Description

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities is delighted to announce that for the academic year 2026/27 we are offering three fully funded AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLAs).

Each award provides funding for 3.5 years (or part-time equivalent), covering tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI minimum rate. An optional additional six months of funding will also be available for employability-related activities such as industry placements or specialist training.

Applicants are invited to propose their own research projects. Priority will be given to innovative, well-developed proposals that have a strong rationale for study at UEA.

We invite applications across a range of doctoral pathways, including written theses, creative-critical PhDs, and professional practice doctorates.

In addition to the training and support available to all UEA postgraduate researchers, award holders will benefit from specialist opportunities provided by the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Hub, led by King’s College London.

Who can apply

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a UK or international student

Propose your own research project, with a clear rationale for study at UEA

Have the support of a primary supervisor based in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (co-supervisors may be from other UEA faculties). It is the applicant’s responsibility to make contact and work with a prospective supervisor.

Hold, or be able to demonstrate suitability for, doctoral-level study (a Master's degree, relevant professional experience, or other equivalent preparation)

Hold a PhD offer to study in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities by 22 February 2027

We operate an inclusive admissions policy. While a Master's degree is the typical entry route, we also welcome applications from candidates who do not hold a Master’s degree, where relevant professional experience or other evidence can demonstrate readiness for doctoral study.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from widening participation (WP) backgrounds. At least one AHRC DLA studentship will be reserved for a candidate who meets the award criteria and has declared relevant WP considerations, which may include (but are not limited to): ethnic minority background; disability; gender or sexuality; first-generation higher education; economic disadvantage; caring responsibilities; experience of being in care; refugee or humanitarian protection status; or significant disruption to education due to illness or other personal circumstances.

Previous applicants: Candidates who have applied previously for a studentship are welcome to apply again. We encourage a thorough discussion with your supervisor beforehand to help strengthen your new application.

Deferred offer holders: If you hold a deferred offer of a place for PhD study at UEA and would like to be considered for a studentship, email PGR.Admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window) with your updated proposal by 8 February 2027. Your supervisor must also submit a new supporting statement, sent (via AHRC DLA 2027/8 Recruitment - Supervisor Supporting Statement – Fill in form(opens in a new window)) by 22 February 2027, quoting your full name and project title.

Current UEA PhD students are not eligible, these studentships are for new PhD students only.

How to apply

The application process involves the following stages:

Submit a standard PhD application via the "A postgraduate research programme with my own research proposal (includes CHASE and SENSS)" route on https://www.uea.ac.uk/apply/postgraduate/research(opens in a new window) by 8 February 2027. Indicate clearly which funding scheme you wish to be considered for:

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards

Include with your application:

A research proposal (up to 1,500 words, including references)

A personal statement (up to 500 words), outlining your motivations and preparedness for study, training needs, suitability for research at UEA, and (for DLA studentships only) consideration of the additional 6 months training/experience

Evidence of your academic qualifications

Two academic references, from referees who are not your proposed supervisor(s). Once you have applied, your referees will be asked to submit their references. At least one reference must be received for your application to be reviewed. However, both references must be received by 22 February 2027 for your application to be considered for the studentship(s) you have applied for.

Where applicable, evidence of your English language proficiency for postgraduate research study in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, as published on https://www.uea.ac.uk/apply/our-admissions-policy/english-language-equivalencies(opens in a new window). If you do not hold this evidence at the time of application, please state this clearly in your application - this does not exclude your application from being considered for the studentships.

(WP applicants only) A contextual statement (max. 500 words) describing any challenging circumstances that have impacted your education

Supervisor’s supporting statement:  Your proposed supervisor will need to submit a supporting statement (up to 300 words) via this MS Form(opens in a new window). This, together with both academic references, must be received by no later than 22 February 2027 for your studentship application to be valid. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their supervisor and referees submit the required documents on time. Owing to the volume of applications received, we are unable to confirm receipt of individual documents on request.

Assessment and outcome: Studentship applications are assessed by an interdisciplinary Faculty panel. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in April 2027. Applicants not invited to interview by the end of April should regard their application as unsuccessful. Owing to the volume of applications, feedback can only be offered to those who reach interview stage.

Further information

There will be an applicant briefing session taking place on 11 November 2026 at 2pm. The link to join is: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/31136728306463?p=mEgI2YqUSNnaEmP9nL(opens in a new window)

For questions about applying for funding, contact Dr Chi-Hé Elder (c.elder@uea.ac.uk).

For general enquiries about the application process, contact PGR.Admissions@uea.ac.uk.

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards

Welcome to Norwich

Description

Who can apply

How to apply

Further information