Fully funded PhD opportunities 2027 at Queen Mary University of London
Fully funded PhD opportunities 2027 at Queen Mary University of London. The Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is inviting applications for its 2027–2028 postgraduate research funding opportunities. These studentships provide an opportunity for outstanding graduates to pursue doctoral studies in the United Kingdom with financial support towards tuition fees and living expenses.
The university’s main Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Doctoral Research Studentships are open to UK and international applicants, including candidates from African countries such as Zimbabwe. Successful candidates can receive full tuition fee coverage and a maintenance stipend for up to three and a half years of full-time PhD study.
The current published annual stipend is approximately £22,617 for full-time students, although applicants should check the university’s funding information for any changes to the rate applicable when they begin their studies.
The main application deadline is 1 December 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time. Applicants are expected to apply for admission to an eligible PhD programme and indicate that they wish to be considered for the HSS studentship competition.
Other doctoral funding opportunities are also available across the university, with different deadlines and eligibility conditions.
Queen Mary University of London PhD studentships 2027: Quick overview
| Opportunity detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Queen Mary University of London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Academic year | 2027–2028 |
| Study level | PhD / doctoral research |
| Main funding competition | Humanities and Social Sciences Doctoral Research Studentships |
| Eligible nationalities | All nationalities for the main HSS competition |
| Study start | September 2027 |
| Funding duration | Up to 3.5 years full-time |
| Tuition fees | Covered |
| Annual stipend | Approximately £22,617 at the currently published rate |
| Part-time funding | Available under the HSS competition |
| Main deadline | 1 December 2026, 5:00 p.m. UK time |
| Application method | Online university application portal |
About Queen Mary University of London
Fully funded PhD opportunities 2027 at Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London is a public research university based in London, United Kingdom. It is a member of the Russell Group, a network of research-intensive UK universities.
The university offers postgraduate research programmes across a broad range of academic disciplines, including business, economics, law, humanities, engineering, medicine, science and social sciences.
Doctoral researchers benefit from access to academic supervisors, research facilities, specialist libraries, professional development opportunities and an international research community.
Queen Mary has a substantial postgraduate research community, with approximately 1,800 PhD students. Its research environment brings together academics and doctoral researchers working on issues with local, national and international significance.
1. Humanities and Social Sciences PhD studentships
The main 2027–2028 HSS Doctoral Research Studentships are available to outstanding applicants pursuing doctoral research in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The competition covers several academic schools:
- Queen Mary Business School.
- School of Economics and Finance.
- School of Society and Environment.
- School of Law.
- School of the Arts.
Applicants can propose research in eligible areas within these schools, subject to the relevant programme entry requirements and the university’s funding assessment.
What does the studentship cover?
Fully funded PhD opportunities 2027 at Queen Mary University of London
Successful applicants receive financial support consisting of:
Full tuition fee coverage: The award covers tuition fees for the duration of the studentship, subject to its terms and conditions.
Living-cost stipend: Students receive a maintenance stipend at the Queen Mary rate. The currently published full-time rate is approximately £22,617 per year.
Funding duration: Awards can be held for up to three and a half years for full-time doctoral study or up to six and a half years for part-time study.
The stipend is intended to help doctoral researchers meet living expenses while undertaking their studies in London.
Who can apply?
The main HSS competition is open to applicants from all nationalities.
This means international candidates, including Zimbabwean applicants, can apply if they meet the academic requirements and are accepted into an eligible doctoral programme.
Applicants should normally have, or expect to obtain by the end of the 2026–2027 academic year, a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification in an appropriate subject.
The competition also considers applications from eligible current Queen Mary doctoral students who are in the first year of full-time study or within the first two years of part-time study.
Application deadline
The deadline for the 2027–2028 HSS Doctoral Research Studentships is:
1 December 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
Successful candidates are expected to be notified in late February 2027. Offers must be accepted or declined within one week.
These awards cannot be deferred to the following academic year.
2. Additional PhD funding opportunities at Queen Mary
Beyond the main HSS competition, Queen Mary has other doctoral funding schemes and research opportunities.
These have their own application procedures, eligibility requirements and deadlines. International applicants should check each scheme carefully because some awards are open to all nationalities while others are restricted to UK or specific international applicants.
Examples of funding routes listed by the university include:
ESRC-LISS Doctoral Training Partnership
The ESRC-funded London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership supports doctoral research in social science disciplines.
The published deadline for the 2027 entry competition is 20 January 2027 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
Applicants should consult the relevant programme information to establish which research areas, institutions and funding conditions apply.
AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Landscape Award supports doctoral research in eligible arts and humanities fields.
The university lists 1 December 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time as the deadline for this funding route.
Applicants should check the relevant school and award guidance for the application procedure and nationality conditions.
China Scholarship Council partnership
Queen Mary also works with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to support eligible Chinese doctoral applicants.
The university lists a deadline of 27 January 2027 at 4:00 p.m. UK time for the relevant 2027 entry application process.
This scheme is specifically intended for eligible Chinese applicants and should not be treated as an open funding route for applicants from other nationalities.
Leverhulme Living With Waste Doctoral Programme
This doctoral programme supports research relating to waste, sustainability and associated environmental challenges.
The university lists a January 2027 application period, with the precise deadline to be confirmed.
Applicants interested in environmental research should check the programme’s dedicated page for updated project descriptions, eligibility and funding information.
HEAL Doctoral Training Programme
The university also lists the HEAL Doctoral Training Programme among its doctoral funding opportunities, with a published deadline of 29 November 2026.
Candidates should review the programme’s own eligibility requirements and application instructions before applying.
3. Eligibility requirements
Eligibility depends on the specific funding scheme and PhD programme.
For the main HSS studentship competition, applicants should consider the following requirements.
Academic qualifications
Applicants should have, or expect to have by the end of the 2026–2027 academic year, a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in an appropriate academic field.
The qualification should provide a suitable foundation for the proposed doctoral research.
Candidates must also meet the admission requirements of their chosen Queen Mary PhD programme.
Research proposal
Applicants should develop a strong research proposal that demonstrates:
- A clearly defined research topic.
- A convincing academic rationale.
- Relevant research questions.
- Appropriate research methods.
- Awareness of existing academic literature.
- A realistic plan for completing the research.
- Alignment with the expertise and research priorities of the relevant school.
A well-developed proposal is particularly important because candidates are assessed on the quality, originality and feasibility of their proposed research.
International applicants
The main HSS studentship competition is open to all nationalities.
International candidates should nevertheless check whether the award covers the full tuition fee applicable to their individual fee status and confirm any visa and immigration requirements associated with studying in the United Kingdom.
Other funding schemes may have different nationality or residency restrictions.
4. Can Zimbabwean students apply?
Yes. Zimbabwean applicants can apply for the main HSS Doctoral Research Studentships because the university states that these awards are open to UK and international students.
This is particularly relevant for Zimbabwean graduates who have completed, or expect to complete, a Master’s degree and wish to pursue doctoral research in the United Kingdom.
Potential research areas include:
- Business and management.
- Economics and finance.
- Law.
- Politics and international relations.
- Geography and environmental studies.
- History.
- English and drama.
- Languages, linguistics and film.
Zimbabwean candidates should ensure that their academic qualifications meet the entry requirements of their chosen school.
They should also investigate the student visa process, travel costs and any additional expenses not covered by the studentship.
Importantly, the HSS competition’s international eligibility should not be confused with other Queen Mary awards that may be restricted to UK applicants or particular nationalities.
5. How applications are assessed
Applications are reviewed by academic selection panels within the relevant disciplines.
Queen Mary explains that the assessment considers several important aspects of the proposed research and the applicant’s academic preparation.
These include:
Quality of the research proposal: The originality, clarity, academic value and overall quality of the proposed project.
Applicant preparedness: The candidate’s academic background, relevant experience and readiness to undertake doctoral research.
Project feasibility: Whether the research can realistically be completed within the proposed funding period, including consideration of research methods, training needs and any planned fieldwork.
Research alignment: How well the proposed project fits the priorities and expertise of the relevant academic discipline.
Applicants should therefore take time to develop a convincing research proposal and demonstrate why their chosen school is an appropriate place to undertake their doctoral studies.
6. Documents and information to prepare
Applicants should consult the relevant school’s application guidance for the precise documentation required.
For a competitive doctoral application, candidates should prepare the following where requested:
- Academic CV.
- Research proposal.
- Statement of purpose or personal statement.
- Master’s degree certificate or evidence of expected completion.
- Academic transcripts.
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcripts.
- Academic references.
- English-language proficiency evidence, where required.
- Any additional documents requested by the relevant academic school.
Applicants should also identify potential supervisors whose research interests align with their proposed doctoral project.
The university recommends reviewing the guidance for applicants before submitting the online application.
7. How to apply for Queen Mary PhD studentships 2027
Fully funded PhD opportunities 2027 at Queen Mary University of London
The main HSS studentship application is made through Queen Mary’s online postgraduate research application portal.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify an eligible PhD programme
Visit the university’s postgraduate research pages and identify the school and doctoral programme that match your academic background and research interests.
Step 2: Develop your research proposal
Prepare a detailed research proposal that explains your research topic, objectives, methodology, academic contribution and expected outcomes.
Step 3: Review the applicant guidance
Read the official HSS studentship guidance and the admission requirements of your selected school.
Step 4: Contact the relevant academic school
Where appropriate, identify potential supervisors and discuss whether your proposed research fits the school’s academic expertise and priorities.
Step 5: Submit your PhD application
Complete the online application for admission to the relevant doctoral programme.
Step 6: Request studentship consideration
On the online application form, indicate that you wish to be considered for the HSS Studentship Competition.
If applying for more than one Queen Mary funding award, follow the university’s instructions for declaring multiple funding applications.
Step 7: Submit before the deadline
Ensure that your application and supporting documents are submitted by 1 December 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
8. Important application deadlines
The university lists several deadlines for September 2027 doctoral funding.
| Funding opportunity | Published deadline |
|---|---|
| HSS Doctoral Research Studentships | 1 December 2026, 5:00 p.m. |
| HSS BAME Studentship | 1 December 2026, 5:00 p.m. |
| AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award | 1 December 2026, 5:00 p.m. |
| HEAL Doctoral Training Programme | 29 November 2026 |
| ESRC-LISS Doctoral Training Programme | 20 January 2027, 5:00 p.m. |
| China Scholarship Council | 27 January 2027, 4:00 p.m. |
| Leverhulme Living With Waste Doctoral Programme | January 2027; exact date to be confirmed |
| Queen Mary Business School HSS studentships | 1 December 2026, 5:00 p.m. |
| School of Economics and Finance MRes-PhD applications | Mid-January 2027; check with the school |
Deadlines and eligibility conditions can differ between funding schemes. Applicants should verify the current instructions on the relevant official programme pages.
9. Important information for international applicants
Although the main HSS studentships are open to international applicants, candidates should consider several practical issues before accepting an offer.
Visa requirements: International students normally need to meet the UK’s student immigration requirements. Applicants should follow the university’s instructions after receiving an offer.
Tuition fees: Confirm that the award covers the applicable tuition fee for your fee status.
Living expenses: The published stipend is intended to support living expenses, but London can be expensive. Candidates should plan their accommodation and personal budgets carefully.
Funding conditions: Review the award duration, continuation requirements and any conditions attached to the studentship.
Start date: The 2027–2028 awards are intended for the September 2027 academic intake and cannot be deferred to the following academic year.
Frequently asked questions
Fully funded PhD opportunities 2027 at Queen Mary University of London
Are Queen Mary University of London PhD studentships fully funded?
The main HSS Doctoral Research Studentships cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance stipend for living expenses. Funding is available for up to three and a half years of full-time study. Other schemes may have different funding arrangements.
Can international students apply?
Yes. The main HSS studentship competition is open to UK and international applicants from all nationalities.
Can Zimbabwean students apply?
Yes. Zimbabwean candidates can apply for the main HSS competition if they meet the academic and programme requirements.
How much is the PhD stipend?
The currently published full-time maintenance stipend is approximately £22,617 per year. The part-time rate is approximately £11,308 per year. These are the published current rates and may be updated for the 2027–2028 academic year.
How long does the funding last?
The main HSS studentships can provide funding for up to three and a half years of full-time doctoral study or six and a half years of part-time study.
What subjects are covered?
The HSS competition includes eligible doctoral programmes in business, economics and finance, law, the arts, and society and environment.
When is the application deadline?
The main HSS studentship deadline is 1 December 2026 at 5:00 p.m. UK time.
When will successful applicants be notified?
Queen Mary expects to make offers to successful HSS studentship candidates in late February 2027.
Final thoughts
Fully funded PhD opportunities 2027 at Queen Mary University of London
Fully funded PhD opportunities 2027 at Queen Mary University of London. The Queen Mary University of London PhD studentships provide an important opportunity for talented graduates to pursue doctoral research in the United Kingdom with financial support.
The main Humanities and Social Sciences competition is particularly attractive to international applicants because it is open to all nationalities and provides tuition fee coverage alongside a maintenance stipend.
Zimbabwean and other international graduates with relevant Master’s qualifications should consider preparing their research proposals and submitting their applications before the December deadline.
Because funding is competitive, applicants should pay close attention to the university’s research proposal guidance, academic entry requirements and funding conditions.
Apply before 1 December 2026 for the main HSS studentship competition.
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