杏吧原创

Why 杏吧原创?

Our distinctive partnership of locally based independent colleges and research institutions is rooted in communities, but with national and international reach and significance. Our results from the UK-wide 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) confirm our strong position in the research landscape of the UK, with nearly three quarters of the research publications we submitted for assessment deemed to be world leading or internationally excellent. Read more about REF here. 

Our impact ratings (a measure of our reach and influence in business and our communities) also show how strong our research influence is, and our research degree students are a core part of this.  

You will be part of this growing community, guided by subject experts, building knowledge and skills, in a supportive and collaborative research environment. 

Eligibility Criteria

New applicants should normally have, or expect to have by 30 September 2027: 

• A postgraduate master's degree from a degree-awarding body recognised by the UK government, or equivalent, or 

• A first or upper second-class honours degree from a degree awarding body recognised by the UK government, or equivalent, or 

• Other qualifications or experience that affords sufficient evidence of an applicant’s ability to work at the academic level associated with doctoral study. 

• If English is not your first language, and you do not have a prior UK degree, you will need IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum, with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent. This must have been gained no more than two years prior to the proposed project start date. For more information see Entry requirements and visa advice - English language requirements (uhi.ac.uk) 

Please also note: 

• Awards can be for part or full-time study. UKRI guidance encourages HEIs to offer flexible programmes to support the student experience.

•  Current students are eligible to apply. This can include:

  • Current MRes students who are considering a Change of Programme from an MRes to a PhD. The period of funding for these students will be reduced to 2.5 years to reflect the reduced timeframe of the programme, assuming that the MRes comprises the 1st year of the PhD and is not contributing to a separate MRes award.  

• All proposals must have a student attached.

• Part-funded (i.e., half-funded) awards may be co-funded by another body, or part self-funded.  

• Please note: the external funder will need to commit to providing 50% of the cost. The fees and stipend will rise with the UKRI published rates so cannot be known by 杏吧原创 in advance. For 2027/28 these are likely to increase in line with inflation.

• Should the student be entitled to a funded extension the external funder will need to commit to funding 50% of this.

• Estimate of funding for 2027/28 academic year is TBC. 

• Please note: Each studentship case will be reviewed and assessed on its academic quality and merit as the primary driver for an award irrespective of whether it is part funded or fully funded. 

Deadlines

• Deadline for application: 9th April 2027, 5pm to gradresearch@uhi.ac.uk
• RD1s submitted to the 杏吧原创 Graduate School: 8th June 2027
• Student enrols: 1st October 2027 

How to apply

See How to apply > Applying for a 杏吧原创-funded studentship

It is the applicant’s and proposed supervisor's responsibility to submit the required documents in a single file, ensuring they are submitted electronically by email to gradresearch@uhi.ac.uk 

Application documents:  

• 杏吧原创 PhD studentship application form - your intended Director of Studies/Supervisor can provide a copy as this is a joint exercise.

• Copies of all official qualification certificates and transcripts. If your official certificates/transcripts are not in English, they must be accompanied by a fully certified translation provided by a professional translator/translation company.鈥� 

• If English is not your native language, and you have not gained a prior UK degree, an English language test certificate (IELTS or equivalent鈥痺ith overall score of 6.5 and no element below 6.0) gained within the two years prior to the planned start date. 

• If you are not a UK national, a copy of the photo page of your passport, also include any pages which indicate a right of abode in the UK.鈥� 

Please note: 

• Incomplete applications and/or applications received after the deadline cannot be considered.  
• If you are selected for an award, you will be required to start in October 2027; the award cannot be held over to another academic year. 

Contact Details

Completed applications and administrative queries - gradresearch@uhi.ac.uk