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.
Faculty of Social Sciences Doctoral Scholarships for researchers from UK Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups
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.
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).
View the full ESRC White Rose DTP Studentships advert.
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.
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.