AHRC Studentships and FHASS Doctoral Studentships

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Studentships and the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (FHASS) Doctoral Scholarships follow an aligned application process using the same application form and supporting documentation. When you complete the application form, you can specify whether you wish to be considered for one or both awards. Specific details about each award can be found below.

AHRC Studentship

The AHRC supports postgraduate studentships, supervision, training and skills development across the full range of the AHRC’s disciplines. The AHRC provides funding each year to support a number of PhD studentships at Lancaster University within their range of disciplines. Lancaster University invites applications from outstanding candidates for AHRC Doctoral Studentships.

Details of Award: All funded PhD students, whether UK or International will be eligible for a full award which includes a stipend to support living costs, and fees at the standard UKRI home fee rate. The University will fund the difference between the Home and Overseas tuition fee for any successful overseas applicants.

Level of Study: PhD degree

Eligibility: UK and International students (including EU and EEA) commencing their studies in October 2026.

FHASS Doctoral Scholarships & FHASS BAEM Award

A number of Faculty Doctoral Scholarships are available in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. The Faculty is a dynamic and creative community of enquiry, learning and engagement, and encourages both discipline-specific and interdisciplinary work and research.

BAEM Award: A proportion of scholarships are reserved for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority (BAEM) applicants with UK Home status.

Details of Award: Cost of tuition fee plus a maintenance award equal to the UKRI minimum award, which was £20,780 (full time) and £10, 390 (part time) in 2025/2026

Level of Study: PhD degree

Eligibility: UK and International students (including EU and EEA) commencing their studies in October 2026

The deadline for both the AHRC Studentships and the FHASS Doctoral Scholarships is the 24th March 2026. You must have applied and received an offer of a place by this date. We recommend that you have applied for your place on a FHASS PhD programme no later than the 13th February 2026.

How to Apply

To apply for an award, candidates must have applied for a place on a programme no later than the 14th February 2026. Please note that your application for admission onto your chosen programme must be complete (no missing documents) when submitted by this deadline. Please indicate in the 'Source of Funding' section of your programme application that you are applying for AHRC funding and/or FHASS doctoral funding.

You must have submitted your funding application for an AHRC studentship and/or FHASS doctoral scholarship by Friday 24th March 2026 (11pm) in order to be considered. Applicants are strongly advised to liaise with prospective supervisors when completing the studentship application form and to begin the process well ahead of the deadline.

During the online application process, you will be asked to provide:

  • Identifying details including your application number
  • Details about your chosen programme
  • Contact information for your TWO supporting references.
    • Only ONE of your supporting references may be from your prospective supervisory team.
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion information for the purposes of data collection.
    • The completion of and any information given in the EDI section of the form will have no baring on your application and is completely optional.

After completing the online form, you will receive an email with a link to upload the following:

Your named referees will also receive an email to upload statements in support of your application.

Lancaster University FHASS Studentship and AHRC Applications – Fill out form

  • International Students

    Lancaster University will offer up to 30% of the available AHRC studentships to international students. Their applications will be considered as part of the standard award competition and will be subject to the same assessment criteria and schedule. All funded PhD students, whether UK or International will be eligible for a full award which includes a stipend to support living costs, and fees at the standard UKRI home fee rate. Lancaster University will fund the difference between the Home and Overseas tuition fee for any successful overseas applicants. Please check our Frequently Asked Questions sections for more information regarding eligibility.

  • Academic Eligibility

    The AHRC and Lancaster University are committed to working with students from underrepresented communities and those from non-traditional academic backgrounds. Successful students should normally have qualifications equivalent to a good honours degree (first or upper second class level) from an academic higher education institution. Degrees gained outside the UK are recognised. Students should normally possess or be studying for a postgraduate degree. Students can also offer a combination of qualifications and experience.

  • Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities

    A proportion of the FHASS Doctoral Scholarships are reserved for Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Applicants with UK Home status. If you wish to be considered for the BAEM reserved award, please indicate on your online application form where asked.

Information and a breakdown of the application process including deadlines, summary of necessary forms, assessment criteria, eligibility criteria and timeline can all be found in the Guidance Document.

FHASS and AHRC funding competition - guidance for candidates

Frequently Asked Questions

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If you have any questions, we recommend first reviewing the Guidance Document and speaking to your prospective supervisor(s). If your questions are still unanswered, please contact fhasspgrfunding@lancaster.ac.uk.

Email

Funding Competition Leads

FHASS Director of Postgraduate Research

Corinna Peniston-Bird

Professor Corinna Peniston-Bird

Professor of Gender and Cultural History

Centre for Gender Studies, Dynamics of Memories, Regional Heritage Centre

+44 (0)1524 594857

Lancaster AHRC Academic Lead

Sam Clark

Dr Sam Clark

Senior Lecturer

Centre for War and Diplomacy, CILHR Centre for International Law and Human Rights, FASS Health Hub

+44 (0)1524 592449