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Scholarships and funding

The University and Edinburgh Law School offer a range of scholarships for our research degrees. There are also a selection of external funding opportunities that you may be eligible to apply to. Scholarship and funding opportunities listed on this web page are for entry in the 2024-25 academic year.

If you are intending to apply for a scholarship offered by the Law School or University we advise applying to your programme (PhD or LLM by Research) at least two weeks before the scholarship closing date.

Scholarship Deadline
Fully Funded PhD studentship - Taming the Dark Energy of EU Law: The EU as an International Actor 5pm (GMT+1), Monday 20 May 2024
Fully funded PhD studentships in Designing Responsible Natural Language Processing at the University of Edinburgh Midnight (GMT), Monday 11 March 2024
LLM by Research Scholarships 5pm (GMT), Monday 06 May 2024
Edinburgh Law School and Ewen Cameron Scholarships 5pm (GMT), Thursday 01 February 2024
Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships 5pm (GMT), Thursday 01 February 2024
College Research Awards - Law 5pm (GMT), Thursday 01 February 2024

Deadline: 20th May 2024

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD position on a project entitled “Taming the Dark Energy of EU Law: The European Union’s Unwritten Constitution”. The successful applicant will work with Professor Niamh Nic Shuibhne at Edinburgh Law School.

Taming the Dark Energy of EU Law is a Leverhulme Trust-funded four-year project. It explores the unwritten constitution produced by the specific and essential characteristics of the EU and of EU law that are not expressly present in the EU Treaties, including primacy, mutual trust, and autonomy. It adopts a dark energy metaphor to underline that these specific and essential characteristics expanded to fill empty Treaty spaces, establishing the deep structure of EU law and propelling its significance while remaining, for the most part, textually invisible – a constitutional energy detected, but not yet well understood.

The project studies the EU’s unwritten constitution in a holistic way, building on perspectives that discuss, and question, the extent to which the internal and external spheres of EU action are (and should) be legally distinct. In this way, it aims to retune the relationship between the written and unwritten dimensions of EU constitutional law to improve internal and external accountability.

The PhD will be carried out under the lead supervision of the Principal Investigator, Professor Niamh Nic Shuibhne.

Complementing the work of a postdoctoral researcher on the EU as an international subject, the PhD researcher will examine how the EU as an international actor is ‘trading’ its specific and essential characteristics through its engagement with the wider world and assess the appropriateness of such external sharing through a case-study method. The PhD project will be guided by the project’s overarching themes (invisibility, accountability, and shareability) but enable the researcher to develop their own thesis ideas and especially the originality and significance of their findings and arguments over the course of the studentship.

This opportunity is open to candidates in law, with particular emphasis on prior study of the legal dimensions of EU external action.

Funding

This scholarship will pay tuition fees and provide an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (approximately £19,237 per annum). The stipend will be paid in equal monthly instalments for 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory progress. Additional research funding will also be available to support training and development.

Candidate profile

The successful applicant will have:

  • Excellent grades in both undergraduate and postgraduate taught degrees (at least one of which must be in law).
  • A background, or clear demonstrable interest, in EU constitutional law and the legal dimensions of the EU’s external action.
  • Proficiency in English (both oral and written). For candidates whose first language is not English, we require an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with at least 7.0 in the writing component and 6.5 in each of the other components (or other acceptable English language qualification at the equivalent standard).
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Application Information

Applicants should apply via the University’s admissions portal (EUCLID) and select the PhD Law programme. Apply here.

Applications should be submitted by 5pm on 20th May 2024. Interviews will take place (online) on 20th June. The successful applicant will be expected to start the PhD in September 2024.

Applicants must submit:

  • All degree transcripts and certificates (and certified translations if applicable).
  • Evidence of English Language capability (where applicable).
  • A short research proposal (max 2 pages) outlining your approach to the proposed research project (focus on identifying research questions for your proposed thesis and explaining why these questions matter).
  • A full CV cover letter describing your background, suitability for the PhD, and research interests (max 2 pages).
  • Two recent references (note that it is your responsibility to ensure that reference letters are received before the deadline).

Please note that the proposal, CV, and cover letter should be uploaded as a single, combined document within the application portal.

Only complete applications (i.e. those that are not missing the above documentation) will progress forward to the academic selectors for further consideration.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is an area of AI operating at the intersections of computer science, linguistics, and interaction design that has rapidly jumped from the research lab to routine deployment in-the-world. Mature NLP systems offer powerful capabilities to create new products, services, and interactive experiences grounded in natural language, and underpin much of the current excitement around generative AI. However, they also bring significant challenges to responsible and trustworthy design, adoption and deployment.

Our students will gain the skills, knowledge and experience to study and design real-world applications of NLP that are responsible and trustworthy by design, in a highly interdisciplinary training environment hosted by the new Edinburgh Futures Institute. The training programme brings together world leading researchers at the University of Edinburgh in informatics, design, linguistics, speech science, psychology, law, philosophy, information science, and digital humanities, who will supervise students and guide them in their training and learning.

The CDT will be seeking to fund up to 12 studentships to start next academic year. We are looking for applicants with background in or related to:

  • Computer science, informatics and artificial intelligence
  • Design, human computer interaction and human centred computing
  • Language, linguistics and speech sciences
  • Law, governance and regulation
  • Digital Humanities and Information Science

These are just indicative, and we are interested in applicants who come from any background or discipline with relevant skills and expertise that connect to our five Skills Domains. Our ambition is to recruit a diverse cohort of students coming from different disciplines and backgrounds, who are excited by the prospects of working with each-other and on real-world applications of NLP.

To find out more information on the programme, funding available and its benefits take a look at the CDT website.

Find out more

How to apply

The deadline for applications is midnight (GMT) 11th March 2024.

Find out how to apply

You can also register for our applicant webinars on the 12th and 13 February.

Register for applicant webinars

More dates will likely be added for later in February as well.

Applications to this scholarship are closed.

One or more scholarships are available for postgraduate research in Scots private law at the University of Edinburgh for a period of one year leading to the degree of LLM by Research (ie by a thesis of up to 30,000 words). The scholarships are offered by the Edinburgh Legal Education Trust, which was formed in 1996 for the advancement of legal education in Scotland. The Trustees wish to award a scholarship or scholarships for study beginning in September 2024. 

Eligibility

The scholarships are open to anyone who, by the start of the LLM programme, holds an honours degree in law, or an ordinary degree in law plus an honours degree in a different discipline, and who is accepted by the University of Edinburgh for the degree of LLM by Research. Further details about postgraduate study at Edinburgh may be obtained from the Postgraduate Office, School of Law (www.law.ed.ac.uk). An application to the Trust may be made in advance of being accepted by the University of Edinburgh.

Choice of topic

Applicants are free to choose their own topic. The emphasis, however, should be on legal doctrine rather than on, for example, legal theory or socio-legal issues. Historical or comparative perspectives are welcome. Two possible research projects (one on contract law and the other on the law of delict) can be found here and applicants are welcome to choose, or adapt, one of those. 

Progression to the PhD

The LLM by Research can (but need not) be used as a gateway to further study for the degree of PhD. Indeed it is often possible to treat the LLM as the first year of study for a PhD by switching to the PhD degree during the year spent on the LLM. For students who make this switch, funding for the full three years of the PhD will often be made available by the Edinburgh Legal Education Trust.

Value 

The scholarship comprises fees at home students’ rate and a maintenance award (currently £18,622). In addition, a limited amount of assistance may be given by the Trust in respect of research expenses, but this will not normally exceed £400 in a year. Fees will be paid by the Trust directly to the University of Edinburgh. The maintenance allowance will be paid in four equal instalments on 15 September, 15 December, 15 March and 15 June.

Applications and closing date

Candidates must first apply for admission to the Law LLM by Research Programme. Further details on how to apply can be found on our website.

How to apply

Once you have applied for admission to the Programme, please complete the Edinburgh Legal Education Trust Scholarship Application Form and send it to phd.law@ed.ac.uk by the closing date of 6 May 2024. 

Download scholarship application form [Word doc]

Should you need the application form in a different format please email phd.law@ed.ac.uk.

The Trustees reserve full discretion to offer, or not to offer, a scholarship.

Queries

Any queries should be addressed to Professor Kenneth Reid (Kenneth.reid@ed.ac.uk) or Professor Andrew Steven (andrew.steven@ed.ac.uk), who will be happy to give informal advice.
 

Applications to this scholarship are closed.

This scholarship is available for part-time postgraduate research in Scots private law at the University of Edinburgh for a period of two years, leading to the degree of LLM by Research (ie by a thesis of up to 30,000 words). The scholarship is offered by the Edinburgh Legal Education Trust, which was formed in 1996 for the advancement of legal education in Scotland. The Trustees wish to award a scholarship for study beginning in September 2024. 

Eligibility

The scholarship is open to anyone who, by the start of the LLM programme, holds an honours degree in law, or an ordinary degree in law plus an honours degree in a different discipline, and who is accepted by the University of Edinburgh for the degree of LLM by Research. Further details about postgraduate study at Edinburgh may be obtained from the Postgraduate Office, School of Law (www.law.ed.ac.uk). An application to the Trust may be made in advance of being accepted by the University of Edinburgh.

Choice of topic

Applicants are free to choose their own topic. The emphasis, however, should be on legal doctrine rather than on, for example, legal theory or socio-legal issues. Historical or comparative perspectives are welcome. Two possible research projects (one on contract law and the other on the law of delict) are outlined here and applicants are welcome to choose, or adapt, one of those. 

Progression to the PhD

The LLM by Research can (but need not) be used as a gateway to further study for the degree of PhD. Indeed it is often possible to treat the part-time LLM as two years of study for a PhD by switching to the PhD degree during the years spent on the LLM. For students who make this switch, funding for the full six years of the part-time PhD will often be made available by the Edinburgh Legal Education Trust.

Value 

The scholarship comprises fees at the home students’ rate. In addition, a limited amount of assistance may be given by the Trust in respect of research expenses. Fees will be paid by the Trust directly to the University of Edinburgh. 


Applications and closing date

Candidates must first apply for admission to the Law LLM by Research Programme. Further details on how to apply can be found on our website.

How to apply

Once you have applied for admission to the Programme, please complete the Edinburgh Legal Education Trust Scholarship Application Form and send it to phd.law@ed.ac.uk by the closing date of 6 May 2024. 

Download scholarship application form [Word doc]

Should you need the application form in a different format please email phd.law@ed.ac.uk.

The Trustees reserve full discretion to offer, or not to offer, a scholarship.

Queries

Any queries should be addressed to Professor Kenneth Reid (Kenneth.reid@ed.ac.uk) or Professor Andrew Steven (andrew.steven@ed.ac.uk), who will be happy to give informal advice.

Applications to this studentship are closed.

The Edinburgh Futures Institute’s Centre for Technomoral Futures and Edinburgh Law School are delighted to invite applications for this PhD studentship, funded by Baillie Gifford, to begin in the academic year 2024/2025. 

These studentships, which are open to UK, EU and international applicants, will support rigorous interdisciplinary PhD research into the ethical challenges posed by the growing use of data and artificial intelligence.

Deadline: 5pm Monday 18 December 2023 

Supervisors:

  • Dr Emily Postan, Edinburgh Law School
  • Secondary supervisor, to be confirmed 

The Project 

The project will address the ethical significance of new and reconfigured health-related categories - such as diagnoses, disease risk, or precision care profiles - generated by machine learning (ML), beyond their utility for their intended clinical purposes. It will explore the ways in which these ML-generated health categories do, or could, function as ways – for example – of identifying and distinguishing groups of people, or conceptualising health and (dis)ability, in wider social contexts. The project will take a normative approach to these questions. In doing so, it will not only identify and characterise particular social roles of ML-generated categories, but also why these roles are significant from ethical or social justice perspectives. For example, it could ask how these categories might:

  • contribute to addressing, or exacerbating, health inequalities;
  • affect social cohesion or solidarity;
  • reshape public health priorities, institutions, or environments; or
  • generate new, or deconstruct existing, axes of power, discrimination, or oppression. 

It will consider how to weigh social impacts (such as those suggested in the indicative list above) alongside the intended or hoped-for health benefits of ML applications. And it will explore how associated risks and benefits might be managed through mechanisms such as the design, ethical oversight, or regulation of healthcare applications of ML. 

This project will make explicit the need to look beyond existing dominant themes in health AI ethics, such as clinical reliability safety, explicability, and trustworthiness, to take in wider relational and social considerations. It will contribute to AI ethics more broadly, by offering a richer range of ways to think about what ‘good’ and ‘bad’ ML-generated categories might look like, and by highlighting ways in which domain-specific applications of AI could have socially pervasive ramifications. 

Funding 

The studentship is open to home, EU and international students. The award includes:

  • 4 years stipend at UKRI rates (estimated to be in the region of £18,622 for 2024/25);
  • tuition fees;
  • annual research support budget of £2,000. 

All scholarship awards are subject to candidates successfully securing admission to a PhD programme within the University of Edinburgh. 

Candidate Profile 

Applicants may come from a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary backgrounds.

The successful applicant will have:

  • A strong academic track record with a 2:1 or higher in a relevant undergraduate degree, or its equivalent if outside the UK; and a Masters degree with at least 60% in the taught component and 65% in the dissertation (or international equivalent).
  • Experience of prior study or experience in bioethics, or other domains of applied ethics relevant to this project, ideally to a postgraduate level.
  • A demonstrable interest in, and knowledge of, ethical, social, legal, and governance issues relating to healthcare, public health, health data, or health technologies.
  • An ability to communicate effectively orally, in writing, and through social media for various audiences (e.g. academic publications, practitioners and policy-makers, users of services).
  • Prior study or experience in data science, digital methods, and/or innovative methods is desirable, but not essential. 

They will also:

  • Demonstrate an ability to manage self and workload within competing deadlines.
  • Demonstrate a strong interest in multidisciplinary research, teaching, and collaboration with partners within and beyond academia.
  • Demonstrate an ability to work with people in different roles and organisations.
  • Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they can meet the English Language Requirements of the University of Edinburgh. 

Application Information

Applicants should apply via the University’s admissions portal (EUCLID) and select the PhD Law programme. 

Apply to the PhD Law 

In the ‘proposed supervisor’ part of the application, please enter ‘Dr Emily Postan’. For length of programme please select 3 Years Full Time (the actual studentship and period of study will be 4 years). 

Applications should be submitted by 5pm on Monday 18 December 2023.

Applications will be reviewed throughout January 2024. Interviews will take place in early February 2024. The successful applicant will be expected to start the PhD in September 2024. 

Applicants must submit:

  • a CV (2 pages);
  • a personal statement (2 pages) detailing
    - your reasons for applying
    - the disciplinary and critical perspectives you would bring to this project
    - indications of the proposed focus of the project and the kinds of research questions you would wish to address
    - and outlining your qualifications.
  • a sample of your writing – this might be an academic essay or another example of your writing style and ability;
  • the names and contact details of 2 references (at least 1 academic reference);
  • degree transcripts (with translations provided if the originals are not in English);
  • and Evidence of English Language Proficiency (if relevant). 

Only complete applications (i.e. those that are not missing the above documentation) will progress forward to the academic selectors for further consideration. 

Informal enquiries can be directed to phd.law@ed.ac.uk 

Centre for Technomoral Futures

The Centre for Technomoral Futures (CTMF) is part of the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) at The University of Edinburgh. CTMF supports EFI’s larger aim: to pursue and promote the participatory knowledge and critical understanding needed to support society’s navigation of complex futures. Our shared goal is to help people create and shape more resilient, sustainable and equitable forms of life. The Centre’s mission is to unify technical and moral knowledge in new models of research, education, design and engagement that directly serve the goals of sustainable, just and ethical innovation.

The Centre’s current portfolio of activities, supported by an initial gift from the global investment firm Baillie Gifford, focuses upon the ethical implications of present and future advances in AI, machine learning and other data-driven technologies. Baillie Gifford PhD students at the CTMF enjoy a close relationship with the Centre’s community of researchers and ongoing participation in its activities on a roughly biweekly basis, including works-in-progress presentations, reading groups, and lectures from visiting scholars. 

Explore the range of projects undertaken by PhD students who are currently part of our Baillie Gifford cohort of fellows

Edinburgh Law School 

Edinburgh Law School is a creative and diverse community with one of the largest doctoral cohorts in the discipline within the UK. The School’s research addresses questions concerning the devolved, national, European and international legal arenas as well as at their intersection; harnessing legal, sociolegal and criminological research to realise a more just and equitable society; and exploring the potential and limits of law in responding to fast-paced change. Our doctoral researchers are hugely valued members of the research community and have access to a wide range of research skills training and opportunities. 

As part of the Law School, the successful candidate would also be a member of our community of doctoral researchers in the Mason Institute for Medicine Life Sciences and the Law, benefitting from opportunities to take part in training activities, writing retreats, work-in-progress sessions, and seminars with visiting scholars.

Applications to this studentship are closed.

Edinburgh Law School offers a number of full PhD studentships, one of which is provided through a generous bequest from alumnus Ewen Cameron in his name. 

These scholarships will pay tuition fees and an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (approximately £18,622 per annum). The stipend will be paid in equal monthly instalments for a maximum of three years, subject to satisfactory progress. Awards will be paid pro-rata for part-time candidates. 

Eligibility 

Candidates for these scholarships must be seeking to start their first year of full-time or part-time PhD study in the Edinburgh Law School within the academic year 2024/25 (i.e. either September 2024 or January 2025 entry). UK and international students are eligible to apply. Please note that international students are not eligible for part-time study. 

To be considered for these scholarships, you must meet our standard minimum entry requirements.

Find out about our entry requirements

The successful candidates normally exceed these requirements, having obtained the highest classification in at least one of their degrees, and provide a strong research proposal which has a close fit with research within the School. 

When making our decisions we will consider the applicant’s academic achievements, research proposal, fit with our research expertise, and the degree of support provided by references. We will not take into account factors such as financial status and nationality. 

Successful applicants will be expected to firmly accept the offer when the results of the application process are announced. Candidates who already have an offer of financial sponsorship from elsewhere will not be eligible. 

Applications are welcome across the full range of legal and law-related subjects. 

Please note that one of our scholarships will be ring-fenced under our Athena Swan action plan to support a project that deals with questions of equality, diversity or social justice. This can include projects on families and relationships, gender and sexuality, employment, crime and justice, environment, peace, war and conflict, and human rights. 

Application Process 

Eligible applicants should apply for admission to the PhD Law programme. 

Find out how to apply

Once you have applied for the programme you will be able access to the scholarship application system. 

The scholarship deadline is 1st February 2024. Please note that the application to the PhD Law programme must be submitted at least ten working days prior to the scholarship application deadline as it can take several days for all system checks to be completed and for access to the scholarship system to be granted. 

The online scholarship application form is located in EUCLID and can be accessed via MyEd our web based information portal.

Online scholarship application form

When logging in to MyEd, you will need your University User Name and password (which will be provided once you have applied for the programme). If you require assistance, please visit the University's website.

Guidance on accessing MyEd

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of April 2024. 

Contact Information 

Please contact phd.law@ed.ac.uk if you have any questions about this scholarship.

Applications to this studentship are closed.

The University of Edinburgh will offer PhD scholarships for students starting their PhD research at the University in the 2024-25 academic session. One of these scholarships will be offered through the Edinburgh Law School.

In order to attract the best and brightest PhD students, the University seeks to offer not only unparalleled research facilities and superb supervision, but also to provide development opportunities which will support our research students as they progress beyond their PhD, through this exciting scholarship scheme.

Access

The University of Edinburgh has been working for some time to embed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in its activities and to widen participation (WP) for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. 

The Doctoral College is committed to embedding EDI in all of its policies and processes, and by widening access to postgraduate study to traditionally underrepresented groups, including BAME students and those from the most deprived communities in Scotland and the rest of the world. 

The Doctoral College wishes to attract the greatest diversity of applications to this scheme and will ensure that recruitment processes are robust and unbiased.

Award

Each scholarship covers the University tuition fee as well as an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (approximately £18,622 per annum). The stipend will be paid for a maximum of 3.5 years, subject to satisfactory progress. Awards will be paid pro-rata for part-time candidates.

Eligibility

Candidates for this scholarship must be seeking to start their first year of full-time or part-time PhD study, on campus in the Edinburgh Law School, within the academic year 2024/25 (i.e. September 2024 or January 2025 entry). UK and international students are eligible to apply. Please note that international students are not eligible for part-time study.

These awards cannot be held concurrently with other fully-funded scholarships but can be held with partially-funded scholarships and will be reduced pro-rata.

Applications are welcome across the full range of legal and law-related subjects.

Criteria

Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential. To be considered for this scholarship, you must meet our standard minimum entry requirements. Other factors such as financial status and nationality are not taken into account.

Application Process

Eligible applicants should apply for admission to the PhD Law programme. 

Find out how to apply

You should then complete an online scholarship application form which is located in EUCLID and can be accessed via MyEd our web based information portal.

Online scholarship application form

Please note that you will not be able to access the online scholarship form until you have applied for admission to the PhD Law programme.

The scholarship deadline is 1st Feb 2024

Please note that the application to the PhD Law programme must be submitted at least ten working days prior to the scholarship application deadline.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of April 2024.

Terms and Conditions

Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships 24/25 - Terms and Conditions

Contact Information

Please contactphd.law@ed.ac.uk if you have any questions about this scholarship.

Applications to this studentship are closed.

The College Research Student Awards (CRA) scheme is designed to attract high quality students applying for PhD research. 

The Edinburgh Law School is offering one PhD studentship, supported by the College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, that will pay tuition fees and an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (approximately £18,622 per annum). The stipend will be paid for a maximum of three years, subject to satisfactory progress. Awards will be paid pro-rata for part-time candidates. 

Eligibility 

Candidates for the College Research Award must be seeking to start their first year of full-time or part-time PhD study in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences within the academic year 2024/25 (i.e. September 2024 or January 2025 entry). UK and international students are eligible to apply. Please note that international students are not eligible for part-time study. 

When making our decisions we will consider the applicant’s academic achievements, research proposal, research potential, fit with our research expertise, and the degree of support provided by references. We will not take into account factors such as financial status and nationality. 

When applying for these awards candidates must:

  • Be seeking to start their first year of full-time or part-time PhD study in the 2024/25 academic year.
  • Be of outstanding academic merit and research potential.
  • Include in their personal statements reference to achievements made and their own assessment of their future potential.
  • Be strongly supported by the references given in their PhD application.
  • Note that if College Research Award candidates are applying to study topics eligible for UK Research Council Awards then you must also apply to the relevant Research Council.

Application Process 

Eligible applicants should apply for admission to the PhD Law programme. 

Find out how to apply for a PhD Law

You should then complete an online scholarship application form which is located in EUCLID.

Access online scholarship application form 

Please note that you will not be able to access the online scholarship form until you have applied for admission to the PhD Law programme. 

The scholarship deadline is 1st Feb 2024. Please note that the application to the PhD Law programme must be submitted at least ten working days prior to the scholarship application deadline

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of April 2024. 

Contact Information 

Please contact phd.law@ed.ac.uk if you have any questions about this scholarship.

Applications to this studentship are closed.

The University of Edinburgh is a partner university of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS). The SGSSS awards a number of studentships across Scotland each year through the student-led 'Open' competition. These studentships can be offered as MSc plus PhD (1+3) or PhD (+3) awards depending on the experience of the applicant.

Eligibility

Candidates will normally hold a First Class Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, e.g. BA or LLB.

For the PhD award, applicants should hold (or be currently studying for) a relevant Masters degree. Applicants who are not eligible for the PhD award can apply on a '1+3' basis which starts with a one-year MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice and is then followed by a three-year PhD.

Awards are available to applicants with UK fee status and a limited number of awards are available for international applicants.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact our Unit of Assessment Lead, Dr Anna Souhami (anna.souhami@ed.ac.uk), to check eligibility for the competition before applying.

Value

The studentship covers the cost of UK or international tuition fees and provides a stipend at UKRI rates (approximately £18,662 per year).

How to apply

To be considered for this competition, applicants should:

  1. Apply for admission through the University’s online application system by 17:00 (GMT) 23 November 2023. (Please note you do not need to have received an offer by this date, you must simply have submitted your application). All applicants must have the support of an academic supervisor before applying.

    Find out more about applying for a PhD in the Law School

    Applicants who need an MSc and are applying for 1+3 years of funding can find out more about the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice programme which is approved by the ESRC.

    Find out more about applying to the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice (ESRC track)

  2. Register on the SGSSS online application system Apply. Complete and upload the SGSSS Open Competition application form by 17:00 (GMT) 01 December 2023. Copies of transcripts, a CV and two references will also need to be uploaded by this date.

    Queries about registering or logging into Apply

    Visit the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science Open Competition website

Applicants must meet both deadlines in order to be considered for this funding. Late applications will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted by a Law School panel. Shortlisted candidates will then have the opportunity to work with supervisors to develop the full application for submission in late January/early February 2024.

The University of Edinburgh offers many scholarships for postgraduate study. You should consult the University Scholarship pages for further information on these and other sources of funding that may be available.

Find out more about the range of scholarships offered by the University of Edinburgh

There are a range of additional sources of financial support that you may be eligible to apply to.

Find out more about additional sources of funding for students

Contact us

If you have any questions about our scholarships please don't hesitate to contact us.

phd.law@ed.ac.uk