PhD funding opportunities and studentships

When you are considering PhD study you will need to plan your funding carefully. 

Studying for a PhD will include costs for university fees and your life as a student. Some research will also bring additional costs, for example through travel to resources or purchases of books and other materials.

There are a number of avenues for part- or even complete-funding of a research degree, and also for doctoral loans.

On this page we post funding opportunities available through the °®¶¹´«Ã½, its partners and networks.  

These include Doctoral Training Partnership and °®¶¹´«Ã½ PhD studentship calls, individual studentship projects, °®¶¹´«Ã½ international research scholarships and our alumni scholarships for current and past students. Please note, other than the alumni scholarships, these funding opportunities are only open at specific times of the year. When available, details of funding calls will be published on this page.

You will find more information on doctoral funding online. If you have a research degree offer from the °®¶¹´«Ã½, you can explore the  for free. Email Brighton Doctoral College with your applicant number and ask for a PIN. 

How to apply for your PhD

Doctoral Training Partnerships and Centres for Doctoral Training funding

The °®¶¹´«Ã½ is proud to be a partner in five Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTP) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT). 

We have a strong record in successful applications to these funds. These are made with students who have already gained a place at the °®¶¹´«Ã½ as application comes through the home university. 

Please see below for current and future opportunities to apply to these funds.

Southcoast Doctoral Training Partnership logo with Brighton coastal image

South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

This ESRC-funded DTP aims to develop the next generation of research leaders in social science in academia, government, business and civil society.

Open for applications.

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Techne Doctoral Training Partnership

This AHRC-funded DTP draws together traditional scholarship, history, theory and practice across nine universities, with collaboration from world-leading partners.

Open for applications.

 

The °®¶¹´«Ã½ currently has doctoral students funded by , , , , South Coast DTP and Techne. 

Individual PhD studentship projects

In addition to PhD studentships advertised within our wider calls (see above), we also recruit to individual studentship projects. These projects are typically funded by a research council or the °®¶¹´«Ã½. Please check back regularly for new projects. 

Postgraduate doctoral loans

Doctoral loans are available to help with course fees and living costs.

This isn’t based on your income or your family’s and it’s paid directly to you. 

For more information visit the government’s page.

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Other scholarships 

We also offer scholarships to help support your research at the °®¶¹´«Ã½.

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International research scholarships

The °®¶¹´«Ã½ offers a small number of research scholarships worth the full tuition fee to current masters students at Brighton.

This scholarship is not running for academic year 2025–26.

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Alumni postgraduate scholarships

Scholarships worth 20% of tuition fees will be awarded to students who already hold a °®¶¹´«Ã½ academic award and who wish to study at postgraduate level at the university.