Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

About the project

At Bristol, there are a range of different funding opportunities available for postgraduate students. These include doctoral training pathways and University-funded scholarships.

Overview of funding types

• University of Bristol scholarships
• Doctoral Training Entity studentships
• Self-funded study and loans
• Employer sponsorship
• Other funding sources

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

For 2027 entry, we are offering scholarships to outstanding postgraduate research candidates. These are equivalent to a Research Council provision, offering full fees and a stipend to cover living costs each year. Applications for 2026 entry are now closed. Applications for September 2027 entry will open in the Autumn. To learn more, visit our scholarships' page .

Doctoral Training Entity studentships

We currently have 17 funded Doctoral Training Centres offering excellent funded postgraduate research opportunities and a wide range of skills training. Funded studentships on these programmes enable study as part of a cohort of researchers and usually cover fees and living costs. PhD students within these cohorts gain a broad range of skills and knowledge that can be applied across a wide variety of careers within and outside of academia.

Explore our Doctoral Training Centres

Self-funded study

If you intend to fund yourself, you might be considering studying part-time in order to work alongside your research to help cover your living costs. Find out more about the cost of living in Bristol and part-time working.

Doctoral loans

Students living in England and Wales can apply for a postgraduate doctoral loan. This can help with your tuition fees and living costs while studying for a postgraduate research degree.

Find out about doctoral loans

Employer sponsorship

It might be possible for your employer or company to support your studies, particularly if the research is valuable to professional development and your employer. Securing sponsorship can give you financial support while your employer could benefit from the research you undertake and the skills you bring back to the company.

Your prospective school can support opportunities within this category, so please get in touch with them before applying.

Search for other funding opportunities

In addition to the above opportunities, external institutions also offer funding sources. Use the student funding search tool to explore current options. You can filter for postgraduate research funders by selecting 'postgraduate research' under 'study level'.

Ranked fifth for research in the UK

The Times Higher Education has ranked the University of Bristol 5th for research in the UK, with a remarkable 94% of its research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

View our REF 2021 results .

Callie's experience

"I enjoy being able to carry out a master’s degree purely via research... I hope to continue with research, ideally working in industry or even joining the University research group "

Callie , MScR Biological Sciences

Student Funding database

Search the Student Funding database to see all University funding opportunities.

Research areas