Arts and Humanities Research Council - PhD funding for UK/EU doctoral students

What you get

You will be offered a fully funded PhD place. Your tuition fees in the UK will be covered in full. In addition, you will receive an annual living allowance of at least about 24,000 EUR (£20,780 at the 2025/26 rate, adjusted each year) to cover your living costs. The funding is for 3.5 years for full-time study or 7 years for part-time study. You will also receive a grant for research training, as well as additional funding for research trips, archive visits and conferences. In addition to the financial support, you will benefit from supervision by experienced academics, research and career training, and a network of AHRC researchers in the Midlands. The funding is provided by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and is administered by the University of Nottingham.

Who can apply

• Degree: You must hold (or be about to complete) at least one good bachelor’s degree, or have completed or be currently undertaking a master’s degree, or possess equivalent professional and creative experience. If you are currently undertaking a master’s degree, you must have obtained your degree before commencing your PhD.
• Field of study: Humanities and social sciences, including history, classical philology and archaeology, art history, music, English studies, modern languages, philosophy, architecture, historical and cultural geography, law and political science.
• University: You are studying for a PhD at the University of Nottingham. As there is no distance-learning programme, you must live within a reasonable distance of Nottingham.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Up to 30% places are available on each degree programme for international (non-UK) students.
• No existing doctorate: You have not yet obtained a doctoral degree and are not enrolled on a doctoral programme. You may apply a maximum of two times.
• Work limit: Whilst studying for a full-time PhD, you are allowed to work a maximum of 6 hours per week, so you cannot hold a full-time job alongside your studies.

How to apply

First, get in touch with two or three potential supervisors in Nottingham. Next, apply for a PhD place. Finally, submit your funding application online, together with a research proposal you have written yourself. For the programme starting on 2027, the application deadline is at 12 noon on 19 January 2027; full details will be published from 1 October 2026. Applications will be assessed on the basis of the research project, the applicant’s profile, their preparation and their suitability for the University of Nottingham. Shortlisted candidates will take part in an online interview; the results will be announced by early May.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a competitive, nationally recognised programme in which you will have to hold your own against strong candidates from across the humanities. Your own research proposal is crucial, as you will be designing and presenting the project yourself. If you have a clearly defined idea that aligns with the University of Nottingham’s research priorities, secure the support of supervisors at an early stage and draft a clear, feasible application, your chances are good.