Art History postgraduate funding
Applicants to the Postgraduate Research Programmes in the School of Art History may consider applying for any of the relevant scholarship and funding awards listed on these pages.
A more extensive listing of scholarships, including scholarships administered by external organisations, is available in the University’s catalogue of Postgraduate Scholarships.
For further details on scholarships and funding, follow @StAfunding.
To apply for these scholarships, you must already be admitted onto the relevant degree programme.
The following PhD scholarships cover tuition fees and an annual stipend:
-
2024 entry
The School of Art History at the University of St Andrews and The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections are pleased to offer a Collaborative Doctoral Award studentship, funded by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities, to support a student undertaking doctoral research in the following project: Women, Gender, and Political Engagement at The Glasgow School of Art.
Project description
This doctoral project offers an exciting opportunity for a student to work closely with The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections to uncover and communicate marginalised histories of gender and politics from the late nineteenth through to the twenty-first centuries. The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) welcomed women as students and teachers as early as the mid-nineteenth century, developing a modernising curriculum that permitted them to study life drawing earlier than their contemporaries elsewhere, and instrumentalise their art in the campaign for suffrage. Yet GSA’s Archives and Collections still contain uncatalogued and unresearched material related to the political activities of women artists (including trans women, nonbinary and genderqueer practitioners), whose work speaks to the construction of women as political subjects, and to the intersections of gender with class, race and sexuality.
The successful student will develop their own research project within the parameters of the award. Possible research questions could include (but are not limited to):
- What was unique about GSA’s environment that stimulated widespread political engagement by artists who identified as women, and what challenges did they face?
- What forms did this political engagement take – for example, from engagements with suffrage campaigns to the anti-nuclear movement and ecological concerns – and how are they evidenced in the archive?
- How might marginalised histories of gender, political organising, and feminist, anti-racist and LGBTQIA+ activism be surfaced through the archive and collections?
- What contributions might these narratives make to wider developments in queer feminist art histories?
- How can we communicate marginalised histories at GSA relating to gender and sexuality, alongside the broader political activism of students and staff, to a wider public?
The doctoral researcher will have unprecedented access to diverse material in GSA’s Archives and Collections, together with a wide range of visual media including ceramics, sculpture, metalwork, book illustration, posters, film, costumes, textiles, drawing and painting. Projects must be grounded in GSA Archives and Collections, but we welcome projects that consider material across the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The project has the potential to encompass wider networks of GSA artists in Scotland and globally, and could also include the rich seam of contemporary practice that has responded to material in the archive. Please visit https://www.gsa.ac.uk/archives for more information about the possible material which the project could encompass.
This is a Collaborative Doctoral Award, supervised by the School of Art History at the University of St Andrews and The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections. The researcher will be registered for the PhD at the University of St Andrews, while also spending a minimum of six months working with GSA Archives and Collections. At GSA Archives and Collections they will have the opportunity to develop skills in archival, museum and curatorial practice and public engagement. These include cataloguing, documentation and the creation of oral histories, online content, and pop-up exhibitions.
The Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities CDA studentship also offers:
- A core programme with fundamental training activities which support the student to develop their skills as a future research leader.
- Access to advanced inter/disciplinary training through SGSAH’s innovative Discipline+ Catalysts.
- Connection and collaboration with organisations across the creative, cultural, heritage and third sectors through Knowledge Exchange Hubs.
- Extra funds to gain additional skills through training and internships.
- Opportunities for travel abroad to carry out research and fieldwork.
- Opportunities to be a Visiting Doctoral Researcher at an international Higher Education Institute.
- The chance to join an engaged and committed cohort of doctoral researchers working across the full range of arts and humanities disciplines.
For more information on SGSAH, please see their website: https://www.sgsah.ac.uk/
The student will be supervised by Dr Shona Kallestrup and Dr Catherine Spencer in the School of Art History at the University of St Andrews, and Michelle Kaye (Collections Lead) and Polly Christie (Archives & Collections Manager) at The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections.
Informal enquiries regarding this Collaborative Doctoral Award may be addressed to Dr Shona Kallestrup – email sk61@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Start date
1 October 2024. Please note that this offer cannot be deferred to a subsequent academic year.
Duration of award
3.5 years full-time or 7 years part-time. The successful candidate will be expected to have completed the doctorate degree by the end of the award term. The award term excludes the continuation period and any extension periods.
Tuition or maintenance award
Tuition and maintenance.
Value of award
The SGSAH CDA offers an annual stipend of approx. £19,600 (full time) plus fees at the Home (UK) student rate. The University of St Andrews will cover the additional fees for an international student.
Eligibility
Applicants should:
- Hold at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
- Have completed, or be on course to complete, a Masters Degree in a relevant discipline and/or demonstrate equivalent relevant professional experience.
- Be able to demonstrate preparedness for the proposed collaborative doctoral project.
Equivalent professional experience could include, but is not limited to: a good track record of employment in a library, archive, museum or heritage setting that includes relevant research skills. We particularly encourage candidates who can demonstrate an interest in feminist historical approaches and methodologies.
For English-language requirements, please consult: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/entry/language-requirements/postgraduate/.
Applicants must not already (i) hold a doctoral degree; or (ii) be matriculated for a doctoral degree at the University of St Andrews or another institution.
Applications are particularly welcome from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in professional posts at the University. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience and form a central pillar of the University Strategy. We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter and Race Charters). For more information see: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/art-history/equality-diversity/
Geographical criteria
No restrictions.
Domicile for fee status
No restrictions.
How to apply
Please send the following application documents to pgarthist@st-andrews.ac.uk:
- A Personal Statement (500 words) detailing your qualifications and/or relevant experience for the studentship.
- A Research Proposal (1000–1500 words) outlining how you would approach the project and respond to the brief.
- A short Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- An academic writing sample (e.g. Masters chapter, or undergraduate dissertation where the applicant does not have a MA qualification).
- The names and contact details of two academic/professional referees.
Please submit your application documents by the deadline of Friday 17 May 2024 (applications close at 5pm UK time).
Please ensure your referees can provide (on request) their reference by Monday 27 May 2024. Referees will only be contacted for shortlisted candidates.
Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held on Tuesday 28 May, online via MS Teams.
-
The Paul Mellon Centre funding programme, supporting research into British art history, includes our New Narratives Doctoral Scholarship which is an award of £32,000 per year for three years, designed to cover university fees and living costs of an individual embarking on doctoral studies at a UK based institution.
More information can be found here: Art History PhD Funding | Doctoral Scholarship | Grants & Fellowships | Paul Mellon Centre (paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk).
-
In recent years, the School of Art History has enjoyed considerable success in securing Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Studentship Funding for doctoral students. For further information about eligibility and how to apply, please consult the University’s webpages on these awards.
-
For postgraduate doctoral applicants who have previously attended a widening participation scheme or received a financial needs-based scholarship at St Andrews for their undergraduate degree. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
-
Open to any applicant that meets one of the Home Office categories at fee assessment stage commencing a new course of study: Asylum Seeker, Refugee, Humanitarian Protection, limited or Discretionary leave to remain. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
-
The University of St Andrews has a collaborative agreement with the China Scholarship Council to develop research collaborations between the UK and Chinese universities and research institutions. Available to Chinese students wishing to undertake a PhD at the University of St Andrews. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
-
For candidates from least developed countries and fragile states in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
-
For students who are permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country and meet the application criteria. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
-
For students from the USA who have applied to a UK university to study in the Arts or Humanities at doctoral level. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
-
This scholarship is available to entrant taught or research postgraduate students from Poland. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
The following PhD scholarships cover tuition fees in full:
-
The School of Art History is offering 3 scholarships for doctoral research in any field of art history, museum and gallery studies, or history of photography, for starting in September 2024.
These scholarships cover tuition fees for the three years of the PhD programme, and are available to both Home/EU and overseas students.
If you are interested in being considered for one of these awards, you must first complete the University’s application process to the School of Art History PhD programme by 1 April 2024.
Secondly, you must complete an Application form Application form Art History Fee Scholarship (Word) and send it to the School of Art History Postgraduate Administrator, at pgarthist@st-andrews.ac.uk. Application forms must be returned by 15 April 2024.
These are competitive awards, and selections will be made based on your academic record, and the merits of the research proposal.
For all enquiries, please contact the School of Art History Director of Postgraduate Research, arthistdopgr@st-andrews.ac.uk.
-
The School of Art History is offering a scholarship for doctoral research in digital art history and digital-born art for starting in September 2024.
We welcome research proposals that employ or critically examine the applications of digital practices, methodologies, and tools in the fields of art history, museum and heritage studies, or the history of photography. Potential subjects include, but are not limited to:
- Data visualisation
- Text mining
- Network analysis
- Digital mapping and GIS
- 3D digitisation and modelling
- Augmented/Virtual reality
- AI and computer vision
- Digital exhibitions and archives
- Scholarly communication by digital means
- Digital-born art, its curation and preservation
The scholarship covers tuition fees for the 3 years of the PhD programme, and is available to Home/EU and overseas students.
If you are interested in being considered for this award, you should contact a relevant member of academic staff in the School of Art History to discuss your research interests and establish whether appropriate supervision is available for you.
You must then complete the University’s application process to the School of Art History PhD programme by 6 May 2024.
Secondly, you must complete an Application form (Digital Art History Fee Scholarship application form (Word)) and send it to the School of Art History Postgraduate Administrator, at pgarthist@st-andrews.ac.uk. Application forms must be returned by 20 May 2024.
This is a competitive award, and selection will be made based on your academic record, and the merits of the research proposal.
For all enquiries, please contact Dr Emily Savage, ens@st-andrews.ac.uk.
-
The School of Art History in collaboration with Art UK is offering a scholarship for doctoral research in digital art history for starting in September 2024.
Art UK is a digital repository for all public art collections in the UK. It houses data from over 3,400 institutions, totalling more than 300,000 works of art by over 50,000 artists. The collections range from museums and town halls to universities and hospitals.
We welcome research proposals on any aspect of art history or museum and heritage studies. Proposals should indicate how the applicant intends to utilise ArtUK data in their research. Potential subjects include, but are not limited to: the histories of British collecting practices; the representation of women and minority artists in British collections; and the origins and development of university and teaching collections.
The scholarship covers tuition fees for the 3 years of the PhD programme, and is available to Home/EU and overseas students.
If you are interested in being considered for this award, you should contact a relevant member of academic staff in the School of Art History to discuss your research interests and establish whether appropriate supervision is available for you.
You must then complete the University’s application process to the School of Art History PhD programme by 6 May 2024.
Secondly, you must complete an Application form (ART UK Fee Scholarship application form (Word)) and send it to the School of Art History Postgraduate Administrator, at pgarthist@st-andrews.ac.uk. Application forms must be returned by 20 May 2024.
This is a competitive award, and selection will be made based on your academic record, and the merits of the research proposal.
For all enquiries, please contact Dr Emily Savage, ens@st-andrews.ac.uk.
The following scholarships for Research Postgraduates provide part cover for tuition fees:
-
The School of Art History at the University of St Andrews invites applications for the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust Museum and Gallery Studies (MGS) Award. The award is worth £5000, and is open to those aiming for a future career as a curator of art. A condition for the scholarship is that the applicant's curatorial focus relates closely to art history.
The award will be granted to a student who is commencing their studies in September 2024 on one of the following MGS/MHS postgraduate options:
- Full time MLitt
- MSt(Res)
- MPhil
- PhD in Museum and Gallery Studies.
The funds will in the first instance be used to cover tuition fees. Any outstanding funds may be used to cover research expenses including travel, materials, rights and reproductions, etc.
Applicants must have been offered a place on the MGS/MHS postgraduate programme and have a first degree in Art History or related subject or have other supporting evidence of a commitment to a career as a curator of art.
Applicants will be required to upload a personal statement, academic transcript and a CV.
This award is available for application through the Scholarships and Funding catalogue.
If you have applied for the MLitt, you can access the catalogue by logging into My Application. You should wait until the next working day after submitting your MLitt application before attempting to access My Application.
If you have applied for the MPhil or PhD, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the Scholarships and Funding catalogue.
The application deadline is 29 April 2024.
-
For postgraduate students who have graduated from the University of St Andrews in the last three years. For further details, please consult the University webpages on this award.
The following bursary provides support towards living costs:
-
Through a generous bequest of the late Mrs Dinah Coyne, the Richard III Society has made £30,000 available for a bursary fund to support postgraduate students in the study of medieval art from 1350 to 1500.
The Bursary is administered through the St Andrews Institute of Mediaeval Studies (SAIMS) and the School of Art History.
The Bursary is intended to support eligible students of outstanding promise. It will be awarded in sums not exceeding £10,000 (to students beginning a PhD, where no other funding, or only partial funding, has been obtained from another source) or up to £5000 (to PhD students who need financial help to finish a PhD after their funding has expired). The phasing of the payments will be discussed with successful applicants.
MPhil students may also be considered eligible for support if their work is of truly exceptional promise. In this case smaller sums may be judged appropriate by the St Andrews Institute of Mediaeval Studies and recommended accordingly.
The Bursary is intended to support research in the eligible areas, including fees, maintenance or other expenses that contribute to the successful completion of a recipient’s degree. It may not be used for other purposes, including research unrelated to the degree.
Application is by the attached form (below) and must be accompanied by a reference from the applicant’s supervisor or else a respected medievalist who knows the applicant’s work. Applications will not be considered on a rolling basis but only within specified periods advertised on the website of the St Andrews Institute of Mediaeval Studies.
Eligibility
Applicants must be studying for a research postgraduate degree (normally PhD) at the University of St Andrews.
Applicants must be resident in the UK.
In accordance with Dinah Coyne’s intentions, and the interests of the Richard III Society, an applicant’s degree must have a complete or substantial focus on art history of the period c.1350-c.1500. ‘Art’ as used here is not necessarily the same as ‘material culture’. Anyone requiring advice on the eligibility of their research will be encouraged to ask Professor Julian Luxford (School of Art History) about it before completing an application form.
Financial circumstances will be considered in relation to applications.
Requirements of successful applicants
By accepting a Bursary, an applicant agrees to acknowledge support from the Richard III Society-Dinah Coyne Bursary in their thesis and any publication directly deriving from it.
Recipients of the Bursary will be required to write a short report (at least 1,000 words) on the use made of the Bursary for publication in the Richard III Society magazine, The Ricardian Bulletin (or, if appropriate, produce an article for publication in The Ricardian journal).
The application period for 2023 is 1 November – 15 December.
Queries should be directed to under the Director of SAIMS, Prof. Margaret Connolly (mc29@st-andrews.ac.uk), or Prof. Julian Luxford (jml5@st-andrews.ac.uk).
Applicants are advised that no member of staff will be involved in assessing the application of anyone he/she/they are currently supervising.
Submitted applications are considered final and resubmissions cannot be accepted.
The Richard III Society - Dinah Coyne Bursary Application form (Word)
On completion, please submit this form to Margaret Connolly (mc29@st-andrews.ac.uk) and Julian Luxford (jml5@st-andrews.ac.uk).
-
This scholarship can be used in either private or University accommodation. Prospective students can apply for financial support towards their accommodation costs.