Postgraduate Funding Opportunities

Applicants should discuss with the Director of Postgraduate Studies and their potential supervisors the best source of funding for their project.

You will need to apply ahead of the various deadlines for each scheme.

The first step is to apply for the PhD programme and indicate which funding scheme(s) you wish to apply for. You will only be considered for the funding opportunities listed below if you are offered a place on the PhD programme.

ESRC Funding

For ESRC funding – covering Economic and Social History – the Department participates in the NINE Doctoral Training Partnership

AHRC Funding

For AHRC funding – covering most aspects of History – the Department participates in the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award in Transformative Humanities.

Durham University Alumni Tuition Fee Discount Scheme

Durham alumni may be eligible for a discount on tuition fees for postgraduate programmes in the Arts and Humanities Faculty

China Scholarship Council

Students from mainland China can apply for CSC scholarships to study at Durham University, with supervision in the history of East Asia.

Hatfield Lioness Scholarship

The Hatfield Lioness Scholarship aims to enable a female student from a developing country to undertake postgraduate study at Durham University

Ralph Waggett MA Studentship in History

The Department encourages applications to the Ralph Waggett MA Studentship from any student who lives in the North or North East of England

SLC Loans

If you live in England, you may be eligible for a UK Government Loan

Other External Schemes

We are keen to support applicants applying to funding schemes for doctoral research in areas where we have appropriate supervision available

A plant shoot growing from a jar of coins as the sun rises in the distance

ESRC funding

For ESRC funding – covering Economic and Social History – the Department participates in the NINE Doctoral Training Partnership.

The ESRC offers funding to cover both the Masters and PhD programmes (4.5 Year studentship). Students who wish to apply for 1+3.5 MA and PhD funding will need to apply for the V1KB07 MA in Social and Economic History (Research Methods). When you apply for the programme you will need to indicate that you wish to apply for 'PGR NINE DTP' in the Intended Funding section.

To apply for the 3.5 Year PhD, 3.75 Year PhD or 4 Year PhD studentship funding through NINE DTP, you will need to apply for the V1A001 History PhD programme and indicate that you wish to apply for 'PGR NINE DTP' in the Intended Funding section.

To apply for a NINE DTP studentship you must 1) apply to Durham university and 2) work with your proposed primary supervisor to submit a Stage 1 nomination form. Note that the initial deadline for submission of a Stage 1 nomination form is 27 October 2026 at 4pm. However, a submission is not complete until the supervisor has completed and submitted the supervisor approval form. Therefore, you should complete nomination material in advance of the deadline.

Once you click ‘submit’ on your Stage 1 nomination it will trigger an email to your primary supervisor to complete the supervisor approval form. It will also trigger emails to your nominated referees and collaborative partner (if applicable) requesting supporting letters. Although the supporting letters from referees and collaborators do not need to be received by 4pm on 27 October deadline, the supervisor’s form must be submitted by that date.

Applicants whose Stage 1 nominations are successful in the department and pathway competitions will then be invited to provide Stage 2 applications for the final, studentship panel competition.

Individuals presently enrolled as PhD students are permitted to apply for NINE DTP funding only if a) they do not presently have full finding (tuition plus stipend at or above the UKRI level) in place for the duration of their studies and b) they are in their first year of PhD study (i.e. they will have completed no more than 12 months of full-time study, or 24-months part-time, by the 1 October start date).

Part-time equivalents to the above studentships are available across all accredited pathways, with the respective time of funding being extended proportionately (e.g. 7 years half-time funding for a student not requiring any master’s study). Should a part-time candidate be successful the NINE DTP will consult with the successful candidate and pathway lead at their host institution to ensure the appropriate arrangements are in place to support their studies and that they comply with the ESRC’s employment requirements regarding part-time award-holders, as well as visa restrictions if they are an international student.

While holding their award, recipients of NINE DTP studentships are required to be resident in the UK and to live within a reasonable travel time of their university or collaborative partner (except when conducting fieldwork), so that they can access the full range of training, mentoring, and support services offered by the DTP and their university. This requirement is set by the UKRI and ESRC and cannot be waived.

Candidates who hold a doctoral degree, hold an award from or are financially supported by another organisation that will fund them at or above the UKRI level for the duration of their studies, or who will have undertaken more than one year full-time PhD study or part-time equivalent by the 1 October start date will not be eligible for an award.

AHRC funding

For AHRC funding – covering most aspects of History – the Department participates in the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award for PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities. This scheme will support outstanding candidates beginning a PhD programme in 2027/28 on projects related to the themes of our Transformative Humanities .

Funding is available for both full-time and part-time study. Candidates who have already started their PhD are not eligible to apply for this studentship.

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