Music and Performing Arts PhD scholarship

Award

PhD scholarship including:

• a stipend of £20,780 per year*
• a tuition fee waiver for three years
• an annual expense allowance of £500.

*Please note that CCCU’s stipend rate is based on the UKRI rate. Rates beyond 2024-25 are forecasted and are subject to change.

Deadline

22 April 2025

Eligibility criteria

Applications will be considered based on the quality of the research proposal and its alignment with one of the research themes outlined below. The strengths of the individual candidate (in relation to academic competence and commitment) will be considered.

A good first degree (2.1 or First class) and Master’s in Music or Performing Arts (or relevant discipline) or equivalent relevant professional experience are essential.

All non-native speakers of English must be proficient in written and spoken English.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake 150 hours of teaching related work during years 2 and 3 of study.

You must have applied for both a place on the PhD programme, as well as a scholarship by the scholarship application deadline.

The successful candidate must be available to begin their studies 1 October 2025 on a full-time basis.

The successful candidate must live in the UK during their studies, within commutable distance to campus.

We welcome applications from researchers in underrepresented groups. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds, as well as from those returning from a career break.

International applicants will need to confirm in their application that if successful in gaining a scholarship they would undertake UK visa applications in a timely manner, including any planning for necessary health insurance, etc.

Scholarship focus

We are looking for research proposals that align with one of the below research areas:

• Dance practice and/or theory
• Performing arts practice and/or theory
• Musical composition, improvisation or contemporary music/sound studies
• Music technology and accessibility
• Historical studies of performance and/or reception.

For any queries regarding the above focuses, contact Professor Robert Rawson, Professor of Musicology and Historically Informed Performance.

How to apply

Please discuss your research ideas with a potential supervisor ahead of applying.

You will be required to submit a research proposal and asked to interview with a potential supervisor in the faculty.

Submit your application via our website:

• Click on the 'Apply now' button in the blue bar at the bottom of this page.
• Select 'Music’, ‘Performing Arts’ or ‘Dance’ for your subject area.
• Select full-time study and October 2025 as a start date.
• Tick the box on the proposal form to indicate application for a scholarship alongside a place on the PhD programme.

You will be required to upload:

• two references
• your completed research proposal form
• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• evidence of your qualifications
• a pass in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if required.

For any queries about the application and admissions process please contact Postgraduate Admissions.