Whether you鈥檙e a UK, EU or international student, you鈥檒l find exciting opportunities to start your postgraduate research journey with us in 2026. You can apply for one of our funded PhD studentships across a range of subject areas.
Explore funded PhDs by subject area
- How does your carbon flow? Understanding the sources and sinks of blue carbon and nutrients across temperate coastal seascapes to inform evidence-based restoration that delivers biodiversity and climate targets and supports blue finance markets.
- Understanding the Skeletal Development of a Cosmopolitan Bird and its Enigmatic Island Cousins
- Artificial Intelligence in Eyewitness Testimony: Opportunities, Risks, and Applications
- Beyond the dyad: Development of task co-representation of multiple co-actors across cultures
- Don鈥檛 judge a book by its cover: the effect of 鈥渓ookism鈥 on subjective scoring in gymnastics
- Finding people in the wild: Translating person recognition research to everyday contexts
- Improving the success of missing person appeals using eye tracking technology
- Reappraisal, The Malleability of Memory of Emotion, and Testing the Cognitive Appraisal Theory of Emotion
- Shaped by domestication: Did the evolution of facial muscle anatomy and ear morphology in dogs reflect adaptations to humans鈥 unconscious preferences?
- The Cooperative Eye Hypothesis: The importance of visibility of the face and eyes for human-unique collaborative efficacy
- South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP) bursaries
Funding information and eligibility
Candidates applying for these projects may be eligible to compete for one of a number of bursaries available 鈥 some bursaries fund tuition fees only, while others cover tuition fees at the UK rate for three years plus a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (拢20,780 for 2025/26).
Most projects are open to applications from UK, EU and international students unless otherwise specified in the project advert. Please check your eligibility before submitting a formal application.
Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by these scholarships. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students 鈥榁isa FAQs鈥 page.
Postgrad Research Webinar Series
Join our next session on Wednesday 3 December 2025, 4.30-5.30pm, to explore funding options, studentships and how to start planning financially for your PhD or research degree.
How to apply
1. Select a subject area from the list above where you will find eligible project areas/projects and entry criteria.
2. Get in touch with the named project supervisor to discuss your interest before you apply. Forwarding your CV and an outline of your research idea would help speed up the process.
3. When you are ready to apply, use the online application form link found in the project advert, making sure you submit all the required documentation before the application deadline.
Please note: If you want to be considered for a funded PhD opportunity you must quote the project code provided when applying. Email applications are not accepted.
Application deadline
The deadline for completed applications is 16 January 2026 unless stated otherwise.
What happens next?
We鈥檒l review your application and if you鈥檙e shortlisted, you鈥檒l be invited to an interview. Shortlisting and interviews will take place after the application deadline.
Find out more
Postgraduate Research Proposal Guide
If you are considering undertaking a postgraduate research degree, follow our step by step guide to writing the perfect research proposal.
Find a PhD Supervisor
If you've already got your own research idea, start looking for a supervisor whose research interests match yours.
Life Solved
Designed for curious thinkers, the Life Solved podcast explores current research and thought-provoking topics. Join us as we explore the latest research at the University, and find out how that research is changing the world.
