University of the Arts London - UAL Studentship Awards / AHRC Landscape Awards

What you get

Both awards give you a fully funded PhD in art, design, fashion, communication or the humanities at the University of the Arts London (UAL). You get your Home (UK) tuition fees paid in full, plus a tax-free living allowance at the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rate. Because UAL sits in London, this includes the London weighting: about EUR 27,900 per year (£23,805) in 2026/27. There are two versions. The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards, funded by the national Arts and Humanities Research Council, cover 3.5 years full time and can be extended to 4 years when a partner organisation is involved. The UAL Studentship Awards, paid from UAL's own funds, cover 3 years full time. Part-time study is funded pro rata, so you get the same total spread over more years.

Who can apply

• Subject: You are applying for a PhD in art, design, fashion, communication or the humanities within the AHRC's subject areas.
• New applicants only: You are not already enrolled as a PhD student at UAL.
• Grades: You hold at least an upper second class honours degree (a 2:1), and ideally a master's degree.
• English: You meet UAL's English requirement, for example IELTS 7.0 or equivalent.
• Nationality: UK and international applicants can both apply. For the AHRC Landscape Awards, no more than a third of places go to international students, and international students pay the gap between the Home and Overseas fee rates themselves.
• Study mode: Full or part time. If you need a visa to study in the UK, you must study full time.

How to apply

You apply online through the UAL college that hosts your chosen project. You submit a personal statement, a project proposal, a short bibliography and a CV, and you may apply for only one project. The next round opens in spring 2027. Shortlisted applicants are then invited to interview.

How realistic are your chances?

These are full scholarships at a well-known London arts university, so they draw strong competition. The international quota on the AHRC awards makes the odds tighter for non-UK applicants. Your proposal matters most: a sharp project that fits one of the named briefs and clearly meets the 2:1 and English requirements is what stands out. Prepare early so your application is ready when the spring 2027 round opens.