Durham University in the United Kingdom is inviting applications for up to 11 PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities for 2027. Supported by the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award and university faculties, these studentships are designed for outstanding candidates pursuing interdisciplinary doctoral research aligned with Durham University’s Transformative Humanities framework. Successful applicants may receive a tuition fee waiver, an annual stipend of £21,805, additional funding opportunities, and access to academic training and placement resources. The program is expected to begin in October 2027, with applications closing on January 15, 2027.

Durham University PhD Studentships 2027: Overview

• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Host University: Durham University
• Scholarship Name: PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities
• Degree Level: PhD / Doctoral Degree
• Eligible Countries: All countries
• Number of Awards: Up to 11
• Funding Type: Fully funded, subject to award terms and eligibility
• Annual Stipend: £21,805
• Study Duration: 3.5 years full-time or 7 years part-time
• Expected Start Date: October 2027
• IELTS Requirement: Confirm English-language requirements with the university
• Application Deadline: January 15, 2027

About the Durham University Transformative Humanities Studentships

The Durham University PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities support doctoral research that explores significant questions through interdisciplinary perspectives. The scheme is supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Landscape Award and Durham University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Faculty of Social Sciences.

The studentships are intended for candidates whose research aligns with the university’s Transformative Humanities framework. Applicants must have a supervisory team that brings together expertise from at least two academic departments, encouraging collaboration across disciplinary boundaries.

Research may be supervised through departments and schools within the relevant faculties, subject to the university’s approved arrangements and the requirements of the studentship scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants interested in the Durham University PhD Studentships 2027 should review the following eligibility requirements:

• PhD Admission: Applicants must be accepted into a PhD program at Durham University with a supervisory team led by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities or the Faculty of Social Sciences.
• Nationality: Both UK and international applicants are eligible to compete for the available awards.
• Home Student Awards: Up to nine awards are available to home students, covering tuition fees at the home rate.
• International Student Awards: Up to two awards are available to international students, covering tuition fees at the overseas rate.
• Interdisciplinary Supervision: The supervisory team must involve collaboration between at least two academic departments.
• Research Alignment: Proposed doctoral research must align with the Transformative Humanities framework.
• Academic Requirements: Applicants must meet Durham University’s admission requirements for their chosen PhD program.
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants should check the university’s official requirements to determine whether an English-language test or an exemption is applicable.

Important: Meeting the general eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection. Applicants should confirm admission, supervisory arrangements, funding eligibility, and any additional conditions directly with Durham University.

Benefits of Durham University PhD Studentships 2027

Successful applicants may receive the following financial and academic benefits, subject to the official award terms.

• Tuition Fee Waiver: Coverage of tuition fees at the applicable home or overseas rate, depending on the award.
• Annual Stipend: £21,805 per year at the stated funding rate.
• Funding Duration: Stipend support for 3.5 years of full-time study or 7 years of part-time study.
• Additional Funding Opportunities: Potential access to supplementary funding opportunities, subject to availability and eligibility.
• Academic Training: Opportunities to develop research skills and academic expertise.
• Placement Resources: Access to resources that support professional development and career preparation.
• Interdisciplinary Research: Opportunities to collaborate across departments and engage with different academic perspectives.

Required Documents

Applicants should consult the official studentship and PhD admission guidance for the exact document requirements. Depending on the program and application stage, the following may be required:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé
• Research proposal
• Personal statement or statement of purpose
• Academic references or recommendation letters
• Proof of English-language proficiency, if required
• Any additional documents requested by the relevant department

Prepare your documents according to the university’s instructions and the requirements of your proposed PhD program.

How to Apply for Durham University PhD Studentships 2027

Follow these steps to prepare your application:

1. Review the Official Studentship Details: Visit the Durham University website and read the eligibility requirements, funding conditions, and application instructions.
2. Develop Your Research Proposal: Prepare a doctoral research proposal that aligns with the Transformative Humanities framework.
3. Identify a Suitable Supervisory Team: Ensure that your proposed supervision involves collaboration across at least two academic departments and meets the scheme’s requirements.
4. Check PhD Admission Requirements: Review the admission criteria for your chosen doctoral program at Durham University.
5. Prepare Supporting Documents: Gather your transcripts, degree certificates, CV, research proposal, references, and any other required materials.
6. Submit Your Application: Follow the university’s official instructions for the relevant PhD program and studentship competition. Confirm whether any separate funding application is required.
7. Apply Before the Deadline: Submit all required materials by January 15, 2027, subject to confirmation on the official page.

Application Deadline

The stated application deadline for the Durham University PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities 2027 is January 15, 2027. Applicants should verify the deadline and any separate departmental or admission deadlines on the official university website before submitting their applications.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the Durham University PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities 2027?

They are doctoral funding opportunities at Durham University in the United Kingdom for research aligned with the university’s Transformative Humanities framework. The scheme offers up to 11 awards.

2. Are the Durham University Transformative Humanities Studentships fully funded?

The stated benefits include a tuition fee waiver and an annual stipend of £21,805, along with possible additional funding and access to training and placement resources. Applicants should confirm the complete funding conditions in the official guidance.

3. How much is the annual stipend?

The stated annual stipend is £21,805, in line with the funding rate specified for the studentship.

4. How long does the funding last?

The stated duration is 3.5 years for full-time study or 7 years for part-time study, subject to the award’s terms and conditions.

5. Can international students apply?

Yes. International applicants are eligible to compete for up to two overseas awards, which are stated to cover tuition fees at the overseas rate.

6. How many awards are available for UK students?

Up to nine awards are available for home students, with tuition fees covered at the home rate.

7. Do applicants need IELTS?

The IELTS requirement should be confirmed with Durham University. Applicants may need to provide accepted English-language evidence unless they qualify for an official exemption.

8. Is interdisciplinary supervision required?

Yes. The supervisory team must include collaboration across at least two academic departments, in keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the scheme.

9. When will the PhD program begin?

The expected start date for the 2027 studentships is October 2027.

10. What is the application deadline?

The stated deadline is January 15, 2027. Applicants should check the official website for confirmation and any separate deadlines.

11. What documents are required to apply?

Depending on the doctoral program, applicants may need academic transcripts, degree certificates, a CV, a research proposal, references, and English-language evidence where applicable. Check the official application instructions for the complete list.

12. Where can I apply for the Durham University PhD Studentships?

Visit the official Durham University studentship page for eligibility details and application instructions.

Disclaimer: Funding amounts, eligibility conditions, award numbers, English-language requirements, and deadlines should be confirmed through Durham University’s official guidance, as conditions may change.