School of History, Classics and Archaeology, University of Edinburgh - The William R McFarlane Scholarship

What the McFarlane Scholarship gives you

If you are studying for a PhD in History at University of Edinburgh, you will receive a scholarship of living stipend of about EUR 24,500 per year (UKRI rate, £20,780 in 2025/26). A scholarship is a regular payment to cover your living costs. In addition, your tuition fees will be covered in full – at the UK or international rate – and you will receive a travel allowance for research purposes. The funding covers the entire duration of your PhD, up to 36 months. The scholarship is awarded by the Edinburgh Centre for Global History. As a scholarship holder, you will become a member of the ‘Migration, Slavery and Diaspora Studies’ research cluster, a research group that regularly organises workshops for PhD students, in which you will participate.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You will be starting a full-time PhD programme at the University of Edinburgh on campus.
• Field: You are undertaking a PhD in history, Scottish history or economic and social history, and your research project focuses on migration and/or diaspora studies. Any historical period and any region of the world is welcome.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities, both from the UK and abroad, are welcome to apply.
• First degree: You hold a British 2:1 degree, or a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject area, or an equivalent qualification from another country.
• Master's: You hold a relevant Master’s degree with an overall mark of at least 65% (or an equivalent international qualification), or you will have completed it before the start of your PhD.
• Not eligible: You cannot apply for a distance-learning place on a PhD programme, nor can you apply if you are already enrolled on a PhD programme.

How to apply

The application process consists of two stages. First, submit a complete application for the PhD programme via the university’s online system, including a research proposal of between 1,000 and 2,000 words. Then, submit a separate scholarship application via the MyEd portal and select the McFarlane Scholarship. Both deadlines fall between mid-February and early March. You will be notified of the result by May.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a single, well-funded PhD scholarship tied to a specific research topic at a university; competition is therefore fierce: only the most compelling research proposal will be successful. However, the narrow focus on migration and diaspora history also narrows the field. If your project fits this topic precisely and your grades meet the requirements of 2:1 and 65%, you are a serious contender. A concise, original research proposal is crucial.