Fully Funded PhD Studentship 2026 at Loughborough University (UK) – Apply by 12 March 2026

Fully Funded PhD Studentship 2026 at Loughborough University (UK) is now open for applications under the School of Social Sciences and Humanities for October 2026 entry.
Loughborough University in the United Kingdom is now accepting applications for the School of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) Fully Funded PhD Studentship for the 2026 academic intake. This competitive PhD funding opportunity is open to both UK and international applicants and covers full tuition fees, alongside a generous annual stipend for successful candidates. The programme begins in October 2026, and the application deadline is 12 March 2026.

Application Deadline: 12th March, 2026.

Project Details / Research Areas

Loughborough University is keen to receive proposals from scholars interested in working within or across any of the following areas:

• Communication and Media
• Creative Writing
• Criminology
• Cultural Studies
• English
• Geography (Human and Physical)
• History
• International Relations
• Law
• Politics
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Art History, Museums, and Cultural Heritage

Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop research proposals aligned with any of these fields.

Departments in the School

Applicants can explore the different departments within the School of Social Sciences and Humanities:

• Communication and Media
• Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy
• English
• Geography and Environment
• International Relations, Politics and History
• Law

Supervision Requirement

Applicants are strongly advised to discuss their research proposal with an academic member of staff before applying. Prospective candidates should contact a relevant staff member to discuss supervision and research direction.

If you require advice regarding your proposal or potential supervisors, please contact:

📧 ssh.pgr@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

Loughborough University’s entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications, including:

• First-class honours
• Upper second-class honours
• Lower second-class honours

To check the equivalent qualification requirement for your country, applicants are advised to select their country/region through the University’s international qualification guide.

Entry Requirements (United Kingdom)

Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in the major subject of their research field or in a related subject.

A relevant Master’s degree is desirable (but not essential) for most subjects. However, applicants applying for Law must have achieved a Merit at Master’s level.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the University’s minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the University’s international website.

Fees and Funding

This Fully Funded PhD Studentship 2026 at Loughborough University covers full tuition fees for both UK and international applicants.

This studentship provides full financial support for successful applicants.

Tuition Fees (2026/2027 Entry)

• UK fee: Fully funded full-time degree per annum
• International fee: Fully funded full-time degree per annum

Fees for the 2026–27 academic year apply to projects starting in:

• October 2026
• February 2027
• July 2027

Please note that UK tuition fees for 2026/27 are currently to be confirmed pending the release of the UKRI recommended rates. Once published, these rates will be subject to formal approval by the University before being confirmed.

Funding Package

The studentship is offered for:

• 3 years full-time, or
• 6 years part-time

Successful candidates will receive:

• A tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum (pro-rata for part-time study)
• Full university tuition fees for the duration of the studentship

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed. Availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and is subject to final approval by the University.

How to Apply

Applicants interested in the Fully Funded PhD Studentship 2026 at Loughborough University must quote the project reference SSH-2026 when applying online.

All applications must be submitted online.

Under Programme Selection, applicants should choose the relevant programme area from the following options:

• Communication and Media
• Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy
• English
• Geography
• International Relations, Politics and History
• Law

Applicants must quote the reference:

SSH-2026

APPLY HERE

Failure to include this reference will result in the application not being considered for the studentship competition.

Applicants are required to submit the minimum supporting documents, including a 2,000-word research proposal, before the deadline.

Due to the high number of applications received, feedback may not always be provided.

Application Deadline

12th March, 2026.

Contact Information

For enquiries and further guidance, contact the School directly:

📞 +44 1509 228901

📧 ssh.pgr@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk

Final Note

This is a valuable opportunity for scholars seeking to pursue doctoral research in a highly ranked institution with strong academic support and full financial coverage.

For more global opportunities, scholarships, fellowships, and fully funded programmes, please click here to explore more opportunities on Opportunities for Youth.