About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Durham University Transformative Humanities PhD Scholarship 2027 in the UK | Fully Funded
Durham University is inviting applications for the Transformative Humanities PhD Scholarship 2027 in the United Kingdom. The programme will support up to 11 doctoral researchers undertaking interdisciplinary research aligned with the university’s Transformative Humanities framework.
The scholarship offers a tuition fee waiver, a stipend at the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rate, and access to additional funding, training and placement opportunities. It is designed to encourage collaboration across academic disciplines, bringing together perspectives from the Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and other relevant fields.
The awards are expected to begin in October 2027 and are offered through Durham University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, with support from the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award and the Faculties of Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences.
Scholarship Overview
Host Institution: Durham University
Study Location: United Kingdom
Study Level: PhD
Scholarship Name: Transformative Humanities PhD Scholarship
Number of Awards: Up to 11
Start Date: October 2027
Funding Type: Fully funded, subject to the award conditions
Application Deadline: January 15, 2027
Benefits of the Durham University PhD Scholarship
Successful applicants may receive the following benefits:
Tuition fee waiver: Coverage of tuition fees at the applicable home or overseas rate, depending on the award.
Living stipend: Financial support at the UKRI stipend rate for the funded period.
Funding duration: Up to 3.5 years for full-time doctoral study or seven years for part-time study, according to the scholarship terms.
Additional funding opportunities: Access to potential supplementary research funding.
Training and development: Opportunities to participate in relevant academic training and professional development.
Placement resources: Access to resources that may support placements and broader career development.
Interdisciplinary research environment: The opportunity to work with supervisors across different academic departments.
How Many Scholarships Are Available?
The scholarship scheme provides for up to 11 awards, distributed as follows:
Home students: Up to nine awards covering tuition fees at the home rate.
Overseas students: Up to two awards covering tuition fees at the overseas rate.
International applicants should carefully review the eligibility rules and funding terms for overseas candidates before applying.
About the Transformative Humanities Research Framework
The Transformative Humanities framework encourages doctoral research that examines complex challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. Applicants should develop a research project that aligns with the framework and demonstrates the value of collaboration across academic fields.
A key requirement is that the supervisory team must be led by a department within Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences and involve collaboration across at least two departments.
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to candidates whose research benefits from combining perspectives, methods or expertise from different disciplines.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Durham University Transformative Humanities PhD Scholarship 2027, applicants must meet the following requirements:
PhD admission: Apply for a doctoral programme at Durham University.
Eligible supervisory team: Have a supervisory team led by a department within Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: Ensure the supervisory arrangement involves collaboration across at least two departments.
Research alignment: Propose a project that fits the university’s Transformative Humanities framework.
Funding eligibility: Meet the relevant conditions for the home or overseas scholarship category.
Applicants should confirm the full academic entry requirements of their chosen PhD programme, as these may vary by department and research area.
Required Application Documents
According to the supplied announcement, applicants should prepare the following documents and information:
Research proposal: A maximum of 1,000 words.
Curriculum Vitae (CV): A maximum of two pages.
Equal opportunities monitoring form: Complete the required form.
Two referees: Provide the contact details of two academic or professional referees, as appropriate to the programme.
Applicants should also check the lead supervisor’s department for any additional documents required for admission to the relevant doctoral programme.
How to Apply for the Durham University Transformative Humanities PhD Scholarship
Follow these steps to prepare your application:
Step 1: Identify a suitable research area
Develop a PhD research idea that aligns with the Transformative Humanities framework and demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary research.
Step 2: Contact a potential supervisor
Contact potential supervisors to discuss your proposed research before submitting your application. This is recommended to help establish whether your project fits the department and scholarship framework.
Step 3: Prepare your documents
Write your research proposal within the 1,000-word limit, prepare a CV of no more than two pages, complete the equal opportunities monitoring form, and obtain the contact details of two referees.
Step 4: Apply for a Durham PhD programme
Submit your application through the university’s online application system for the PhD programme in the lead supervisor’s department.
Step 5: Indicate your scholarship interest
In the application’s funding section, under “Scholarship details,” enter the exact phrase:
Transformative Humanities
This indicates that you wish to be considered for the scholarship scheme.
Step 6: Submit before the deadline
Review the application carefully and ensure that all required documents and information are submitted by the stated deadline.
Application Deadline
January 15, 2027
The scholarship is expected to support doctoral researchers beginning their studies in October 2027. Applicants are encouraged to begin identifying supervisors and preparing their research proposals well in advance.
Official Application Website
Visit Durham University’s official website for doctoral admissions, scholarship details and application instructions:
Official website: https://www.durham.ac.uk/
Before applying, confirm the current scholarship guidance, overseas eligibility conditions, stipend amount and submission deadline through the university’s official channels.
Important note: The scholarship information presented here is based on the supplied announcement. Applicants should consult Durham University’s official guidance for the latest requirements and final funding conditions before submitting an application.
How to apply