The Graduate School at the University of Westminster is delighted to confirm the launch of 10 fully funded PhD studentships, generously supported by the Quintin Hogg Trust, for entry in the 2026/27 academic year. Successful applicants will begin their doctoral studies in September 2026.
These prestigious studentships are open across twelve Schools within the University, offering opportunities to pursue innovative research within a wide range of disciplines. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant School PhD Coordinator for informal discussions about their research interests and the application process.
Author: Dr Niaz Chowdhury (LinkedIn)
Designation: Lecturer (Computer Science)
Affiliation: Ulster University, Birmingham, UK
What Westminster Is Looking For
In selecting candidates, the University will prioritise:
- Research proposals aligned with one or more themes of Westminster’s Research Communities
(see: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/research/communities) - Interdisciplinary research ideas that span multiple subject areas
- Applications that uphold the University’s commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion
Studentship Funding Package
Each studentship includes:
- A full tuition fee waiver at the Home fee rate
- An annual stipend at UKRI levels, inclusive of London weighting
(2025/26 figures: £5,006 UK fees; £22,780 stipend – 2026/27 rates to be confirmed) - Funding for three years of full-time study*
Applicants from overseas are welcome. However, international students must cover the difference between Home and Overseas fees, which are £17,510 for 2026/27.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 5pm, Friday 6 February 2026
- Interviews: Week commencing 9 March 2026
Applicants must clearly state the programme they wish to be considered for and include the title “The Quintin Hogg Trust Studentship” within their application.
Useful guidance can be found on the following pages:
- Entry requirements: westminster.ac.uk/research-degrees/entry-requirements
- How to apply: westminster.ac.uk/research-degrees/how-to-apply
- Thinking of Doing a PhD: westminster.ac.uk/thinking-of-doing-a-phd
Participating Schools and Available PhD Programmes
Below is an overview of the twelve Schools participating in this year’s studentship scheme, including their research strengths, available programmes, and key contacts.
School of Humanities
Based at the historic Regent Street site, the School of Humanities offers a dynamic and multidisciplinary research community. Applicants may work within or across fields such as:
- English literature
- Linguistics
- Translation studies
- Visual culture
- Modern languages
- Creative writing
- History
The School particularly welcomes proposals in:
- Culture, ethnicity and migration
- Heritage, cultural memory and identity
- Decolonising the humanities
Contact: Dr Sara Dominici – s.dominici1@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD English Literature
- MPhil/PhD English Language
- MPhil/PhD Linguistics
- MPhil/PhD Visual Culture
- MPhil/PhD Modern and Applied Languages
- MPhil/PhD History
- MPhil/PhD Creative Writing
School of Applied Management
Research in this School centres on business information systems, project and operations management, and the built environment. Priority themes include:
- Digital business and information systems
- Business process modelling
- Knowledge representation and ontology engineering
- Construction management and digital construction
- Sustainability and climate change
- Project management
Interdisciplinary proposals addressing societal or organisational impact are highly encouraged.
Contact: Dr Alireza Nazarian – a.nazarian@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD Business Information Management
- MPhil/PhD Project Management
- MPhil/PhD Operations Management
- MPhil/PhD Property and Construction
School of Architecture and Cities
The School invites applications connected to its research groups:
- Architectural Humanities
- Emerging Territories
- Transport and Mobilities
- Design Practices
- Active Travel Academy
- Centre for Air Traffic Management Research
Research on sustainable cities, mobility, architecture by practice, and urban design is particularly welcome.
Contact: Dr Kate Jordan – k.jordan@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD Architecture
- MPhil/PhD Architecture by Practice
- MPhil/PhD Transport
- MPhil/PhD Urban Design
School of Arts
Home to CREAM, a world-leading centre for research in arts and media, the School welcomes proposals in:
- Moving image and media aesthetics
- Expanded photography
- Art and society
- Fashion
- Music
CREAM is especially interested in research relating to:
- Environmental and ecological questions
- Sustainability in relation to art and technology
- Global majority perspectives
- Archival research and alternative historiographies
Contact: Dr Ozlem Koksal – o.koksal1@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD Music
- MPhil/PhD Creative Media
- MPhil/PhD Moving Image and Media Aesthetics
- MPhil/PhD Expanded Photography
- MPhil/PhD Visual Arts
- MPhil/PhD Fashion
School of Computer Science and Engineering
Research spans ten groups across cutting-edge computing and engineering disciplines, including:
- Digital signal and image processing
- IoT and sensor networks
- Cyber security
- Deep learning
- Multimedia technologies
- Software systems
- Healthcare applications
Contact: Dr Alexandra (Aleka) Psarrou – psarroa@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD Computer Science
- MPhil/PhD Electronic Engineering
School of Finance and Accounting
The School welcomes proposals in:
Accounting:
- Accounting standards
- Auditing
- Corporate governance
- Financial disclosure
- Sustainability reporting
- Taxation
Finance:
- Capital markets
- Corporate finance
- Behavioural finance
- FinTech and digital finance
- Market microstructure
- Sustainable finance
Contact: Dr Alireza Nazarian – a.nazarian@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD Accounting
- MPhil/PhD Finance
Westminster Law School
A leading centre for socio-legal and interdisciplinary legal research, the School’s strengths include:
- Legal theory
- Law and technology
- Human rights
- Criminal justice
- International and EU law
- Legal professions and legal education
- Entertainment law
Contact: Dr Alexandra Fowler – a.fowler@westminster.ac.uk
Programme:
- MPhil/PhD Law
School of Life Sciences
With modern laboratories and a strong international research profile, the School supports work in:
- Molecular and cellular biology
- Biotechnology
- Human health and performance
- Biopolymers and nanotechnology
- Nutrition and public health
- Ageing and inflammation
- Social prescribing and resilience
Contact: Dr Polly Hayes – p.hayes@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
- MPhil/PhD Biology
- MPhil/PhD Biotechnology
- MPhil/PhD Microbiology
- MPhil/PhD Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry
- MPhil/PhD Nutrition
- MPhil/PhD Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy
School of Management and Marketing
Research interests include:
- Customer experience
- Services and digital marketing
- Cultural and organisational influence
- Sustainable consumption
- Sustainable tourism and events
- Social innovation
Contact: Dr Alireza Nazarian – a.nazarian@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD Business Studies and Strategy
- MPhil/PhD Consumer Research
- MPhil/PhD Marketing
- MPhil/PhD Tourism
School of Media and Communication
Westminster pioneered media studies in the UK and is home to CAMRI, one of the world’s leading centres for communication research. Areas of expertise include:
- Journalism
- Media policy
- Digital communication
- Creative media industries
Contact: Dr Alessandro D’Arma – A.DArma@westminster.ac.uk
Programme:
- MPhil/PhD Media Studies
School of Organisations, Economy and Society
The School hosts two Research Centres and three Research Groups, with interests in:
- Labour standards and worker rights
- Global health policy
- Migration (particularly gender and health)
- Education and labour economics
- International trade and investment
- Applied econometrics
- HRM and EDI
- Social and corporate sustainability
- Entrepreneurship and innovation
Contact: Dr Alireza Nazarian – a.nazarian@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD Economics
- MPhil/PhD Human Resource Management
- MPhil/PhD Leadership and Development
- MPhil/PhD Entrepreneurship
School of Social Sciences
The School offers PhD programmes in:
- Psychology
- Politics and International Relations
- Sociology
- Criminology
Its three research centres include:
Centre for Social Justice Research (CSJR)
Focus: social inequalities, prisons, migration, gender, race, education, and class.
Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD)
Focus: global democracy, political theory, and international politics; ranked 4th in the UK for impact (REF 2021).
Westminster Centre for Psychological Sciences
Themes include:
- Health, stress and wellbeing
- Learning and development
- Brain, cognition and perception
- Identity, self and society
- Forensic and investigative psychology
Contacts:
CSD – PoliticsIRPhDEnquiries@westminster.ac.uk
CSJR – SocCrimPhDEnquiries@westminster.ac.uk
Psychology – PsyPhDEnquiries@westminster.ac.uk
Programmes:
- MPhil/PhD Criminology
- MPhil/PhD Politics and International Relations
- MPhil/PhD Psychology
- MPhil/PhD Sociology
Additional Note on Enrolment
A minimum full-time enrolment of 33 months is required before submission. Fee waivers apply for the three funded years, followed by a six-month writing-up period with no fees. After this, if submission has not taken place, a £1,500 extension fee applies.
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