VC PhD scholarships scheme 2026

Application content

All applications should include the following content details:

• Student information and details.
• “Lay Summary” - up to 250 words to communicate the broad rationale, aims, objectives and planned outcomes for a non-specialised audience.
• The specific “Proposal” for their research work and training plan.
• A “Statement of link” between the proposed project and the University Strategy 2030, or relevant Faculty Research and Knowledge Exchange Plan.
• Equalities and Opportunities Monitoring form which should be sent direct to VCScholarships@ljmu.ac.uk and not via the supervisor.

Please note:
No other material is expected to be accompany the application. If additional material has been added it will not be included during the assessment.

Submission process

Application forms should be submitted on behalf of the student, by the lead supervisor by 5pm on 30 January 2026 to VCScholarships@ljmu.ac.uk.

• No further applications will be considered once the 5pm deadline has passed.
• The application recognises final approval from the supervisor who will submit the form.
• It is recommended that applications are completed jointly as a starting point for collaboration.
• Application forms without an identified supervisor will not be accepted.

Review process

Applications will be judged via a two-stage process:

Faculty-based Panel

• Organised by the Faculty Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange in association with the Faculty Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee.
• The panel will include staff with relevant academic expertise, extensive PGR experience, and will reflect a broad coverage of equality and diversity within the faculty. Academic decisions will be based on the consistent application of the criteria of excellence (see Information on quality and criteria for assessment).

University Panel

• Chaired by Professor George (PVC Research and Knowledge Exchange), Associate Deans for Research and Knowledge Exchange and other members of the University Research and Knowledge Exchange committee who will review the highest ranked applications from each Faculty. Academic decisions will be based on the consistent application of the criteria of excellence associated with the Information on quality and criteria for assessment.

Information on quality and criteria for assessment

Criteria of excellence associated with both the student and the proposed project

Applications will be assessed using the following criteria of excellence:

• The calibre of candidates based on their academic qualifications and their academic research achievements, outputs, experience, skills and abilities (double weighted).
• The relevant experience, achievements, and quality of the supervisory team to lead and guide the project.
• Quality of the research project, including:
  • Clarity and quality of the “Lay Summary” of the proposed project
  • Clarity and quality of the proposed research studies
  • Clarity, appropriateness, and relevance of the PhD training plan
  • Clarity and relevance of the statement about the connection/link with Faculty or University Research and Knowledge Exchange strategies, plans or priorities within LJMU.

Application outcome

All applicants and their lead supervisor will be contacted with the outcome of their application (whether successful or not) by 15 April 2026.

• Successful awardees will be expected to complete the formal online PGR application form which will then enable formal registration for a PhD.
• The whole application process must be completed in time for the August/September 2026 fixed Doctoral Academy enrolment point, or the offer will be withdrawn.

Please note:
Do not complete this form until the outcome of the VC studentship process is known.

Equal Opportunities monitoring form (Word, 77KB) should be submitted by the student applicant (not the supervisor) directly to VCScholarships@ljmu.ac.uk ensuring their name is at the top of the form and by no later than 5pm on 30 January 2026.

Download Equal Opportunities monitoring form (Word, 77KB)

All applications

In this VC PhD Scholarships 2026 round we will accept applications from both UK and non-UK citizens (home and international fee status) and applications for full-time (course and bench fees plus stipend) as well as part-time (course and bench fees only) scholarships who meet the relevant academic requirements to study at PhD level.

Students

• Students currently enrolled on Masters’ programmes (Taught or Research M-level awards) must have completed their course prior to the enrolment onto the PhD at LJMU in August/September 2026.
• Students already enrolled on an LJMU PhD (or any other level 8 programme of study) are not eligible to apply.
• This specific scholarship programme does not support Professional Doctorates or any other non-PhD level 8 registrations.

Supervisors

• Lead supervisors must be permanent staff at Lecturer/Senior Lecturer status or above.
• Postdoctoral Researchers or Research Assistants are not eligible to be Lead Supervisors on this scheme, but they may be included in supervisory teams.
• Academic staff can be a supervisor to more than one studentship applicant but must be the nominated Lead Supervisor to only one applicant.

Support for UK ethnic minority students

As part of the VC PhD Scholarships 2026 Scheme, we will again, be ring-fencing up to three VC PhD Scholarships for talented UK applicants (must be able to meet residency criteria – see information within the International applicants section below) from under-represented ethnic minority backgrounds.

• The scheme will offer full financial support and a skill development programme, designed to promote both academic and alternative-academic (alt-ac) careers.
• This represents a positive action measure under s.158 of the Equality Act 2010, and we welcome applications from all ethnically diverse backgrounds.
• LJMU promotes a respect always and inclusivity culture and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and harassment.
• Both faculties have an Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, who works in partnership with the central University’s Diversity and Inclusion Team to promote an inclusive environment for our diverse staff and students.
• LJMU has well established ethnically diverse network which supports staff and students within the university and faculties.
• Decolonising curricula research practices and a Athena Swan Silver and Race Equality Charter Bronze Awards are examples of the university’s commitment towards building a truly inclusive community.

Ethnic minority is broken down as: Black/Black British: Caribbean, African or Other Black background, Asian/Asian British: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Other Asian background, Other: Arab, Mixed - White and Black, Caribbean Mixed - White and Black African, Mixed - White and Asian, Other Mixed background.

International applicants

At the same time as completing the application form, International students (non-UK citizen) must contact InternationalAdmissions@ljmu.ac.uk to clarify any issues associated with their application eligibility (for example English language requirements, VISA requirements and process if successful).

Details of English Language requirements for international applicants are available on our International entry requirements webpage.

Please note:
It is the responsibility of the student applicant to check and resolve any issues linked to the process, costs and logistics, with regards to VISA application, English language requirements and such.

If the eligibility criteria for UK student status (for example residency) is not met the student must apply as an international student. For example, If you are a UK citizen but have lived or studied outside the UK (even if you are a UK national) for any amount of time in the 3 years prior to starting the programme, you will need to contact International Admissions to resolve any settled status queries.

For more information, please visit UKCISA for guidance.

All enquiries should be made whilst in the process of completing the application form.

Accommodation

If relevant, students should also begin to familiarise themselves with the Accommodation facilities available.

Full-time scholarships (3 years)

• Course fees: Paid
• Stipend award: See Doctoral Academy
• Bench fee: Currently £1600 pa, with the award made to the Lead Supervisor to support research costs.

Please note:
Bench fee spend should be made each year and not rolled over. A request for roll over will only be agreed under exceptional circumstances.
Bench fee spend is not managed by finance and so must be monitored by the Lead Supervisor.
Spend should be allocated to the relevant school code.

Please contact VCScholarships@ljmu.ac.uk should you require further information.

Part-time scholarships (6 years)

• Course fees: Paid

Staff research specialisms

Staff research specialisms can be viewed through the faculty pages below:

As part of the VC PhD Scholarship scheme, up to three VC PhD Scholarships will be ring-fenced for talented UK applicants (meeting the UK residency criteria) from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds.

The scheme will offer full financial support and a skills development programme, designed to promote both academic and alternative-academic (alt-ac) careers.

LJMU promotes a respect always and inclusivity culture and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and harassment.

Further information can be found in the eligibility and support section.

Applications are also open to international students, subject to meeting the criteria mentioned in the eligibility and support section.