Postgraduate research
AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award
Qualification: PhD
Departments: Archaeology and Ancient History School of Criminology Sociology and Social Policy Education English Geography History History of Art and Film Media and Communication Modern Languages Museum Studies Politics and International Relations Sociology
Application deadline: University of Leicester PhD application deadline is 8th December 2025. DLA Funding application deadline is 20 January 2026 at 12.00pm (noon) UK time
Start date: 21 September 2026
Overview
The Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) new Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) scheme aims to support a new generation of outstanding arts and humanities researchers.
DLA awards provide funding to support the completion an original doctoral research project, and access to research skills training and professional development opportunities.
As a DLA researcher at Leicester, you will benefit from training, professional development and networking activities across the East and West Midlands AHRC Hub for PGR Excellence.
We are committed to building inclusive and diverse cohorts of DLA-funded students and we actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
Eligibility
In line with AHRC policy, DLA awards are available for campus-based study only.
You may apply (full or part-time study ) to one of the following University of Leicester PhD programmes:
- Archaeology and Ancient History
- Creative Writing
- Criminology
- Education and Applied Linguistics
- English
- Film Studies
- History
- Law
- Media and Communication
- Modern Languages
- Museum Studies
- Politics and International Relations
- Sociology
- Translation Studies
- Human and Social Geography
The Awards are open to both Home (UK) and International applicants, but AHRC policy stipulates that a limited number (a maximum of 30% of awards offered) are available to international applicants.
All research proposals must fit within AHRC primary research areas. Please do check the AHRC remit to confirm your project is eligible for AHRC funding. Projects may be interdisciplinary but must primarily contribute to arts and humanities subject areas; this emphasis must be clear across your research questions, aims, and methods and must be the project’s main intended audience.
Deadlines
- PhD application deadline: 8 December 2025
- AHRC DLA Funding application deadline: 20 January 2026, 12.00pm (noon) UK time.
Funding
Funding
The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award will include:
- Course fees up to the UK / home* rate throughout the funded period.
- A tax-free stipend the UKRI minimum rate for the baseline period of 3.5 years, currently £20,780.
- Access to research, training and professional development funds.
- The opportunity to apply for an extension to studentship funding (up to maximum 4 years of registration) on the basis of individual training and research needs or to support a professional placement.
Funding is adjusted on a pro-rata basis for part-time students and where the award is for a period of less than 12 months in any year.
The East and West Midlands AHRC DLA Hub for PGR Excellence will also offer training and researcher development opportunities and access to the resources and training offered by our partner universities.
All UKRI-funded doctoral students are eligible for a full award, comprising a stipend to support living costs and fees up to the home rate.
*International applicants may need to cover the difference between UK and overseas fees.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Applications are eligible where the applicant is:
- a UK student with a Master’s (or currently studying for a Master’s)
- a UK student without a Master’s but with equivalent professional experience (professionals working in the creative industries, for example who have professional or curatorial experience)
- an overseas student with a Master’s (or currently studying for a Master’s)
- an overseas student without a Master’s but with equivalent professional experience (professionals working in the creative industries, for example who have professional or curatorial experience)
- not already a doctoral degree holder
- not already enrolled on a doctoral degree programme.
Applicants must also meet the University of Leicester English language requirements (check English requirements by Subject)
Informal enquiries
Informal enquiries
- Funding and eligibility enquiries to ahrcdla@leicester.ac.uk
- University of Leicester application advice to pgrapply@le.ac.uk
How to apply
How to apply
- Download and read the Applicant Guidance (PDF, 337kb)
- Sign up for our online Information Session and Application Writing Workshop which takes place on 3 December at 4.00pm UK time.
- Develop your project proposal and application for DLA funding, with advice and feedback from your prospective supervisory team.
- Submit an application for your chosen PhD programme via the University’s application portal using the application link at the bottom of this page and select September 2026. (do not use the link on the PhD subject page). The application must include the names and contact details of two people who can provide references and upload all requested supporting documents. In the funding section state AHRC DLA.
- You do not need to include a project proposal with the PhD application to study at Leicester. In the proposal section state 'Proposal submitted on the DLA Application Form' as the proposal will form part of the application for DLA Funding (see step five).
- Submit your application for DLA Funding via the DLA application form. Deadline 20 January 2026 at 12.00pm (noon) UK time.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Open to UK and overseas applicants.
