Funding your postgraduate study
There are a number of funding opportunities available from the University and external funders for prospective postgraduate research students.
Scholarship information
The University of Sheffield Research Scholarships are usually open for applications in November and close in mid-January. We have a number of advertised projects to apply to, and details will be available soon.
During the same window, we may also advertise Knowledge Exchange Scholarships. These are jointly funded by industrial partners and involve working closely with industry throughout your project.
In the spring, we usually run a PGT-PGR scholarship competition, where the best current and recent masters students can apply for a funded PhD place. Two of our Faculty departments also participate in the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership competition.
| Scheme | When to apply | Funding provided | Link to projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Sheffield Research Scholarships | Applications open in Spring 2024 (further details will appear here) | Home fees and UKRI stipend for 3.5 years, starting October 2024 | TBC |
| China Scholarship Council (only available to Chinese nationals) | Applications open, closing 24 January 2024. | Overseas fee for 3.5 years, stipend funded by CSC | PhD opportunities and projects |
| Knowledge Exchange Scholarships | TBC | Home fees and UKRI stipend for 3.5 years, starting October 2024 | TBC |
| PGT to PGR Scholarship (available to current Masters students and those who have graduated in the last two years) | Applications open in Spring 2024 (further details will appear here). | Home fees and UKRI stipend for 3.5 years, starting October 2024 | TBC |
| White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (Population Health and Applied Health Professions only) | Applications open, closing 24 January 2024 | Home fees and UKRI stipend for 3.5 years, starting October 2024 | Learn more about WRDTP scholarships |
| Underrepresented Students Scholarship Scheme (BAME) | Applications open, closing 24 January 2024 | Home fees and UKRI stipend for 3.5 years, starting October 2024 | PhD opportunities and projects |
Types of scholarship applications
For funded places, the following departments only recruit via advertised projects:
- School of Medicine and Population Health: Clinical Medicine
- School of Medicine and Population Health: Neuroscience
- School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery: Ophthalmology and Orthoptics
- School of Clinical Dentistry
The below departments recruit for funded places via advertised projects and can also consider student-led projects (whereby the student approaches a supervisor with a potential research topic and the pair devise a project together):
- School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery: Nursing and Midwifery
- School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery: Human Communication Sciences
- School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery: Orthoptics
- School of Medicine and Population Health: Population Health
Important information regarding the application process
Students applying to the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership places MUST fill in the Scholarship application for’ section of your research application in order to be considered.
For all other applications, please do NOT fill in this form as it will not be considered in the selection process and will therefore waste your time - please only fill in the main postgraduate research application, including your supporting statement.
For the research proposal section, you may simply use the title of the advertised project you are applying for. If you are using your own project, you should include details as agreed with your potential supervisor.
External funding
You can learn about all the funding available through external bodies such as charities, research councils and industry via our External Funders page. If you are applying for a postgraduate research study, please speak to your prospective supervisor about whether you would like to apply for funding via an external body.
European funding
The European Funding Guide is looking for adventurous and open-minded students to apply for one of eight “Dream NEW” Scholarships, worth 7,500 € each. These scholarships enable students to study for one semester at any one of eight world-class universities in New Zealand – a country known for its excellent forward-thinking education system, breathtaking landscapes and open-minded people. Find out more at Dream NEW.
You can find more than 12,000 additional scholarships here: European Funding Guide
Postgraduate online open day
Become part of our community of talented postgraduate taught students. Register now to join us at our online open day on Wednesday 26 November 2025.