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The University of Southampton is dedicated to supporting students in completing research that will change the world for the better.
The Doctoral College have a number of scholarships on offer to help talented researchers begin their doctoral journey:
- Presidential Scholarships – 3.5 years fees and stipend for UK and international (including EU) students
- Black Futures – 3.5 years Fees and stipend for UK Black students
- Presidential Bursaries – 3.5 years UK/OS (including EU) fees difference for international students
Full details of each scholarship / bursary can be found below.
Questions?
Applicants can access information about our PhD scholarships on the Doctoral College website. If you have any further questions, please contact DCComms@soton.ac.uk.
- Presidential Scholarships – for UK and international (including EU) students
The Doctoral College Presidential Scholarship Scheme gives outstanding research students from the UK and international the opportunity to undertake doctoral study in their chosen field.
What does the scholarship include?
Successful presidential scholars will receive the following academic scholarship for up to 3.5 years (pro-rata for part-time students):
- Full funding for tuition fees (for UK and international students)
- A stipend of £17,668 per annum for living costs (reviewed annually and aligned with the UKRI base rate)
- A research training and support grant of £1,000 per annum (up to a maximum of £3,500 for full-time students and pro-rata for part-time students)
In addition to financial support and supervision, award holders will also:
- have the opportunity to attend a dedicated programme of events organised by the Doctoral College, providing opportunities to meet with Senior Leaders of the University, hear about research from across the University and network with other Presidential Scholars;
- have access to an extensive research and transferable skills training programmes for doctoral students;
- have their work promoted through University media channels.
Who can apply?
Candidates demonstrating exceptional academic performance will be considered for a Presidential Scholarship. Candidates must be in possession of, or due to receive, either:
- A first class or equivalent in their undergraduate or integrated masters degree
- and/or a distinction overall, with a distinction in the project or equivalent in a standalone masters
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and nationalities, and in all subject areas.
Applicants must be accepted to commence doctoral study by research at the University of Southampton in the academic year 2023/24.
How do candidates apply?
The Presidential Scholarships do not require a separate application from the candidate. Candidates who have applied to undertake a PhD with us by Friday 17 March 2023 will be considered for a Presidential Scholarship. The link to apply for a PhD with us can be found here. Faculties will then make applications for scholarships to the Doctoral College on behalf of suitably qualified candidates.
What are the conditions of the award?
Candidates in receipt of an offer of a Presidential Scholarship must register for, and start their doctoral studies, between 1 August 2023 and 1 December 2023.
The Scholarship will be paid for a maximum of up to 3.5 years funding (pro-rata for part-time students), or the date of first submission of the thesis, whichever is the sooner. The full terms and conditions of the award can be found on the Doctoral College website.
Process for Faculties
Faculties will make applications for Scholarships on behalf of suitably qualified candidates, to the Doctoral College for consideration. The recipients of the scholarships must commence their doctoral studies by research between 1 August and 1 December 2022.
- Academic Schools may recommend suitable candidates meeting the eligibility criteria for ranking and selection by a panel mandated by the Faculty Graduate School Committee using the criteria above, mindful of the key objectives of the scheme.
- The selected candidates’ information should be entered onto theselection spreadsheet by the deadline of Friday 24 March 2023. Faculties have been allocated a quota of scholarships based on 100% funding. More scholarships may be provided should there be leveraging of external funding.
- Each Faculty can nominate 1 applicant each for a Presidential Scholarship and two reserves in case of offers being declined.
- To promote interdisciplinary research, Faculties may second the nomination of candidates in another Faculty.
- Additional studentships may be available if external leverage of funds can be used to part fund a scholarship. These funds might include, e.g., existing UKRI funds, but in such cases the Presidential Scholarships contribution will be limited to the top-up fees between UK and OS funding.
- In arriving at a final ranked ordered list, the Doctoral College panel may take into account the disciplinary, diversity and gender balance of the submitted candidates. For example the University priority recruitments areas include India, Nigeria, Europe, North America, Malaysia and Taiwan, but other nationalities will also be considered
Deadlines:
- Student to have received an offer to undertake a PhD with us by Friday 17 March 2023
- Successful candidates to be notified by Friday 19 May 2023
- Presidential Scholarships– Black Futures – for UK Black students
The University is offering a Black Futures scholarship scheme, to support talented UK-domiciled Black and mixed-Black heritage students who want to study for a PhD at Southampton.
What does the scholarship include?
Successful Black Futures scholars will receive the following academic scholarship for up to 3.5 years (pro-rata for part-time students):
- Full funding for tuition fees (for UK students)
- A stipend of £17,668 per annum for living costs (reviewed annually and aligned with the UKRI base rate)
- A research training and support grant of £1,000 per annum (up to a maximum of £3,500 for full-time students and pro-rata for part-time students)
Who can apply?
The Black Futures scholarships are open to applicants who:
- are eligible for home fees
- have Black or mixed Black heritage (see here for exact criteria)
- and have applied for a research postgraduate programme at Southampton starting in the 2023/24 academic year
In addition, candidates must be in possession of, or due to receive, either a first class or Upper Second Class equivalent in their undergraduate or integrated masters degree.
Applicants must be accepted to commence doctoral study by research at the University of Southampton in the academic year 2023/24.
Please see the eligibility criteria here for full details on who can apply for a Black Futures scholarship.
How do candidates apply?
To apply for a Doctoral College Black Futures scholarship, candidates need to:
- Submit an application for a PhD using the University’s online application portal
- State they are applying for a Black Futures scholarship under the ‘Funding Information’ section of the application form.
Candidates should submit their applications to us by Monday 06 March.
The Doctoral College is working to build a diverse and inclusive community, so if you are excited and passionate about this opportunity but are still unsure about applying we would strongly encourage you to apply or get in touch to discuss further”.
What are the conditions of the award?
Candidates in receipt of an offer of a Black Futures Scholarship must register for, and start their doctoral studies, between 1 August 2023 and 1 December 2023. The Scholarship will be paid for a maximum of up to 3.5 years funding (pro-rata for part-time students), or the date of first submission of the thesis, whichever is the sooner. The full terms and conditions of the award can be found on the Doctoral College website.
Deadlines:
- Student to have received an offer to undertake a PhD with us by Friday 17 March 2023
- Successful candidates to be notified by Friday 19 May 2023
- Presidential Bursaries for international researchers
The Doctoral College is offering Presidential Bursaries for up to 30 international postgraduate researchers to undertake doctoral study, starting in 2023/4.
What does the bursary include?
Our Presidential Bursaries will cover the difference between UK and international fees.
Who can apply?
Applications for Presidential Bursaries are accepted from international candidates demonstrating exceptional academic performance. Candidates must possess, or be due to receive, either:
- A first class or equivalent in their undergraduate or integrated masters degree
- and/or a distinction overall, with a distinction in the project or equivalent in a standalone masters.
We encourage applications from all international students in all subject areas.
Applicants must be accepted to commence doctoral study by research at the University of Southampton in the academic year 2023/24.
How do candidates apply?
The Presidential Bursaries do not require a separate application from the candidate. International candidates who have applied to undertake a PhD with us by Friday 17 March 2023 will be considered for a Presidential Bursaries. The link to apply for a PhD with us can be found here. Faculties will then make applications for bursaries to the Doctoral College on behalf of suitably qualified candidates.
What are the conditions of the award?
Candidates in receipt of an offer of a Presidential Bursary must register for, and start their doctoral studies, between 1 August 2023 and 1 December 2023.
The Bursary will be paid for a maximum of up to 3.5 years funding (pro-rata for part-time students), or the date of first submission of the thesis, whichever is the sooner.
It will cover any differential change in the difference between the UK and international fee level during the duration of the bursary.
Funding for the UK-component of the fees, a stipend (if paid) and research training support grant associated with the student may be sourced from UKRI or other sources. If a stipend is to be paid through the University (by a third party or the University directly), it must be at least at the UKRI minimum stipend level (currently) £17,668 per annum, and rise accordingly.
The full terms and conditions of the award can be found on the Doctoral College website.
Process for Schools
- information to follow shortly
Deadlines:
- Student to have received an offer to undertake a PhD with us by Friday 17 March 2023
- Successful candidates to be notified by Friday 19 May 2023