AHRC Studentships

AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership - Funded Open PhD Studentship content

AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership - Funded Open PhD Studentship

Available for October 2025 start

UHI is seeking outstanding applicants for doctoral AHRC studentships in the five areas of:

Archaeology, Gaelic Language & Celtic Studies, History, Northern Studies and Theology.

A select number of studentships will be available for PhD researchers world-wide. Successful applicants will benefit from a fully-funded PhD studentship, including stipend plus fees.

The initial deadline to submit your application is 28 October 2024, Midday GMT. Please see eligibility criteria and details of the application process.

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UHI is one of ten Scottish institutions that are part of the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH). SGSAH has been awarded funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to support doctoral studentships and training in the Arts and Humanities in Scotland, as well as professional development opportunities.

The 3.5 year studentships cover:

  • Tuition fees each year
  • A maintenance grant each year of around £18,000 per annum (for full-time study);
  • Funding for research training.
Eligible subject areas content

Eligible subject areas

Eligible subject areas

Awards will be available at UHI for October 2025 start for PhD programmes in the following areas:

Eligibility criteria content

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria

Applicants should normally have, or expect to have by 30 September 2025 a Masters' degree or equivalent, although applicants with a First Class (Hons) undergraduate degree or relevant professional experience may also be considered.

If English is not your native language, and you do not have a prior UK degree, you will need IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum, with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent. This must have been gained no more than two years prior to the proposed project start date. For more information see Entry requirements and visa advice - English language requirements (uhi.ac.uk)

Please note:

  • For applicants who do not require a visa to study, Part-time is an option, with a minimum of 50% of full-time effort. Fees and stipend will be pro-rata.
  • Applicants must not be holding another full Scholarship for the 2025/26 academic session.
  • You will be expected to live within a reasonable travel time of the project’s main campus location; distance study cannot be supported for this award.
  • Continuing PhD students may apply and at least 50% of the supervised study period should be remaining as of 30 September 2025. Funding will only be available for this remaining period.
Award Deadlines content

Award Deadlines

Award Deadlines

The application process will be in two stages – see ‘How to Apply’ for further details.

You must have applied for an academic offer to study PhD at UHI by 28 October 2024 Midday GMT.

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified by 4 November 2024 and the interview will take place during week commencing 22 November 2024.

If you are selected for nomination to the SGSAH for studentship funding, the UHI Graduate School will formally notify you by 30 January 2025.

You will then be required to submit an on-line SGSAH studentship funding application by 14 February 2025, Midday GMT.

Documents and How to Apply content

Documents and How to Apply

Documents and How to Apply

The application process will be in two stages:

Stage 1. Application for an academic offer

Before applying for SGSAH studentship funding you must hold an offer of a place to study a PhD at UHI. This offer must be in place before an application for funding is made through the SGSAH application process. Please note - securing an academic offer does not guarantee an offer of funding will be made by SGSAH.

Please ensure you refer to our applicant guidance notes, as well as SGSAH applicant information.

You must have applied to study at UHI by 28 October 2024, Midday GMT.

Applicants are required to contact the subject lead associated with their chosen discipline to discuss their planned research before submitting their application. As a first step, our Research Database will help you determine if there is relevant expertise to support your research.

Following receipt of your application, shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview during week commencing 22 November 2024. The selected candidates will receive a formal offer by 30 January 2025.

Stage 2. Application for a SGSAH studentship

Once you have received your offer, you will work with your supervisor to draft your SGSAH application for funding. When this is finalised, you will be required to complete an online funding application via the SGSAH application portal which will be open from 31 January-12 February 2025.

In the final part of the process, the online funding application will be considered jointly by the partner universities via panel meetings. Offers for awards will be made by mid-April 2025. For further details about SGSAH funding, please visit the SGSAH website.

AHRC Open PhD application form

AHRC Open PhD application guidance

AHRC Open PhD reference form