About the opportunity
The University of Sheffield has received an AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) to support four full-time or part-time PhD studentships per year within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. These studentships are associated with the AHRC North/Northwest Hub, a regional collaboration of ten universities. Recipients will join the DLA North/North West Hub cohort and are expected to participate in cohort training and activities. The Faculty of Arts and Humanities includes the School of English, the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities, the School of Languages, Arts and Societies, and the School of Law. Students have access to the Doctoral School Centre at the Jessop West site and opportunities to engage with over two dozen Faculty Research Centres.
Funding and benefits
- Full payment of tuition fees (Home or International rates)
- Maintenance stipend at the UKRI rate (currently £21,805 for the 2026/27 academic year)
- 3.5-year duration for full-time students (pro-rata for part-time)
- Access to the Doctoral School Centre and Faculty Research Centres
Who can apply?
- Open to prospective PhD candidates
- Not open to candidates already enrolled in a PhD program
- Open to both UK and international candidates (up to one studentship may be allocated to an international candidate)
Required documents
- PhD study application (submitted via the university portal)
- Funding application form (submitted via the provided online form)
When to apply
- Deadline for PhD study application: Monday, December 14, 2026
- Deadline for funding application: 5 PM GMT, Friday, February 19, 2027
- Selection panel meetings: March 2027
- Notification of outcome: By the end of March 2027
How to apply
- Submit a study application for a PhD place at the University of Sheffield via the online application portal to receive an application number.
- Complete and submit the funding application form using your study application number.
- Use the provided template to prepare answers for the funding application before submitting in one sitting.
Additional information
- The funding application must be submitted in one sitting.
- Competition for the international studentship place is noted as particularly intense.
- Applicants selected by their school will be nominated to a Faculty panel for final selection.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Prospective PhD researchers in the arts and humanities who are seeking a fully funded opportunity with a structured cohort experience.
- Candidates looking to engage with interdisciplinary research centers and regional academic networks in the North/Northwest of the UK.
What should you think carefully about?
- The competition for the single international studentship place is explicitly described as intense, which may impact success rates for non-UK applicants.
- The funding application must be completed in one sitting, requiring careful preparation using the provided template before starting the online form.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This award is ideal for high-achieving researchers aiming to secure a fully funded PhD position at a research-intensive UK university. It provides not only financial support but also integration into a broader regional research hub, which is beneficial for those looking to build professional networks early in their academic career.
Our take
Candidates in the arts and humanities who are not yet enrolled in a PhD program should prioritize this opportunity for its comprehensive funding package. International applicants should be prepared for high competition and ensure their research proposal is exceptionally strong.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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