Applications to these studentships are via the regular disciplinary route. Additionally, in section 10 of your application form where you are asked to indicate your source of funding, you should select 'grant-awarding body' and write 'TC25 studentships'. Your application will then be considered for our funding if you meet our eligibility criteria.
Find a PhD programme
Visit our Postgraduate research degree programme search page and explore the PhDs listed in our disciplines and programmes or search by keyword to find the programme most relevant to your research area. Each programme page provides details of the programme and related opportunities together with a list of supervisors working in that area.
Find a potential supervisor
You should identify a potential supervisor to support your application so please explore the profiles in your selected programme. Once you have identified a potential supervisor, do not hesitate to email them. Explain who you are and your motivation to do a PhD in their field of study and with them. You should provide an outline of your proposed research (around 300 words) and let them know you are applying for a University of Brighton Home studentship with a proposed start date of summer 2026.
Multiple emails to different academics are not encouraged, but please clearly indicate if you have already made an approach to other staff members or are waiting for responses.
If the potential supervisor thinks your project is feasible and wishes to support your application, they are likely to ask to see a more developed research proposal.
If you've followed the guidance on this page and still need help finding a potential supervisor, the Doctoral College can advise: DoctoralCollege@brighton.ac.uk.
What to include in your application
You will be expected to write and attach a research proposal of around 1,000 words as part of your application. Working with a potential supervisor will help you determine any key disciplinary aspects that should be considered in writing the research proposal. See our guidance on writing a research proposal.
Please use the personal statement section in the application to write up to 300 words on how you may meet the call for applications from under-represented groups in higher education.
We will need to receive two references. A referee can either be nominated from the application form to be contacted directly by the University. Alternatively, you can upload the references. These must be written in the last 12 months, be on headed paper and dated, and be written by an academic, professional or independent person who knows you and can write of your suitability for postgraduate research study.
Exceptionally, for alumni applicants, we will accept one reference from an academic at Brighton who might be nominated for your supervisory team.
You wil need to upload copies of any bachelors and masters certificates, including transcripts (or interim transcripts if not yet completed).
You will need to upload a copy of your passport or formal identity document.
Submit your application
Once you have prepared a first-rate application with the support of a potential supervisor, you can apply to the University of Brighton through our online application portal.
Please visit your selected PhD programme page for guidance, including the name of the school and PhD research degree to select in the portal. (This may be different to the programme area.)
To ensure your application will be considered for funding, you should select 'grant-awarding body' and write 'TC25 studentships' in section 10 of your application form.