Leverhulme Trust PhD Studentship opportunities are now open at the University of Edinburgh, offering an exceptional chance to pursue advanced research on input and language uptake among Mandarin-speaking children. Beginning in 2026, this fully funded award provides full tuition support, a generous stipend, and the opportunity to work within a vibrant research environment focused on innovative cross-linguistic studies.
This competitive studentship welcomes both UK and international applicants who hold at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree or a relevant MSc/MRes qualification. Candidates must be applying for their first PhD program and should not already be receiving funding from another scholarship scheme. This is an excellent opportunity for motivated researchers seeking to advance their academic careers with strong institutional support.
Benefits of Leverhulme Trust PhD Studentship
• Full coverage of tuition fees.
• Annual UKRI minimum stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26).
• Access to state-of-the-art research labs, recording studios, technical support, and a large developmental linguistics and psychology research community.
• Opportunity to work on a major Leverhulme Trust-funded crosslinguistic project (2025–2029).
Eligibility for the Leverhulme Trust PhD Studentship
- Eligible Countries: All nationalities
- Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded for a PhD in Linguistics and English Language offered by the University of Edinburgh.
- Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must:
• Apply for an on-campus PhD beginning in the 2026/27 academic year.
• Hold or expect to obtain at least a UK 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) or an MSc/MRes in Linguistics and/or Psychology.
• Demonstrate outstanding academic merit and research potential.
• Have (near) native proficiency in Mandarin and strong knowledge of Mandarin linguistics and experimental methods.
• Hold a valid English language certificate (IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 6.5 in each component) if English is not their first language.
• Not already hold a PhD or equivalent research qualification.
Highly desirable experience: designing structural priming experiments, statistical analysis in R (mixed-effects models, Bayesian methods), and working with children.
• Must be available to start on 1 September 2026.
• This award cannot be held alongside any other funded scholarship.
Required Documents
- Personal statement explaining motivations and relevant qualifications.
- A two-page CV.
- Official degree certificates and transcripts (undergraduate and postgraduate, if applicable).
- Official English translations if documents are not in English.
- Two academic references.
How to Apply for Leverhulme Trust PhD Studentship?
- Prepare all required documents for the application package.
- Email your complete application to PPLS PG Enquiries: [email protected].
- Use the subject line: Application for Leverhulme Trust PhD Studentship.
- Ensure all files are correctly formatted and submitted before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This Leverhulme Trust PhD Studentship offers a fully funded, three-year PhD starting September 2026 on a project exploring input and uptake in linguistics. It is open to UK and international candidates with relevant degrees, provides tuition and stipend support, cannot be held alongside other scholarships, and places you in a strong research environment.
What is the Leverhulme Trust PhD Studentship about?
The Leverhulme Trust PhD Studentship is a funded three-year doctoral opportunity offered through the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. It begins in September 2026 and is dedicated to exploring the interaction between input and uptake.
Who can apply for this studentship?
Applicants must be eligible for admission to a PhD in the relevant discipline and should hold or expect to hold an appropriate undergraduate or Master’s degree. Both UK and international applicants are eligible to apply.
What funding does the studentship cover?
The studentship is fully funded, covering tuition fees and providing a stipend at the relevant UK research council rate. The funding spans the full three-year duration of the PhD.
When does the studentship begin and how long does it last?
It is scheduled to begin in September 2026 and runs for three years full-time. This gives the successful candidate the full time to focus on their research project.
What research topic will the studentship focus on?
The research project under the studentship centres on the interaction between input and uptake, particularly in the field of linguistics and language science within the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences.
Is this studentship open to international students?
Yes, international students are eligible. The studentship welcomes applications from both UK and overseas candidates who meet the academic criteria.
What degree status is required at entry?
Applicants must be seeking their first research degree (PhD) and hold or expect to hold an undergraduate degree (2:1 or equivalent) or a relevant Master’s level qualification in a related discipline.
Can the studentship be held alongside another funded scholarship?
No — the studentship cannot be held simultaneously with any other funded scholarship. It is designed to be the sole source of doctoral funding for the recipient for the full period.
What application timeline should candidates expect?
While specific deadlines may vary, interested candidates should prepare for application for the September 2026 entry, and submit all supporting documents (CV, transcripts, references) ahead of the internal deadline.
What kind of research environment will the student join?
The successful candidate will join a vibrant research community in linguistics and psychology, with access to advanced laboratories, technical support, and engagement in cross-linguistic experimental studies around input and uptake.
Discover more from Scholarship Union
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Scholarships in France