Koestler Psychologies Scholarship 2027 in UK | Fully Funded

Koestler Psychologies Scholarship supports rigorous psychological research into underexplored, exceptional, or not-yet-fully-understood aspects of human cognition, experience, communication, and behaviour. The scholarship funds a PhD project that addresses underdeveloped, methodologically challenging, or poorly understood aspects of human psychology, including topics linked to anomalous or unusual experiences.

The Studentship is funded through the Koestler endowment to the University of Edinburgh and is offered via the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. The award supports on-campus PhD study and aims to advance scientific investigation into experiences, capacities, judgments, or interpretations within the wider Koestler tradition.

Koestler Psychologies Scholarship Benefits

• The successful applicant will receive a scholarship to cover full tuition fees, as well as a stipend at the UKRI minimum stipend rate, for up to 3 years subject to satisfactory progress.

Koestler Psychologies Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

• The award is open to UK and overseas students applying to start their first year of study for an on-campus PhD in Psychology in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences.
• Applicants for the 2027/28 must submit an admissions application for the PhD in Psychology by the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Science’s first PhD application deadline: Monday 9 November 2026.
• This award cannot be held concurrently with fully-funded scholarships but can be held with partially-funded scholarships and will be reduced pro-rata.
• Applicants who have already obtained a PhD, or formal equivalent, as a result of direct research training will not be considered for this award.
• Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential.
• Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a UK 2:1 honours degree or higher at undergraduate level or the international equivalent in Psychology or a related field.
• Your application will also be considered if you have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in another subject and a postgraduate master’s level degree in Psychology or a related field.

How to Apply for Koestler Psychologies Scholarship

• Applicants must submit an admissions application for the PhD programme before Monday 9 November 2026.
• Applicants must also submit a dedicated scholarship statement of no more than 500 words explaining how their proposed research aligns with the goals of the Koestler Psychologies Scholarship.
• The statement should address: The central psychological question or phenomenon to be studied.
• The statement should address: Why this area is underexplored, theoretically important, methodologically challenging, or concerned with aspects of human experience that are not yet well understood.
• The statement should address: How the project could contribute, directly or indirectly, to understanding experiences, capacities, beliefs, or interpretations that have historically been regarded as anomalous, exceptional, psychical, or paranormal.
• The statement must be sent be email to the PPLS Postgraduate Research Administration Team at pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Koestler Psychologies Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, selection, and how to apply for this PhD studentship at the University of Edinburgh.