The Bloomsbury Colleges Research Committee are pleased to invite applications for 2027/28 Bloomsbury PhD Studentships with a deadline of 30 October 2026.
The Bloomsbury Colleges Consortium comprises five member institutions from the University of London: Birkbeck, UCL Institute of Education (IoE), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and SOAS University of London. The Consortium seeks to identify and support new opportunities for academic and administrative collaboration between its member institutions.
Up to ten 3-year PhD studentships are available for intercollegiate research collaborations to start in September/October 2027. These studentships support collaboration between at least two Bloomsbury Colleges, with each participating College leading on two such collaborations (i.e. providing the primary supervisor and the student’s registration base). Studentships must demonstrate the value added by the intercollegiate collaboration, proposing a project that could not be completed by one College alone, and clearly outlining how the studentship will either foster new links across the Consortium or broaden and strengthen those that already exist.
Each studentship covers fees at the home rate and a stipend at the level recommended by UKRI. Primary supervisors wishing to invite applications from international students should consult with the administrative lead at their institution for further information on the relevant institutional policies. All studentships will be managed according to the current good practices of the host institution.
The submission deadline for project proposals from academic staff within the Bloomsbury Colleges is 30 October 2026. The criteria for selection of proposals are detailed below. Each College will screen proposals where the lead applicant (‘primary supervisor’) is based in that institution and select a maximum of five proposals (ranked in order of preference), for consideration by the Bloomsbury Colleges Research Committee. The Committee will select up to ten proposals, and successful supervisors will be notified in the second week of December 2026.
The studentships will be advertised on The Bloomsbury Colleges website and by individual Colleges in late December 2026, with a deadline for applications of 31 January 2027. Shortlisting and interviews will take place during February to March 2027. Students will register at their host institution and start their research programme in September/October 2027.
Supervisors cannot be named as lead supervisor on more than one application. Where supervisors have previously been awarded Bloomsbury Studentships as lead or co-supervisor, their student must have submitted their thesis before the supervisor participates in a new application.
Please contact scholarships@soas.ac.uk with any general enquiries.
| Lead applicants should submit their completed applications to the appropriate administrative contact for their College: | |
| BBK | graduateresearchschool@bbk.ac.uk |
| IOE | Questions: clare.elliott@ucl.ac.uk To Apply: Application Form Link |
| LSHTM | scholarships@lshtm.ac.uk |
| RVC | researchdevelopment@rvc.ac.uk |
| SOAS | scholarships@soas.ac.uk |
CRITERIA FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTSHIP PROJECT PROPOSALS:
- Academic merit: Academic merit, including realistic scope of the project for a 3-year PhD.
- Collaborative impact: Evidence that the project will either foster new links across the Consortium or broaden and strengthen those that already exist.
- Financial viability: Availability and security of any additional funding required to undertake the project (e.g. for data collection and consumables) to ensure financial viability and completion, mitigating any risk of a funding shortfall.
- Responsible research: Evidence that ethical considerations and relevant risks have been accounted for.
- Supervisory team: Strength and complementarity of supervisory skills. Preference will be given to applications including Early/Mid-Career Academics with a strong research track record within the supervisor team, supported by experienced co-supervisors, and/or a supervisor-mentor.
To apply, please download and complete the application form below.
Previously awarded projects
Click on the links below to see previous collaborations and project titles.
