University of St Andrews Postgraduate Research Scholarships
- Application period opens
- Monday 16 September 2024
- Application period closes
- Wednesday 22 January 2025
- Notification date
- The week commencing Monday 31 March 2025
- Entry
- 2025
The University of St Andrews is pleased to offer a range of scholarships for new postgraduate research students, based on academic merit and/or financial need. Many of these scholarships are made possible through generous donations from alumni and friends of the University.
The value of individual scholarships will vary, and will usually be paid annually for the duration of the student's research programme, excluding continuation and any extension periods. The scholarships are all based on academic merit, and some also on financial need.
Various scholarships are available through the same application form. Research applicants of any fee status (Home or International) are welcome to apply, although geography, subject and level of study criteria will vary between the scholarships that are available. Full details about each scholarship are provided on the individual webpages:
- AD Links Foundation PhD Scholarship (UK)
- AD Links Foundation PhD Scholarship (EU)
- Douglas and Gordon Bonnyman PhD Scholarship
- Ewan and Christine Brown PhD Studentship in the Arts and Humanities
- Spragge Conservation Scholarship
- St Leonard’s College World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships
After completing and submitting the form (full details below), you will be considered automatically for any of the above scholarships for which you are eligible. You can only apply once for the above scholarships. If further scholarships become available in this scheme after you have applied, you will automatically be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible, without having to apply again.
Value of award (per year)
Up to full tuition fees and stipend paid at UK Research Council rates. Award amounts will vary; see individual webpages for full details.
Duration of award
Most awards are for the duration of the student's research programme, excluding continuation and any extension periods.
At what stage of my course application can I apply for this scholarship?
Please apply for the award after you have submitted your application for a place at St Andrews. You do not need to wait until you have received an offer of a place before applying for the award.
Application restrictions
Study level
Available to students studying at:
Subjects
Available to students studying:
Domicile for fee status
Schools
Available to faculty members from:
Application assessment
Available to
Mode of study
Geographical criteria
Additional criteria
You must have applied for a postgraduate research programme: MPhil, PhD, MSc(Res), MSt(Res), EngD or MFA. Some scholarships may only be available to specific programmes (e.g. doctoral/PhD level).
In support of your application, you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:
- University transcript(s), including interim transcripts for any degrees pending.
- Research proposal
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resumé.
Student financial information
If you wish to be considered for scholarships based on financial need, we recommend using the funding financial profile to help calculate your household income before you apply. You can find the funding financial profile in Scholarships and Funding, "Create my funding financial profile". Applicants must also articulate a need for support through a personal financial statement.
"Household income" refers to your total annual income for the most recent full financial year. This figure must be annual (not monthly), in Pounds Sterling (GBP) and gross (without tax deducted). If you are living with your parents/guardians, the figure provided must be their combined income rather than your own. Income details must reflect your current/recent situation and not your expected future income after starting your intended programme.
If you would prefer not to disclose any information about your income or financial circumstances, please see the advice in the application form. You will not be eligible for any financial needs-based scholarships if you do not provide this information.
Sources for socio-economically disadvantaged areas for developing nations.
How to apply
These scholarships are available through the University of St Andrews Postgraduate Research Scholarships application in the Scholarships and Funding catalogue, in the Scholarships and Funding section of My Application. After submitting this application, you will be considered automatically for any scholarships under this scheme for which you are eligible, based on your answers in the application form.
- After you have applied for your chosen postgraduate course beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, you must allow at least three working days for processing and issue of your log in details before you can apply for this scholarship.
- If you are a current student at St Andrews, you can access Scholarships and Funding through MySaint. However, you should wait until after you have applied for your intended postgraduate programme before doing so, to ensure that the scholarship application is linked to the correct course.
Terms and conditions
Please read the University of St Andrews scholarships terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
If you wish to be considered for any scholarships funded by donors, please be aware of the following requirements:
- Core personal details may be passed to the benefactors of your scholarship. Your name, the name of your town of origin, school/college and subject of study will be passed to the donor of the scholarship with your consent.
- Your scholarship award in subsequent years of study is conditional upon your successful completion of the academic requirements to progress in your proposed subject of study at the University of St Andrews. If your scholarship is subject-related then your award is usually also conditional upon your continuing to study that specific subject.
- Attendance at Development related scholarship events (including invitations to meet the donors) is strongly encouraged. You will be invited to these as appropriate by the Development Office.
- Submission of reports throughout the period of scholarship support. You are required to submit an Introductory Biography at the start of your award period and the Development Office will contact you towards the end of the academic session for a report on your time at St Andrews to share with the donors of your award. This will be an annual cycle for the duration of your award.
- If you apply to these scholarships, details from your course application may be passed to the selection panel solely for the purpose of merit-based assessment.
When will I know the outcome?
The outcome of your scholarship application will be available on "View my applications" in the Scholarships and Funding section of My Application by late March 2025.
If you are successful for any of the scholarships that are part of this scheme, you will also receive an award letter with full details of the scholarship you have been offered.