The University of Reading runs a yearly competition for International PhD studentships, this round for October 2027 entry. Awards fund doctoral research in science, life sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, and at Henley Business School.
The Doctoral and Researcher College selects in two stages: each School nominates one candidate, then a central panel decides. Recipients study at Reading, or off campus by distance on a smaller award.
Benefits & funding
- Tuition fees at the International rate (2027/28 full-time: £22,600 Band 1, £25,400 Band 2).
- A £1,000 a year training and development allowance.
- Reading-based students only: a stipend broadly in line with the UKRI minimum; £21,805 in 2026/27.
- Up to four years full-time or six years part-time.
- No funding for your or your family’s immigration costs.
Eligibility
- You must be eligible for International fees (UK fee status).
- You must apply for a Reading PhD place, on campus or by distance, by 15 January 2027.
- Current Reading PhD students are not eligible.
- Distance applicants get fees and the allowance only, no stipend.
- PhD entry normally needs a 2:1 bachelor’s or a master’s in a related subject; arts, humanities, social sciences and business usually require a master’s.
Application process
- 1Check with your School’s postgraduate research administrator that your topic can be supervised.
- 2Apply for a PhD place through Reading’s admissions portal, quoting “International Research Studentship Competition” in the scholarships box.
- 3Submit the short studentship form, which asks for your applicant number, by 15 January 2027.
- 4If your School nominates you, write a research proposal of at most 700 words for the final panel.
Program timeline
Application deadline
Jan 15, 2027
Final selection panel
Late March 2027
Award letters
Late April 2027
PhD starts
October 2027