Study for a PhD at Loughborough University: scholarships and studentships available

Loughborough is a leading UK university with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research, two vibrant postgraduate campuses, strong links with industry, great graduate employment prospects, and unrivalled sporting achievement.

We are ranked 6th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2018) and 9th in England for research intensity (Research Excellence Framework 2014). We offer a wide range of funding opportunities for PhD students, including scholarships, bursaries and studentships.

Our outstanding research is generating globally important work that is driven by society’s need for solutions to real-life issues, making it not only cutting-edge, but relevant too – ultimately, helping to improve the quality of people’s lives. You could be a part of this.

A PhD programme will give you the opportunity to develop new and highly sought after skills which can set you up for a range of careers. It’s a chance to make a novel contribution to knowledge, to become a world expert in a particular field, and it can open a range of doors with different employers.

Studying for a PhD gives you a unique opportunity for personal development: the chance to make an original contribution to knowledge, and achieve more than you thought was possible. As a PhD student, you will be responsible for managing your own schedule and developing your own ideas and approach, while being supported every step of the way.

Our postgraduate research students work on an incredible range of projects. They are passionate about their research, often contribute to teaching and are incredibly important for the success of the University.

Being a PhD student at Loughborough gives you the opportunity to experience our legendary student experience and close-knit community, excellent facilities, and the chance to work with experts who are at the cutting edge of their respective fields.

We aim to provide all of our research students with a supportive and nurturing environment by creating new working cultures and networks, emphasising transferable skills, and forging lasting links with industry.

‘As a graduate engineer, this project is the most exciting and rewarding occupation that I could imagine.’

Tom, PhD student in Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering

‘Loughborough has a very strong sense of community and an abundance of opportunities to get involved with. It’s a high quality, friendly university, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’

Jack, PhD student in Social Sciences

As a PhD student at Loughborough, you can enjoy the following benefits:

• Membership of our Loughborough Doctoral College, through which you will benefit from an extensive doctoral training programme
• Dedicated facilities and study spaces
• The opportunity to attend research conferences, showcases and events to enable students to exhibit their research
• A minimum of two supervisors, plus additional guidance and pastoral support
• Access to the PhD Support Network led by our award-winning Students’ Union
• Tailored support and resources for career progression
• A calendar of informal social activities to support networking and enable to you get to know other research students