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Research

Funded opportunities

We offer funded PhD studentships linked to specific research areas of projects. Check this page regularly for new opportunities.

Studentships are awarded following a competitive application process.

  • You must submit your application by the deadline specified in the advert.
  • All applications are reviewed by an academic team.
  • If you clearly demonstrate your suitability for the studentship, you will be invited to an interview. The academic review team will be looking for applicants who show a keen interest in the research topic and a relevant background.
    Read our guidance on developing a strong application.
  • The interview is the final stage in the application process. You are asked a number of questions, for example about your interest in the studentship, your motivation for carrying out a PhD and your previous work and/or study.
  • The studentship is offered to the candidate whose skills, aptitudes and expertise are felt to best fit the PhD project.

Doctoral training programmes

We are members of two doctoral focal award consortia funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC): the North East England Doctoral Landscape (NEEDL) and the Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (YBDTP).

We aim to recruit to two fully funded studentships for each consortium per year between 2025 and 2029. Students will be expected to begin their studies in October. Opportunities will be advertised here from January of the same year.

We are also part of the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP), which is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). NINE offers funding opportunities for PhD study in the social sciences, including the following pathways:

  • Children, youth and families
  • Criminology, prisons and policing
  • Environment, climate and sustainability
  • Psychology
  • Sociology, social policy and social work.

The first step in the application process is to discuss your ideas with a potential supervisor within the University; the NINE website has further details and contact information.

Many postgraduate research students are supported to undertake their study by other sources, for example sponsorship by an employer, a government department inside or outside the UK, or research charities. Some students elect to fund their own studies. In this case, the application process will be different.

See our guidance on the application process if you have secured sponsorship or are funding your own studies.

Access our guidance on tuition fees and financial support for self-funding students.