Funding opportunities

We regularly receive funding for PhD projects from research councils (ESRC, MRC, BBSRC), charities, the EU, and private companies. Funding normally covers research costs and tuition fees, and provides a maintenance grant for living expenses. Some PhD projects already have specific funding allocated to them (e.g., from a grant). In other cases, supervisors do not have pre-arranged funding - these students can enter the departmental studentship competition.

If you have any questions about any of the funding or procedures please contact psyc590@york.ac.uk

PhD funding available (beginning September 2025)

Departmental studentships

Departmental studentships cover home fees and provide a stipend for three years starting in September 2025. The studentships are open to all UK (home) students. Recipients of these awards will be encouraged to complete 100 hours of teaching (tutorials, demonstrating in practicals, marking) each year in return for the studentship.

Applying for departmental studentships

Submit your online application before the deadline of 08 January 2025. Initial interviews will be completed before 20 January 2025. Individuals with the strongest academic record, interview performance, relevant work experience, endorsement from their potential supervisor and summary research proposal (in terms of rigour and clarity) will be shortlisted and invited for a second interview on 5 or 6 February 2025. We expect that successful candidates will be offered these awards by mid-March 2025.

Before submitting your departmental studentship application

We select applicants whose interests fit closely with those of our staff, so research students can benefit from expert supervision. We cannot offer places to individuals who wish to work outside the areas of research expertise within the department. Postgraduate researchers join a research team composed of one or two faculty, postdoctoral scientists and other graduate students working on related topics.

Before applying please look at the research and staff webpages and make contact with individuals who share your research interests and may be able to offer you supervision. Early contact with potential supervisors is critical, so that the supervisor can provide guidance and input into the research proposal, which forms a critical part of your application.

White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership ESRC studentships

In addition to submitting an application for departmental funding, you may be eligible to submit an application to the WRDTP ESRC scheme, specifically the Advanced Quantitative Methods award. Please speak to your potential supervisor about your eligibility, and if eligible work with your supervisor to produce an application.

University funding for international applicants

Further information on funding for international students is available from the International Office.

Opportunities for self-funding students

Funding is very competitive, so if you are not successful in obtaining a full studentship and decide to join us on a full or partial self-funding basis there are a number of ways in which you can aid your financial situation and gain valuable experience on the way.

Graduate teaching positions

Each semester our PostGraduates Who Teach (PGWT) coordinator matches PhD students who want to teach with teaching jobs in the department. The teaching roles available will vary, but may include leading tutorials with small groups of undergraduates, demonstrating in undergraduate practical classes and marking and providing feedback on undergraduate work. All teaching work is paid at around £15 per hour + holiday pay.

College life advisor positions

For postgraduates who have a keen interest in student welfare there are opportunities to become college life advisors. College life advisors are a vital part of the team, responsible for the welfare of undergraduates. This role usually requires 15 hours of your time each week and you are expected to live in the college (where accommodation is provided at reduced cost).