Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) Vice-Chancellor PhD Scholarship 2027 in UK | How to Apply

The Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) PhD Scholarship is a PhD studentship scheme from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) in the United Kingdom, and the 2027 round is now in its 12th year. A maximum of 20 studentships will be awarded this year, and the call is open to both UK and international students. Applications opened on 7 October 2026 and close at 5pm on 29 January 2027.

Also read: Guides on how to apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

The most important thing to know is that you do not submit this application alone. Your lead supervisor at LJMU must fill the form with you and send it in on your behalf, and applications without an identified supervisor are not accepted. So your first job is to find a supervisor whose research matches your project, and the sections below explain what each of you needs to prepare.

LJMU VC PhD Scholarship Summary

Benefits and Funding for the LJMU VC PhD Scholarship

Full-time studentship

• Course fees paid
• Stipend (see the LJMU Doctoral Academy page for the current amount)
• Bench fee of £1,600 per year, paid to your lead supervisor to cover research costs

Part-time studentship

• Course fees paid
• Bench fee of £1,600 per year, paid to your lead supervisor

The bench fee must be spent each year and is not rolled over except in exceptional cases. It is managed by your lead supervisor and not by the finance office.

The scheme also offers a skills development programme designed for both academic and alternative-academic careers.

Don’t Miss This: DAAD-ACEH Scholarship of Excellence in Germany — Fully Funded

LJMU VC PhD Scholarship Eligible Applicants

• You can be a UK citizen or a non-UK citizen (home and international fee status), applying for a full-time or part-time PhD.
• You must meet the academic requirements for PhD study at LJMU.
• If you are doing a Master’s degree now (taught or research), you must finish it before you enrol on the PhD in August or September 2027.
• You cannot apply if you are already enrolled on an LJMU PhD or any other level 8 programme.
• The scheme does not support Professional Doctorates or other non-PhD level 8 registrations.

Requirements for your lead supervisor

• Must be permanent staff at Lecturer or Senior Lecturer level or above
• Postdoctoral researchers and research assistants cannot be lead supervisors, but they can join the supervisory team
• A staff member can supervise more than one applicant but can be the nominated lead supervisor for only one

Countries Not Accepted

LJMU is not currently accepting applications from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, Sudan, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq. Nigeria is not on this list.

Applicants from countries on the LJMU Pre-CAS interviews page must do a pre-CAS interview before a CAS (the visa document) is issued. I did not have that list, so Nigerian applicants should check it.

Read This: Universiti Malaya Bright Scholarship 2027 | PhD in Malaysia

Ring-Fenced Scholarships for UK Ethnic Minority Applicants

Up to three of the scholarships are reserved for UK applicants from under-represented ethnic minority backgrounds. This is a positive action measure under section 158 of the Equality Act 2010. It applies only to UK applicants who meet the residency rules.

What Your Application Must Contain

1. Student information and details
2. A “Lay Summary” of up to 250 words explaining the rationale, aims, objectives and planned outcomes for a non-specialist reader
3. Your research proposal and training plan
4. A “Statement of Link” connecting your project to the University Strategy 2030 or the relevant Faculty Research and Knowledge Exchange Plan
5. The Equal Opportunities monitoring form, which you must send yourself directly to [email protected] and not through your supervisor

Do not add any other material. Extra documents will not be included in the assessment.

If your project involves an external organisation, LJMU’s Research and Innovation Services must review it before you submit. Send the organisation’s full name, address, webpage, main contact and its intended role to Jane Townend ([email protected]), with Peter Leather ([email protected]) in copy. A review comes back within ten working days.

Join Lucy’s Scholarship Mentorship Group

Get step-by-step guidance, live group reviews, and exclusive support to find, apply, and win global scholarships.

Join Now, Let's Waka Together →

LJMU VC PhD Scholarship Application Process

1. Choose your research area. Browse the LJMU faculty and school pages and find staff whose specialisms match your project.
2. Agree a lead supervisor. Contact a permanent Lecturer, Senior Lecturer or higher.
3. Download the application template.
4. Complete the form with your supervisor. Fill in your details, the lay summary, the proposal and training plan, and the statement of link.
5. Email the international admissions team (international applicants). At the same time as you fill the form, write to [email protected] about English language requirements and visa questions.
6. Send your equal opportunities form. Put your name at the top and email it to [email protected] by 5pm on 29 January 2027.
7. Your lead supervisor submits. They email the final form to [email protected] by 5pm on 29 January 2027. Nothing is accepted after the deadline.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the LJMU VC PhD Scholarship 2027 is 5pm on 29 January 2027

Read More: Canada Graduate Research Scholarships Master’s (CGRS M) 2027 | Fully Funded

International applicants must resolve visa and English language issues themselves.

How Applications Are Judged

There are two stages. First, each faculty’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee reviews applications. Second, the University Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee, chaired by Professor George, reviews the highest-ranked applications from each faculty.

Applications are scored on:

• The calibre of the candidate, covering academic qualifications, research achievements, outputs, experience, skills and abilities (this counts double)
• The experience, achievements and quality of the supervisory team
• The quality of the research project, including the lay summary, the proposed research, the PhD training plan, and the link to LJMU strategies and priorities

After the Decision

All applicants and lead supervisors are told the outcome by 15 April 2027, whether successful or not. Successful students then complete the formal LJMU online PGR application form to register for the PhD. Do not fill that form until you know the result of the VC studentship process.

Read This: Erasmus Mundus WOP-P Scholarship in Europe — Fully Funded

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nigerians apply for the LJMU VC PhD Scholarship?

Yes. International applicants are accepted, and Nigeria is not on the list of excluded countries. You need a lead supervisor at LJMU, and you must email LJMU International Admissions about English language and visa requirements.

Can I apply without a supervisor?

No. Application forms without an identified supervisor are not accepted, and the lead supervisor submits the form on your behalf.

What is the deadline?

5pm on 29 January 2027. No applications are considered after 5pm.

Does the scholarship include a stipend?

Full-time studentships include a stipend plus paid course fees. Part-time studentships cover course fees and the bench fee only. Check the Doctoral Academy page for the stipend amount.

When will I know the result?

Applicants and lead supervisors are contacted by 15 April 2027.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of October 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official LJMU VC PhD Scholarship website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with Liverpool John Moores University.

Official Application Portal