UK Research Councils

Home students should apply for a studentship from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, or depending on their topic from the Economic and Social Research Council or the Natural Environment Research Council.

There are detailed guidelines and application forms on the AHRC website: follow the appropriate links on the Postgraduate Funding Opportunities page, and note the changes taking place from 2009.  Candidates should leave the form with the Department for completion of references and, if appropriate, degree results. Completed forms will be sent to the Clerk of the Faculties for completion of the Certificate on the final page and onward transmission to the AHRC.

For taught postgraduates, the AHRC has a Research Preparation Master's Scheme and a Professional Preparation Master's Scheme. See their Postgraduate Funding Opportunities page, and note the changes taking place from 2009.

Competition for Studentship awards is intense. It is important to ensure that Studentship application forms are properly and completely filled out, following the instructions and guidance printed on the form. The AHRC selectors can assess only the information provided on the application form; they look for evidence that candidates are adequately prepared to undertake the postgraduate study they stipulate.

Please discuss your proposal with your supervisor or potential supervisor well in advance of the deadlines.

Student Awards Agency for Scotland

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland offers tuition fee and living costs loans.

Overseas Research Students Award Scheme

The Overseas Research Students Award Scheme in Scotland (ORSAS) normally pays the difference between the Overseas and Home rate of the research tuition fees. The scheme provides awards for overseas research students of 'outstanding merit and research potential', and is very competitive. It is valid for full-time research only, and to be eligible you need to be already accepted by the Department to do a PhD. Students who are successful in obtaining one of these awards still have to demonstrate the financial ability - or have another award - to cover home rate tuition fees.

Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships are open to all students from Commonwealth countries.

Students from developing Commonwealth countries may apply for a small number of Scholarships funded by the DFID (UK Government Department for International Development) in partnership with the University. Scholarships are awarded only for taught postgraduate courses. Priority is given to topics related to economic, scientific and social development of the overseas country. There is more information on the DFID and Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan websites.

British Council and Government Agencies

Overseas students should investigate sources of finance for postgraduate study from government agencies and institutions in their own country, in the first instance. They may also seek advice from their regional British Council Office.

A.G. Leventis Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship

Scholarships for up to 3 years of postgraduate research are available from the Leventis Foundation. Awards are of differing amounts, and are limited to candidates of Greek or Cypriote origin who hold first-class honours degrees or a postgraduate degree (distinction) in Archaeology. 

Marshall Scholarships

Students of excellent academic calibre from the USA may apply for these highly competitive scholarships in their own country. More information on the University's scholarship and Marshall scholarship websites.

A.S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation

The Onassis Foundation offers scholarships for postgraduate research, limited to candidates of Greek origin.

The College of Arts & Humanities Graduate School has a wide range of information about funding opportunities, including AHRC scholarships. 

Sue Green Bursary

An annual bursary to the value of £500 in memory of Sue Green is available to help support a postgraduate student in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Glasgow. Preference will be given to potential (new) research students not in receipt of grant support. Applications in the form of a short research proposal (c. 500 words) and accompanying brief CV should be emailed to the Postgraduate Administrator (Humanities-scholarships@glasgow.ac.uk) by 31 January every year.

Sue Green was an undergraduate student in the Department between 1998-2002 and died in a tragic accident just prior to graduating with a first class degree. Having completed an undergraduate dissertation on Neolithic settlement in the British Isles: a rejection of grand narratives, she was preparing to commence a PhD which was to review the cropmark evidence for Scotland's Neolithic, critique accepted classification schemes, and look at new approaches to studying these sites.

The bursary has been generously provided by her parents in her memory.

Kesson Award

Open to Honours graduates of the College of Arts & Humanities, of Scottish or English nationality. Equivalent in value to AHRC Studentships. 

More information on the College of Arts & Humanities Graduate School website.

Eglinton Fellowship

Open to Honours graduates of the College of Arts & Humanities and available for full-time or part-time postgraduate study, research or taught. Value approx. £500 p.a.
More information on the College of Arts & Humanities Graduate School website.

Hunter Marshall Bequest

To encourage the study of Medieval Scots history, law and institutions; the study of the Celtic period in Scotland and its relation to the history of the Celtic period in England, Ireland and Brittany. Funds available to support research, fieldwork and publications.
 on the Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies website.
Closing Date 31 May.

Ross Scholarship

This scholarship of £1000 is offered to MLitt students who intend to complete a dissertation on a Scottish subject using archival material from outside Scotland. The purpose of the fund is to collect material from abroad relating in any way to the history of Scotland, to Scots people in general, or to Scottish influences abroad. The scheme offers grants and scholarships for both short-term and in-depth research/enquiry.
on the Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies website.
Closing Date 31 May.

MacRobertson Scholarship

Open to all postgrad research students registered at Glasgow & Strathclyde. The aim of the Scholarship program is to provide funding which will enrich academic experience and research achievements. The Scholarship will last for one year. The successful applicants will undertake a course of study at a centre of advanced study preferably, although not necessarily, outwith Scotland. These centres of learning may include other universities or research organisations. Candidates should complete the application form and provide a detailed plan of their suggested use of the scholarship.
More information

Universitas 21 Scholarships

The University of Glasgow is one of only four UK members of Universitas 21, an international group of 16 world-class research-led universities committed to working together to enhance their status and capabilities. Through our membership of this prestigious group, our postgraduates can participate in exchange programmes with other prominent universities in Australia, North America and the Far East.
More information on the Universitas 21 website.

American Association of University Women

The AAUW Educational Foundation, which funds pioneering research and education, community action projects, and fellowships and grants for outstanding women around the globe. The AAUW Educational Foundation provides funds to advance education, research, and self-development for women and to foster equity and positive societal change.

International Fellowships are awarded for full-time study or research to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Preference is given to women residing in their home countries at the time of application.

Restrictions: Applicants must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree and must have applied to their proposed institution of study by the time of application.

Arthur Smith Memorial Trust

Provides scholarships to the sons or daughters of men or women of Scottish birth who have died from any form of cancer.

British Federation of Women Graduates

Awards are for women research students in their final year of study towards a PhD degree. 

Carnegie Trust for Universities of Scotland

A series of grants for students of Scottish birth or extraction studying at Scottish universities, who achieve first-class honours. Applicants must be nominated by a member of staff of a Scottish University. The Trust also administers a few Caledonian Research Foundation Scholarships under similar regulations.  

Catherine MacKichan Bursary Trust

Any aspect of historical, archaeological, genealogical, place-name research relating to Scotland, especially north and west Scotland, but including links with Ireland, England and Scandinavia. Attendance at relevant conferences also funded.

Application forms available from Mr I. Fraser, Vice-Chairman, The Catherine MacKichan Trust, School of Scottish Studies, 27 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LD, Scotland.

Glasgow Educational and Marshall Trust

Available to Glasgow residents within the following post code areas: 1-5, 11/12, 14/15, 20, 22/23, 31, 34, 40-42, 45, 51. 

Glasgow Highland Society

Established in 1727 to assist and educate Highland boys coming to Glasgow. Current policy is to further the good of Highland people living in Glasgow, especially in educational terms. Applicants must have Highland connections and be resident in Glasgow. 

Inverness Field Club Bursary

Available to people living in Scotland. It is awarded for original research into any subject pertaining to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and which the council considers to lie within the traditional interests of the club. 

John and Bryony Coles Bursary

This bursary was established in 1998, by John and Bryony Coles, to enable student members of the Prehistoric Society to travel away from their home country or region to study and work at prehistoric archaeology. Two awards of between £200 and £300 each are usually given each year. 

Ochs Scholarship

Funded by the British Archaeological Association. Applications are invited from students who are writing up their theses for post-graduate degrees, on a topic within the Association's remit, and who have no access to other sources of funding. 

Richard III and Yorkist History Trust

Small one-off grants of £200-300 on average to further education learning and research related to the history of late medieval England. For postgraduate students and to aid relevant publications or projects by other bodies.

Royal Geographical Society

The Society provides funding for geographical research, fieldwork and teaching. It also offers PhD studentships. Grants are for work in both the UK and overseas and range in value from £350 to £15,000. Grants are offered to teams carrying out scientific field research in remote and challenging environments. 

Royal Historical Society

The Society offers several assistance awards, including training and conference bursaries, and funding towards research. 

Sir Ernest Cassel Educational Trust

Awards are available to support travel costs relating to research into the civilisation of any country. Awards are particularly aimed at recently postdoctoral scholars. In general, awards for travel costs do not exceed £1,000. An application to this fund may be combined with an application for a British Academy Small Research Grant for other costs, up to a total of £5,000. 

West Lothian Educational Trust

Grants for various educational purposes (e.g., postgrad scholarships, supplementary bursaries for university students, travel grants for educational purposes, etc.) given to people resident in or originating from West Lothian. Preference given to applicants unable to obtain from other sources. 

Society of Antiquaries of London

• The Hugh Chapman Memorial Research Fund awards grants to research projects within the areas of interest of Hugh Chapman, especially the western Roman Empire and antiquarian matters in London and its environs. 
• The Tessa and Mortimer Wheeler Archaeology Fund gives grants to archaeology students (defined as undergraduates, or postgraduates within the first year of graduation and not excluding mature students) who wish to enlarge their experience abroad, perhaps by attendance at a foreign excavation to which they have been specifically invited, or simply by travel to study sites, monuments, museums or topography in a systematic way. 
• The William Lambarde Memorial Fund provides grants for scholarships for travel in the field of archaeology or antiquarian studies. Awards are made annually with approx. £2000 available. Postgraduate students must be supervised for the research proposed. Preference is given to those who have not already received a grant from this fund. 
• The Minor Research Minor Grants are of up to £2000 are available for research where it can be clearly shown that a project, although related to the applicants academic work, has an independent research status. The funds are for the support of archaeological and antiquarian research. 

Anglo-Israel Association: Wyndham Deedes Memorial Travel Scholarship

To visit for a minimum period of six weeks and report on some aspect of life in Israel (sociological, economic, etc.) that would be of direct interest to those working in that field in the UK. Applicants must be of British nationality, graduates of British Universities and intend normally to be resident in the UK. Value up to £2,000. 

British School of Athens

The British School of Athens provides a range of fellowships, postgraduate awards and research awards, for research into any aspect of ancient, medieval or modern Greek studies (some including Cyprus). Candidates for studentships must be British, Irish or commonwealth nationality and should have completed at least one year of doctoral research by the time they take up the award. 

British School at Rome

The British School at Rome offer a range of scholarships and grants, including Rome Scholarships, Rome Awards, and a series of specific fellowships. 

Council for British Research in the Levant

The CBRL offers travel grants of up to £800 for travel associated with research in the area of the Levant (Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, and Syria), and visiting fellowships for research students to spend between three and nine months in the region. 

Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute

CAARI offers several fellowships for research into the archaeology and history of Cyprus. Some are restricted to US nationals; others are open to non-US nationals. 

Fulbright Commission Awards for Postgraduates

Each year Fulbright offers a limited number of awards to academically outstanding graduates with leadership potential to study in the United States. Applicants should be EU citizens/resident in the UK. 

Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation

The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation of New York has funds available to scholars of Great Britain and the Commonwealth for research in Venice. The areas of interest envisaged concern both the past (history, art, architecture, music, law, science, literature, language) and the present (politics, culture, conservation, environment) of Venice and the territories once subject to it.

Leverhulme Study Abroad Studentships

The Leverhulme Trust has invited applications for studentships tenable for 12 or 24 months for advanced study or research at a centre of learning in any part of the world except the UK and USA. Applicants must have been resident in the UK for 5 years and hold a first degree. Awards consist of a maintenance allowance, plus return air fare, baggage and marriage allowance. Undergraduates in their final year are not eligible. 

Mary Isabel Sibley Fellowship

Available to unmarried women between 25 – 35 who have demonstrated an ability to carry out original research. Candidates must either hold, or fulfilled all requirements of a doctorate except the dissertation itself. Awarded alternately in the areas of Greek (including archaeology) and French. Applicants should also plan to conduct full time research during the fellowship year. NB: This fellowship may also be used for postdoctoral research. 

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Bursaries offered to young fellows of the Society to enable papers to be read on Scottish themes at conferences of International Standing within Britain or abroad. Applicants should not be in receipt of other subventions, which might cover the cost of attendance.