Scholarships
One avenue you may wish to consider for funding your postgraduate research degree is by securing a scholarship (sometimes referred to as a studentship).
These are funding opportunities that award funding to successful (and eligible) applicants and are typically either merit-based or needs-based.
A scholarship guarantees a committed source of funding across the duration of your degree (subject to satisfactory progression). Postgraduate researchers who have secured a scholarship receive regular and recurring funding towards things like their tuition fees, living costs, or research costs, with their funding tied to the completion of their degree. A fully funded or a directly funded project is a type of scholarship, but other opportunities are available that are not directly tied to a project.
The University awards several scholarships for postgraduate research, although other awards can be secured through independent organisations as well (such as a charity, trust or research foundation). In the case of the former, these opportunities look to reward academic excellence as well as uphold the University’s commitment to a diverse and representative research community.
For postgraduate researchers in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, some of our primary scholarships are:
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Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship
This prestigious scholarship is awarded annually to researchers of the highest calibre. It provides full funding for your PhD studies within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
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President's Doctoral Scholarship
Launched by the University’s President, this award aims to empower PhD students in shaping their desired careers. It offers financial support and opportunities for professional development.
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Teaching Associate Scholarship
If you’d like to gain teaching experience alongside your research, this scholarship is ideal. It allows you to earn a salary while contributing to teaching activities within the faculty.
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School of Natural Sciences Diversity Scholarship
Designed to promote diversity, this scholarship supports UK-based postgraduate researchers in natural sciences. It’s an excellent opportunity for underrepresented groups to pursue their research aspirations.
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Further opportunities for funding
You can also explore alternative funding opportunities through our Centres for Doctoral Training and our dual and joint awards.
You can find further scholarships and studentships at The University of Manchester using our funding search.
Remember that award deadlines vary throughout the year, and some scholarships have specific application criteria. Be sure to check the award pages for eligibility details and application procedures.