Scholarship Overview
Overview
The AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) Scholarship 2027 at the University of Sheffield provides fully funded PhD studentships for researchers in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. This competitive scheme connects successful applicants to the AHRC North/Northwest Hub, a collaborative network of ten regional universities offering cohort-based training and professional development.
For African applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, this represents a rare opportunity to secure comprehensive doctoral funding in the UK. While competition for the single international place is particularly intense, the award covers both Home and International tuition fees, removing a significant financial barrier.
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What the Scholarship Covers
The AHRC DLA Scholarship provides comprehensive funding for 3.5 years of full-time doctoral study (pro-rata for part-time students):
- Maintenance stipend: £21,805 per year (UKRI rate for 2026/27 academic year)
- Tuition fees: Full coverage of Home or International fees as applicable
- Cohort training: Access to AHRC North/Northwest Hub activities and professional development
The stipend rate is set at the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) minimum, which typically increases annually with inflation. Recipients join a structured cohort with dedicated training opportunities, networking events, and interdisciplinary collaboration across the ten-university hub.
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Eligibility Requirements
The scholarship has specific eligibility criteria that African applicants should review carefully:
- Academic status: Not currently enrolled on a PhD programme
- International applicants: Welcome to apply, with up to one studentship potentially allocated to an outstanding international candidate
- Faculty restriction: Must be applying to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Sheffield
- Competition level: International places face particularly intense competition
There is no explicit nationality restriction, but the limited international allocation means applicants from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, and other SADC countries must present exceptional academic credentials and research proposals to compete effectively.
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Application Process
The application requires completion of two separate stages with different deadlines:
Stage 1: Study Application
Submit a PhD study application through the University of Sheffield’s online application portal. This must be completed by Monday 14th December 2026. Upon submission, you will receive an application number required for the funding application.
Stage 2: Funding Application
After obtaining your study application number, submit the funding application via the specified Google Form. Key requirements:
- Must be completed in one sitting—prepare answers in advance using the provided template
- Deadline: 5 PM GMT, Friday 19th February 2027
- Requires input of your study application number
Shortlisting and faculty panel meetings follow the February deadline, with notifications targeted by end of March 2027.
Strategic Considerations for African Applicants
Given the single international place allocation, SADC region applicants should consider:
- Research alignment: Ensure your proposed project strongly aligns with Sheffield’s Arts and Humanities research strengths
- Supervisor contact: Establish communication with potential supervisors before formal application
- Cohort value: The North/Northwest Hub training provides networking opportunities across northern England that can support future academic employment
- Alternative funding: Simultaneously explore Commonwealth Scholarships, Chevening, or university-specific awards as backup options
Contact and Support
For specific scholarship queries: pgr-scholarships@sheffield.ac.uk
Additional information is available through the University of Sheffield’s official scholarships FAQs, linked from the programme page.
