Scholarships for under-represented groups
Fully funded postgraduate research scholarships for under-represented groups.
The University is committed to addressing barriers to higher education for under-represented groups.
Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarships
The Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship (LORS) is open to prospective Home (UK) doctoral students from Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups with an offer to study for a PhD with any of the university’s Faculties.
Three awards are available each year, covering full academic fees for three years and an annual maintenance grant at the UKRI rate (£20,780 in session 2025/26) for three and a half years.
These scholarships represent our wider commitment to widening access to postgraduate research, including our work as a member of Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education.
Read the Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarships guidance for applicants for information on how to apply for the scholarship, including how your application will be assessed.
View the full Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship advert.
Application deadline: Wednesday 1 April 2026. Information for 2027/28 entry will be available in autumn 2026.
Social Sciences Access to Research Doctoral Scholarships
The Faculty of Social Sciences Doctoral Scholarship for researchers from UK Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups is open to applicants from Home (UK) fee-rated applicants with an offer to study for a PhD in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Up to three awards are available each year, covering full academic fees for three years and an annual maintenance grant at the UKRI rate (£20,780 in session 2025/26) for three and a half years.
View the full Social Sciences Access to Research Doctoral Scholarships advert.
Application deadline: 1 May 2026.
ESRC WRDTP Stuart Hall Foundation Studentships
The University of Leeds is part of the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership, forming a collaboration between the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, Hull and Manchester Metropolitan.
Through this partnership the University of Leeds is able to offer a range of Social Science PhD studentships, including up to two Stuart Hall Foundation Studentships available for Black British applicants.
Award durations vary and cover full academic fees at standard Research Council rates for and an annual maintenance grant (£20,780 in session 2025/26).
Information for 2027/28 entry will be available in autumn 2026.
School of Media and Communications Access to Research Scholarship
The School of Media and Communications Access to Research Scholarship is open to Home (UK) fee-rated applicants from Black, Asian or other minoritised ethnic groups with an offer to study for a PhD in the School of Media and Communications, Faculty of Arts Humanities and Cultures. One award is available each year covering full academic fees for three and a half years and an annual maintenance grant at the UKRI rate (£20,780 in session 2025/26).
View the full School of Media and Communications scholarship advert.
Application deadline: Friday 13 March.
School of Music Opportunity Research Scholarship
The School of Music Opportunity Research Scholarship is open to Home (UK) fee-rated applicants from Black, Asian or other minoritised ethnic groups with an offer to study for a PhD in the School of Music, Faculty of Arts Humanities and Cultures. One award is available each year covering full academic fees for 3 years.
View the full School of Music scholarship advert.
Monday 1 June 2026.