PhD Studentship – World-Leading Scholarship in English
University of St Andrews
St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom
General Description
The University of St Andrews invites applications for a fully funded PhD Studentship under the prestigious World-Leading Scholarship in English, offered through the School of English and supported by St Leonard’s Postgraduate College. This opportunity enables an outstanding doctoral candidate to undertake research on the project titled “Exporting the Nation: Making the Commonwealth, Re-Making Men.”
The project examines the cultural and ideological persistence of the British Empire during its period of decline between 1945 and 1965. It explores how post-war Britain continued to invest in overseas territories and encouraged migration of the white middle classes to the Commonwealth. Through analysis of fiction and film, the research investigates how narratives of migration, development, and identity portrayed the Commonwealth as a space for national renewal, often centred on themes of masculine transformation and struggle.
The doctoral research will examine multiple narrative forms including historical fiction and cinema to understand how storytelling helped shape modern British identity and post-war masculinity. The project may include works such as John Masters’ India-set novels, Hammond Innes’s Campbell’s Kingdom (1952), and films like Where No Vultures Fly (1951). The successful candidate will have scope to refine and shape the final thesis focus while engaging with interdisciplinary scholarship across literature, film, cultural history, and gender studies.
Doctoral students at the University of St Andrews benefit from a dynamic research environment with strong academic supervision, integration into the research community, and access to training and development opportunities. St Leonard’s Postgraduate College provides a supportive postgraduate community and professional development through skills sessions, workshops, and career guidance. According to the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, more than 88% of research at St Andrews is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
The expected start date for this doctoral programme is September 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have applied for a PhD programme at the University of St Andrews in the School of English.
Candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree and must not currently be enrolled in a doctoral programme at St Andrews or another institution.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a good undergraduate degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent) in English, History, or a related discipline.
A master’s degree is desirable but not essential.
The scholarship is open to applicants of any nationality with no geographical restrictions.
Applicants must demonstrate strong academic merit and research potential.
Non-native English speakers must meet the English language requirements set by the University of St Andrews.
Required Expertise/Skills
Strong academic background in English literature, cultural studies, history, film studies, or related humanities disciplines.
Demonstrated interest in post-war British culture, empire, Commonwealth studies, gender studies, or related fields.
Excellent research and analytical skills.
Ability to conduct interdisciplinary analysis of literary and visual texts.
Capacity to develop and pursue an original doctoral research project aligned with the theme of the scholarship.
Salary Details
The scholarship includes a full tuition fee award and an annual stipend of £19,775 per year (2025–2026 rate), with an annual uplift determined by the University of St Andrews. The stipend is paid pro-rata for part-time students.
The scholarship duration is up to 3.5 years for full-time study or up to 7 years for part-time study. The award does not cover continuation, extension, or resubmission fees, visa fees, Immigration Health Surcharge, IELTS fees, travel to and from the UK, or research training grants.
Application Deadline
24 April 2026