Are you an international student aiming to pursue your doctoral studies in the UK? Good news! The Leeds Scholarship for 2025-2026 is now open, offering fully funded opportunities for students who wish to carry out research at the University of Leeds. This scholarship provides significant financial support and is designed to help students advance their academic careers in a world-class research environment. Below, we’ll delve into the details of this prestigious scholarship, including its benefits and step-by-step application process.
What is the Leeds Scholarship 2025-2026?
The Leeds Scholarship for 2025-2026 is a fully funded doctoral scholarship available to international students. It offers an annual maintenance grant of £19,237 for full-time study in the UK. This funding is aimed at supporting research students who are looking to undertake PhD programs at the University of Leeds. The scholarship covers full academic fees and provides a maintenance allowance for the entire duration of the PhD program.
With up to six scholarships available, the Leeds Doctoral Scholarships cater to a variety of research disciplines, allowing you to pursue your passion in fields such as arts, biological sciences, business, medicine, social sciences, and more.
Scholarship Benefits
- Full Academic Fees Coverage: The scholarship covers full tuition fees for three years of full-time study (or pro-rata for part-time students).
- Annual Maintenance Grant: £19,237 for full-time students (adjusted according to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rates). Part-time students receive 60% of the full-time grant.
- Award Duration: The scholarship is awarded for 3.5 years for full-time PhD students, renewable based on satisfactory academic progress.
- Financial Support for Living Expenses: The maintenance grant helps with living expenses, making it easier to focus on research without financial stress.
Eligible Fields of Study
The Leeds Scholarship is available across various faculties and disciplines, offering a broad range of options for aspiring researchers. Some of the eligible fields include:
- Arts, Humanities, and Cultures: Including the Institute for Medieval Studies, the School of English, and the School of Fine Art.
- Biological Sciences: Covering areas such as the School of Biology and the School of Biomedical Sciences.
- Business: Including programs in Accounting and Finance, International Business, and Marketing.
- Environment: Focusing on fields within the School of Geography and the School of Earth and Environment.
- Medicine and Health: Including the School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, and the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences.
- Social Sciences: Covering disciplines such as Politics, Law, and International Studies.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Language Requirement: Proficiency in English is required. If English is not your first language, you must provide proof of language proficiency, typically an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no individual component below 5.5 (specific schools may have higher requirements).
- Academic Requirements: Applicants must hold a First-Class Honours Degree (or its equivalent) from a recognized institution. Applicants with a lower mark may be considered if they have a Master’s Degree with Distinction or relevant experience.
- Eligible Countries: The scholarship is open to students from all countries.
- UK Fee-Paying Status: Applicants must be classified as UK fee-paying students.
- Research Programme Enrollment: Applicants must be new postgraduate researchers applying for full-time or part-time PhD research. Students who are already registered for a PhD program are not eligible for this scholarship.
- Geographical Requirements: Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds during the scholarship period.
How to Apply for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship
The application process for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship is straightforward, but it’s important to follow the steps carefully.
Step 1: Apply for a Research Programme
- Submit your application for a research program at the University of Leeds, ensuring that you meet all the entry requirements and provide the necessary documents.
- Each school/faculty may have specific documentation requirements, so make sure to check the guidelines carefully to avoid missing any critical documents.
Step 2: Apply for the Scholarship
- After receiving your 9-digit Student Application ID, you can complete the online scholarship application form.
- Note: Applying for the scholarship does not impact your eligibility for other funding opportunities at the University of Leeds.
Selection Process
- Schools will nominate shortlisted candidates to the University’s Scholarship Selection Panel. The final decision will be based solely on academic merit. Financial hardship is not considered during the selection process.
- Successful applicants will be notified within 10 weeks of the application deadline.
Key Dates and Deadline
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, 1 April 2025.
- The scholarship is available for full-time PhD students, with the program lasting 3.5 years (pro-rata for part-time students).
Conclusion
The Leeds Scholarship for 2025-2026 presents a remarkable opportunity for international students wishing to pursue doctoral research at a prestigious UK university. The combination of full academic fees coverage and a generous maintenance grant ensures that recipients can focus on their studies without financial worries. If you’re passionate about research and eager to take the next step in your academic career, the University of Leeds could be the ideal place for you.
For more information, please visit the official website to learn about eligibility, application procedures, and other important details.
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