School of International Relations PhD Scholarship in Conflict and Security
- Application period opens
- Monday 1 December 2025
- Application period closes
- Friday 16 January 2026
- Notification date
- The week commencing Monday 2 March 2026
- Entry
- 2026
The School of International Relations offers a friendly, intellectually stimulating, and vibrant environment in which students can assess developments in the international system. Research within the School is focused on three broad themes, one of which is Conflict and Security.
Proposals are welcome across a wide range of topics related to the themes of Conflict and Security, which include, but are not limited to:
- political violence and terrorism
- international security
- conflict between (and within) state and non-state actors
- institutional responses to conflict
- post-war reconstruction
- normative theories of war and peace
- human rights
- regional tensions
- the social construction of conflict
- the political economy of peace and violence.
Value of award (per year)
Home students
The award covers tuition fees in full and a stipend paid at a rate set by the University of St Andrews. For 2025-2026, the stipend is £19,775 p.a, with an annual uplift published by the University each academic year.
Overseas students
The award covers partial tuition fees equivalent to the Home tuition fee rate and a stipend paid at a rate set by the University of St Andrews. For 2025-2026, the stipend is £19,775 p.a, with an annual uplift published by the University each academic year.
Duration of award
3 years of full-time postgraduate study
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:
Domicile for fee status
Schools
Available to students in the following Schools and Departments:
Application assessment
Available to
Mode of study
Geographical criteria
Additional criteria
In support of your application, you will be asked to upload a personal statement (no longer than 1000 words) that addresses how your research fits within the theme of ‘Conflict and Security’.
The scholarship is available only to students starting their studies in September 2026 for the 2026-27 academic cycle. No other entry points for the academic cycle 2026-27 are eligible for the funding.
How to apply
You must have applied for a doctoral or PhD programme at the School of International Relations, University of St Andrews, commencing September 2026.
- Apply for your chosen course at the University St Andrews: Postgraduate research. Your course should meet the eligibility criteria for this scholarship (see above). After submitting your course application, you must allow up to three working days to receive login details for the My Application portal.
- When you have received your login details, apply for the scholarship by logging into My Application, follow the links to Scholarships and Funding and then search for School of International Relations PhD Scholarship in Conflict and Security in the Scholarships and funding catalogue.
Terms and conditions
Please read the University of St Andrews scholarships terms and conditions
To be eligible for the funding, you must:
- not already hold a doctoral degree
- be matriculated for a doctoral degree at the University of St Andrews or another institution.
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 March 2026
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