Leeds Business School PhD Excellence Scholarships 2026 | Study in the United Kingdom — University of Leeds, Leeds University Business School

Two scholarships, full academic fees, and a £21,805 annual maintenance grant that rises every year in line with UKRI rates. The Leeds Business School PhD Excellence Scholarship is narrow by design this cycle, funded specifically for new doctoral researchers joining the Marketing Department.

Leeds University Business School ranks among the UK’s leading research-intensive business schools, and this scholarship targets students starting from scratch rather than those already registered for PhD study.

About the Scholarship

The University of Leeds is funding 2 PhD Excellence Scholarships through Leeds University Business School for the 2026/27 session, covering full academic fees for three years and a maintenance grant for 3.5 years of full-time study, with part-time awards calculated on a pro-rata basis. The scholarship supports new postgraduate researchers in the Marketing Department specifically, working within a school known for research on strategic innovation, digitalization, workplace inclusion, consumer behavior, and sustainable business.

Because the scholarship is open to both UK and international applicants, though part-time study is restricted to UK applicants only, it functions as one of the more accessible funded PhD routes into a major UK business school. Applicants weighing other UK business school funding at different stages might also compare it against the Kent Business School MBA Scholarship, a master’s-level tuition reduction rather than doctoral funding, or against research fellowships for more senior academics such as the British Academy Mid-Career Fellowships.

Scholarship Benefits

• Full academic fees covered for 3 years of full-time study
• A maintenance grant of £21,805 for the 2026/27 session, rising annually in line with UKRI rates
• Maintenance award continues for 3.5 years of full-time study
• Part-time awards available on a pro-rata basis
• Access to academic, career, and personal development opportunities at Leeds University Business School
• Membership in a research community of around 210 postgraduate researchers

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to both international and UK applicants; part-time study is available to UK applicants only
• Must be a new postgraduate researcher undertaking a full-time or part-time PhD; students already registered for PhD research study are not eligible
• Must hold an offer, or apply for, a PhD place at Leeds University Business School specifically in the Department of Marketing
• Must live within reasonable distance of the University of Leeds while receiving the scholarship
• Must meet the relevant academic entry requirements for PhD study
• English language evidence is required where applicable, with an IELTS score of 7.0 overall and at least 6.5 in each component, or an equivalent qualification
• The university particularly encourages applications from Black, Asian, and other minoritized ethnic communities, LGBT+ people, and people with disabilities, while confirming that all selection is based on merit and ability

Fields of Study Covered

This scholarship round is specifically restricted to the Marketing Department, though Leeds University Business School more broadly supports PhD research across:

• Marketing and consumer behavior
• Accounting and finance
• Economics
• International business
• Management and organisations
• People, work and employment

Required Documents

• PhD study application with all required supporting documents
• 9-digit University of Leeds student identification number, issued after submitting the PhD application
• Evidence of meeting relevant academic entry requirements
• English language evidence, including IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each component or equivalent, if applicable
• Completed Department Scholarship application form for the Marketing Department

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Apply for a PhD research place at Leeds University Business School, clearly stating the Marketing Department scholarship you wish to apply for.
2. Submit all required supporting documents for your PhD application.
3. Wait to receive your 9-digit University of Leeds student identification number.
4. Complete the relevant Department Scholarship application form for Marketing once you have your student ID.
5. Submit your scholarship application before the deadline, since only complete applications received on time will be considered.
6. Wait for the outcome, which typically arrives by email within six to eight weeks of the deadline.

Selection Process

Because applicants must first secure a PhD place before the scholarship application can even be completed, timing matters considerably here. Submitting the PhD application early enough to receive a student ID with time to spare before the scholarship deadline is essential, since a late or incomplete scholarship submission will not be considered regardless of the strength of the underlying PhD application.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

• Submit your PhD research application well ahead of the scholarship deadline, since you need your 9-digit student ID before completing the scholarship form
• Make sure your research proposal fits clearly within the Marketing Department’s specific research strengths
• Confirm your English language evidence meets the IELTS 7.0 threshold, or gather equivalent documentation, well in advance
• If you fall within a group the university particularly encourages to apply, consider referencing relevant experience or perspective in your supporting materials
• Researchers weighing longer-term UK academic funding beyond the PhD stage might also look ahead to something like the Royal Society University Research Fellowship, a much larger early-career fellowship for postdoctoral researchers rather than current PhD applicants

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I am already registered as a PhD student?

No. The scholarship is only open to new postgraduate researchers; students already registered for PhD research study are excluded from applying.

Is this scholarship open to international students?

Yes, for full-time study. Part-time study, however, is only available to UK applicants.

Which department does this scholarship round cover?

This specific 2026-27 round funds two scholarships within the Marketing Department at Leeds University Business School.

Does the scholarship cover living costs as well as tuition?

Yes. Alongside full academic fees, scholars receive a maintenance grant of £21,805 for 2026/27, which increases annually in line with UKRI rates.

Do I need to live in Leeds while holding the scholarship?

Yes. Applicants must live within reasonable distance of the University of Leeds for the duration of the award.

What English language score do I need?

An IELTS score of 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component, or an equivalent qualification, is required where English language evidence applies.