School of Arts and Creative Industries Dean’s Bursaries (Postgraduate Research Degree Fee-Waivers)

The School of Arts and Creative Industries (ACI) at The University of East London (UEL) invites applications from highly qualified and motivated students for three dean’s bursaries (Postgraduate Research Degree Fee-Waivers) starting in 2026.

Founded in 1898, we at UEL are proud to change lives through education, research and knowledge exchange.

Our 10-year strategy, Vision 2028 is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future.

We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

UEL is an innovative academic community, delivering high-quality applied research that is impact-led, intellectually stimulating, socially relevant and for public good. 

About ACI research

The School of Arts and Creative Industries (ACI) conducts research that addresses real-life issues through creative arts practice.

We are passionate about our research being socially engaged, inclusive and innovative making real world impact to address inequalities.

The Dean’s Bursaries (Postgraduate Research Degree Fee-Waivers) are central to ACI’s and the University’s strategy to enhance the research volume, quality and impact and are part of our investment in research people, culture and environment.

We have great experience in the supervision of practice-based postgraduate research degrees supported by research active academic colleagues who are also experienced arts practitioners, curators and producers.

Research students and staff in ACI are active in areas ranging across creative practice from theatre, film, music, dance, acting, directing, media, applied theatre, journalism, games design, contemporary performance practice, fashion and art and design.

At UEL, postgraduate research degree students will be supported by a community of supervisors committed to their timely progress and development as professional researchers with publishable outputs.

All postgraduate research students at the University of East London benefit from a comprehensive Researcher Development Programme designed specifically for postgraduate researchers to support them to develop academic and professional skills and an understanding of key doctoral milestones.

The programme consists of three key strands:

  • Researcher-ready: This strand of training focuses on helping PGRs navigate the doctoral journey while developing key skills in research design, research theory, ethics, and academic writing.
  • Empowering researchers: This strand of the RDP focuses on peer-to-peer mentoring, ideas sharing, wellbeing, and community.
  • Pioneering researchers: This strand of training focuses on employability skills, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange for academic, industry, alternative career paths.

In the latest REF 2021, both our Units of Assessment achieved world leading or internationally excellent outputs and impact.

About the bursaries

The Dean’s Bursaries (Postgraduate Research Degree Fee-Waivers) (3-years for full time study/6-years for part time study) hosted by UEL's School of Arts and Creative Industries (ACI) and the Centre for Inclusive Research and Creative Arts (CIRCA), are planned to commence January 2026.

The fee-waiver bursary is for a period of three years if student is Full-time and six years Part-time and covers the payment of fees only.

Applications are invited for the Dean’s Bursaries (Postgraduate Research Degree Fee-Waivers) (3-years for full time study/6-years for part time study) for one of our 3 postgraduate research programmes:

  • A fee-waiver for a graduate from one of our STaR Social Justice MRes student programmes to further their postgraduate studies by studying on our Professional Doctorate in Performing Arts.
  • A fee-waiver for a student from the Global South who will further their postgraduate studies by studying on our Distance Learning Professional Doctorate in Performing Arts.
  • A fee-waiver for an expert in arts organisation working in East London with experience of driving social change in the creative arts sector on our MPhil/PhD programme.

Criteria

Applicants must have:

  • BA honours degree or equivalent in a relevant area
  • Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant area.
  • Evidence of sustained commitment to the creative arts particularly in relation to community engagement and impact.
  • Aptitude and experience in primary research and/or practice research.
  • Evidence of strong organisational ability and independent research ethos.
  • Excellent academic skills.
  • Commitment to delivery of a timely completion of the postgraduate research degree.

How to apply

All applicants will need to supply the following to ACIstudentships@uel.ac.uk

  • One-page personal statement identifying why you are applying for one of the Dean’s Bursaries (Postgraduate Research Degree Fee-Waivers) and stating whether you’re applying for full time or part time studies.
  • One-page CV
  • A research proposal - maximum 750 words not including bibliography. Please use this research proposal template.
  • Supporting documentation Please email your degree certificates and transcripts and proof of English language proficiency if relevant.
  • References Please provide contact details of two referees as part of your application. At least one referee must be an academic referee from the institution that conferred your highest degree.
  • (Note: please put Dean’s Bursaries (Postgraduate Research Degree Fee-Waivers) in the email subject heading)

Timeline

  • The closing date for applications is Friday 30 January 2026.
  • Shortlisting will take place soon after.
  • Interviews will take place during the week commencing Monday 9 February 2026.

The PhD candidate will be expected to complete the full application and admissions process to start March/May 2026 and the Prof Doc candidates to start May. Discussion about the start date could be arranged.

For informal discussions about the Dean’s Bursaries (Postgraduate Research Degree Fee-Waivers) please contact:

Additional information