Current PhD studentships available

Explore our fully funded PhD studentships

We currently have fully funded PhD studentships available with the Centre for Equity in Mental Health at the University of Huddersfield.

There are more proposed projects than funded studentships available, making this a competitive application process. Following interview, the strongest applicants will be offered a studentship.

We encourage you to discuss your research ideas with potential supervisors before submitting your application.

Please note: These fully funded PhD studentships are currently available to home applicants studying full-time only.

Application process

To apply please submit the documents listed below to pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk in full by Friday 13 November 2026:

A motivational email as to why you wish to apply for the scholarship, stating which project you are applying for.
A 2,000-word research proposal outlining how you plan to undertake for the research topic you are applying for. Find further guidance on writing a research proposal.
A copy of your CV.
Copies of transcripts and certificates of all relevant academic and/or any professional qualifications.
References from two individuals (at least one to be an academic reference). Please contact your referees and ask them to send your references directly to pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk from their work email address (references can be submitted late but must be received by Friday 4 December 2026).
Proof of eligibility e.g. a scan of your passport photo page.

Please state the research project title in the subject area of the email when sending through your documents.

Need further support?

For any queries regarding eligibility or submitting documents, please email: pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk

Informal enquiries about individual projects should be directed to the primary contact listed for each project.

Summary of the award

Type of Award: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Eligibility: These scholarships are open to UK applicants only; ideally with an MSc in a relevant subject area, applicants with a First-Class Honours degree may also be considered.

Location: Huddersfield

Funding: 3 years full-time research covering tuition fees and a tax-free bursary (stipend) starting at 21,805 for 2026/27.

Duration: 3 years full-time

Current PhD studentships available

Economic Impact of VCFSE Mental Health Support This PhD will investigate the health and economic impact of VCFSE organisations, exploring how their interventions improve mental health and reduce pressure and costs for NHS services.

Realist Evaluation of NHS Community Partnerships This PhD explores how NHS and community partnerships can support mental health recovery and what makes these models effective.

Reducing Illicit Drug Use Project (RISUP) This project explores the adaptation, implementation and evaluation of the Reducing Illicit Drug Use Project (RISUP).

Mental Health & Behaviour Change Using UK Biobank Explore how lifestyle, behaviour and social factors influence mental health over time using large-scale UK Biobank data and quantitative research methods.

Young Carers Supporting Adults with Mental Illness Explore the lived experiences and support needs of young carers supporting adults with mental health difficulties, using participatory and co-production approaches.

Faith-based organisations' mental health support Investigate the benefits and challenges of faith-based organisations' contribution to mental health service provision as part of a programme to improve outcomes for local communities.

The benefits and challenges of faith-based organisations

Proposed PhD project title Understanding the benefits and challenges of faith-based organisations' contributions to mental health service provision and support

Background and rationale This PhD scholarship forms part of a wider programme of work to improve mental health support and outcomes for communities across Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Faith-based organisations play an important role in supporting mental health and wellbeing within many communities and are often trusted sources of support, particularly for underserved populations. In addition to informal support, some organisations provide structured mental health interventions that are explicitly aligned with particular faith traditions.

While faith-based support may offer benefits such as accessibility, cultural relevance and trust, tensions may arise where faith-based perspectives differ from established mental health models or evidence-based interventions. There is therefore a need for a nuanced understanding of the ways in which faith-based organisations contribute to mental health support and service provision, and the opportunities and challenges associated with this involvement.

Findings from this research will inform efforts to strengthen community-based mental health support within the region, while generating insights with wider relevance for policy and practice.

Research aim To understand, from a range of stakeholder perspectives, the benefits and challenges of faith-based organisations contributing to MH service provision and support

Research objectives

To gain understanding of the ways in which faith-based organisations contribute to MH service provision and support
To identify, from the perspective of a range of stakeholders, perceived benefits of faith-based organisations contributing to MH service provision and support
To identify, from the perspective of a range of stakeholders, perceived challenges of faith-based organisations contributing to MH service provision and support

Research methods Applicants should propose and justify a methodological approach and research design that addresses the project aim and objectives. Approaches that explore the perspectives and experiences of relevant stakeholders are likely to be particularly valuable. The final study design will be refined with the supervisory team.

Application process Applicants should submit a research proposal based on the project outlined above. The proposal should demonstrate a critical understanding of the relevant literature and evidence base. Applicants are encouraged to explain and justify their chosen methodology, including consideration of data collection and analysis methods, stakeholder involvement, and any ethical issues relevant to the proposed research. While the final study design will be developed in collaboration with the supervisory team, the proposal should demonstrate the applicant's ability to develop a coherent and feasible doctoral research project.

For subject-specific enquiries please contact Dr Amanda Firth <a href="mailto:a.d.firth@hud.ac.uk">a.d.firth@hud.ac.uk</a>