PhD Scholarships for Black British Students
In 2023, we launched our Black British PhD Scholarships to enable talented students to study at a world-class university
The University of Exeter's Black British PhD Scholarships will cover all costs associated with PhD study including full tuition fees, living costs, a training grant, as well as providing funding for an internship or placement.
In addition to the financial package, successful students will also receive mentoring and support specific to their studies to help ensure that they fulfill their potential during their time with us and beyond.
This initiative has been established by generous support from founding donors Sarah Turvill (the University’s former Chair of Council) as well as philanthropist Roger De Freitas, and private equity fund manager Wol Kolade CBE.
A minimum of 8 scholarships will be awarded over the lifetime of the scheme, with the University match-funding external support.
We welcome applications from candidates in subjects across the academic spectrum. In year 1 (the 2023/24 academic year), three PhD scholarships will be recruited, one to each of the University’s three Faculties – Environment, Science and Economy; Health and Life Sciences; and Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
“We are thrilled to launch this new scholarship scheme thanks to the generosity of Roger, Wol, and Sarah. Through these donations, we will significantly enhance the commitment in our strategy to support talented individuals from all backgrounds to help them thrive, and to foster a truly inclusive research culture. There are too few Black Professors in the UK, and this scheme is just one way in which we are acting to change this, by creating a talent pipeline from PhD to senior leadership levels.” Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice-Chancellor
The University has committed to supporting 8 fully-funded scholarships. Together with philanthropic partners, we are aiming to create 4 more.
Each studentship costs £124,000 to deliver and, thanks to a generous donor, a quarter (£31,000) of four scholarships has been funded, leaving a shortfall of £93,000 per scholarship.
The University can claim an additional 25% on gifts from qualifying UK taxpayers. Higher Rate and Top Rate taxpayers may also be able to reclaim an additional amount in a tax return.
Gifts can also be made over the four years of a PhD Scholarship.
Gifts of all sizes are welcomed. The table below gives illustrative costs for a donor gifting the £93,000 shortfall to create one additional PhD scholarship:
Contact
If you are interested in supporting Black British PhD Scholarships, or you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.