AHRC Doctoral Studentship 2026

The AHRC Doctoral Studentship is a PhD funding route supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation in the United Kingdom. It funds doctoral research in arts and humanities disciplines and is commonly offered either through university doctoral training partnerships or through specific research projects hosted at UK universities.

These studentships are designed for applicants with strong academic preparation and a well-matched research background. In practice, awards usually support PhD-level study in the United Kingdom and may be attached to a defined research theme, department, or research centre. A recent example is at King's College London, where AHRC doctoral studentships were advertised through the Leverhulme Centre for Research on Slavery in War for interdisciplinary topics spanning history, war studies, and literature.

Funding is typically substantial and may include a UKRI doctoral stipend and tuition fee support. In some cases, additional institutional support such as London weighting may be included. Coverage for international or overseas fees can vary by award, so applicants should check the specific studentship advertisement carefully.

Eligibility and application requirements depend on the host university and project, but applicants are generally expected to hold at least a strong undergraduate degree, and many project-based opportunities prefer or require a relevant master's degree. English-language requirements are usually set by the host institution or department.

Studentships are normally tenable at a United Kingdom university. Applications are usually made through the host university or the relevant doctoral training partnership rather than through a single central AHRC application portal. Because terms can differ between calls, students should always read the project listing carefully for subject fit, fee status rules, and document requirements before applying.