AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards

The University of Reading is pleased to have been awarded funding for doctoral studentships in the Arts and Humanities through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Landscape Award scheme.

These prestigious awards fund 3 doctoral studentships per year for doctoral researchers working within the arts and humanities.

The scheme aims to attract applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, and we particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups.

Award Details

Studentships in the current round will commence in October 2027. The awards include:

Fees at the UK/Republic of Ireland rate*
A stipend, or living allowance (the 2026/27 rate is £21,805)
Limited additional funds to support research and training

Studentship holders will enjoy expert supervision and will join a vibrant research community. They will have access to a range of training opportunities offered through the Landscape South doctoral training hub, which includes the universities of Brighton, Bristol, Exeter, Kent, Oxford, Oxford Brookes, Royal Holloway, Southampton, Sussex and the Open University.

* We welcome applications from International students. Please note, however, that International students will need to have their own funding to cover the difference between UK/Republic of Ireland fees and International fees (for most students, this would be a difference of at least £16,512 for full-time study in every year of study). Please also note:

Stipends are not paid in a manner which allows them to be used to pay fees.
There are no funds to support immigration costs (e.g. visa charges or the NHS surcharge).

Eligibility

Applicants must have applied for a place on an eligible PhD programme at the University of Reading by 15^th January 2027. (Departments within the scope of the AHRC are listed in the table below.)
Studentships can be held on a full or part-time basis.
Up to 30% of awards can be made to International applicants, but International applicants will be required to fund the difference between Home and International fees.
Students currently enrolled at Reading on a PhD programme are NOT eligible for these awards.
These awards are not available to applicants for by-distance study.

How to apply

Apply for a place on a PhD programme by 15th January 2027.
Complete this short expression of interest form.

It is recommended that you consult your proposed supervisor, or your department’s Director of Postgraduate Research, before applying.

If you have already applied for a place, you need simply complete the expression of interest form to ensure that you are considered for a studentship.

There will be an optional online information session for potential applicants on 17th November 2026, 12 noon UK time. The session will offer advice on making a strong application and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To sign up for this session, please complete this form by 15^th November 2026.

Contact

It is recommended that interested potential applicants contact either their intended primary supervisor or the Director of Postgraduate Research in their Department of interest:

University of Reading Department	Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies
Archaeology	Prof. Rob Hosfield
Architecture	Dr Florence Phua
Art	Dr Annabel Frearson
Classics	Prof. Timothy Duff
English Literature	Professor Karin Lesnik-Oberstein
English Language and Applied Linguistics	Professor Rodney Jones
Film, Theatre and Television	Professor Teresa Murjas
Geography	Dr Anna Jackman
History	Dr Richard Blakemore
Law	Dr Nora Honkala
Languages and Cultures	Professor Mark Nixon Dr Sophie Heywood
Philosophy	Professor David Oderberg
Politics and International Relations	Dr Joseph O’Mahoney
Typography	Professor Gerry Leonidas

General queries can be directed to the Doctoral Studentships Officer.

Selection Process

All eligible applications will be reviewed by the Departments.
Departments will select applications for nomination to the main University selection panel.
Nominated applicants will be asked to prepare a revised version of their research proposal to be used in the main university-level selection.
Applicants who have not been asked to prepare a revised proposal by 1^st March 2027 have not been selected for nomination on this occasion.

Selection Criteria

Awards will be made on the basis of:

1. The applicants’ academic excellence and preparedness for research.

2. The quality of the research proposal, including methodological innovation, original contribution to knowledge, and project feasibility.

3. The strength and appropriateness of the supervisory arrangements.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive student community. It supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBTQIA+ rights equality.

The University of Reading Equal Opportunities policy applies:

The University of Reading is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and non-discriminatory treatment for all members of its community regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race (to include colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.