AHRC fully funded Doctoral Landscape Studentship Awards

About

For entry in September 2026, UAL invites applications for PhD projects that engage with the theme of ‘place’, which offers a powerful way to explore complex, interdisciplinary and lived issues.

These studentships support research across the arts, design and communication disciplines. They reflect UAL’s commitment to addressing social, cultural and environmental challenges through creative practice and critical inquiry.

We welcome practice-based, practice-led and theoretical approaches that examine how places are made, imagined, represented and transformed. Research may be situated, collaborative and responsive to the social, cultural or material specificities of context.

Eligibility

We value the diverse experiences that strengthen our research community. We warmly welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to different ethnicities, genders, religions, care-experienced applicants, first-generation students, disabled and neurodivergent applicants and those with non-linear career paths, for there is no single or correct route into a PhD.

The applicant must:

• not be currently enrolled as a PhD student
• be available for full-time or part-time study.

International applicants, except 'online' only, may apply but must pay the difference between Home and Overseas fees.

Please note: AHRC rules mean a maximum of 1/3rd of studentships can be allocated to international candidates.

Available studentship projects

Application deadline: 11 May 2026
Applicants may apply to only 1 funded project.

Language, Place and the Museum (Word 64KB)
Partnership: Decolonising the Arts Institute & Manchester Museum
Director of Studies: Dr Victoria Odeniyi

Ensemble Theatre Making at National Youth Theatre: Histories, Practices and Possibilities (Word 63KB)
Partnership: Central Saint Martins & National Youth Theatre
Director of Studies: Professor Helen Brooks

Co-Designing place-based participation (Word 65KB)
Partnership: London College of Communication & London Councils of Lewisham and Ealing
Director of Studies: Dr Keir Williams

Applicants are encouraged to propose a research approach that is uniquely their own, bringing creativity, intellectual ambition and personal insight to the named projects. The project briefs should be used as launching points—clearly demonstrating how their individual perspectives, skills and experiences will shape and enrich the research they wish to pursue.

Studentship holder responsibilities

Successful applicants will also work in partnership with an external organisation, supporting meaningful engagement and impact through their research and enhancing career development. The nature of each partnership may evolve in response to the needs of the project.

All studentship holders are expected to participate fully in UAL’s doctoral research culture and the London and East of England Training Partnership, initiating activities that support the research culture.

Benefits of joining UAL as a PhD researcher

At UAL, as a PhD researcher, you will get:

• expert supervision
• a comprehensive Researcher Development Programme, including mandatory training
• access (by negotiation) to specialist facilities across UAL
• membership to a vibrant doctoral community
• opportunities for training through the London and East of England Doctoral Training Partnership

Receiving payment

AHRC Awards provide:

• full funding for 3.5 years (full-time) on Home (UK) tuition fee rate
• a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£23,805 for 2026/27)
• potential to extend up to 4 years, where extended partner engagement is required.

Note: Part-time study is supported on a pro-rata basis.

To support their research, the successful applicants may also apply for:

• AHRC Research Training Support Grants
• UAL Student Support Funds