Applications for PhD Scholarships are made using a single Scholarship Application Form (below). The closing date for receipt of applications for PhD scholarships is 17:00 GMT on Monday 11 January 2027.
Please note this information is subject to change; please check this page regularly for amendments. New Scholarships can in some cases become available during the course of the Academic Year.
Last update: 20 October 2026
How to Apply
1. Submit the Pre-Application
You must apply for a place on the Courtauld’s PhD programme by submitting a Pre-Application before Friday 6 November 2026.
You are advised to apply for a place as soon as possible, in order to develop the best application you can. Please read the Courtauld’s guidance on applying.
2. Develop your proposal
You should work with your proposed supervisor(s) to develop your application. They will need to provide a supervisor statement in support of your application, and can advise on the drafting of the project proposal. You will also need to identify two referees for your Full Application who will be in a position to comment on the academic merit of your proposal and your suitability for any scholarship you have applied for.
During this period, you should consult with your proposed supervisor(s) about potential sources of funding, as any application(s) to be made for funding will be addressed in your supervisor’s statement in support of your application.
3. Submit your funding application
All PhD Scholarships should be submitted using a single Courtauld Scholarships Application Form. This form is typically submitted at the same time as the Full PhD. Application. Candidates should tick those Scholarships for which they wish to be considered and for which they fulfil all the qualifying criteria.
Numbers of PhD scholarships are limited and the process is highly competitive. Candidates are advised to apply for all sources of funding for which they are eligible, including all internal scholarships and any external funding sources.
You must submit your funding application along with your Full Application by Monday 11 January 2027.
Please note that the References you submit with your PhD Full Application will be used as part of the scoring process for Scholarship awards. Please ensure that your Supervisor and other Referees are aware of your intention to apply for a Scholarship and that they are in a position to comment on your suitability for that scholarship application.
4. Meeting of the Selection Panel
The Scholarship selection panel will score all funding applications according to the selection criteria below. Selection panel scores will be moderated and combined into a single ranked list. Awards will be made to the highest ranked applications.
5. Notification and acceptance of awards
We will inform shortlisted candidates on the first sift of the outcome of their application by March 2027. The outcome may be either the offer of an award, the offer of a place on a waiting list, or notification of an unsuccessful application. Acceptance of an award constitutes an agreement between you and the Courtauld as set out in your offer letter.
Criteria for the PhD Scholarships
Academic Excellence
The Scholarships Award Committee will score Applications according to the following Criteria centred on Academic Excellence:
Research Proposal 50 % (Evidence: Research Proposal and Supervisor Statement)
- The proposal is clearly-written and demonstrates engagement with an academic field at a high level of sophistication.
- The project demonstrates original thinking in its field (or fields)
- The project is clearly situated within its field (or fields)
- The methodology proposed clearly demonstrates the viability of the planned research.
- The planned research is described in a way that inspires confidence that it will definitely be completed within the funded period.
- The application demonstrates excellent motivation for the research project.
- The proposed research may be timely or urgent in nature, but not all excellent projects will be time-critical or topical.
- The project is consistent with all the stipulations of the award with regard to area of research (where relevant)
Preparedness for Research 25% (Evidence: Academic Record, Professional Achievements, Widening Participation Statement, References)
- The applicant demonstrates understanding of appropriate research skills required for successful completion of the project.
- The applicant has appropriate training at Master’s level or equivalent (including experience gained outside of higher education) to undertake the project.
- The applicant’s references fully support the applicant’s preparedness for doctoral study.
- The applicant demonstrates outstanding competency in organisational skills and initiative through their previous activities, and a capacity to overcome obstacles.
- Regard may be had to the applicant’s Widening Participation Statement in order to appraise the candidate’s preparedness and their motivation to undertake doctoral study. The Courtauld is committed to addressing inequalities in participation at Ph.D. level and encourages applications from all groups under-represented in Higher Education.
- The applicant demonstrates that their personal characteristics are consistent with all the stipulations of the award (where relevant)
Suitability of Research Environment at the Courtauld 25% (Evidence: Research Proposal and Supervisor Statement)
- The research environment as constituted by the proposed supervision, institutional support (including available archives, sources, research centres), and any external organisations is appropriate to the project.
- The applicant has given clear thought to the fit between their project and the research environment at the Courtauld.
- The supervisor statement fully supports the project’s fit with the research environment at the Courtauld.
Where two or more scholarship applications are tied after the academic sift, the Selection Panel may have regard to the scored Widening Participation Criteria
Widening Participation
Where two or more applications are tied following the Academic Excellence sift, regard may be had to the following Widening Participation Criteria in accordance with the strategic aims of the Courtauld. The criteria are scored at differing levels.
- Students from ethnic groups currently underrepresented at the Courtauld, including Black and Asian students, students from mixed and multiple ethnic backgrounds, and students from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities;
- Students who have a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty;
- Students whose parents have not attended university;
- Students who attended non-fee-paying schools;
- Students who were, during their secondary education, in receipt of free school meals;
- Students who were, during their undergraduate programme, in receipt of an undergraduate bursary designated as being for students from lower income families, including The Courtauld Bursary and/or James Hughes-Hallett Scholarship;
- Students who were, during their undergraduate programme, in receipt of a student loan calculated at the maximum amount;
- Students in receipt of Disability Support Allowance;
- Students who have spent time living in care and/or who are/were a looked-after child and/or who were irreconcilably estranged from their primary carers during their minority;
- Students who themselves are the principal carer for a third party;
- Students who are nationals of and who are currently ordinarily resident in a state designated within the least developed, low income or lower middle-income categories in the most recent list of ODA recipient states: DAC list of ODA Recipients;
- Students who had experienced forced displacement and/or who hold refugee status and/or are qualified persons with Humanitarian Protection Status.
- Students who have in the past or who are currently experiencing homelessness.
Available PhD Scholarships
The Courtauld Scholarship for Doctoral Research on the Arts of Iran and the Persianate World
Value: Full fees for three years and a writing-up year; annual stipend of £23,805 for three years; additional allowance of up to £2,000 for three years for travel and research expenses
Eligibility: Full-time only. For an academically outstanding postgraduate student studying for a PhD centred on the art and/or architecture of Iran and the Persianate world
Courses: PhD
Number of scholarships available: One
Karthigesu Scholarship
Value: £4,500
Eligibility: For a student researching jewellery history
Courses: PhD
Number of scholarships available: One
The Stanislawa Kryszek Award
Value: Up to £28,300
Eligibility: Students from Israel, or for a student visiting Israel as part of their research
Courses: PhD
Number of scholarships available: Dependent on applications
Garfield Weston Foundation Scholarship
Value: At least £10,000
Eligibility: Preference for Australian, Canadian, or American students
Courses: Any postgraduate
Number of scholarships available: One
Related Pages
For more information regarding other funding opportunities, please refer to the Postgraduate Funding & Scholarships webpage below.
