President's Doctoral Scholar Award 2026 Entry
Funding description
This flagship funding scheme, which is strongly supported by the university's President and Vice Chancellor Professor Duncan Ivison, offers postgraduate research studentships for our highest-achieving students. The President’s Doctoral Scholar Award gives outstanding students from around the world a foundation to support research training with prominent academics across a full range of subjects.
Key features of this studentship
- Full tuition fee award for 3.5 years (full-time or part-time).
- Annual maintenance stipend at the UKRI rate.
- £1000 stipend enhancement award.
- Become part of a network of presidential scholars benefitting from a bespoke suite of training activities.
How to be considered
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to everything we do at The University of Manchester. We know that a diverse research community drives creativity, productivity and research quality, and strengthens our impact on society and the economy.
We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and career paths. We encourage interest from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status.
This award is open to all nationalities studying on any PhD programme within the Faculty of Humanities.
Academic requirements
- First class bachelor's (honours) degree (or overseas equivalent); and
- Master's degree - with a minimum overall average of 60%. Please note that awardees typically hold an average of 70% or above (or overseas equivalent).
Applicants must hold an offer of study at The University of Manchester before applying for this funding.
If your programme is based in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, to enter the President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Award competition, you must submit an application for the ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP)
For programmes based in Alliance Manchester Business School; School of Environment, Education and Development; and School of Social Sciences, an ESRC NWSSDTP application is not required to enter the PDS competition.
You must submit a completed application for your chosen PhD programme by the deadline for your school:
- Alliance Manchester Business School: 1 December 2025
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures: 12 Janaury 2026
- School of Education, Environment and Development: 19 January 2026
- School of Social Sciences: 1 December 2025
Your programme application should contain all necessary supporting documents.
Please note that there is no separate funding application form for PDS awards. If you meet PDS academic eligibility requirements, you will automatically be considered for a PDS award.
All decisions are based on the online programme application and supporting documents.
Additional documentation
Your full online application must include:
- A PhD research proposal
- A copy of your bachelor's and master's academic transcript and certificate. If your master's degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
- An up-to-date academic CV summarising your academic record, employment history, publications and highlighting experience demonstrating your research potential.
- The names of two academic referees, including one from your most recent institution. Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following the submission of your application form.
- A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency.
Selection criteria
- Academic merit and preparedness for research
- Quality and feasibility of research proposal
- Consideration of ethical responsibility
Additional indicators of academic quality will include contributions to publications/articles, promoting your research to a wider audience, setting up research collaborations, prizes awarded and information supplied by your referees.
This award will cover:
- Full tuition fees
- Annual maintenance stipend at the UKRI rate.
- £1000 stipend enhancement award.
Please note this award does not cover:
- Any costs incurred through a visa application (including the immigration health surcharge).
- Any costs incurred through travel or relocation.
Offers of funding are not deferrable. If you cannot start your programme by the date mentioned in your studentship offer letter, the award will be withdrawn. You are permitted to re-apply in future.
You must submit a completed application for your chosen PhD programme by the deadline for your school:
- Alliance Manchester Business School: 1 December 2025
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures: 12 January 2026
- School of Education, Environment and Development: 19 January 2026
- School of Social Sciences: 1 December 2025
We expect to communicate the outcome to 2026 entry applicants by the end of June 2026.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback on individual applications, as outcomes are determined by independent panels.
If you have any questions about this studentship, please contact hums.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk
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Have a question?
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