Funding and scholarships

PhD funding

Steps for applying for funding

1. Get in touch with the member of staff or academic department you are hoping to work with before you begin. They will be able to discuss your research proposal with you and offer advice on your application.

2. Apply to the PhD programme before making a funding application. You will find essential information on how to apply here.

3. Apply for your chosen form of funding using the relevant application process. These may vary between different schemes so please check carefully the information for each source of funding (below). You do not need to have received an offer (except the China Scholarship Awards) before you submit your funding application but you will need an application number.

PhD Scholarships

AHRC White Rose College of the Arts & Humanities Scholarships

Deadline: Applications for 2020 have now closed. 

The White Rose College of the Arts & Humanities (WRoCAH) is a Doctoral Training Partnership of the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York. It is responsible for the distribution of AHRC-funded doctoral studentships for these universities and for the coordination of a doctoral training programme. WRoCAH is able to offer at least 40 AHRC studentships per year to candidates with a place for doctoral study at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield or York.

Applicants for an AHRC studentship must have applied for a place of study in an eligible School, Department or Centre and may only apply for funding at one of Leeds, Sheffield or York. 

Eligibility: Full details of eligibility and the studentship application form are available through the WRoCAH website.

Applying: You should apply to WRoCAH funding through the WRoCAH website - please note that this is a separate process to funding applied for through the University.

University Post Graduate Research Committee Scholarships

Deadline: Applications for 2020 have now closed.

The University of Sheffield invests a significant amount of funding each year in order to support the very best postgraduate research students. 

Award Details: The Faculty of Arts and Humanities offers a number of Doctoral Academy Scholarships which may include a range of fees only scholarships to scholarships that cover full fees plus either a full or half maintenance stipend at the standard UK research council rate.

Eligibility: These awards are open to UK, EU and International applicants who are applying to study either full or part-time.

Applying: Full details can be found here.

Hossein Farmy Scholarship

Deadline: Applications for 2020 have now closed.

The Hossein Farmy Scholarship is available for students pursuing research relating to mining including historical aspects of mining and the mining industry.

Award Details: The Hossein Farmy Scholarship covers tuition fees at the standard UK rate and provides an annual, tax-free maintenance stipend at the standard UK research council rate.

Eligibility: Awards are open to UK, EU and international applicants

Applying:Full details of the Hossein Farmy scholarship, eligibility and how to apply can be found here.

Joint China Scholarship Council 

Deadline: Applications for 2020 have now closed.

This scheme provides academically excellent Chinese students with the opportunity to study for a PhD at the University of Sheffield. The scholarships are supported jointly by the China Scholarship Council and the University of Sheffield.

Award details: The scholarship will cover University tuition fees, a grant for living costs and one return flight from China to the UK. Funding for each award will be up to 48 months. Successful candidates will be expected to have submitted their thesis and defended it via oral examination by month 48.

Eligibility: You must be applying to start a new full-time PhD programme at Sheffield.
You must be a national of and ordinarily resident in mainland China (not including Hong Kong or Macau). You must also be intending to return to China once your programme is completed. You will require an unconditional offer from the University of Sheffield so will be required to meet both academic and English language criteria.

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, and the fit of the applicant’s proposed research programme with Sheffield’s identified research priorities:

Health, demographic change and wellbeing Food security, sustainable agriculture and the bioeconomy Secure, clean and efficient energy

Candidates should be intending to pursue research in one of the priority academic areas identified by Sheffield and CSC. However, applicants to other study/research areas will also be considered subject to the availability of relevant programmes of study at Sheffield.

Applying: Full details can be found here

• Smart, green and integrated transport
• Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials
• The changing world – inclusive, innovative and reflective societies
• Secure societies – protecting freedom and security of citizens

Other funding bodies

Many charities, foundations and trusts provide funding for postgraduate study, from small grants to full scholarships. Some are in specific subject areas while others have more general eligibility criteria. Please see our external funding page for a list of funding bodies and search sites which may help you to find other scholarships.

PhD project funding

PhD projects are available throughout the year, many of which are funded. Currently available projects are advertised in the PhD projects directory.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loan Scheme

Full details of the Postgraduate Doctoral Loans scheme have not yet been confirmed. You can find out more here.

PhD funding for international students

International students are eligible to apply for many of the PhD scholarships listed above. Check the eligibility criteria by clicking on the links to see if you can apply. 

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Masters funding

• Sheffield Postgraduate Scholarships
• Alumni Rewards
• Other sources of funding
• Postgraduate Loan Scheme (UK and EU students)

Masters funding for international students

• University Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarships
• Country-specific funding
• External Sources of funding