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 2026. All applicants to study for a PhD are considered for this award. The deadline for entry in October 2026 is 6 February 2026.

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.

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards

For the 2026/27 academic year, the University of East Anglia is offering three fully funded AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards and two Faculty of Arts and Humanities Studentships, open to both UK and international applicants. Applications are due by 6 February 2026, and prospective applicants are encouraged to engage early with potential supervisors.

The Sainsbury Research Unit offers a fully funded PhD scholarship as well as additional PhD funding opportunities. All applications submitted by 6 February 2026 will automatically be considered for this funding as well as the funding sources mentioned above.

Please contact a prospective SRU supervisor in the first instance to discuss your proposal and suitability for PhD study.

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.