Art History postgraduate funding
Applicants to the Postgraduate Research Programmes in the School of Art History may consider applying for any of the relevant scholarship and funding awards listed on these pages.
A more extensive listing of scholarships, including scholarships administered by external organisations, is available in the University’s catalogue of Postgraduate Scholarships.
For further details on scholarships and funding, follow @StAfunding.
To apply for these scholarships, you must already be admitted onto the relevant degree programme.
The following PhD scholarships cover tuition fees and an annual stipend:
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The School of Art History is offering a scholarship for doctoral research in digital art history and digital-born art for starting in Academic Year 2026/27.
We welcome research proposals that employ or critically examine the applications of digital practices, methodologies, and tools in the fields of art history, museum and heritage studies, or the history of photography. Potential subjects include, but are not limited to:
- Data visualisation
- Text mining
- Network analysis
- Digital mapping
- 3D modelling
- Augmented/Virtual reality
- AI and computer vision
- Digital exhibitions and archives
- Scholarly communication by digital means
- Digital-born art, its curation and preservation
The scholarship covers tuition fees at the home rate and a stipend for the 3 years of the PhD programme and is available to Home/EU and overseas students.
If you are interested in being considered for this award, you should contact a relevant member of academic staff in the School of Art History to discuss your research interests and establish whether appropriate supervision is available for you. This PhD is part of the School of Art History’s wider commitment to expanding its expertise in Digital Art History, which includes new online courses and an MLitt in Digital Art History. There are no restrictions in terms of time-period or geography, and the award is open for supervision with any staff members in the School. There may also be potential for cross-School supervision (with for example Computer Science). You should think carefully about who might be best placed to supervise your project and initiate a discussion with them. Full details of staff research profiles can be found here.
You must then complete the University’s application process to the School of Art History PhD programme before submitting this application.
Next, you must complete an application form and send it to the School of Art History Postgraduate Administrator, at pgarthist@st-andrews.ac.uk. Application forms are downloadable from the School website and must be returned by 30 March 2026.
This is a competitive award, and selection will be made based on your academic record, and the merits of the research proposal.
For all general enquiries about this award, in the first instance please contact Dr Emily Savage, Co-ordinator of the MLitt in Digital Art History (ens@st-andrews.ac.uk).
The application form will be available in January 2027.
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The Paul Mellon Centre funding programme, supporting research into British art history, includes our New Narratives Doctoral Scholarship which is an award of £32,000 per year for three years, designed to cover university fees and living costs of an individual embarking on doctoral studies at a UK based institution.
More information can be found here: Art History PhD Funding | Doctoral Scholarship | Grants & Fellowships | Paul Mellon Centre (paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk).
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World-leading scholarships
St Leonard’s Postgraduate College will provide up to 12 fully-funded (tuition and stipend) scholarships to new UK, EU, or international doctoral students who will be starting their degree in the 2026-2027 academic year. Up to 6 scholarships will be allocated to supervisor-led projects, and up to 6 scholarships to student-led ones.
The World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships are intended to contribute to the world-leading theme of the University Strategy. In particular, the scholarships are intended to attract students of exceptional ability and to help develop capacity that strategically strengthens Academic Schools.
The closing date for the student-led project applications close on Wednesday 21 January 2026.
For more information, please visit World Leading Scholarships 2026-2027.
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For postgraduate doctoral applicants who have previously attended a widening participation scheme or received a financial needs-based scholarship at St Andrews for their undergraduate degree. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
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Open to any applicant that meets one of the Home Office categories at fee assessment stage commencing a new course of study: Asylum Seeker, Refugee, Humanitarian Protection, limited or Discretionary leave to remain. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
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The University of St Andrews has a collaborative agreement with the China Scholarship Council to develop research collaborations between the UK and Chinese universities and research institutions. Available to Chinese students wishing to undertake a PhD at the University of St Andrews. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
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For candidates from least developed countries and fragile states in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
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For students who are permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country and meet the application criteria. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
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For students from the USA who have applied to a UK university to study in the Arts or Humanities at doctoral level. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
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This scholarship is available to entrant taught or research postgraduate students from Poland. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
The following PhD scholarships cover tuition fees in full:
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The School of Art History is offering 3 scholarships for doctoral research in any field of art history, museum and gallery studies, or history of photography, for starting in September 2025.
These scholarships cover tuition fees for the three years of the PhD programme, and are available to both Home/EU and overseas students.
If you are interested in being considered for one of these awards, you must first complete the University’s application process to the School of Art History PhD programme by 16 April 2025.
Secondly, you must complete an Application form Art History Fee Scholarship (Word) and send it to the School of Art History Postgraduate Administrator, at pgarthist@st-andrews.ac.uk. Application forms must be returned by 30 April 2025.
These are competitive awards, and selections will be made based on your academic record, and the merits of the research proposal.
For all enquiries, please contact the School of Art History Director of Postgraduate Research, arthistdopgr@st-andrews.ac.uk.
The following scholarships for Research Postgraduates provide part cover for tuition fees:
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The School of Art History at the University of St Andrews invites applications for the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust Museum and Gallery Studies (MGS) Award. The award is worth £5000, and is open to those aiming for a future career as a curator of art. A condition for the scholarship is that the applicant's curatorial focus relates closely to art history.
The award will be granted to a student who is commencing their studies in September 2024 on one of the following MGS/MHS postgraduate options:
- Full time MLitt
- MSt(Res)
- MPhil
- PhD in Museum and Gallery Studies.
The funds will in the first instance be used to cover tuition fees. Any outstanding funds may be used to cover research expenses including travel, materials, rights and reproductions, etc.
Applicants must have been offered a place on the MGS/MHS postgraduate programme and have a first degree in Art History or related subject or have other supporting evidence of a commitment to a career as a curator of art.
Applicants will be required to upload a personal statement, academic transcript and a CV.
This award is available for application through the Scholarships and Funding catalogue.
If you have applied for the MLitt, you can access the catalogue by logging into My Application. You should wait until the next working day after submitting your MLitt application before attempting to access My Application.
If you have applied for the MPhil or PhD, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the Scholarships and Funding catalogue.
The application deadline is 16 May 2025.
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For postgraduate students who have graduated from the University of St Andrews in the last three years. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
The following bursary provides support towards living costs:
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This scholarship can be used in either private or University accommodation. Prospective students can apply for financial support towards their accommodation costs.