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Department of Theology and Religion
Shelves of books from theology and religion

Postgraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

Further information on available scholarships, bursaries and awards can be found here and here

MA Funding

> Durham University Alumni Tuition Fee Discount Scheme

All Durham alumni will qualify for a 20% discount on tuition fees (home or overseas) for any taught postgraduate programme in the Arts and Humanities Faculty (the MA by research is not eligible for the enhanced discount). Further information is available here.

> Faculty of Arts and Humanities MA Bursaries/Durham Doctoral Studentships

The Faculty MA Bursaries and Durham Doctoral Studentships will not be available for the October 2023 intake.

PhD Funding

> Environmental Humanities PhD Scholarships

Four funded studentships by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities to create a cohort of doctoral students in the area of Environmental Humanities for the 2024/25 year.  Environmental Humanities is understood broadly in terms of explorations of the interaction of nature and society and focussed on transformative research that brings the humanities - including the research carried out by all of our departments - to our most pressing problems in this area (such as the climate emergency).

> Durham/ China Scholarships Council Joint Phd Scholarship 

These important scholarships are available thanks to a partnership with Durham and the China Scholarship 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 are included in the following link:

Chinese Scholarships Council - Durham University

Please note the deadline for PhD applications is 23.59 on 15 January 2024

Open call for F/t Doctoral Research Studentship applications - Pro:NE Studentships

This is an open call for full-time Doctoral Research Studentship applications for UK-Home candidates from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds. 

One PhD studentship is available in the Business Faculty at Durham University under the Office for Students funded Postgraduate Research Opportunities for the Northeast/Network for Equity (Pro-NE) project.

Access and participation for students of colour is limited by persistent inequalities that exist throughout Higher Education but is of prevalence in the Northeast which has some of the lowest numbers of students of colour in England.

Postgraduate Research Opportunities for the Northeast/Network for Equity (Pro-NE) is an ambitious, multi-partner regional research project funded by the Office for Students.  Durham University has joined together with Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside universities to develop a 4-year programme (ending January 2026) to mobilise and increase the number of students of colour undertaking postgraduate research in the North-East universities and to ensure that they receive the support that they need.

The studentship will be awarded based on applicant excellence.  The candidate's academic and/or work profile and proposal quality will be an important consideration.  The studentship supports a full stipend, paid for three years and
6 months (42 months) at UKRI rates currently £18,622 per year and full tuition fees for home candidates from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds only.  Please see advanced HE guidance on positive action.

There is one award available within the Faculty of Business.

Further details about the scholarship and how to apply are available here

Candidates wishing to apply for a Pro-NE studentship must complete the University's Postgraduate Application form and submit all other supporting documentation (as detailed in the guidance notes)

Eligible applications received by the administering Faculty of Business will be reviewed and assessed in one single stage by a University Pro-NE Postgraduate Studentships Panel.  

If you have any questions about the Pro-NE studentships process, please contact the administering Faculty Office at business.researchhub@durham.ac.uk

Deadline for applications: 23.59 (London, UK) on 15 February 2024
Offer made: April/ May 2024
Start date: October 2024

> Northern Bridge Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership Competition 2023/24

Northern Bridge Consortium offers up to 67 funded doctoral studentships to outstanding applicants across a full range of arts and humanities subjects.  They run an annual competition to select the best doctoral candidates and provide a comprehensive package of financial support over the duration of study.

The Guidance and documentation for the 2023-24 studentship competition for entry in October 2024 has now been published and can be found here.  

Prospective applicants are expected to read the full Guidance Notes and to make themselves aware of the competition process and deadlines, and to approach prospective supervisors at the earliest opportunity.  

Please note:  The Department deadline for applicants to submit their PG Study Application online, ensuring that all supporting documents have been received by the department, including references is Midnight Friday 1 December 2023 (earlier than the AHRC Northern Bridge published deadline of 9 January 2024).

Please note: all applicants must indicate that they wish to be considered for the AHRC Northern Bridge Studentship competition.  Please select "Northern Bridge AHRC Studentship" from the drop-down menu on the online portal under 'How do you propose to fund your studies?' when submitting your PG Application and supporting documents. 

If an applicant has already applied or has omitted to indicate on the application form that they wish to be considered for a Northern Bridge Studentship from their postgraduate application, they should contact theo.pgresearchadmin@durham.ac.uk as soon as possible, before the above department deadline.

There were Application Workshops for prospective applicants held on Tuesday 24 October (10.00-12.00 midday) and Thursday 26 October (2.00-4.00pm).  A recording of one of these sessions has been made available for applicants who were unable to attend - Please click this link to view

> Centre for Catholic Studies

The Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) at Durham University has opened applications for Scholarships and Bursaries for 2024/25.   

  • In partnership with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), the CCS is offering up to FIVE FCJ Bicentenary Scholarships to full-time or part-time MA and PhD candidates in Catholic Theology or Catholic Studies.  Each award includes full tuition fees (at the UK/Home rate) and a maintenance allowance of up to £17,000 per annum (pro rata).
     
  • In partnership with the Sisters of the Religious of Christian Education (RCE), the CCS is offering ONE three-year Louis Lafosse PhD Scholarship including full tuition fees (at UK/Home rate) and an annual maintenance grant of up to £13,850 per annum (pro rata). 
  • The CCS is also offering the following tuition fee only awards:
    o    The Catherine McAuley Postgraduate Scholarship Fund funded by the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy;
    o    The St Jude Postgraduate Scholarship Fund, funded by an anonymous individual; and
    o    ONE Jesuits in Britain Durham Rutilio Grande MA Bursary – one award of £5,000 towards MA tuition fees for 2024/25.

Applications for the MA in Theology and Religion V8K407, and PhD’s in the following areas of Catholic Theology and Catholic Studies will be considered:

  • Constructive Catholic Theology; 
  • Catholic Historical Theology;
  • Interpretation of Scripture in Catholic Tradition;
  • Catholic Social Thought and Practice;
  • The History of Catholicism;
  • Lived Catholicism;
  • Social-Scientific study of Catholicism;
  • Franciscan Studies.  

If you are unsure whether your area of research would be considered, please do get in touch.

Full details of the awards available for 2024/25, including eligibility criteria and an application form, are available at: Funding - Durham University 

The closing date for applications for the FCJ and Louis Lafosse scholarships is Sunday 18 February 2024. New candidates for a postgraduate degree within the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University must also complete a standard DU application for postgraduate admission with all supporting documents by Sunday 28 January 2024.
 
If you have any questions about the CCS scholarships, please do not hesitate to get in touch – theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk or 0191 334 3952.

> Barry Scholarships

Registered postgraduate students in Theology and Religion can apply for these scholarships—usually worth about £500—in October of each year. Information on how to apply is sent to all eligible students. The Department's Learning and Teaching Assistant Manager can be contacted for further information.

> The Evangelical Graduate Fellowship

The new Evangelical Graduate Fellowship has been established in honour of Professor Walter Moberly with the aim to support postgraduate research students in the Department of Theology and Religion. In line with the donor intent funds up to a total of £1500 may be awarded on a competitive basis.  St John's College manages the bursary and is now welcoming applications for the academic year 2023-24.  

Eligibility

  • Applicants should be international (excluding UK and EU) postgraduate research students in the Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University regardless of college affiliation.
  • (Protestant) Evangelical Christians.
  • Research focus on biblical/ theological study of the Christian canon of Scripture as the basic text for writing a thesis/ dissertation.
  • Merit (eg GPA>3.5 or within top 5% of the class).

All applicants must complete both sections of the application form and return it to johns.secretary@durham.ac.uk by Sunday 15 October 2023 at 23.59, stating "Evangelical Graduate Fellowship Application" in the subject line.

Full eligibility criteria and details are outlined in the application form here

> The Hild and Bede Trust Postgraduate Theology Scholarships (2024-2025)

The College of St Hild & St Bede has an historic connection to the Church of England through its foundation as two Colleges in the nineteenth century for the training of teachers. The College continues that relationship through the Postgraduate Scholarships in Theology and Religion which are underwritten by funding secured by the College from the Hild Bede Trust. These scholarships are open to postgraduate students with great ability and promise. This is determined jointly with the University Department of Theology and Religion. The scholarships are open to student studying in any area of theology of religion and members of any College subject to the condition that they agree to transfer to Hild Bede for the period of the scholarship.
The scholarships are offered on an annual basis and for one year although applicants who are registered for study over a longer period may re-apply annually throughout that period. 
The scholarship fund makes available £2000 per year and may one, two or no awards. Awards will be up to £1000 per applicant per year.
Eligibility
Applications are welcomed from:
1) Registered postgraduates in the Department of Theology and Religion who are also members of the College of St Hild and St Bede;
2) Registered postgraduates who agree, as condition of acceptance of the scholarship, to transfer College membership to Hild Bede;
3) Applicants may either hold an offer of a place for postgraduate study in the Department of Theology and Religion to start in September/October 2024 or already be enrolled in study in the Department.
4) Awards will be made with regard both to students’ academic promise and to their financial need. Students who are in receipt of a full scholarship (fees and living costs) from any source will not be eligible.
Assessment of applications
Applications for this scholarship will be assessed by the Principal of the College of St Hild & St Bede and the Chair of the Department Scholarships Committee, their nominees and/or other committee members. Applications will be assessed for academic quality and the case for support including financial need.
To apply, please request an application from Professor Simon Forrest (email address below)

Timelines and submission information
  • The Scholarship opens for applications for 2024-25 on Monday 5th August
  • Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 30th August
  • Award(s) will be announced in early September
Submissions should be made to Professor Simon Forrest at simon.forrest@durham.ac.uk and copied to hildbede.admin@durham.ac.uk
Professor Simon Forrest
Principal of the College of St Hild & St Bede
and Professor of Sociology

For further funding opportunities you can visit postgraduatestudentships.co.uk, the principal gateway to funding opportunities in the UK, which includes several sources of independent funding that could be taken up at any UK university, including Durham.