AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards in the Arts and Humanities

Sheffield Hallam University's Creative Industries Institute is offering 4 funded PhD studentships as part of the AHRC’s Doctoral Landscape Award programme, to begin in autumn 2026. We will provide scholarships to outstanding PhD candidates in the arts and humanities aligned to one of our PhD programmes in:

Join a thriving creative, collaborative community

At the Sheffield Creative Industries Institute we believe in the transformative power of creativity. Our community brings together advanced research, teaching and industry experience to drive positive change across arts and humanities subjects, and together we foster inclusivity and address global challenges. Join a dynamic, collaborative and connected network of academics, artists, performers, writers, designers, thinkers and makers, where innovation, experimentation and professional practice intersect.

The Sheffield Creative Industries Institute opened in 1843 as Sheffield School of Design and is now home to over 50 undergraduate and postgraduate courses, fostering a vibrant community of around 4,000 students and staff. We have cutting-edge studios, workshops, and digital spaces where you can experiment with the latest tools and technologies, and your research will be guided by expert academics and practising creative and cultural industry professionals.

About the studentships

We are offering 4 PhD studentships to start in October 2026.

The studentships provide:

Tuition fees
A PhD stipend at the standard Sheffield Hallam PhD stipend rate - this is aligned with the net Real Living Wage and the current rate for full-time study in academic year 2025/26 is £22,152 per annum

Full-time studentships are funded for 45 months with the expectation that this includes a 3-month placement activity during your PhD. If you choose not to undertake a placement, the funded period will be 42 months.

Studentships are available on a full-time and part-time basis.

Further information on these studentships is available on the UKRI website and in the UKRI terms and conditions.

Eligibility

These studentships are available to Home and International applicants. However, in line with UKRI terms and conditions, a maximum of one of these studentships can be awarded to International applicants .
To be eligible for AHRC funding, projects must be in an arts and humanities research area that is within the AHRC’s remit. These studentships are only available to applicants whose research is within the remit of the AHRC.
Applicants must meet the entry requirements listed for the relevant PhD course
Where English is not your first language, you must show evidence of English language ability to the required minimum level of proficiency.

Please see our online prospectus for the entry requirements based on your potential area of study:

Please note that students must reside within a reasonable travel time of the University and we would expect there to be direct contact between the student and supervisor. This applies to full-time and part-time students.

Students who have already commenced their doctoral study are not eligible for these studentships.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 17:00 UK time on Thursday 22 January 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their research proposal with us before submitting an application. More information on our research areas and academic staff is available on the Sheffield Creative Industries Institute website.

To make an application you must submit a fully completed Sheffield Hallam University online application form (see links below) and include the following:

1. A research proposal - attached as a separate document. This should include an outline of the research questions/area, aim of the project, an understanding of the current knowledge/literature and context, the proposed methodology, the potential impact and contribution to knowledge of your project and referencing key background literature. The maximum word count is 1,500 words.

2. A personal statement - please include this in the personal statement section of the application form. In submitting your personal statement, you must answer these 4 questions. We recommend no more than 200 words for each question and include specific examples from your previous experience (academic and professional). We want to learn more about you.

What relevant skills and experience do you have which you feel would help you undertake this research project? (200 words maximum).
How did you come up with your project proposal? (200 words maximum).
What opportunities do you think the doctorate will give you? (200 words maximum).
Provide an example demonstrating your approach to engaging with new experiences or ideas. This can be an example from your studies, work, or personal experiences. (200 words maximum).

3. Copies of qualifications, certificates, and results transcripts. Please upload these as attachments to your university application form.

4. Details of two referees who can comment on your academic ability and readiness for PhD study. Please upload these as attachments to your university application form.

5. Copies of your passport and any relevant visas, for international applicants. Please upload these as attachments to your university application form.

International Students (Additional Information)

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through one of the following:

1. Recent academic IELTS demonstrating an overall score that meets the entry requirements in our online prospectus. Recent means that your IELTS results must have been awarded two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date. Please see our online prospectus for the entry requirements based on your potential area of study:

PhDs in Architecture
PhDs in Communication, Cultural, Media and Film Studies
PhDs in English, Creative Writing & Performance
PhDs in Fine Art and Design
PhDs in History

2. Educated with a UK Master's degree level (merit and above) within two years preceding your doctoral programme's start date.

Please note that UKVI provide a list of countries exempt from the language entry requirements. If you are a national of one of these countries you will not need to provide evidence as listed above.

Sheffield Hallam University Application Form

Please apply via the application form for your chosen course and mode of study:

PhDs in Architecture: full-time study or part-time study
PhDs in Communication, Cultural, Media and Film Studies: full-time study or part-time study
PhDs in English, Creative Writing & Performance: full-time study or part-time study
PhDs in Fine Art and Design: full-time study or part-time study
PhDs in History: full-time study or part-time study

General application enquiries can be sent to Sheffield Creative Industries Institute culture-creativity-admissions@shu.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 17:00 UK time on Thursday 22 January 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please note the university will be closed for the Christmas vacation from Friday 19 December 2025, reopening on Monday 05 January 2026.

Selection process

Your application will be reviewed and shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview where you will be asked to talk through your research proposal. Interview dates will be communicated to shortlisted applicants and are expected to be held in late March 2026.

Terms and Conditions

• Sheffield Hallam University's terms and conditions and student rules and regulations
• Terms and conditions for AHRC studentships are set out in their Training Grant Guide and the UKRI terms and conditions of training grants

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards in the Arts and Humanities