University of Sheffield AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2027/28 (Fully Funded PhD Studentships)
The University of Sheffield AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2027/28 offers fully funded PhD studentships for postgraduate research in Arts and Humanities in the United Kingdom. Funded through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the scheme provides tuition fee coverage and a maintenance stipend for 3.5 years. Four full PhD studentships are available annually, with up to one award potentially allocated to an international applicant. The PhD study application deadline is 14 December 2026, followed by the funding application deadline of 19 February 2027 at 5 PM GMT.
Quick Overview
Programme: AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA)
Opportunity Type: Funded PhD Studentships
Host Institution: University of Sheffield
Faculty: Arts and Humanities
Country: United Kingdom
Study Level: PhD
Duration: 3.5 years (pro-rata for part-time)
Available Awards: Four full PhD studentships per year
Funding: Tuition fees and maintenance stipend
Study Application Deadline: 14 December 2026
Funding Application Deadline: 19 February 2027 at 5 PM GMT
About the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2027/28
The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award supports postgraduate researchers undertaking doctoral studies in Arts and Humanities at the University of Sheffield.
The University of Sheffield has received this award to support research students within its Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The university’s studentships will be associated with the AHRC North/Northwest Hub, developed in collaboration with nine other regional universities.
Successful applicants will join the DLA North/North West Hub cohort and participate in training and other activities organised through the programme.
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities is home to more than 200 PhD researchers and over two dozen Faculty Research Centres.
These centres bring together academic staff, postgraduate students, early-career researchers, and other research stakeholders.
AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award Benefits and Financial Coverage
The University of Sheffield provides financial support to successful AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award recipients throughout the studentship period.
Confirmed scholarship benefits include:
✓ Tuition fee coverage at Home or International fee rates, as applicable
✓ Maintenance stipend at the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rate
✓ Funding for 3.5 years, with pro-rata arrangements for part-time students
✓ Participation in DLA North/North West Hub cohort training and activities
✓ Access to the Doctoral School Centre’s dedicated desk and social spaces at Jessop West
Maintenance Stipend
The University of Sheffield confirms that recipients receive a maintenance stipend based on the UKRI rate.
The university currently lists the following amount:
£21,805 for the 2026/27 academic year
This is the published reference rate for 2026/27, rather than a confirmed stipend amount for 2027/28.
The studentship also covers tuition fees according to the student’s applicable Home or International fee classification.
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Available PhD Research Areas
The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award supports postgraduate research within the University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The Faculty comprises the following academic schools:
• School of English
• School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities
• School of Languages, Arts and Societies
• School of Law
The university supports disciplinary and interdisciplinary research through its academic schools and Faculty Research Centres.
Candidates should identify a suitable PhD research area and submit a study application to the University of Sheffield.
Eligibility Criteria
The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award is available to eligible candidates applying for PhD study within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
The official page confirms the following conditions:
• Applicants must apply for a PhD place at the University of Sheffield.
• Candidates who are already enrolled on a PhD are not eligible.
• Overseas students are welcome to apply.
• Up to one of the four annual studentships may be awarded to an outstanding international candidate.
• Selected students must participate fully in the DLA North/North West Hub cohort training and other activities.
International Applicants
International applicants are eligible for consideration under the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award.
However, the university explains that international competition will be particularly intense because a maximum of one studentship may be allocated to an outstanding overseas candidate.
Where applicable, the studentship covers International tuition fees alongside the maintenance stipend.
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AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award Application Process
The University of Sheffield requires candidates to complete two separate applications.
Applicants must first apply for admission to a PhD programme and then submit an application for AHRC funding.
Step 1: Submit a PhD Study Application
Candidates must submit their PhD study application through the University of Sheffield’s official online application portal.
The study application must be submitted by:
Monday, 14 December 2026
Applicants must complete this stage before proceeding with their funding application.
Step 2: Obtain a Study Application Number
After submitting the PhD study application, candidates receive an application number.
This number is required for the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award funding application.
Applicants should retain their application number for the next stage.
Step 3: Prepare the Funding Application
Candidates must complete the separate AHRC DLA funding application form.
The University of Sheffield provides a preparation template to help applicants organise their answers before completing the form.
The funding application must be completed in one sitting.
Therefore, candidates should prepare their responses before starting the online submission.
Step 4: Submit the Funding Application
Applicants must submit their completed AHRC DLA funding application through the form linked on the university’s official scholarship page.
The funding application deadline is:
Friday, 19 February 2027 at 5 PM GMT
Both application stages must be completed within their respective deadlines.
Selection Process
Applications are assessed through a two-stage institutional selection process.
First Stage: School Assessment
Following the funding application deadline, applications are shared with the relevant academic school for initial assessment.
Each school reviews its applications and identifies candidates for nomination.
Second Stage: Faculty Panel
Candidates selected by their academic school are nominated to a Faculty panel.
The panel will meet in March 2027 to confirm the final selections.
The University of Sheffield aims to notify all candidates of their final outcome by the end of March 2027.
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Important Dates
The official application and selection timetable is:
• 2027/28 Applications: Open
• PhD Study Application Deadline: Monday, 14 December 2026
• AHRC Funding Application Deadline: Friday, 19 February 2027 at 5 PM GMT
• Faculty Selection Panel: March 2027
• Expected Final Outcome Notifications: End of March 2027
Applicants must submit their PhD study application before completing the funding application.
Application Deadline
The University of Sheffield has established two separate deadlines for the AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2027/28.
PhD Study Application Deadline: 14 December 2026
Funding Application Deadline: 19 February 2027 at 5 PM GMT
Candidates must submit both applications to be considered for the studentship.
Official Link
Submit your AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award funding application through the official form below after completing your University of Sheffield PhD study application.
