Funding

Funding your studies  

This page lists funding opportunities (scholarships, fee waivers, stipends, bursaries and other funding awards) for postgraduate study in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. Some of these opportunities are available to apply before you commence your studies, and others are available during your studies (see ‘when to apply’ info). Some are available for Master’s level study and others for PhD research (see ‘programme’ info). Most schemes have specified eligibility criteria (see ‘eligible’ info). In most cases, you will have to apply for the funding and for the course you want to study separately, so you must allow adequate time to complete both applications. We encourage you to browse the information below and follow the links for further information on these opportunities. This is not an exhaustive list, and we will be updating this page as new funding opportunities arise, so you may want to bookmark this page and check back regularly.  

Commonwealth Scholarships

Programme: Various Master’s Programmes 

Eligible: Permanent residents of a Commonwealth country, as defined on the Commonwealth Scholarships Committee website. 

When to apply: Before the programme starts (check the links for exact deadlines) 

Information: The Commonwealth Scholarships Committee supports Master's Scholarships and Distance Learning Master's Scholarships. The University of Leicester is regularly awarded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for various campus-based and distance learning MA programmes. The MA Museum Studies (campus-based) was one of them in 2023/24, and other programmes in the School have been included in the past. See further information on the latest Commonwealth Shared Scholarships available at Leicester and the School of Museum Studies.  

For advice: Contact the Programme Director of the relevant Master’s programme (find them in People) 

Chevening Scholarships 

Programme: Various Master’s Programmes 

Eligible: Citizens of a Chevening-eligible country or territory 

When to apply: Before the programme starts (check the links for exact deadlines) 

Information: Chevening enables outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year Master’s degrees in the UK. Applications open in August for study programmes that commence the following year. See the Chevening Scholarships page for full eligibility and application process information. 

For advice: Contact the Programme Director of the relevant Master’s programme (find them in People) 

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships to the UK 

Programme: Various campus-based Master’s Programmes 

Eligible: US Citizens who do not reside in the UK 

When to apply: Before the programme starts (check the links for exact deadlines) 

Information: The Fulbright University of Leicester Award covers any master's degree programme offered by the university, including in Museum Studies. The award covers tuition fees, a stipend, and sickness and accident coverage. See the Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship page for eligibility and application details. 

For advice: Contact the Programme Director of the relevant Master’s programme (find them in People).

College of Social Sciences Arts & Humanities Master’s Excellence Scholarship 

Programme: Various Masters Programmes 

Eligible: UK applicants who wish to pursue PhD study following the Master’s degree 

When to apply: Before the programme starts (check the links for exact deadlines) 

Information: These scholarships are intended to support applicants with excellent undergraduate record and who have the capacity to complete a Master’s degree at Distinction level. If successful, you will be expected to apply for a PhD at the University of Leicester after completing your Master’s and to apply for a full-time or part-time PhD studentship from the Midlands 4 Cities Doctoral Training Partnership (supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council – details below). See more information and application guidance for the Master's Excellence Scholarship. 

For advice: Contact Professor Corinne Fowler (Midlands 4 Cities lead for Museum Studies) and the Programme Director of the relevant Masters programme (find them in People) for general enquiries and application advice.

AHRC Midlands 4 Cities (M4C) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Programme: PhD in Museum Studies (all routes) 

Eligible: UK and international applicants 

When to apply: A year before the programme starts (check the links for exact deadlines), or in first year of PhD 

Information: We welcome enquiries from prospective applicants in Museum Studies for Midlands 4 Cities DTP funding awards. The annual open funding competition opens in October for entry to the PhD programme the following October. If you intend to apply, we advise you to approach a potential supervisor early. 

Midlands 4 Cities also funds collaborative doctoral awards on specific projects. You may want to bookmark this page and check back regularly, as Museum Studies collaborative awards will be listed here. 

For advice: Contact Professor Corinne Fowler (Midlands 4 Cities lead for Museum Studies) for general enquiries and application advice or your preferred PhD supervisor (find them in People).

ESRC Midlands Graduate School (MGS) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) 

Programme: MSc in Social Science Research followed by PhD, both Museum Studies Pathway 

Eligible: UK and international applicants 

When to apply: A year before the programme starts, or in first year of PhD if you already have a Master’s in Social Science Research 

Information: We welcome enquires from prospective Midlands Graduate School DTP applicants in the Museum Studies Pathway. The annual open funding competition opens in October for entry to the PhD programme the following October. If you intend to apply, we advise you to approach a potential supervisor early. This award will fund you to undertake a one-year MSc in Social Science Research (Museum Studies pathway) followed by a PhD in Museum Studies. The award can be for a PhD only if you already have Master’s level training in social science research. 

MGS also funds collaborative and joint doctoral awards on specific projects. You may want to bookmark this page and check back regularly, as Museum Studies collaborative and join awards will be listed here. 

For advice: Contact Dr Giasemi Vavoula (MGS Museum Studies Pathway lead) for general enquiries and application advice. 

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Programme: PhD in Museum Studies (all routes) 

Eligible: Candidates from Commonwealth countries 

When to apply: Before the programme starts (check the links for exact deadlines) 

Information: See the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission website for information on PhD scholarships for candidates from least developed countries and fragile states, and PhD scholarships for candidates from high income countries.  

For advice: Contact Dr Stacy Boldrick (Director of Postgraduate Research) 

National PhD scholarship schemes 

Programme: PhD in Museum Studies 

Eligible: Various; international 

When to apply: Varies 

Information: If you are an international candidate, we encourage you to also explore funding for PhD study available in your home country. International students have studied with us funded e.g. through the China Scholarships Council. 

For advice: You are encouraged to identify the relevant government agency in your country and seek their advice for PhD scholarships. 

The New Museum School Advanced Programme 2021-2023

Programme: PGDip/MA/MSc in Museum Studies and PGDip/MA/MSc in Socially Engaged Practice 

Eligible: UK applicants from diverse backgrounds that are underrepresented in the cultural sector, as described by the Programme 

When to apply: Deadlines advertised by the New Museum School 

Information: The New Museum School Advanced Programme is a new initiative to foster inclusive transformation in the museums, arts and heritage sector. It is delivered in partnership with Culture& and cultural partners. See the New Museum School Advanced Programme Prospectus for further details, eligibility criteria, and application guidance. 

For advice: Contact Professor Richard Sandell for more information about the Programme and application advice.  

Steve Simons Bursary

Programme: PhD in Museum Studies (all routes) 

Eligible: Current PhD students in the School of Museum Studies 

When to apply: In your first year of PhD study 

Information: The Steve Simons Bursary provides £3,000 fieldwork funding to a PhD student in the School of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester, for research into visitor engagement in museum exhibitions and museum design. The bursary is awarded annually and all eligible registered students are invited to apply. 

For advice: Contact the person named in the bursary announcement email 

Dr John C Carter Award in Museum Studies 

Programme: Campus-based Master’s and PhD in Museum Studies at Leicester 

Eligible: Current campus-based international postgraduate students in the School of Museum Studies, with priority given to Canadian students 

When to apply: During your studies 

Information: This award is open to registered international students, however preference is given to Canadian applicants. One award of £750 is made each year to support a student who will one day lead change and innovation in the museum, gallery and heritage field. 

For advice: Contact the person named in the bursary announcement email 

The William Ruddick Scholarship

Programme: PhD in Museum Studies and other subjects in the College of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities 

Eligible: Current PGRs in the School of Museum Studies who are self-funded and in their ‘writing up’ year 

When to apply: During your studies 

Information: This award is open to self-funded PhD students in their ‘writing up’ year. One award in the range of £500-£1000 will be made each year to a PGR registered in one of the following areas: Museum Studies, Modern Languages, History, Film Studies, Archaeology and Ancient History. 

For advice: Contact the person named in the scholarship announcement email. 

Other funding/scholarship opportunities 

Programme: Various Master’s and PhD programmes  

Eligible: Various 

When to apply: Varies 

Information: You may want to check scholarships offered by the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities for PhD programmes, or explore this comprehensive list of other funding/scholarship opportunities for Master’s programmes. 

For advice: If you would like to discuss any of these opportunities, you can contact the Programme Director of the relevant Master’s programme (find them in People) or the Director of Postgraduate Research (Dr Stacy Boldrick) for the PhD programme.