Birmingham City University (BCU) invites applications for the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Landscape Awards for September 2027 entry. The university will offer six fully funded PhD studentships, including three funded by the AHRC and three match-funded by BCU. The awards support doctoral research in the arts and humanities and are open to UK/Home and international applicants, subject to eligibility and funding conditions. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research, equality, diversity, inclusion, and collaborative doctoral training.
Important Dates / Deadline
- Expression of Interest Opening Date: October 1, 2026
- Expression of Interest Deadline: November 16, 2026, at 12:00 noon (UK time)
- Final Application Deadline: January 20, 2027, at 12:00 noon (UK time)
- PhD Entry: September 2027
- Available Awards for 2027 Entry: Six fully funded PhD studentships
The final application deadline is strictly enforced. Late or incomplete applications will only be considered in exceptional extenuating circumstances.
Organization
- University: Birmingham City University (BCU)
- Funding Body: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
- Scholarship Program: AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards
- Qualification: PhD
- Research Areas: Arts and Humanities
Birmingham City University is among 50 UK universities awarded funding through the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards scheme. The university has received support for 15 doctoral studentships over five years and will offer six funded places for September 2027 entry, including three awards match-funded by BCU.
Award recipients will participate in the East and West Midlands Hub, a regional doctoral training network involving BCU and six partner universities:
- Coventry University
- De Montfort University
- University of Birmingham
- University of Leicester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Warwick
Location / Study Destination
Birmingham, United Kingdom. The studentships support full-time PhD research at Birmingham City University, with additional collaborative training and networking opportunities through the East and West Midlands Hub.
Who Can Apply
Applications are welcome from:
- UK/Home fee-status applicants.
- International applicants.
- Candidates seeking to pursue doctoral research in arts and humanities disciplines.
- Applicants proposing interdisciplinary research that meets AHRC subject-area requirements.
- Candidates from diverse academic, social, and cultural backgrounds.
- Applicants who have not previously obtained a doctoral-level qualification.
- Candidates who are not currently enrolled in a doctoral program at BCU or another institution.
Additional Eligibility and Allocation Conditions
- At least one of BCU’s six studentships each year will be awarded to a Home fee-status candidate from a Global Majority background.
- One international applicant per year will be eligible for a full tuition fee waiver and stipend at the UKRI rate.
- At least 50% of the proposed research must focus on one of the AHRC’s primary research areas.
Key Benefits / Salary / Funding
The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards provide:
- Tuition Fee Coverage: Full coverage of Home tuition fees.
- Living Stipend: Financial support for living expenses.
- International Student Funding: One international applicant per year may receive a full tuition fee waiver and a stipend at the UKRI rate.
- Additional Funding Opportunities: Access to supplementary funding opportunities associated with the studentship.
- Doctoral Training: Participation in the East and West Midlands Regional Hub.
- Professional Development: Collaborative training, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
- Research Supervision: Guidance from experienced arts and humanities researchers.
- Research Networks: Opportunities to engage with researchers across seven Midlands universities.
- External Engagement: Access to an academic environment with connections to cultural and industry partners.
Main Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
1. Academic Eligibility: Applicants must not already hold a doctoral-level qualification.
2. Enrollment Status: Candidates must not currently be enrolled as doctoral students at Birmingham City University or another institution.
3. Research Subject Alignment: The proposed PhD project must fall within one or more of the AHRC’s primary subject areas.
4. Interdisciplinary Research: Interdisciplinary proposals are welcome, provided at least 50% of the project focuses on an AHRC primary research area.
5. Research Supervision: Applicants are encouraged to identify potential supervisors whose expertise aligns with their proposed research.
6. Application Compliance: Applicants must follow the Doctoral Landscape Award Guidance Notes and complete all required application procedures by the final deadline.
Applicants can review the AHRC subject-area eligibility guidance to assess whether their proposed research is suitable.
How to Apply
Applicants should follow these steps:
1. Review the Scholarship Information: Visit the BCU Doctoral Landscape Awards website to access the scholarship details, application guidance, and supporting documentation.
2. Check Research Eligibility: Confirm that the proposed PhD project meets the AHRC’s primary subject-area requirements.
3. Identify Potential Supervisors: Explore BCU’s research centers and clusters to identify researchers whose expertise aligns with the proposed project.
4. Submit an Expression of Interest: Complete the optional online Expression of Interest Form by November 16, 2026, at 12:00 noon (UK time). Although this step is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged.
5. Read the Application Guidance: Review the Doctoral Landscape Award Guidance Notes and frequently asked questions available on the BCU scholarship website.
6. Complete the Full Application: Follow the official application instructions and submit all required information and supporting documents by January 20, 2027, at 12:00 noon (UK time).
7. Contact the Scholarship Team if Needed: Direct questions about the Doctoral Landscape Awards to DLA@bcu.ac.uk.
Documents Needed
Applicants must consult the official Doctoral Landscape Award Guidance Notes for the complete application documentation requirements.
The application process includes:
- Expression of Interest Form: Optional but strongly encouraged.
- Full Doctoral Landscape Award Application: Completed according to BCU’s official application instructions.
- Supporting Documentation: All documents required by the Doctoral Landscape Award Guidance Notes and BCU’s research degree application process.
Application guidance and supporting documentation are available through the official BCU Doctoral Landscape Awards website.
Important Notes
- Six fully funded PhD studentships are available for September 2027 entry.
- Three studentships are funded by the AHRC, and three are match-funded by Birmingham City University.
- The scheme welcomes both UK/Home and international applicants.
- Funding generally covers Home tuition fees and a living stipend.
- One international applicant per year is eligible for a full tuition fee waiver and a UKRI-rate stipend.
- At least one studentship each year is reserved for a Home fee-status applicant from a Global Majority background.
- Applicants must not already hold a doctoral qualification or currently be enrolled in doctoral study.
- At least 50% of the proposed research must fall within AHRC primary subject areas.
- The Expression of Interest stage is optional but strongly encouraged.
- The final application deadline is January 20, 2027, at 12:00 noon (UK time).
- Late or incomplete applications will only be considered in exceptional extenuating circumstances.
- Applicants should review the official guidance notes and frequently asked questions before applying.
For scholarship-specific inquiries, contact DLA@bcu.ac.uk.