The Iland Postgraduate Research Studentship Award (2026-27 entry)

Award Summary

Tuition fees paid at the home rate and an annual stipend (living expenses) of currently £21,805. 

Overview

The studentship is available to Home and International students commencing or continuing a PhD in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in the 2026/27 academic year. The topic of research must relate to themes on European culture, political thought, language, and literature. 

Number Of Awards

One

Start Date

1 October 2026 

Award Duration

36 months full-time or 72 months part-time, (subject to satisfactory progress). The award length will be reduced for those students who have already commenced their studies. 

Application Closing Date

Friday 26 June 2026 

Sponsor

The Iland Postgraduate Research Scholarship Award is generously funded by William Iland. A recipient of the French Legion d'Honneur and the Bletchley Park Commemorative medal, Mr Iland had a strong commitment to the power of a European ideal and in the importance of co-operation to help stabilise the European. A wonderful and much commemorated teacher, Mr Iland had a deep appreciation of the transformative power of learning, and this generous bequest is made so that future generations of students can work on ideals of European solidarity. 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this award applicants must: 

• Hold an offer of admission for a PhD in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science commencing 1 October 2026; or, be a current PhD student who will have completed no more than 18 months of full-time or 36 months of part-time study by 1 October 2026; 
• Demonstrate how their research relates to the topics outlined above; 
• Both Home and International students are eligible to apply, but International recipients of the award will be required to fund the difference between Home and International fees from alternative sources.  

The recipient is required to provide the sponsor with an annual update on their progress.

How To Apply

New applicants must register and apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal. 

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’. 

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study: 

• You can search for the Course Title using the programme code if known (for example ‘8210F’) 
• The Research Area, (for example ‘History’) 
• Select the programme of study, (for example, ‘PhD School of History, Classic and Archaeology (full time) – History’)

You will need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Questions’ section: 

• A Personal Statement - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form. 
• The studentship code ILAND26 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field. 
• An outline of your Research Proposal. 

In addition, you will need to upload the following supporting documentation: 

• Degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if already completed. 

Students who have already commenced their studies do not need to reapply. 

All applicants must also seek the support of an academic supervisor and submit a completed Application Form and a current CV (maximum two sides of A4), via their supervisor or school, to sarah.rylance@ncl.ac.uk by 4:00pm on Friday 26 June 2026.  

Contact Details

If you have any queries, please contact sarah.rylance@ncl.ac.uk 

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