PhD Studentships
We offer a variety of funded places and financial support for our Postgraduate Research and PhD students.
The University of Salford is a member of selected Doctoral Training Partnerships, which aim to equip researchers with world-leading knowledge and skills appropriate to meeting the academic, professional and socio-economic demands of the twenty-first century. Students joining our Doctoral Training programmes will be active partners in shaping their own training and development as researchers and future leaders. They will enjoy access to outstanding resources and training provision within a collegial environment supporting them to produce excellent research. In turn they will contribute to a world class research environment and engage in mutually beneficial knowledge exchange relationships.
Funded places on our Doctoral Training Partnerships are highly competitive – we advise you to check carefully the application criteria, and to contact potential supervisors at the earliest opportunity so that we can support you as fully as possible throughout the selection process.
Research Funding
Widening Participation Scholarships
Open to UK students in any research area, these scholarships support students with the cost studying.
PhD Studentships
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) offer funded PhD Studentships for those starting in the 2025/26 academic year.
Funding in a specific research areas
We currently offer funding in aural diversity and sound.
Widening Participation Scholarships
We currently offer two Widening Participation Scholarships:
- Masters (MPhil) Widening Participation Fee Scholarship - covers tuition fees for the year (UK tuition fees) for any research area.
- PhD Widening Participation Scholarships - covers tuition fees (UK tuition fees), a stipend for 3.5 years of £20,142, and an annual research budget of £1,000 (years 1-3) for September 2025 entry. We have 10 PhD scholarships available for UK candidates.
Application criteria
Eligibility
- Masters (MPhil) Widening Participation Scholarship - University of Salford graduates who are UK applicants (i.e. eligible for UK fees) who are applying to start a research degree for the first time.
- PhD Widening Participation Scholarships - any UK candidates (or eligible for UK fees) can apply. Priority will also be given to University of Salford graduates.
All research areas are eligible, however some research areas, such as laboratory work, come with additional costs that will need to be funded separately.
These scholarships are targeted at increasing participation from groups currently underrepresented within research. Therefore, priority will be given to students that meet one or more of the below criteria:
- Your home postcode (i.e. the postcode you used to apply to university through UCAS) is listed as a ‘1’ or ‘2’ in the POLAR4 column on the POLAR checking tool.
- You are from an ethnic group that is underrepresented in research careers (Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic).
- You identify as having a disability. The term ‘disability’ is quite broad, and further definitions of what might be considered a ‘disability’ can be found under the Equality Act 2010.
- You are a first-generation student (you are the first person in your family to go to university).
- You are a mature student (you were aged 21 or over when you started your first undergraduate course).
- You are care-experienced or an estranged student.
How to apply
- Apply for and be accepted onto a research degree programme
- Complete the scholarship application form by 28 February
You will be sent a short scholarship application form as long as you have submitted your completed application for the September/October 2026 intake by 31 January 2026.
Your completed application form will be considered in conjunction with your research programme application. The first stage will be a school level shortlisting process which will take place in April/May 2026. Candidates shortlisted by each school will be invited to meet the central selection panel in late April (PhD applications) and late May (for MPhil/MSc by Research applications) about the motivation for applying and aspirations for the programme. The panel will meet to make final decision the following week.
PhD Studentships
Arts and Humanities Studentship
This studentship provides:
- Tuition fee payments to the University
- £19,237 (or pro rata for part-time) maintenance grant
- Access to additional funding for field research and further training.
- AHRC funded placements and additional skills training, working alongside partner organisations including museums, galleries, cultural organisations and businesses.
To apply you must have applied for a place on a University of Salford PhD programme by Monday 13 January 2025 and contacted your relevant Pathway Representative with an expression of interest (see contact list below). After this, you need to submit a funding application by Monday 3 February 2025 at 17:00.
LTEC Studentship
Reflecting the University’s commitment to pedagogical development, and in partnership with the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Centre (LTEC), applicants are invited to explore a range of potential topics through a fully-funded, PhD Studentship.
The successful applicant will receive a fee waiver for home fees as well as an annual stipend of £20,780 covering 36 months of study.
Suggested topics for exploration
1. Wellbeing and health
Title: Enhancing Student Wellbeing through Targeted Interventions
Overview/research question: How do targeted wellbeing interventions impact student outcomes in higher education? This research will explore the effectiveness of wellbeing interventions designed in collaboration with wellbeing teams. The interplay with physiological impacts might wish to be explored. It aims to fill gaps in current literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of these interventions on student success and retention.
Methodology:
- Participants: University of Salford community and stakeholders.
- Interventions: Design and implement wellbeing programmes.
- Data Collection: Surveys, interviews, and academic performance data.
- Analysis: Quantitative analysis of academic outcomes and qualitative analysis of student feedback.
Outcomes and Impact:
- Discoveries: Insights into the effectiveness of wellbeing interventions.
- New Areas: Development of best practices for wellbeing programmes in higher education.
2. Creative learning design
Title: Creating Playful Learning Environments in UK Higher Education
Overview: This project might explore the impact of different multi-modal learning environments on the experience of Higher Education. In particular, it might consider the contribution for play to learning and teaching experience, facilitating development, and influencing outcomes. It may also explore the ways in which mixed modes of delivery to foster knowledge acquisition, enquiry, discussion, practice, collaboration, and production. The role of active blended learning will feed into this and it will explore the impact of analogue (e.g. Lego) and digital technologies individual and in collaboration.
Methodologies might include:
- Participants: University of Salford community and stakeholders.
- Data Collection: Usage data, surveys, academic performance, and skill enhancement.
- Analysis: Statistical analysis of engagement and achievement metrics.
Outcomes and Impact:
- Discoveries: Effectiveness of active blended learning and support structures.
- New Areas: Recommendations for integrating technology in education and active blended learning.
3. Digital learning environments
Title: Evaluating the Impact of Digital Enhanced Learning Environments
Overview/research question: How do different learning applications affect student engagement and achievement? This study offers opportunities to investigate the impact of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and immersive technologies on student learning and staff development. It aims to provide insights into the effectiveness opportunities of these technologies in enhancing educational outcomes and future proofing the curriculum.
Methodologies might include:
- Participants: University of Salford community and stakeholders.
- Data Collection: Usage data, surveys, academic performance, and skill enhancement.
- Analysis: Statistical analysis of engagement and achievement metrics.
Outcomes and Impact:
- Discoveries: Effectiveness of specific learning technologies.
- New Areas: Recommendations for integrating technology in education and active blended learning.
4. Belonging and communities
Title: Building Communities and Enhancing Belonging in UK Higher Education
Overview/research question: What strategies effectively foster a sense of belonging among students in higher education? This research will explore interventions aimed at building communities and enhancing students' sense of belonging. It will contribute to understanding how community-building impacts home and international student retention and success through lived experience insights such as belonging, loneliness and resilience.
Methodology:
- Participants: University of Salford Community and Stakeholders.
- Interventions: Community-building activities.
- Data Collection: Surveys, focus groups, academic records.
- Analysis: Mixed-methods analysis of community impact.
Outcomes and Impact:
- Discoveries: Effective community-building strategies.
- New Areas: Frameworks for fostering belonging in educational settings.
5. Cultural inclusivity
Title: Promoting Cultural Inclusivity in Higher Education
Overview/research question: How can higher education institutions promote cultural inclusivity among students and staff? This study will examine strategies for enhancing cultural inclusivity and their impact on the educational environment. It aims to provide actionable insights for institutions to create more inclusive campuses to impact upon educational outcomes.
Methodology:
- Participants: University of Salford community and stakeholders.
- Interventions: Inclusivity training, cultural events.
- Data Collection: Surveys, interviews, observational data.
- Analysis: Thematic analysis of inclusivity measures.
Outcomes and Impact:
- Discoveries: Effective inclusivity strategies.
- New Areas: Policies for promoting cultural inclusivity.
6. Barriers and transition
Title: Overcoming Barriers to Degree Completion and Transitions through Different Lenses
Overview/research question: This project might focus on transitions through different stages of the educational journey such as Further Education to Higher Education or exploring progression through different lenses for education. In so doing, it will explore the key barriers to degree completion and how can they be mitigated. This research will identify barriers to degree completion and propose strategies to support students in transitioning to graduate-level roles. It aims to address gaps in understanding the challenges faced by students.
Methodology:
- Participants: University of Salford community and stakeholders.
- Data Collection: Surveys, interviews, academic records.
- Analysis: Mixed-methods analysis of barriers and interventions.
Outcomes and Impact:
- Discoveries: Key barriers and effective mitigation strategies.
- New Areas: Support frameworks for at-risk students.
- Further education
- Level progression
- Creating environment to achieve full potential
- Understand success, start from who people are
7. Open call - anything in relation to learning and teaching in UK higher education, not covered above
This section is intended to cover any topics in relation to UK higher education learning and teaching, which are not included in the aforementioned suggested projects. In particular, applicants are encouraged to reflect upon the relationship between policy and practice.
Specific themes include:
- The contribution of higher education to increasing the local/regional economy
- Sustainability in higher education
- The skills agenda
- Life-long learning as a process
- How higher education contributes to the civic agenda
- The impact of tuition fees
To apply for this studentship, please complete a two-page summary indicating your relevant literature, methodologies, and possible approaches to your chosen project. This should draw on your experience and signpost how you would proceed as the successful candidate. Additionally, please submit a one page CV, detailing your qualifications to undertake this project.
The deadline for applications is 17:00 on 27 May 2025.
Please visit our how to apply page for more details on the application process.
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and would particularly encourage applications from those who fall under the University’s commitment to widening participation.
Queries should be directed to d.c.whitnall@salford.ac.uk
Ring-fenced Studentships
- Global Majority or Global Majority Heritage Studentship – open to global majority or global majority heritage candidates, including both home and international candidates.
- Broken Pipeline Studentship – open to candidates who feel that they are from groups or backgrounds that are underrepresented within UK higher education and experience barriers to access and participation. Many of these groups or backgrounds intersect and overlap and can pose barriers to equality of opportunity.
To apply please contact your Pathway Representative and prospective supervisors before submission of a formal application to the University and the North West Consortium.
For general advice concerning these studentships, please contact pgr-supportsam@salford.ac.uk.
Contact a Pathway Representative
List of Representatives
- Creative Writing - Professor Scott Thurston
- Dance, Drama and Performing Arts - Dr Kelli Zezulka
- English - Dr Jade Munslow Ong
- History - Dr Brian Hall
- Law - Ayesha Chowdhury
- Linguistics - Dr Jack Wilson
- Media and Cultural Studies - Dr Rania Kosmidou
- Heritage - Dr Juan Hiriart Vera
- Music - Professor Alan Williams
- Visual Arts - Dr Toni Sant
Funding in a specific research area
Aural Diversity
The Leverhulme Trust Aural Diversity Doctoral Research Hub (LAURA) provides inter-disciplinary PhD and master's training in the study of hearing and listening differences. Applications for several fully-funded 4-year PhD scholarships are open now for those starting in September 2025. This provides:
- A stipend of £19,237 per year (matching the UKRI rate)
- Tuition fees cover
- Access to up to £10,000 for research and professional development costs.
The application deadline is 28 February 2025. Find out more on our dedicated LAURA webpage.
Sustainable Sound Futures
Launching in autumn 2025, our Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) will train 70 PhD students who have the skills and knowledge to reduce the harms caused by noise and poor acoustics and forge a more positive sounding future. Students will be fully-funded for four years including tuition fees, stipend and bench fee covers.