Institute for Advanced Studies fully-funded studentships

We're investing in the next generation of world-class researchers.

Our Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) Studentships represent a £3.6m investment by the University in doctoral research from 2023-2025, with over 30 interdisciplinary studentships awarded to date. In the IAS Studentships 2025 recruitment round, we are pleased to be offering up to 20 fully funded PhD Scholarships: 

  • 3-year full-time equivalent PhD studentships on a fully-funded basis (fees and stipend at the UKRI rate)
  • Fee waivers
  • Bursaries for students who already hold funding awards for fees

IAS Studentship holders will work in collaborative, inter-disciplinary clusters of postgraduate researchers working on complementary doctoral projects.

Explore funded PhD opportunities

We’re offering a range of funded studentship opportunities across three Research Clusters that unite multiple disciplines and give doctoral researchers an opportunity to address key issues in society. Explore our clusters to see where funded PhD opportunities are available. 

Blue Economy

Aquaculture has emerged as one of the fastest-growing food production sectors, providing nearly half of the world's seafood. This cluster will engage in research to find more sustainable aquaculture practice for improved resource use and resilience to climate change. 

Creative Industries

This research cluster is dedicated to advancing innovative and interdisciplinary research that bridges theory and practice in the creative industries.

Health and Wellbeing

Explore how to enhance health and wellbeing outcomes through multi-faceted approaches that take account of the systems and communities in which those outcomes arise.

Depictions of Stirling research

Join our thriving research community

See how research by Stirling experts is impacting society and making a difference in the world.

Attend a webinar

Register for a webinar and join us online to ask questions and find out more about our Institute for Advanced Studies Studentships.

Supporting our PhD students

Find out how our Institute for Advanced Studies supports our growing research community.

Why Stirling?

Find out what makes Stirling the perfect place for PhD study.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about our Institute for Advanced Studies PhD Studentships, please contact us.