Fully Funded Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships 2026 for Masters & PhD International Students in Uk

Applications are now open for the Fully Funded Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships 2026 for Masters & PhD International Students in Uk

Program Summary

• Host Institution: Participating $\text{UK}$ Universities (Selected by the Leverhulme Trust)
• Location: $\text{UK}$
• Category: Fully Funded | $\text{PhD}$ | Master’s + $\text{PhD}$ Pathway
• Eligible Countries: International Students, Domestic Students ($\text{UK}$ nationals)
• Reward: Full Tuition Fees, $\text{UKRI}$ Standard Maintenance Stipend, $\text{£10,000}$ Research Grant
• Duration: Up to $\text{4}$ years ($\text{PhD}$) or $\text{5}$ years (Master’s + $\text{PhD}$)
• Application Deadline: Student deadlines vary (Institution deadline to Trust: $\text{6}$ March $\text{2026}$)

 

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The Leverhulme Centenary Doctoral Scholarships ($\text{LCDS}$) $\text{2026}$ represent one of the most comprehensive and prestigious funding opportunities for doctoral research in the $\text{UK}$. Funded by the Leverhulme Trust, this program provides fully funded $\text{PhD}$ scholarships for both $\text{UK}$ and international students, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Join our Telegram Channel for Instant Scholarship Updates

The scheme funds large-scale, thematic doctoral training programs led by $\text{UK}$ universities, supporting ambitious research that pushes intellectual boundaries. Students must apply directly to the host $\text{UK}$ university once the university has successfully secured the $\text{LCDS}$ grant.

 

Available Subjects and Degree Level

• Degree Level: $\text{PhD}$ (Doctoral Level) and Master’s + $\text{PhD}$ pathway.
• Subjects: Open to interdisciplinary research areas identified by the applying $\text{UK}$ university. Universities propose thematic areas that can sustain up to $\text{30}$ doctoral students.
• Ineligible Fields: The Trust does not fund medical and clinical research, policy-driven projects, commercial applications, or database-heavy research.

Scholarship Benefits (Fully Funded)

The financial support is comprehensive, with specific provisions for $\text{UK}$ and international candidates.

Recipient Type	Tuition Coverage	Maintenance Stipend	Research/Training Grant
$\text{UK}$ Students	Full $\text{UK}$ rate tuition fees	Maintenance allowance (at $\text{UKRI}$ base levels)	$\text{£10,000}$ (per student)
International Students	Tuition fees covered up to $\text{£25,000}$ per year	Maintenance allowance (at $\text{UKRI}$ base levels)	$\text{£10,000}$ (per student)
Master’s + $\text{PhD}$	Full tuition for Master’s ($\text{1}$ year) and $\text{PhD}$ ($\text{4}$ years)	Full maintenance for $\text{5}$ years	$\text{£10,000}$ (usable across both)

Additional Support: The overall program provides significant central funds for cohort-building activities and substantial support for postdoctoral opportunities for $\text{LCDS}$ graduates ($\text{£400,000}$ is allocated for this purpose).

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility is divided between the institution (which applies for the grant) and the student (who applies for the place).

For Universities

• Must be a $\text{UK}$ university with research degree awarding powers.
• The application can come from a consortium of up to two universities.

For Students

• $\text{PhD}$Scholarships (Open): Open to outstanding $\text{UK}$ and international candidates. Selection is made by the host university based on academic excellence and fit with the interdisciplinary theme.
• Master’s + $\text{PhD}$ Route (Ring-fenced): This specific route is reserved for underrepresented groups in the $\text{UK}$ and requires candidates to meet all of the following:
  1. Must be $\text{UK}$ domiciled.
  2. Must not already hold a Master’s degree from the host university.
  3. Must be from a low-income background ($\text{e.g}$., received a full maintenance loan during undergraduate study) $\text{OR}$ belong to one of the following ethnic groups: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed – White and Black Caribbean, Mixed – White and Black African, or Other mixed background including Black African/Black Caribbean/Black Other. For guidance on doctoral applications, see University admissions help.

Application Procedure

Important: Individual students cannot apply directly to the Leverhulme Trust. The student application process only begins after the host $\text{UK}$ universities have been awarded the grant.

Timeline (Institutional Stage)

Stage	Date
Institutional Applications Open	$\text{3}$ November $\text{2025}$
Institutional Deadline to Trust	$\text{6}$ March $\text{2026}$ ($\text{12}$pm $\text{UK}$ time)
Decisions Announced to Universities	July $\text{2026}$

Student Application Process

1. Identify Host Universities: Monitor $\text{UK}$ universities after July $\text{2026}$ to see which institutions have been awarded $\text{LCDS}$ grants and what their thematic focus is.
2. Monitor Vacancies: The successful universities will then advertise the $\text{PhD}$ and Master’s + $\text{PhD}$ places on their own websites.
3. Apply Directly: Students must apply directly to the host university for the advertised Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships, following the university’s specific deadlines and requirements. For help with the application process, search for Scholarship application guides.
4. Review Criteria: Ensure your research aligns with the university’s Leverhulme theme and that you meet the specific eligibility criteria for the standard $\text{PhD}$ or the Master’s + $\text{PhD}$ pathway.

Application Deadline: Student deadlines vary (Institution deadline to Trust: $\text{6}$ March $\text{2026}$)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

---

Frequently Asked Questions ($\text{FAQs}$)

1. Can individual students apply directly to the Leverhulme Trust?

No. The Leverhulme Trust only accepts applications from $\text{UK}$ universities. Students must apply directly to the successful host university once the scholarships are advertised.

2. How much funding does an international student receive for tuition?

Tuition fees for international students are covered up to $\text{£25,000}$ per year.

3. Which subject areas are eligible?

The scholarships fund interdisciplinary research defined by the host university. Medical, clinical, policy-driven, commercial, and database-heavy projects are generally ineligible.

4. What is the duration of funding?

The standard $\text{PhD}$ scholarship provides funding for up to $\text{4}$ years. The Master’s + $\text{PhD}$ pathway provides funding for up to $\text{5}$ years ($\text{1}$ year Master’s + $\text{4}$ years $\text{PhD}$).

5. What are the key criteria for the Master’s + $\text{PhD}$ pathway?

This pathway is ring-fenced for underrepresented groups in the $\text{UK}$. You must be $\text{UK}$ domiciled, not already hold a Master’s from the host university, and meet specific criteria related to low-income background or ethnic group ($\text{e.g}$., Black African, Black Caribbean, or mixed heritage including Black African/Caribbean).

6. When will the successful universities be announced?

The $\text{UK}$ universities that receive the grant awards will be announced in July $\text{2026}$.

7. What is the value of the research grant provided to each student?

Each successful student receives a research and training grant of $\text{£10,000}$.