Annual PhD Studentships Competition

Ulster's Annual PhD Studentship Competition offers Department for the Economy and Vice-Chancellor's Research scholarships to home and overseas applicants for full-time and part-time study on-campus. Where available, part-time study mode will be at 50% of the full-time mode.

Studentships will cover fees (three years for full-time, six years for part-time), an annual non-taxable maintenance grant of approx. £20,500 (pro-rata for part-time), and a Research Training and Support grant of £900 per year (pro-rata for part-time).

The Annual PhD Studentships Competition for September 2026 entry is scheduled to launch on 1 December 2025.

Applications for PhDs that can be self-funded or supported by sponsors are welcome at any time.

A number of funded opportunities are also advertised throughout the year. Use the PhD Finder to view all our current opportunities and filter by subject.

View Funded PhDs on PhD Finder

View guidance and step-by-step video instructions on making an online application.

Applicants must provide evidence of their English language proficiency.

Timetable

The timetable for the Annual PhD Studentships competition for September 2026 entry is as follows:

Supplemental Items

All requested supplemental items (e.g. degree certificates, research proposal, CV, examples of academic writing etc.) MUST be submitted alongside the application by the closing date.

Failure to supply the required supplemental items by the closing date will mean that your application will not be deemed to have been submitted on time.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain by September 2026, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.  We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing researchers, are NOT eligible for a scholarship.

All applicants should also hold a relevant English language qualification.

All applications for scholarships will be considered on a competitive basis and with regard to the applicant’s qualifications, skills, experience and interests.

Further information

Applicants can refer to our guidance for help on making an application.

Applicants may discuss their application with the supervisors noted within the project description prior to submission.

Competition for funded entry is very high. It is important that all parts of the application process are completed in accordance with the instructions.

Applicants should note that disclosure of disability or personal circumstances should be made as part of the application process or as soon as possible thereafter in order to facilitate any necessary adjustments or accommodation.

Please contact researchstudent@ulster.ac.uk if you have any queries.