Applications are open for the University of Sheffield’s AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award for 2027/2028, a doctoral funding scheme for postgraduate researchers in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The award will support four full PhD studentships a year and is linked to the AHRC North/Northwest Hub, alongside nine other regional universities.
Key facts
- The award supports postgraduate researchers in the University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
- It will fund four full PhD studentships each year.
- Up to one studentship may go to an outstanding international candidate.
- The studentships last 3.5 years, or pro-rata for part-time study.
- Applications are split into a study application and a funding application, with separate deadlines.
What this means for prospective PhD students
The scheme matters most for applicants who want to begin a PhD at Sheffield in Arts and Humanities and need doctoral funding. It covers tuition fees at the relevant Home or International rate and includes a maintenance stipend at the UKRI rate, which is stated as £21,805 in the 2026/27 academic year.
Applicants who are not already enrolled on a PhD may apply. Overseas candidates can also apply, but only one of the four annual studentships may be allocated to an international candidate, so competition for that place is expected to be particularly strong.
The application process has two steps. First, candidates must submit a study application for a PhD place at the University of Sheffield by Monday 14 December 2026. After receiving an application number, they must submit the funding application in one sitting by 5 pm GMT on Friday 19 February 2027.
- Study application deadline: Monday 14 December 2026
- Funding application deadline: 5 pm GMT, Friday 19 February 2027
- Funding: UKRI-rate stipend plus tuition fees
- Duration: 3.5 years, or part-time equivalent
How many awards are available?
The University of Sheffield says the scheme will support four full PhD studentships per year. That makes the award highly selective even before factoring in the separate international place, which may be reserved for just one candidate.
How does the application process work?
Applicants must first secure admission to a PhD place through the university’s online application portal. Only after that step, and after receiving an application number, can they complete the funding form. The funding submission must be completed in one sitting, which makes advance preparation important.
The university also says a template is available to help candidates prepare their answers before submitting the funding form.
Who can apply?
The award is open to postgraduate researchers in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Sheffield. The scheme is intended for candidates who are not already enrolled on a PhD. Overseas students may apply, although the competition for the international place is expected to be intense.
