson PhD Studentship in Classics
Up to 25 studentships are available to applicants from Mainland China wishing to study for a PhD in any discipline at Durham, thanks to our partnership with the China Scholarship Council.
Find out more about the China Scholarship Council
Durham University is pleased to announce the introduction of the Khodorkovsky Scholarships which are specifically designed to support citizens of Russia wishing to undertake a second degree at Durham University.
It is the intention of the scholarship programme that Scholars make a meaningful contribution to the development of Russia and promote east/west understanding.
Durham alumni are eligible for a 10% discount on tuition fees for taught MA. For alumni who commence a new postgraduate research programme, including MA by Research, they will be eligible for a 10% fee discount for each year of their published programme length.
We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances. The scholarships and bursaries are either funded by the University, through partnerships with external organisations or through generous donations from alumni and friends of the University.
Additional postgraduate studentship opportunities are listed at this page.
The scholarships, awards, and bursaries are dedicated to supporting students from countries around the world. Other options for funding your studies may also be available and can be found through the funding database.
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