Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees

University of Exeter PhD Scholarships for Black British Researchers

This programme offering 4-year fully-funded PhD studentships to support Black British researchers has been established by philanthropic donations from University of Exeter alumni - you can read more about the donors here.  

About the scholarship scheme

The aim of these scholarships is to help improve access and participation in PhD study for talented Black British students.  Each studentship offers a comprehensive funding and support package designed to enable students to succeed in their PhD programme and beyond, including:

  • 4 years of stipend funding at the UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for 2024/25)
  • Funding for tuition fees the Home fee rate
  • A research training support grant (to cover project costs; ranging from £2,000 minimum up to maximum of £10,000 for higher cost projects)
  • The opportunity to undertake a placement of up to 6 months (in total) during the 4-year PhD programme (with access to additional funding of up to £2,500 to support placement costs).
  • Access to mentoring support (specific to this studentship scheme)

Studentships for September 2025 entry

This scheme will fund at least 8 students in total, with 3 studentships now open for applications to start a PhD in September 2025 – one in each of our three Faculties:

Support for Applicants

We are happy to provide individual support to answer any questions you may have about the scholarships scheme, and to support you with the preparing your application (such as how to prepare your academic CV or your research proposal). Please contact the Dean of the Postgraduate Research, Professor Stacey Hynd grdean@exeter.ac.uk.  If you have any practical questions about the application process and submitting your application, please contact pgrapplicants@exeter.ac.uk. 

Find out how to apply for a Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy Black British Researchers Studentship via the following web page https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5463

About Research at Exeter

Further information about our world leading research including the outcomes of the REF 2021 - Research Excellence Framework, Research News, and Events can be found on our research web pages.

For details on the research undertaken in our departments and the research undertaken by our current PhD students, please see the sections below.  

Research in our Departments

Computer Science

Earth and Environmental Science

Ecology and Conservation

Engineering

Geography

Mathematics and Statistics

Physics and Astronomy

University of Exeter Business School

 

Find out how to apply for a Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Black British Researchers Studentship via the following web page https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5464

About Research at Exeter

Further information about our world leading research including the outcomes of the REF 2021 - Research Excellence Framework, Research News, and Events can be found on our research web pages.

For details on the research undertaken in our departments and the research undertaken by our current PhD students, please see the links below.  

Research in our Departments

Biosciences

Health and Care Professions

Psychology

Public Health and Sports Sciences

University of Exeter Medical School

Find out how to apply for a Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Black British Researchers Studentship via the following web page https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5465

About Research at Exeter

Further information about our world leading research including the outcomes of the REF 2021 - Research Excellence Framework, Research News, and Events can be found on our research web pages.

For details on the research undertaken in our departments and the research undertaken by our current PhD students, please see the sections below.  

Research in our Departments

The aim of this scholarship scheme is to improve participation by Black British students in PhD study at the University of Exeter. Applicants must meet all of the following entry criteria:

  • Have UK nationality and have ‘Home’ tuition fee status (your fee status will be assessed when you apply; you can find out more about fee status on our funding page)
  • Identify as belonging to one of the following ethnic groups:
    • Black African
    • Black Caribbean
    • Black Other
    • Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
    • Mixed – White and Black African
    • Other mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or Black Other)
    • Black or Black British African
    • Black or Black British Caribbean
    • Black or Black British other
    • Mixed Black or Black British
  • Applicants should not already be enrolled on a PhD programme at the University of Exeter.

You will need to meet the academic entry requirements for the particular PhD programme on which you would be registered if successful in your studentship application (please note, you do not need to make a programme application at this stage; just follow the studentship application process outlined in the How to Apply section).

Studentships can be held on a full-time or a part-time basis (part time awards will be made on a pro-rate basis).  Students on this scheme are expected to register on campus-based PhD programmes (i.e. distance learning is not supported).

Please follow the specific guidance for the Faculty in which you wish to study for a PhD:

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

The closing date for submission of applications is midnight (UK time) on Friday 28 February 2025.

We will be holding a webinar for applicants between 10 - 14 February 2025 to answer any questions you may have about the scholarships scheme or the application process, and to support applicants in how complete their application (such as how to prepare your academic CV or your research proposal).  Details of registering your interest in attending will be available in due course. 

If you have any questions please contact pgrapplicants@exeter.ac.uk.