leeds phd

PhD Scholarship and Funding Opportunities

Learn more about our scholarships

What the world needs is your perspective

Contribute to the world-leading research taking place within the Business School.

Research and Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

90% of the Business School's submitted research deemed as either 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' overall

An interdisciplinary academic community

The University of Leeds is committed to working across disciplines to help tackle global challenges

• Funding Opportunities event
• Research Degrees
• Interdisciplinary Research
• Leeds University Business School

Research degrees

Postgraduate research at Leeds University Business School gives you a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the world.

By focusing on your specialist subject and advancing knowledge in your chosen field, there's potential for your work to bring wider benefits – to business, to society and to the wider community.

Working alongside our leading academics you'll be encouraged to undertake research training, and we'll provide the support you need to complete your dissertation or thesis and get your findings published. You'll become part of a diverse community, gaining new perspectives, connecting with fellow researchers worldwide and extending your reach internationally.

You will study for your research degree in one of our six departments:

Accounting and Finance

International business, work and employment relations, researching with us.

As a postgraduate researcher you will be an integral part of our research community. You will be supported on your research journey by supervisors, research centres and the Graduate School office.

of our research is judged as ‘world-leading’

or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Excellence Framework 2021

Our research

Research topics, training and development, define your research area, studying with us.

At Leeds, we aim to inspire you with a cutting-edge curriculum, delivered by academic experts who have a wealth of professional and research experience.

among the world's best universities

QS World University Rankings 2024

Entry requirements

How to apply, fees and scholarships, research and innovation blog, podcast: just transitions - a global exploration: russia.

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• Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
• School of Design
• Research degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Our PhD course will allow you to become an expert in a specialist area and gain high-quality research training in Design. Your PhD can be taken full-time (three years standard, four years maximum) or part-time (five years standard, seven years maximum). We also offer a PhD by online learning. 

Structure 

Your research will be guided by supervisors with whom you'll have regular meetings throughout your PhD. Your supervisors will help you put in place an initial plan, provide guidance on your progress, discuss your findings, and set out your plans for the next stage of research. During your first year you'll work on a plan for your PhD project as well as a bibliography and will also develop a detailed research proposal with a literature review. This work will be submitted to a panel of examiners who will assess it and provide you with feedback and advice on the progress of your research to help ensure you are fully prepared for the next stage of your doctoral degree. 

The further years are mostly spent focus on writing your thesis which is examined by two academics (one external to the University). You'll discuss and defend your findings in a formal oral examination called a viva which is a way to further expand on your research and demonstrate your expertise in your chosen area of study.

Areas of supervision

Currently the areas of research support by the School of Design for PhD students are:

•    Archiving and Design History •    Art Practice as Research •    Colour and Imaging •    Experience Design •    Textile and Fashion Design •    Textiles Technology •    Visual Communication

These broad categories are reflective of the interdisciplinary nature of the School and we can usually support research in the area you are interested in. 

We have a range of funding available to support you in funding your postgraduate study. You can find out more about the full range of funding opportunities currently available through our  scholarships database .

Our postgraduate research fees are set independently and reviewed on an annual basis. For the latest information, visit the  University’s PhD fees website .

PhD by online learning 

We offer a PhD by online learning which is available to UK, EU and international applicants, allowing you gain an advanced degree from anywhere with internet access. You can study at the time and place that best suits you, and our part time options lets you study alongside work and other commitments.

For further information, please contact  Dr Pammi Sinha ,  Head of the Graduate School. 

Pre-sessional English

You can improve your academic English level to the standard needed to study a postgraduate research degree by taking one of the following pre-sessional courses:

• 6-weeks: Language for postgraduate researchers
• 10-weeks: Language for postgraduate researchers

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, you can find out more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses .

• Leeds Doctoral Scholarship

Access PhD funding with a Leeds Doctoral Scolarship

87% of our research activity

has been rated as 'world-leading' or ‘internationally-excellent’ - REF 2021

• A Russell Group University

We're committed to the highest standards of research and innovation

• Research impact

Our researchers are internationally recognised, producing high-quality research with significant real-world impact - overall 87% of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

• Our research
• Faculty of Medicine and Health
• School of Psychology

Research degrees

Researching with us, support with your research degree, careers and employability, what is a phd, funding and applying.

Research opportunities

At the School of Psychology,  research degree students are typically recruited to start in October. Opportunities to study for your research degree by becoming attached to an existing project will be listed here later in the year. In the meantime you can contact our admissions tutor Alison Fildes , for more information about opportunities.

Our research groups

Our research and innovation is focused on tackling our five Grand Challenges: behaviour change; health and wellbeing; successful childhood development; successful ageing; the nervous system and its disorders.

• PhD opportunities

Visit phd.leeds.ac.uk to search our project ideas, funding opportunities, research areas and PhD supervisors

Leeds Doctoral College

We connect our whole researcher community and put you in touch with the services, guidance and opportunities you need

Medicinal Chemistry PhD

PhD student Jaykanth explains how he is contributing to research that may ultimately produce a cure for cancer of the bladder

• PhD student profile
• Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• School of Chemistry

Research degrees

Whether you’re looking to begin an academic career or want to develop your skills and expertise for a career in industry, studying for a PhD will be a journey that will stimulate your passion for your subject and push you to reach your potential.

You’ll join a friendly, supportive and diverse community of postgraduate researchers who come from all over the world.

As well as a lead supervisor who’ll provide  guidance and support  on your project, you’ll also be associated with one of our  research groups or institutes , being part of a small community with whom you’ll interact on a daily basis.

"world-leading" or "internationally excellent"

Submitted research outputs - REF 2021

Centres for Doctoral Training

Fully funded 4 year PhD places

Guidance and support

Our facilities, links with industry.

You’ll benefit from our close working relationships with a large number of key companies and academic institutions in the UK and overseas. You’ll have the opportunity to attend  industry talks, seminars and conferences  where you’ll meet and network with colleagues from industry and academia.

Postgraduate life at Leeds

A global community

Careers and professional development

Postgraduate research opportunities

We offer a broad range of PhD projects in world-leading research groups and labs.

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Leeds researchers chosen for prominent funding programme

Dr Viktoria Spaiser, Dr Tim Thurston and Dr Rene Frank have today been awarded Future Leaders Fellowships from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

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• Faculty of Biological Sciences
• Research degrees

Research Degrees

Being a postgraduate researcher in the Faculty of Biological Sciences gives you the opportunity to become part of a vibrant research community.

We offer a broad range of PhD projects in world-leading research groups and labs, with access to facilities, training and support, providing you with the best start to a career in research and beyond.

£17 million

Astbury Centre Laboratory Investment

For world-leading biological research

'world leading' or 'internationally excellent' research

Studying with us

Guidance & support, your career and development, how to apply.

International Students

I choose the University of Leeds because it seems to have a much more collaborative atmosphere than many other universities, making it much easier for you to investigate and answer scientific questions. Emma Cawood (Wellcome Trust 4-year PhD Programme)

International postgraduate students are an integral part of Leeds research community and contribute to our reputation for excellence. We currently have around 1500 research students studying for the degrees of PhD, MPhil, professional Doctorates and Master's degrees by research. 

Research degrees fees

Postgraduate research fees are not regulated by the UK government so decisions on UK undergraduate fees do not apply to them. Our postgraduate research fees are set independently and reviewed on an annual basis.

You are classified as either a home or international postgraduate researcher for the purpose of assessing tuition fees. Where your status is not clear from your application, you will enter our fee assessment process . 

The following fees listed are meant as a guide only. An annual bench fee may be charged in addition to academic fees where the research projects undertaken require a high expenditure on consumables, equipment or other resources. Please check with the admissions team for your research area for accurate information.

If you are a former student of the University of Leeds you may be eligible for a 10% alumni tuition fee bursary .

You may also need to pay additional study costs in some instances.

UK first year fees

The fee quoted is based on full-time study and shows the fee charged for postgraduate researchers studying in that academic year. The fee may increase in future years of your studies in line with inflation.

International postgraduate research annual fees 

The following fees for international postgraduate researchers are based on full-time study and apply for each year of the course. These fees are fixed at this level for each year of your course allowing you to plan your finances for the duration of your studies. 

Fees for the 2024/25 academic year will be confirmed later in 2023.

Fees quoted are based on full-time study and apply for each year of the course. If you are studying part-time, the fee is normally 50% of the full rate (with the exception of the overtime fee).

Split-site PhD programme fees

The fees for split-site programmes (see  our page on types of research degree for more information) are set as a percentage of the UK or international fees. There are three ways of studying for a split-site PhD at the University that will affect the fees you pay:

• Model A involving a strategic partnership with a commercial/industrial organisation or an international academic or research institution. These are full-time programmes and are normally cohort-based.
• Model B involving individual postgraduate researchers. These are part-time programmes.
• Model C  involving another organisation entering into a partnership with Leeds to deliver the PhD research project. These are full-time programmes with a reduced requirement for attendance in Leeds.

Overtime (writing up) fee

There is an overtime registration fee of £290 for 2023/24 should you need extra time to write up your thesis.

If you are still undertaking new research in the overtime period, the full fee may be charged.

Your offer letter will state the end of the standard period of study and also the maximum time limit. The difference is usually the overtime period. Full-time postgraduate researchers normally have one year of overtime and part-time/split site have two years.

Fee status assessment

You are classified as either a home or international postgraduate researcher for the purpose of assessing tuition fees. Only certain categories of students will be charged the home tuition fee.

Where it is not clear from your application form whether you have home or international status, the Admissions Operations team will contact you to carry out a fee assessment. This may be before or after you have received an offer. For further information and advice, see our  fee assessment page .

Sponsored postgraduate researchers

If you are supported by your government, employer, or other sponsor, you should provide a letter from them addressed to the University, confirming that the fees will be paid directly. Sponsors cannot pay by instalments.

For more detail, see our information for sponsored postgraduate researchers  on our For Students website.

Paying your fees

You need to make arrangements to pay your fees before the start of the academic year or you won't be able to register. Find out more about how to pay your tuition fees  and view the tuition fee payment schedule on our website For Students.

You become liable to pay tuition fees when you register on your course. If you leave before the end of your course, we calculate your fees based on your leaving date.  Read more about tuition fee liability .

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Class of 2024 PhD Candidates Share Their Research and What’s Next

You are here.

Across Leeds, PhD candidates are working on ground-breaking research to create a better understanding of the world of business—here’s where they’re headed next.

Taking Account of What’s Next

Wegner’s time at Leeds has been a blend of studying with Sarah Zechman, Tisone Memorial Fellow and Accounting Professor, and Nathan Marshall, Accounting PhD Program Director, and taking time to enjoy everything Boulder has to offer. “I can’t think of a better place to consume accounting research than in the Rocky Mountains. The accounting faculty at CU Boulder are some of the smartest and kindest individuals I have met.” 

After being cheered on by her husband, family and friends throughout the program, Wegner is now headed to the University of Southern California where she will work as an assistant professor in the accounting department. 

Moving the markets

Lien enjoyed working in the finance department, “specifically, I liked learning how to think about research and causality. This is important for better understanding the world around us.” He shared that the list of people who supported him within the finance department is “too long - I’m working cards for a dozen faculty members who have all had a tremendous impact on my life and my success.” 

Now that his PhD program is completed, Lien will be joining Viribus Fund, an algorithmic hedge fund, as an FTR Derivatives Analyst. 

Taking an environmental stand 

Robinson shared that the highlight of his time at Leeds was working with other PhD students and accounting faculty. “The students and faculty at Leeds understand the grind of the program and recognize the importance of being present for one another. And the faculty are so welcoming. It feels like they truly want students to get the most out of the program.” He also enjoyed teaching as a part of the program and celebrated the opportunity to do revision work at a Financial Times 50 journal. 

He also acknowledged that his spouse and three children cheered him on throughout the program and will be joining him as he starts a position as an assistant accounting professor at the University of Oregon. 

• Spring 2024 Graduation

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