Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries

A range of funding opportunities is available to applicants to postgraduate programmes in the Arts and Humanities Faculty. Inevitably, these schemes are highly competitive and require applicants to demonstrate evidence of outstanding potential and a very strong academic performance to date. The Music Department has an excellent track record of success in securing several scholarships for its students every year, and we will work closely with suitable candidates to support them throughout the application process.

In most cases you will be required to submit a detailed research proposal outlining the project that you intend to undertake. The quality, originality, and significance of your proposed project are key criteria in assessing applications, so it is vitally important to ensure that your proposal is as high-quality as possible if you are to stand a realistic chance of success. We strongly recommend that you seek feedback on your proposal from your prospective supervisor well in advance of applying, allowing sufficient time to revise it in the light of their recommendations.

Funding opportunities for applicants to doctoral programmes

1. PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities

With the support of our AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award and the Faculties of Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences, this scheme supports outstanding candidates on projects related to the themes of our They include Creativity, Culture, and Heritage; Digital Humanities; Environmental Humanities; Medical Humanities; Science-Humanities; Social Justice, Communities, and Policy. Eight full studentships are available for projects beginning in October 2026: seven awards are open to home students and one award is open to overseas students. Each award will offer a tuition fee waiver, a stipend for 3.5 years (full time) or 7 years (part time) at the level set by UKRI, additional funding opportunities, and access to training and placement resources.

https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/arts-humanities/research/transformative-humanities/

Applicants are expected to demonstrate evidence of academic excellence at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as evidence of sufficient research skills to undertake the project.

This generally means a first-class or good upper-second undergraduate degree and performance at or around distinction level in an MA degree. International students as well as UK students are eligible to apply. European Union applicants who have not been resident in the UK for the three years prior to the start of their studentship are eligible for a fees-only award from the AHRC (institutional funds permitting, maintenance awards may be offered to successful EU applicants).

2.  Chinese Scholarship Council 

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarships are available thanks to a partnership with the China Scholarships Council. The scholarships are open to applicants from Mainland China wishing to study for a PhD at Durham. Details of the eligibility criteria along with information specific to applicants applying for this joint scheme can be found here.

3.  Other Doctoral Scholarships

Information about other internal and external funding opportunities (some of which are restricted to applicants of specific nationalities) can be accessed from the Faculty's Scholarships page. Follow the links to Postgraduate Scholarships and (if applicable) International Scholarships.

4.  Global Grand Challenges Studentships 2025 Entry 

The Global Grand Challenges Studentships (Hunt-Raymond GGC Studentships) which are designed to support excellent early career researchers wishing to pursue doctoral research and training in areas aligned to a highlighted Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).  

The call is for research and researchers aligned to SDG13: Climate Action for projects that aim to address issues associated with climate change and building a more resilient global future.  

More information can be found at Global Grand Challenges Studentships