Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The University of Reading International PhD Studentship provides comprehensive funding for international researchers pursuing doctoral study in the United Kingdom. The award supports full-time study for up to four years or part-time study for up to six years, with a substantial living allowance that enables students from Zimbabwe and across Africa to focus entirely on their research without financial burden.
What the Scholarship Covers
This is a fully funded award comprising three core components:
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- International tuition fees — paid in full for the duration of your programme
- Annual stipend of £21,805 (2026/27 rate) — a tax-free living allowance aligned with UKRI minimum rates
- £1,000 training and development allowance per annum — for conferences, courses, and research-related professional development
Important limitation: Students studying off-campus or by distance learning are only eligible for tuition fees and the training allowance. The £21,805 stipend is reserved for those based at the Reading campus.
Eligible Research Areas
Studentships are available across the University’s full academic portfolio:
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- Science and Life Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Arts and Humanities
- Henley Business School
With over 1,000 eligible courses listed — from Agricultural Science to Arabic Studies, Business Education to Physics — candidates from diverse academic backgrounds can find suitable supervision.
Who Can Apply
The competition is open to applicants from Nigeria and 250+ countries worldwide. Zimbabwean and SADC region applicants are explicitly eligible.
Academic requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with UK equivalent of at least 2:1 (upper second class)
- Admission to a PhD programme at University of Reading
Language requirements:
- All applicants must meet the University of Reading’s English Language requirements
- No specific test score is published; check the University’s admissions pages for current requirements
Application Process
The application proceeds in three stages:
Step 1: Confirm Supervision
Contact the postgraduate research administrator in your intended School or Department to verify that your proposed research can be supervised.
Step 2: Apply for PhD Admission
Submit an application for PhD admission through the University’s online admissions portal. In the funding section, enter “International Research Studentship Competition” in the scholarships field. If you have already applied without this reference, proceed to Step 3.
Step 3: Complete Studentship Application
Submit the separate International PhD Studentship Application Form. Upon successful submission, you will see a confirmation screen stating ‘your response was submitted’. No further confirmation is required.
Selection Process
The competition operates in two stages:
- School nomination: Each School selects one candidate for advancement
- Final selection: Nominated candidates are assessed by the Doctoral and Researcher College
This structure means competition is initially at School level, then University-wide.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: Friday 15 January 2027
- Programme start: October 2027
Practical Considerations for African Applicants
Financial planning: The £21,805 stipend (approximately £1,817 monthly) covers living costs in Reading, a town with moderate living expenses compared to London. The training fund supports conference travel — valuable for building international research networks.
Visa implications: As a fully funded programme, this award satisfies UK student visa financial requirements. The University will provide documentation for your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
Distance learning caution: If you are considering off-campus study to remain in Zimbabwe, note that the stipend is forfeited. Campus-based study is strongly recommended for full funding.
Official scholarship page: https://scholarsregion.com/scholarship/university-of-reading-pt69qd?superView=true
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
