Leeds University Business School PhD Excellence Scholarships

Leeds University Business School is offering PhD Excellence Scholarships in Marketing for the 2026/27 academic year. This is a fully funded PhD opportunity in the Marketing Department at the University of Leeds, open to both UK and international applicants.

The scholarship supports research in areas connected to marketing and broader business-school themes such as consumer behaviour, organisational behaviour, digitalization, management and leadership, innovation, sustainable business futures, and global markets. The school highlights a strong research environment and an inclusive postgraduate community.

Funding includes full academic fees plus a maintenance grant at UKRI rates, currently £21,805 for 2026/27, for 3 years of full-time fees and 3.5 years of maintenance support. Part-time awards are pro-rata. Relocation-related costs such as visa, insurance, NHS fees, and flights are not covered.

Eligibility includes holding a strong academic background: normally at least a first-class or upper second-class British Bachelor’s Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline, plus a British Master’s degree (or equivalent) or equivalent professional qualification. For Marketing and related departments, a minimum average score of 60% (or equivalent) is required. Applicants must be new PhD researchers; current PhD students are excluded. If English is not your first language, you must meet the stated English language requirement (IELTS 7 overall with at least 6.5 in each component or equivalent).

Application process is two-stage. First, apply for a PhD place and submit the required supporting documents. After receiving your 9-digit student ID, complete the Marketing Department scholarship application form. The scholarship deadline is 15 September 2026, and the PhD place application should be submitted earlier to allow time for consideration.

This post was shared by Jerum Kilumile, Assistant Lecturer in Marketing at Mzumbe University, linking to the official Leeds funding page and application form.