Closing Date: 7 December 2026
University of Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in the UK
The University of Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarships 2027 provide an excellent opportunity for outstanding students from around the world to pursue fully funded doctoral studies in the United Kingdom.
For the 2027/28 academic year, the University of Warwick is offering up to 80 postgraduate research scholarships across six funding streams. The awards are designed to support talented researchers undertaking PhD and other eligible postgraduate research programmes across different academic disciplines.
Successful applicants will receive full payment of their academic fees, including international tuition fees, as well as a tax-free maintenance stipend. Selected scholarship streams also provide additional research funding, paid leave and potential assistance with UK visa and immigration costs.
The scholarships are available for students starting their research programmes in October 2027. Applications are open, and interested candidates are encouraged to begin preparing their applications well before the December deadlines.
About the University of Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarships
The University of Warwick is a leading public research university located in Coventry, England. It offers postgraduate research opportunities across a wide range of academic disciplines, including engineering, sciences, humanities, social sciences, business, education and medicine.
Through its Postgraduate Research Scholarship Competitions, the university supports outstanding candidates whose research has the potential to make significant academic and societal contributions.
For the 2027 entry, the university is offering up to 80 scholarships through six funding streams:
- Faculty Chancellors Scholarships – up to 30 awards.
- Interdisciplinary Chancellors Scholarships – up to 12 awards.
- AHRC Doctoral Scholarships – up to 3 awards.
- Doctoral Access – Pathway Scholarships – up to 3 awards.
- Doctoral Access – Sanctuary Scholarships – up to 2 awards.
- China Scholarship Council Scholarships – up to 30 awards.
Applicants submit one scholarship application to be considered for the relevant funding streams for which they meet the eligibility requirements.
Scholarship Benefits and Financial Support
The Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarships provide substantial financial support throughout the approved research programme.
The general benefits include:
1. Full tuition fee coverage
Successful applicants receive full payment of their academic fees, whether they are classified as UK or international students. This is particularly valuable for international applicants who would otherwise face higher overseas tuition fees.
2. Tax-free maintenance stipend
Scholarship recipients receive a tax-free maintenance stipend to help cover living expenses during their research studies. The main scholarship streams provide funding at the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend rate.
3. Research funding
The Faculty Chancellors, Interdisciplinary Chancellors, AHRC Doctoral and Doctoral Access – Pathway scholarships include a £5,000 Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG) to support eligible research-related expenses.
4. Paid leave and additional support
Eligible recipients can benefit from paid leave for family and medical reasons. The university also provides additional support for disabled postgraduate researchers.
5. Visa and immigration support
Eligible international applicants under certain scholarship streams may apply for support towards UK visa and immigration costs. This assistance is subject to the applicable scheme conditions and is not automatically guaranteed to every scholarship recipient.
6. Professional development
Recipients gain access to personal and professional development opportunities designed to strengthen their research capabilities and prepare them for future academic and professional careers.
The scholarships also provide up to eight weeks of annual leave.
Scholarship Streams and Additional Benefits
The six funding streams have different eligibility requirements and additional benefits.
Faculty Chancellors Scholarships
These awards are open to applicants of any nationality and fee status. They provide a UKRI-rate stipend for 3.5 years, alongside the £5,000 research support grant. Current postgraduate research students are not eligible.
Interdisciplinary Chancellors Scholarships
These scholarships support candidates proposing interdisciplinary research projects aligned with one or more of Warwick’s Research Spotlights or Research Centres.
Successful applicants receive a UKRI-rate stipend for 3.5 years and a £5,000 research support grant. Applicants must complete the relevant interdisciplinary scholarship statement.
AHRC Doctoral Scholarships
These awards support research projects falling within the remit of the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Successful candidates receive a UKRI-rate stipend for 3.5 years and a £5,000 research support grant.
Doctoral Access – Pathway Scholarships
These scholarships aim to improve access to postgraduate research opportunities. Applicants must self-identify as Black or of Black heritage and complete the required scholarship statement.
The awards provide a UKRI-rate stipend for 3.5 years and a £5,000 research support grant.
Doctoral Access – Sanctuary Scholarships
These awards support eligible applicants with relevant sanctuary or asylum-related immigration status. Successful recipients receive a UKRI-rate stipend for four years and a £5,000 research support grant. Applicants must provide evidence of their qualifying Home Office status.
China Scholarship Council Scholarships
These awards are specifically for eligible Chinese nationals who meet the China Scholarship Council’s requirements. Funding includes a CSC-rate stipend, return international airfare between the UK and China, and a stipend enhancement from Warwick to the UKRI rate for up to four years.
Applicants must hold a People’s Republic of China passport and satisfy the applicable residency and study conditions.
Eligibility Requirements
The general Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarship requirements include:
- Apply for an eligible postgraduate research programme at the University of Warwick.
- Be starting the programme in October 2027, within the 2027/28 academic year.
- Apply for an eligible PhD, MPhil/PhD, EngD or the PhD stage of an eligible integrated master’s and PhD programme.
- Meet the academic admission requirements of the selected research programme.
- Submit the required course and scholarship applications before their respective deadlines.
The scholarships are open to UK and international applicants, depending on the individual funding stream. Some awards have additional requirements relating to research discipline, personal background or immigration status.
Applicants should carefully review the individual scholarship conditions before applying.
Application Process and Important Deadlines
The application process involves submitting an eligible postgraduate research course application followed by a separate scholarship application.
The important dates for the 2027 competition are:
- Course application deadline: 7 December 2026, 16:59 GMT.
- Scholarship application deadline: 10 December 2026, 16:59 GMT.
- References deadline: 21 December 2026, 16:59 GMT.
- Mid-stage notification: 25 January 2027.
- Scholarship offers released: 5 March 2027.
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Explore the University of Warwick’s eligible postgraduate research programmes.
- Submit an application for the selected research course before 7 December 2026.
- Wait for the automated email containing a seven-digit applicant identification number.
- Register an applicant account through the university’s scholarship portal.
- Complete the Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarship application.
- Upload the required supporting documents and complete any additional statements relevant to the selected funding stream.
- Ensure that academic references are submitted before 21 December 2026.
Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants are advised to begin the process early because receiving an applicant identification number can take at least 48 hours.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can access the official scholarship competition page and review the detailed eligibility conditions, application guidance and supporting documents.
Scholarship: Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarships 2027
Host institution: University of Warwick
Study location: Coventry, United Kingdom
Study level: Postgraduate research, PhD and eligible doctoral programmes
Number of scholarships: Up to 80
Funding: Full tuition fees and tax-free maintenance stipend, with additional benefits depending on the scholarship stream.
The University of Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarships provide an excellent opportunity for talented researchers seeking fully funded doctoral education in the UK.
