AHRC Doctoral Landscape Awards

About the project

The University of Reading is pleased to have been awarded funding for doctoral studentships in the Arts and Humanities through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Doctoral Landscape Award scheme .

These prestigious awards fund 3 doctoral studentships per year for doctoral researchers working within the arts and humanities.

The scheme aims to attract applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, and we particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups.

Award Details

Studentships in the current round will commence in October 2027. The awards include:

Studentship holders will enjoy expert supervision and will join a vibrant research community. They will have access to a range of training opportunities offered through the Landscape South doctoral training hub, which includes the universities of Brighton, Bristol, Exeter, Kent, Oxford, Oxford Brookes, Royal Holloway, Southampton, Sussex and the Open University.

• Fees at the UK/Republic of Ireland rate
• A stipend, or living allowance (the 2026/27 rate is £21,805)
• Limited additional funds to support research and training
• We welcome applications from International students. Please note, however, that International students will need to have their own funding to cover the difference between UK/Republic of Ireland fees and International fees (for most students, this would be a difference of at least £16,512 for full-time study in every year of study). Please also note:
• Stipends are not paid in a manner which allows them to be used to pay fees.
• There are no funds to support immigration costs (e.g. visa charges or the NHS surcharge).

Eligibility

• Applicants must have applied for a place on an eligible PhD programme at the University of Reading by 15 th January 2027. (Departments within the scope of the AHRC are listed in the table below.)
• Studentships can be held on a full or part-time basis.
• Up to 30% of awards can be made to International applicants, but International applicants will be required to fund the difference between Home and International fees .
• Students currently enrolled at Reading on a PhD programme are NOT eligible for these awards.
• These awards are not available to applicants for by-distance study.

How to apply

It is recommended that you consult your proposed supervisor, or your department’s Director of Postgraduate Research, before applying.

If you have already applied for a place, you need simply complete the expression of interest form to ensure that you are considered for a studentship.

There will be an optional online information session for potential applicants on 17th November 2026, 12 noon UK time. The session will offer advice on making a strong application and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To sign up for this session, please complete this form by 15 th November 2026.

• Apply for a place on a PhD programme by 15th January 2027 .
• Complete this short expression of interest form .

Contact

It is recommended that interested potential applicants contact either their intended primary supervisor or the Director of Postgraduate Research in their Department of interest:

University of Reading Department | Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies

University of Reading Department

Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies

Archaeology | Prof. Rob Hosfield

Archaeology

Prof. Rob Hosfield

Architecture | Dr Florence Phua

Architecture

Dr Florence Phua

Art | Dr Annabel Frearson

Art

Dr Annabel Frearson

Classics | Prof. Timothy Duff

Classics

Prof. Timothy Duff

English Literature | Professor Karin Lesnik-Oberstein

English Literature

Professor Karin Lesnik-Oberstein

English Language and Applied Linguistics | Professor Rodney Jones

English Language and Applied Linguistics

Professor Rodney Jones

Film, Theatre and Television | Professor Teresa Murjas

Film, Theatre and Television

Professor Teresa Murjas

Geography | Dr Anna Jackman

Geography

Dr Anna Jackman

History | Dr Richard Blakemore

History

Dr Richard Blakemore

Law | Dr Nora Honkala

Law

Dr Nora Honkala

Languages and Cultures | Professor Mark Nixon Dr Sophie Heywood

Languages and Cultures

Professor Mark Nixon

Dr Sophie Heywood

Philosophy | Professor David Oderberg

Philosophy

Professor David Oderberg

Politics and International Relations | Dr Joseph O’Mahoney

Politics and International Relations

Dr Joseph O’Mahoney

Typography | Professor Gerry Leonidas

Typography

Professor Gerry Leonidas

General queries can be directed to the Doctoral Studentships Officer .

Selection Process

• All eligible applications will be reviewed by the Departments.
• Departments will select applications for nomination to the main University selection panel.
• Nominated applicants will be asked to prepare a revised version of their research proposal to be used in the main university-level selection.
• Applicants who have not been asked to prepare a revised proposal by 1 st March 2027 have not been selected for nomination on this occasion.

Selection Criteria

Awards will be made on the basis of:

1. The applicants’ academic excellence and preparedness for research.

2. The quality of the research proposal, including methodological innovation, original contribution to knowledge, and project feasibility.

3. The strength and appropriateness of the supervisory arrangements.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive student community. It supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBTQIA+ rights equality.

The University of Reading Equal Opportunities policy applies:

The University of Reading is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and non-discriminatory treatment for all members of its community regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race (to include colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Research areas