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Innovation and original thinking since 1824
Bicentenary PhD Studentships and Fellowships in Humanities
Building on 200 years of insight and innovation, we’re looking for the next generation of research students to take on the biggest challenges facing society.
Bicentenary Studentships
Through our pioneering research groups, centres and institutes in The Faculty of Humanities, our Bicentenary PhD Studentships will proudly support PhD students across our key themes and priorities:
- AI, New Technologies and Society,
- Digital Media and Culture,
- Inequalities (including Ageing, Children and Young People, Employment and Productivity, Environment, Ethnicity and Racism, Health and Social Care and Poverty and Deprivation, Migration, Governance),
- Resilient Communities.
The Faculty of Humanities will be offering six full studentships for September 2026 .
Key features of this studentship
- Receive a fully funded studentship covering tuition fees and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate (previously 2025/26 £20,780 per year) for four years.
- Undertake research in your chosen field whilst guided by an expert supervisory team.
- Become part of our Doctoral Academy and join a vibrant and diverse postgraduate research community.
- Benefit from specialised training and research facilities, environment and support that will maximise your development as a researcher.
- A research training support grant (RTSG) will help you broaden your horizons with the opportunity to travel for collaboration, conferences and development opportunities.
- Receive comprehensive training provision and support from our Doctoral Academy and Researcher Development team to enhance your research skills and career development.
Available supervisor-led projects
Search for a project
Please use the Find a PhD search below to find projects which are eligible for this funding.
How to be considered
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and are at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
These are the key dates for consideration for the Bicentenary studentships:
- Applications close: 14 November 2025
- Interviews take place: w/c 2 February 2026
- Studentships awarded: w/c 9 February 2026
- Studentships begin: October 2026
You will need to meet the minimum entry criteria for the PhD programme in which your project will sit. Typically, we will consider candidates from the UK and overseas who have obtained a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree with a further Master’s degree at Merit grade or higher (or be expected to gain a Master’s before the start date of their programme) or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate subject area.
International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language requirements) for their chosen programme before applying.
Search through our full PhD programme list.
Apply for the Bicentenary PhD Studentship
We encourage applications from all backgrounds and seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers.
The application process is detailed within each project advert.
Contact Us
Have any questions? Get in touch.
Queries regarding the application process can be sent to the Doctoral Academy Admissions Office.
Bicentenary Fellowships
Bicentenary Fellowships
The University of Manchester is celebrating 200 years of achievement in research-driven learning, development and innovation with our prestigious Bicentenary Fellowships.
This new initiative represents a major University investment of £28 million to recruit and fund more than 200 early-career researchers between 2025/26 and 2026/27.
As a Bicentenary Research Fellow, you’ll contribute to the ongoing success of our university and the next two centuries of research excellence. We particularly welcome approaches that foster interdisciplinary research (a priority within our strategic plan) and build on our strengths to address major challenges across key themes.
The Faculty of Humanities is pleased to offer a number of fellowships (3 years duration) for outstanding postdoctoral researchers within 4 years of their PhD. Fellows will need to work with a named mentor / mentoring team, and address one or more of the Faculty priority research themes of Digital Futures; Sustainable Futures; Creativity; Global Inequalities; and Adaptive Societies.
We will be advertising further fellowship opportunities late October 2025. You will be able to find the full information regarding the application process and requirements for the Bicentenary Fellowships on the vacancy listing for these positions.