PhD Scholarships

SRU Doctoral Scholarships

An endowment from the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Art Trust, made in 1986, includes scholarship provision for PhD applicants, UK or International. The SRU is able to assist PhD students with full awards or partial awards that can supplement grants from other sources. All doctoral students receive a £2000 bursary to support fieldwork, library and/or collections research and conference attendance.

The SRU offers The Robert Sainsbury Scholarship every three years. This is a 3-year scholarship that covers university fees, living expenses and an allowance for fieldwork and travel. The scholarship is next available for entry in 2025. All applicants to study for a PhD are considered for this award. The deadline for entry in October 2025 is 20 March 2025.

All SRU PhD awards are evaluated on the basis of applications, interview and merit; all outcomes are decided by the SRU Admissions Committee. The SRU is not able to consider funding support for PhD students on programmes not associated with the department.

For further information please contact the SRU Admissions Office.

CHASE awards

UEA, as part of a consortium of universities (CHASE: Consortium for Humanities and the Arts South-East), offers scholarships across the consortium for PhD students. All fee status candidates, UK or International, are eligible to apply. For UK residents the awards consist of fees and maintenance; for non-UK applicants the award consists of fees and a stipend (amount tbc). Please contact a prospective supervisor in the first instance to discuss your proposal and suitability for PhD study.

The application deadline for CHASE applications for entry in October 2025 has passed. To be considered for CHASE scholarships in the next cycle, a PhD application should be submitted to UEA by 12 December 2025, for entry in October 2026. 

ACU Scholarships

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) provides scholarships for graduates of Commonwealth universities who wish to undertake postgraduate study at a Commonwealth university outside their own country. Please see their website for further details.