Postgraduate research
Qualification: PhD
Departments: Museum Studies Archaeology and Ancient History
Application deadline: closed
Start date: 22 September 2025
Midlands4Cities Collaborative Awards 2025The AHRC-funded Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership (M4C) brings together eight leading universities across the Midlands to support the professional and personal development of the next generation of arts and humanities doctoral researchers. M4C is a collaboration between the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University of Warwick, Coventry University, University of Leicester, De Montfort University, Nottingham Trent University and The University of Nottingham.
Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDAs)
CDAs are co-designed between an M4C university and an external partner organisation. CDAs offer a project with established research aims, responding to particular needs in the cultural, creative and heritage sectors. The supervisory teams are pre-established and are made up of academics from a Midlands4Cities university and a member of the external partner organisation.
A Collaborative Doctoral Award allows you to:
In addition to the Collaborative Doctoral Award, M4C also offer an alternative Open Doctoral Award in which you will design your own project.
The normal maximum award tenure is 4 years (48 months) for full-time study and seven years (84 months) for part-time study.
Consult the application guidance notes.
Contact the M4C central team if there is anything you are unsure of in the guidance notes.
Follow the advise under the How to Apply Section below.
Projects for 2025
Museum Studies Projects
Supervisor: Dr Rosemary Shirley
Supervisor: Dr Stacy Boldrick
Archaeology and Ancient History Project
Supervisor: Dr Laura Basell
Doctoral training partnerships
Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) are multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional schemes designed to support the training of the next generation of world-class researchers. The University of Leicester is a lead partner in four DTPs/CDTs through which we can offer funded PhD studentships in a wide range of research areas.
Studentships are available to highly motivated and qualified applicants and provide a generous support package usually including a full fee waiver, annual stipend, and research training support grant. Studentships are in most cases offered early in the year for October start. Enquiries outside of the main application periods are welcomed.
The studentship will provide:
International students need to be able to provide evidence that they can fund the difference between UK and International fees.
Further information can be found on the Midlands4Cities website.
Full-time studentships
Part-time studentships (UK only)
You should either hold a Master's qualification at the time of application or be able to state that you will have completed one by the time your PhD begins (even though the result may not be known and the final examination board may not yet have taken place). You can also apply on the basis of having equivalent relevant professional experience in lieu of a Master's qualification.
Evidence of English language proficiency required
Leicester M4C general funding and application enquiries
Louise Taylor ahrcdtp@le.ac.uk
Midlands4Cities enquiries@midlands4cities.ac.uk
The application cycle for 2025 is open
To apply for AHRC Midlands4Cities Collaborative Doctoral Awards
Select the project you want to apply for
Submit both of the following: a) University of Leicester PhD application and b) Midlands4Cities funding application
Apply for your Leicester PhD using the relevant subject Apply button at the bottom of the page.
We would recommend you try, where possible, to submit your PhD application to Leicester ideally by 3rd January 2025 to allow you time to submit your M4C application.
Complete the Midlands4Cities application form.
For more details please refer to the M4C website and please read the M4C guidance notes.
Absolute deadline is 13th January 2025 (12.00pm UK time) for your M4C funding application and references
AHRC funding is open to UK and International research students as detailed on the UKRI website.
You should either hold a Masters qualification at the time of application or be able to state that you will have completed one by the time your PhD begins (even though the result may not be known and the final examination board may not yet have taken place). You can also apply on the basis of having equivalent relevant professional experience in lieu of a Masters qualification.
International applicants
International applicants will be eligible for tuition fees at the UK rate and a stipend to support living costs through Midlands4Cities. International applicants will need to be able to fund the difference between UK and Overseas fees for the duration of study.
International students will require a student visa in order to be able to study in the UK. There are costs associated with the visa application process, which must be met by the student; approx £2500 for the visa and healthcare surcharge. Please ensure you have the means to meet these costs before you apply to the programme.
