Funded PhD programmes 2023 for postgraduate research UK

What UK PhD scholarships are available ?

Our academics across the University of Brighton have developed research areas in which they can offer outstanding support and which they are committed to developing and growing.

The scholarships available will be given to candidates who best fulfil the promise outlined by these academic departments.

Funding is available across a wide range of topics: science, social science, education, arts, humanities and medicine. The full range of funded PhD opportunities are open to home students while most are open to international students. Applications must be based on the topics outlined on our PhD studentship application website.

Can you be a researcher? Professor Bhavik Patel and Professor Marina Novelli reassure applicants of all backgrounds that they can study for a PhD and aim for a research career. 

How do I apply for a PhD studentship?

The application for this scheme will involve: 

• contacting a supervisor to discuss and support your application - contact and research details are on our PhD studentship application website.
• submitting a full application through the university's PhD application portal, accessible from the PhD studentship application website. You will upload your research proposal as part of this process.
• The submission must include two letters of reference, academic qualifications, and a research proposal together with your CV (resumé) where appropriate. 
• Deadline is 27 February 2023 16:00 (UCT/GMT).
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview.

Details of application for fully funded PhD studentships

To apply for your studentship at the University of Brighton, you should first review the programmes that our academic departments (faculty) have put together. These are indicative of the supervisory landscape and university priorities, and are a guide to where your own expertise might meet the criteria. 

You will find opportunities outlined clearly on our PhD studentship application website. Depending on discipline, these take the form of titles or outlines of indicative content. Along with these you will find details of our top-ranked supervisory staff. 

All eligible applications for the funded PhD will be reviewed by the relevant disciplinary areas. Final decisions on the allocations of funding for all types of PhD will rest with the university's central Doctoral College. 

What does PhD funding include?

The University of Brighton fosters research careers and will provide doctoral training, attentive and expert supervision and access to all the requirements you need to develop an internationally-worthy research project. 

We are renowned as a leading applied university, with pioneer academics in disciplines from sport science to design history. Our strategy of 'practical wisdom' leads to real-world partnerships and beneficiaries across all disciplines from civil engineering to applied philosophy. The development of community-university partnership practices have placed us among the best universities for many aspects of co-produced research and innovation.

We pride ourselves on the ways we work in partnership with those outside higher education, across the European Union and internationally. Through our research collaborations we work with a wide range of universities, both internationally and with universities in the UK. We are also founding members of two UKRI Doctoral Training Partnerships. We learn constantly from our involvement in these, and our rich resources are offered across all doctoral research programmes.

Earlier this year, the University of Brighton celebrated its performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021). Following the assessment of scores of research outputs and research impact case studies, we had research rated as 'world-leading' in all ten units of assessment we entered, covering a diverse range of subject areas, while over 87 per cent of our submitted impact case studies were rated as having 'outstanding' or 'very considerable' impact beyond academia. We are dedicated to developing this quality work with new students. Read more about the review of our research and knowledge exchange performance in REF2021.

The funding for the PhD will cover the full fee and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus an allowance for researcher training for three years (or part-time equivalent). 

Successful candidates will benefit from expert supervisory teams, a programme of postgraduate researcher development workshops and membership of specialist, interdisciplinary research centres and groups. There will be introductions to a network of relevant researchers, careers advice and opportunities for interaction within and beyond the university. Through this, our PhD students have the best start possible towards ambitious careers that make use of their research degrees.

How will you build a relationship with your supervisor? Professor Annebella Pollen and Dr Tom Ainsworth are among those offering advice. This film was made by the University of Brighton for UKRI and also features academics from other institutions.

How do I increase my chances of getting a PhD studentship?

You must be able to show your suitability for a UK research degree if you wish to apply for fully-funded studentships.

This includes evidence either of a relevant and successful academic background or equivalent relevant professional/expert background in the applied subject area. Applicants from overseas will also have to fulfil any English language and visa requirements.

This will be true for studentships in the UK across most of the UK universities. It is usual for applicants either to have completed (or be about to complete) a masters degree, have an exceptional undergraduate record and references, or demonstrate the equivalent scholarly potential through their professional lives or practices.

The support of a supervisor is paramount. You are responsible for contacting a potential supervisory academic and interesting them in your proposal for research in their field. They will be able to help you structure and phrase your application and will understand the system and the best opportunities within the process.

For the current scheme at the University of Brighton, success will depend on a number of factors. Some of these relate to the project's fit within the university as well as the proposal's own merits. Such factors include academic sustainability, the strengthening of the academic community, and contribution to the development of postgraduate research culture. This approach is true for many universities in the UK. Applicants who do not receive funding this year may well have a valid and interesting project that will be suitable in future funding applications or for self-funded study. 

Some ways you might strengthen an application are outlined below: 

• is a three-year completion (or part-time equivalent) feasible and the trajectory well-defined?
• does the project strengthen current and growing academic interests at the university?
• does the project reflect the strategic direction of the department and the university?
• could the project support an academic partnership or a partnership outside academia? 

Supervisory staff and research students at the University of Brighton consider how important diverse thinking and inclusive practice are to their doctoral studies.

Can I get PhD funding at the University of Brighton?

The studentships offered in this initiative are part of a long-standing annual programme of funded PhD opportunities including several rooted in research council (UKRI) partnerships.

The initiative will allow postgraduate study for UK-based students as well as study in the UK for international students (depending on the PhD programme). 

We are also keen to encourage students who might be able to self-fund their doctoral studies. Studying part-time, for example, is likely to prove more affordable and more easily balanced with professional life than you'd imagine. 

We are dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere and structure for your studies. Show us your own qualities and your suitability for these programmes and we look forward to receiving your application. Good luck!

Deadline is 27 February 2023 16:00 (UCT/GMT).