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Funded Doctoral Centres and Partnerships

We secure significant funding from the UK’s seven Research Councils, alongside other sources such as charities, industry, and trusts, to support our doctoral students.

How to apply for a funded studentship

The application process depends on the type of project you choose.

Your funding application is often separate from your application to study at the university. Always read the specific guidance for each studentship.

Apply to an advertised PhD

You apply directly to a project proposed by an academic supervisor, often in partnership with an external organisation.

Check our PhD studentships and projects page to see all available opportunities. Each opportunity has specific application instructions, which often direct you to the correct application system.

Propose your own project

This route is for students who have developed their own research idea, often in collaboration with a supervisor.

Find a potential supervisor in your area of interest to discuss your proposal and check if it aligns with current funding priorities. Students can also search for schools and topic areas on the Find a PhD website.

Once your proposal is refined, you will typically apply directly to the relevant Doctoral Training Entity (DTE).

UKRI Studentships

A UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) studentship is a common way to fund a PhD. Research Council studentships are designed to remove financial barriers to your research.

A typical full-time studentship lasts three to four years and covers:

  • funding for your home tuition fees
  • additional money for training, professional development, and research expenses
  • a tax-free stipend for living expenses

You can read more about getting a studentship to fund your doctorate on the UKRI website.

International students

If you are an international student and receive a UKRI studentship, Cardiff University offers a fee discount which means you will be fully funded and will not be charged the difference between the home and international fees.

UKRI studentships typically cover the cost of home fees, not the full cost of international student fees. See the UKRI eligibility criteria.

UKRI Research Councils and other funding opportunities

Find opportunities under the relevant UKRI Research Council, trusts and charities.

This table shows the research areas covered by the Research Councils, Charities, and Trusts, and lists some of the specific doctoral training programmes we offer within each area.

Funder (Research Council)Research area focusAvailable research opportunities
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Design, Music, English, History, Philosophy and Theology AHRC Algorithmic Grant Doctoral Landscape Award
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)Journalism, Media and CultureAHRC Studentship: Enabling Activities: Narratives of Health and Wellbeing in Wales and Beyond
Biotechnology and Bioscience Research Council (BBSRC) Biology, Biochemistry and branches of Agricultural Science BBSRC South-West Biosciences Doctoral Landscape Award
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Social Sciences, Politics, Economics, Psychology and Sociology ESRC Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Engineering, Technology, Computing, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics
Medical Research Council (MRC) Medicine, Clinical Science, Public Health and Food Science
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Physical Geography, Ecology, Oceanography, Conservation and Climatology
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Nuclear Engineering, Particle Physics and Computer Science

STFC Algorithmic Grant Doctoral Training Partnership

Wellcome Trust Health and Science Wellcome Trust GW4 Clinical Academic Training Programme for Healthcare Professionals Doctoral Training Partnership

To better understand how Research Council studentships work in the UK, see this helpful guide on PhD Study in the UK – Research Council Studentships.

Types of funding

Since 2024, all new UKRI-funded PhD research and doctoral training have been delivered through Doctoral Focal Awards and Doctoral Landscape Awards:

  • Doctoral Focal Awards support research in specific strategic areas and often include additional training opportunities
  • Doctoral Landscape Awards fund broader, more flexible programmes

Previously, UKRI funded PhD training through nine other schemes, including Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) and Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). You will still see these referred to in funding-related information.

Specialist funding routes

We also offer access to several highly specific and specialised studentships:

  • Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDAs) offer PhDs in Arts and Humanities run in partnership with cultural or heritage organisations (e.g., museums, archives, or trusts)
  • iCASE Studentships are offered by Research Councils focusing on STEM subjects (such as the BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC and NERC) co-developed with an industrial partner

Postgraduate students can earn extra income through on-campus jobs.

Your Doctoral community

Research council funding is managed through Doctoral Training Entities (DTEs).

When you join a DTE, you become part of a cohort of PhD students across several universities. This offers you structured training, networking, and development opportunities beyond your primary research project.

  • you'll join a community of other PhD students funded by your DTE, both here and at partner universities
  • your DTE provides valuable training and development opportunities, which can include language learning, overseas research visits, or placements with non-academic partners
  • you also benefit from the wider training and resources of the university's Doctoral Academy