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Durham History Department
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Postgraduate Funding Opportunities

Applicants should discuss with the Director of Postgraduate Studies and their potential supervisors the best source of funding for their project. 

You will need to apply ahead of the various deadlines for each scheme.

The first step is always to complete an online application form to secure a place on the PhD programme. Only when accepted will you be considered for the funding options listed below.

 

ESRC Funding

For ESRC funding – covering Economic and Social History – the Department participates in the NINE Doctoral Training Partnership
Economic Graph

AHRC Funding

For AHRC funding – covering most aspects of History – the Department participates in the Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Centre.
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Durham University Alumni Tuition Fee Discount Scheme

Durham alumni may be eligible for a discount on tuition fees for postgraduate programmes in the Arts and Humanities Faculty
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China Scholarship Council

Students from mainland China can apply for CSC scholarships to study at Durham University, with supervision in the history of East Asia.
The Forbidden City in Beijing, China

Hatfield Lioness Scholarship

The Hatfield Lioness Scholarship aims to enable a female student from a developing country to undertake postgraduate study at Durham University
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Ralph Waggett MA Studentship in History

The Department encourages applications to the Ralph Waggett MA Studentship from any student who lives in the North or North East of England
Hadrian's Wall

SLC Loans

If you live in England, you may be eligible for a UK Government Loan
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Other External Schemes

We are keen to support applicants applying to funding schemes for doctoral research in areas where we have appropriate supervision available
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ESRC funding

For ESRC funding – covering Economic and Social History – the Department participates in the NINE Doctoral Training Partnership.

The ESRC offers funding to cover both the Masters and PhD programmes (ESRC 1+3.5). Students who wish to apply for 1+3.5 MA and PhD funding will need to apply for the V1KB07 MA in Social and Economic History (Research Methods). When you submit your application through the application portal, please select 'Other' in the 'Scholarship Details' section and enter 'ESRC NINE DTP' in the textbox. 

To apply for the 3.5 Year PhD or 4 Year PhD studentship funding through NINE DTP, you will need to apply for the V1A001 History PhD programme and indicate in the Funding/Scholarship Details section that you wish to be considered for 'ESRC NINE DTP' funding.

ESRC funding is available for both full-time and part-time study.

AHRC funding

For AHRC funding – covering most aspects of History – the Department participates in the Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Centre.

Northern Bridge website

Funding is available for both full-time and part-time study. October 2025 will be the final intake for Northern Bridge and if successful in the funding competition it won't be possible to defer the start of the studentship.

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