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 (£19,237 in session 2024/25) 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 (£19,237 in session 2024/25) for three and a half years.

View the full Faculty of Social Sciences Doctoral Scholarships for researchers from UK Black, Asian and other minoritised ethnic groups advert.

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 (£19,237 for full-time study or pro-rata for part-time study in session 2024/25). 

View the full ESRC White Rose DTP Studentships advert.

WRoCAH Arts and Humanities Research Council Open Competition and Collaborative Doctoral Award Studentships 2024 

The University of Leeds is part of the White Rose College of Arts and Humanities (WRoCAH) Doctoral Training Partnership, forming a collaboration between the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York. 

WRoCAH is committed to increasing the diversity of their student cohort. For this reason, they are seeking to allocate a minimum of two studentships for Black British applicants in each recruitment cycle, as Black British students are currently significantly underrepresented among WRoCAH students. You will only be considered under this process if you request consideration. If you wish to be considered for one of these studentships, you just need to check the box on the form to indicate that you are eligible and wish to be included for consideration.

Award durations vary and cover full academic fees at standard Research Council rates for and an annual maintenance grant (£19,237 for full-time study or pro-rata for part-time study in session 2024/25). 

View the full White Rose College of Arts and Humanities scholarship 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 (£19,237 for session 2024/25).

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.

View the full School of Music scholarship advert.