Postgraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

Alumni Fee Scholarship 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 Entry

This Scholarship for Durham University alumni will contribute part of the cost of tuition fees for postgraduate degree and PGCE programmes across all faculties of the University

As a Durham graduate would you like a scholarship for further study at Durham?
Are you considering options for further study, retraining, and career advancement?  We can help.

We are keen to support you in realising this through the Durham University Alumni Fee Scholarship.  This Scholarship will contribute part of the cost of tuition fees. 

Further information, Eligibility and How to apply is available here.

PhD Funding

PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities

Eight awards in Transformative Humanities will be available to 2026-27 applicants across Arts and Humanities subject areas, Each award will offer a tuition fee waiver, a stipend for 3.5 years (full time) or 7 years (part time) at the level set by UKRI, additional funding opportunities, and access to training and placement resources.

The competition is open to both home and overseas students: seven awards are open to home students and will cover tuition fees at home level; one award is open to overseas students and will cover tuition fees at overseas level. In line with the cross-disciplinary nature of the scheme, supervision must include collaboration across at least two departments.

For further information, go to: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/arts-humanities/study/postgraduate-funding/phd-studentships-in-transformative-humanities/#d.en.2570665

Hild Bede Trust Postgraduate Scholarships in Theology & Religion

The Hild Bede Trust Postgraduate Scholarships in Theology & Religion will open for applications on around August each year, with scholarships available to be taken up around the start of each academic year. This page will be updated once specific dates are confirmed. 

The scholarships are offered on an annual basis and for one year although applicants who are registered for study over a longer period may re-apply annually throughout that period. The scholarship fund makes available £2000 per year and may distribute this among several successful applicants.

Hild Bede Trust Postgraduate Scholarship Application Form

If you have any queries please contact the Faculty PGR Team artsandhumanities.pgrteam@durham.ac.uk.

Chinese Scholarship Council

A full tuition fee scholarship towards Doctoral students in partnership with the Chinese Scholarships Council.

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarships are available, thanks to a partnership with the China Scholarships Council.  The scholarships are open to applicants from Mainland China wishing to study for a PhD at Durham.  

Details of the eligibility criteria along with information specific to applicants applying for this joint scheme are included in the following link:  Chinese Scholarships Council - Durham University

Please ensure you have submitted an academic application and provide all relevant documents including transcripts, study certificates, academic references and English Language certificates to Durham University via the postgraduate online application portal by 23.59h on 16 January 2026.

Please note: When completing your online academic application form for your programme of study: In the section of Funding, please answer 'Yes' to the question 'Have you either applied or are going to apply for a scholarship?' Then select 'other' from the drop-down menu and insert China Scholarship Council - Durham Joint Award in the text box.

Maple Leaf Trust’s Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund (CCSF)

The Maple Leaf Trust’s Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund (CCSF) scholarship competition opens Monday 5 January 2026 for submissions from all Canadian students pursuing full-time, multi-year postgraduate programmes in any field of study in the United Kingdom and who will be entering their second year of study in the academic year 2026-27.
 
The CCSF will award a number of scholarships with decisions in May-June 2026. Last year the CCSF granted awards totalling £70,000 to 14 postgraduate students. The number and size of scholarships may vary from year to year depending on fund raising.

The deadline for student applications is Monday 6 March 2026 at midnight UK time.
 
Further information on eligibility and details on how to apply are at the CCSF website and eligibility requirements & FAQs. A link to the application form will be available from 5 January 2026 at the website.
 
Questions should be addressed to the CCSF by email – scholarship@canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk

St Luke’s College Foundation awards

Personal awards are made to support individuals who are studying Theology or Religious Education; or who are undertaking research – leading to a Masters’ degree or PhD – in these fields.  Awards are normally only made to UK-based students studying at UK institutions. With few exceptions, Personal Awards are given to support serving clergy, ministers, church workers and teachers of RE who are undertaking postgraduate studies and research linked to their role.

The deadline for submission of applications is May 1^st each year. Further information, including on the application process, can be found at https://stlukescf.org.uk/

The Centre for Catholic Studies

The Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) at Durham University has opened applications for Scholarships and Bursaries for 2026/27.  

For further information in regard to CCS scholarships, consult the Centre for Catholic Studies funding page.

If you have any questions about the CCS scholarships, please do not hesitate to get in touch – theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk or 0191 334 3952.

Barry Scholarships

Registered postgraduate students in Theology and Religion can apply for these scholarships—usually worth about £500—in October of each year. Information on how to apply is sent to all eligible students.

Global Grand Challenges Studentships 2025 Entry

Durham is delighted to launch The Global Grand Challenges Studentships (Hunt-Raymond GGC Studentships) which are designed to support 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.

This is a university-wide scheme open to all departments and open to Home and International Fee applicants.

For further details, Eligibility and How to apply - please refer to Global Challenges Studentships - Durham University

The Application deadline is 4.00pm on 6 February 2026.

Postgraduate Scholarships

Applicants should also consult Durham University’s postgraduate scholarships page for further information on funding available.

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances.  The scholarships and bursaries listed on this page are either funded by the University, through partnerships with external organisations or through generous donations from alumni and friends of the University.