Looking for fully funded PhD scholarships in the UK?
This curated list features 16 funded PhD and DPhil studentships across public health, mental health, psychology, digital wellbeing, nutrition, climate action, economics, and social sciences, offered by leading UK universities.
These opportunities provide UKRI-level stipends, tuition fee coverage (UK and/or international), and research training beginning in 2026. Deadlines are approaching fast — early preparation is key.
🔍 Featured Funded PhD & DPhil Opportunities
1️⃣ DPhil Studentship: Public Health, Digital Exposure & Youth Mental Health
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
📍 Oxford, UK
💰 £20,780 per year (UKRI-aligned)
🗓 Deadline: 6 February
🔎 Focus: Digital exposure, youth mental health, cross-national public health policy
2️⃣ PhD Studentship: Modelling Indoor Air Quality & Mental Health
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February
🔎 Focus: Indoor air quality, physical & mental health modelling
3️⃣ PhD Studentship: Loneliness & Mental Health in UK Policing
School of Psychology, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February
🔎 Focus: Occupational mental health, policing, wellbeing research
4️⃣ PhD Studentship: Peer Victimisation & Mental Health in FASD
University of Surrey
📍 Guildford, UK
💰 Full UK tuition + UKRI stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26)
⏳ Duration: 3.5 years (from Oct 2026)
🗓 Deadline: 4 February
5️⃣ ESRC DTP Collaborative PhD: Smartphone Use & Adolescent Mental Health (RE-MIND)
Midlands Graduate School DTP
University of Birmingham & Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 See advert for full funding
🗓 Deadline: 20 February
🔎 Focus: Digital wellbeing, EMA methods, adolescent mental health
6️⃣ PhD Studentship: Nutrition & Health for E-Sports Performance
Loughborough University
📍 Loughborough, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 5 February
🔎 Focus: Nutrition science, performance, digital sport
7️⃣ PhD Studentship: Eco-Emotions, Youth Mental Health & Climate Action
Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February
🔎 Focus: Climate anxiety, youth wellbeing, conservation engagement
8️⃣ PhD Studentship: Digital Toolkit for Informal Caregiver Wellbeing (CareImagined)
School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February
🔎 Focus: Emotion regulation, digital health tools, caregiving
9️⃣ PhD Studentship: Health Economics
Centre for Health Economics, University of York
📍 York, UK
💰 Tuition (UK or international) + UKRI stipend (£20,780)
🗓 Deadline: 30 January
🔟 PhD Studentship: Diet, Stress & Cerebrovascular Health
School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 See advert
🗓 Deadline: 25 January
1️⃣1️⃣ PhD Studentship: BETW33N – Equitable Digital Wellbeing
School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February
1️⃣2️⃣ Nigel Groome PhD Studentship: Food, Nutrition & Health in Female Prisoners
Oxford Brookes University
📍 Oxford, UK
💰 £20,780 stipend
🗓 Deadline: 20 February
🔎 Focus: Nutrition, prisons, gender & health equity
1️⃣3️⃣ Two Fully Funded PhDs in Psychology
University of Liverpool
📍 Liverpool, UK
💰 Full fees + UKRI stipend (£20,780)
🗓 Deadline: 1 March
🔎 Focus: Health psychology, applied research for real-world impact
1️⃣4️⃣ Supervisor-Led Collaborative PhD Studentships (Social Sciences)
South and East Network for Social Sciences
📍 Colchester, London, Norwich
💰 £23,000 stipend
🗓 Deadline: 16 February
1️⃣5️⃣ Funded Master’s & PhD Scholarships – Connected Waters Leverhulme Programme
University of Roehampton
📍 London, UK
💰 £10,000 funding
🗓 Deadline: 25 February
🔎 Focus: Water systems, environment, interdisciplinary research
1️⃣6️⃣ DPhil Studentship: Translational Neuroimaging of Neurogenetic Disorders
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
📍 Oxford, UK
💰 £20,780 per year
🗓 Deadline: 6 February
🔎 Focus: Neuroimaging, genetics, translational mental health research
🎯 Who Should Apply?
These funded PhD opportunities are ideal for:
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Final-year Master’s students
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Early-career researchers
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Professionals seeking doctoral training
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Applicants interested in mental health, public health, psychology, climate, nutrition, digital wellbeing, and social policy
Both UK and international students are eligible for many of these studentships.
🚀 Final Tip for Applicants
Most UK PhD studentships are highly competitive.
👉 Contact supervisors early
👉 Prepare a strong research statement
👉 Secure academic references in advance
🔗 Explore more funded PhD, Master’s, and Fellowship opportunities:
👉 https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=scholarship
