Presidential Scholarships for UK, EU and overseas students

The President’s PhD Scholarships gives outstanding research students from around the world (the UK, EU and overseas) the opportunity to undertake doctoral study in their chosen field. Working under the guidance of a distinguished research supervisor at Southampton, successful presidential scholars will receive the following academic scholarship for up to 3.5 years (pro-rata for part time students):

• Full funding for tuition fees (for UK, EU and International students)
• A stipend of £17,668 per annum for living costs (reviewed annually and aligned with the UKRI base rate)
• A research training and support grant of £1,000 per annum (up to a maximum of £3,500 for full-time students and pro-rata for part-time students)

In addition to financial support and supervision, award holders will also:

• have the opportunity to attend a dedicated programme of events organised by the Doctoral College, providing opportunities to meet with Senior Leaders of the University, hear about research from across the University and network with other Presidential Scholars;
• have access to an extensive research and transferable skills training programmes for doctoral students;
• become an ambassador for doctoral research at the University;
• have their work promoted through University media channels.

You do not need to apply for a Presidential Scholarship. Your faculty will automatically consider you for a Presidential Scholarship if you have applied and received an offer to undertake a PhD with us by Friday 17 March 2023.

ELIGIBILITY OF CANDIDATES

Applications for Presidential Scholarships are accepted from candidates demonstrating exceptional academic performance. Applicants must be accepted to commence doctoral study by research at the University of Southampton in the academic year 2023/24.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and nationalities, and in all subject areas.

Candidates must be in possession of, or due to receive, either:

• A first class or equivalent in their undergraduate or integrated masters degree
• and/or a distinction overall, with a distinction in the project or equivalent in a standalone masters

Equivalency may be established by reference to standard comparators such as NARIC.

Scholarship recipients must commence their doctoral studies by research between 1 August and 1 December 2023.

CONDITIONS OF THE AWARD

• Candidates in receipt of a Presidential Scholarship will be known as “Presidential Scholars”.
• Successful candidates who wish to accept the offer of a Presidential Scholarship must agree to abide by all the eligibility, terms and conditions of the award outlined here and any changes to them, throughout the time of the award, or the offer will be withdrawn.
• Candidates in receipt of an offer of a Presidential Scholarship must register for, and start their doctoral studies, between 1 August 2023 and 1 December 2023.
• The Scholarship will be paid for a maximum of up to 3.5 years funding (pro-rata for part-time students), or the date of first submission of the thesis, whichever is the sooner.

Presidential Scholarships may be removed at any time if:

• Progress of the recipient is deemed not to be satisfactory, as determined by the University Progression Monitoring as defined in the University Calendar, Section V;
• Recipients who require a UK Visa for study fail to satisfy any requirement of it and at any time throughout their doctoral candidature;
• The Faculty Director of the Graduate School in the host Faculty, or Doctoral College Director, determines that there has been a material breach of the conditions of the award.

Further conditions:

• Presidential Scholars must agree to contribute to physical and online events promoting the scheme, their research work and activities as a condition of the award.
• The conditions of a Presidential Scholarship may vary during the time of the award. Notification of any changes will be communicated to the recipient.
• The decision of the awarding panels is final.
• Recipients of the award are expected to spend the majority of time of study at the University of Southampton in the UK.
• The scheme is only open to new applicants for research doctorates. Existing students registered for doctorates at the University of Southampton are ineligible for Presidential Scholarships.
• Candidates undertaking part-time doctoral studies by research are also eligible for consideration, but any scholarship will be paid at a pro-rata level.
• A review of the scholarship funding levels will take place each year and continued payment will be contingent on satisfactory progress, as measured by the University of Southampton annual monitoring process.
• Candidates undertaking taught doctorates are not eligible for consideration for the Presidential Scholarship.