Funding a research degree

Funding a research degree

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Financial support for advanced levels of study in the UK is limited and often very competitive. Please think carefully about how you will fund your research degree before making an application. 

How much will I need?

You need to consider how you will cover the fees (fee schedules are available here), any research expenses beyond what is provided by the School and living expenses. Many researchers work alongside their studies in order to meet these costs, but please note that full-time registration requires you to dedicate at least 30 hours a week to your studies during term time (15 hours part-time).  

Because of the independent nature of study, it is not necessary to live in London while pursuing your research degree, but you will need to be able to come to the School regularly and sometimes at short notice. Additional work restrictions and participation requirements apply to researchers on student visas. 

Help with costs

Partial fee bursaries

All successful applicants are eligible to apply for a partial fee bursary. The typical fee bursary offered is around 20% of the total fees due, but more substantial bursaries are sometimes offered. The School is committed to diversifying its postgraduate researcher cohort and welcomes fee waiver applications from under-represented groups. 

Guildhall School PGR Studentships

Guildhall School has in the past offered studentships for specific areas of research. We hope from 2027 onwards to have a new raft of funding available, however please be aware that there are no full studentships currently available. Please see below for details of past studentships.  

External studentships and funding

If you are applying for an external studentship or other forms of funding support, please let us know as soon as possible. This is because some funders require supporting documentation from the School or even that an offer for a place be made in advance of our usual deadline – we need as much notice as possible to ensure we can support your application. 

Past PGR studentships

Please note these studentships are not currently recruiting.

Guildhall singer performs in Songs at Six with piano accompanist

PhD Studentship for research on psychological safety in elite performance training

Exploring the significance of social environments that are psychologically safe within the context of elite performance. In association with Loughborough University.

A young woman in a pink lab coat with her hair in curlers holds a broken stethoscope

Guildhall Arts and Health Studentship

Supporting research on the performing arts (music, drama and production arts) in relation to healthcare, medicine, illness, disability and cognate areas.

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PhD Scholarship in Music Therapy

Supporting research on equality, diversity and/or inclusion as it affects clinical music therapy practice or training in the UK or European context.

An installation made of glass, water and green paint, situated in the Barbican's foyer

Barbican-Guildhall Studentship

A product of the longstanding partnership between the Guildhall School and the Barbican, this three-year studentship represents our shared commitment to preparing and supporting creative practitioners to engage with the social context in which they operate.