Studentships
Looking for a postgraduate research opportunity?
We are a young, vibrant university with a unique and exciting research environment and have established a strong reputation in a range of research areas.
Our postgraduate research community continues to grow and we regularly offer scholarships for research degrees – details of our current funding opportunities are listed below. New opportunities will be listed as they arise, if there is nothing listed below we don't have specific PhD studentship available, but please check this page frequently.
Prospective students in need of funding are advised to start researching funding opportunities well in advance of commencing their studies. Websites of individual academic partners may contain information on forthcoming studentships –and you can also explore funding options by contacting staff within your subject area to find out how previous students have financed their studies.
UHI-funded doctoral research studentships
We are pleased to announce the launch of UHI-funded doctoral research studentships commencing in the 2025/26 academic year.
Key Details:
- Funding: Two new fully-funded, full-time 3.5-year awards will be available, starting in October 2025. Applications can also be made on a match-funding basis to maximise the number of studentships.
- Eligibility: Awards are for new full-time students only; continuing/current students are not eligible.
- Studentship Contributions: Holders of UHI PGR studentships will contribute to research environment and culture activities, matched to their skills and interests. Contributions may include communications, social media, and supporting evidence gathering for the Research Excellence Framework, limited to 5 hours per week.
Application Process:
Each of the four Clusters (MESE, SILK, HARC, and Health) can submit up to two fully-funded or a combination of fully-funded and part-funded applications, ensuring the total funding does not exceed the budget for two fully-funded PhDs.
Clusters will manage their internal selection processes and are encouraged to clearly communicate these to applicants.
Interdisciplinary PhD proposals are welcome and will be considered equally.
Important Dates:
- 14 March 2025: Submit applications to Cluster Lead.
- 2 April 2025: Clusters submit selected applications to gradresearch@uhi.ac.uk.
- 7 April 2025: UHI panel reviews applications. Two applications selected for the studentship.
- 16 April 2025: Submit project adverts if no candidate is attached.
- 21 April 2025: Advertising commences.
- 15 May 2025: Candidate application deadline.
- 6 June 2025: Candidate interviews completed.
- 16 June 2025: RD1s submitted.
- 24 June 2025: Formal offers sent.
- October 2025: Candidate enrolment.
For more details and to download the application form, please visit the Graduate School SharePoint (accessible by UHI Staff)
If you are a student seeking a UHI-studentship, please explore our guidance on identifying a suitable supervisor at UHI.
We look forward to receiving your applications and supporting the next generation of researchers at UHI.