The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship 2027 offers outstanding students from around the world the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The scholarship supports academically excellent researchers across all academic disciplines and provides comprehensive financial assistance throughout their doctoral studies.
The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme covers the University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance for living expenses, a personal research allowance of £6,000, eligible student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs for international students, and economy travel to and from Cambridge.
The scholarship is open to applicants of any nationality. Both full-time and part-time PhD applicants can be considered, including eligible candidates applying through an integrated MRes+PhD route.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, Cambridge’s main funding deadlines are 8 December 2026 and 6 January 2027, depending on the course. Applicants must check their chosen PhD course to identify the correct deadline.
Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship 2027: Overview
| Scholarship detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship |
| Host institution | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Study level | PhD / doctoral research |
| Eligible nationalities | All nationalities |
| Eligible subjects | All academic disciplines |
| Study mode | Full-time and part-time |
| Eligible programmes | PhD and qualifying integrated MRes+PhD programmes |
| Tuition fees | University Composition Fee covered at the appropriate rate |
| Maintenance allowance | Living-cost support; the published 2025–2026 rate was £21,360 |
| Research allowance | £6,000 over the PhD |
| Visa and healthcare costs | Eligible student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs covered for international scholars |
| Travel support | Economy travel to and from Cambridge, subject to the programme’s conditions |
| Number of awards | Approximately 45 annually |
| Application method | Apply for admission and funding through Cambridge’s Applicant Portal |
| Separate scholarship application | No separate scholarship application form is required |
| Application deadline | 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course |
| Official scholarship website | https://www.hardingscholars.fund.cam.ac.uk/ |
| Official Cambridge funding deadlines | https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/funding |
What Is the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme?
The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme (HDPSP) was established in 2019 with support from the David and Claudia Harding Foundation.
Its purpose is to support academically outstanding PhD researchers at the University of Cambridge, regardless of nationality or academic discipline.
The programme aims to give talented researchers the financial freedom to focus on their studies and produce research that contributes meaningfully to their academic fields and society.
Approximately 45 scholars are selected each year. Recipients join a wider community of researchers and have opportunities to participate in academic events and activities organised for Harding Scholars.
Unlike scholarships restricted to a particular country or subject, the Harding programme welcomes applicants from across the world and across Cambridge’s academic disciplines.
Benefits of the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship 2027
The scholarship offers a comprehensive funding package designed to support doctoral research and living expenses.
1. Full Tuition Fee Coverage
The scholarship covers the University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate for the duration of the funded course.
This means eligible scholars receive support for their Cambridge tuition fees, whether charged at the Home or Overseas rate.
For international students, this benefit can significantly reduce the cost of pursuing a PhD in the UK.
2. Maintenance Allowance for Living Expenses
Scholars receive a maintenance allowance to help pay for living expenses during their doctoral studies.
The programme’s published allowance for the 2025–2026 academic year was £21,360. This figure should not automatically be treated as the rate for students starting in 2027–2028, because maintenance rates may change.
The scholarship initially provides maintenance funding for 3.5 years. Scholars may request additional maintenance funding for the final six months of the 12-month writing-up period, subject to the programme’s conditions.
This support can help with accommodation, food, transport and other essential living expenses in Cambridge.
3. £6,000 Personal Research Allowance
Harding Scholars receive a personal research allowance of £6,000 over the course of the PhD.
The allowance can support approved academic and research-related expenses, including:
- Books and academic materials.
- Research-related conference attendance.
- Membership fees for academic associations.
- A laptop and other eligible research resources.
- Other approved research-related activities.
The allowance is intended for personal research expenses and is not an unrestricted cash bonus. Scholars should review the programme’s guidelines before making purchases.
4. Student Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge Costs
Eligible international scholars can receive coverage for the standard UK student visa application cost and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for the duration of the visa granted.
The programme generally reimburses these expenses after the scholar arrives in Cambridge and submits the required documentation.
Applicants should be prepared to pay eligible costs upfront if necessary and confirm the reimbursement process with the programme before making arrangements.
5. Economy Travel to Cambridge and Return Travel Home
The programme covers eligible economy travel from the scholar’s usual place of residence to Cambridge at the beginning of the course and return travel home at the end of the funded period, subject to its conditions.
This benefit applies to eligible scholars travelling from within or outside the UK.
The programme’s travel rules set limits on reimbursement. Additional costs beyond the eligible economy fare may need to be paid by the scholar.
6. Additional Financial Support
The Harding programme also offers discretionary support, subject to approval and applicable conditions.
Potential support includes:
- Sickness pay equivalent to up to 28 weeks of maintenance in a rolling 12-month period.
- Assistance in unexpected or exceptional financial circumstances.
- Support for parental leave.
- Child-dependent allowances for eligible scholars with accompanying children.
These additional benefits are not automatic. Scholars should consult the official terms and conditions to determine whether they qualify.
Who Is Eligible for the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship?
The scholarship is intended for academically outstanding applicants who are seeking to pursue doctoral research at the University of Cambridge.
The main eligibility requirements include the following.
1. Applicants Must Be Applying for an Eligible PhD
Applicants must be pursuing a full-time or part-time PhD at Cambridge.
Candidates applying through an eligible integrated MRes+PhD programme can also be considered.
The scholarship is not generally available to fund the remaining period of a PhD that has already started at Cambridge.
2. Applicants From Any Nationality Can Apply
The scholarship is open to applicants worldwide, including candidates from Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan, the United States and other countries.
There is no nationality restriction under the programme’s general eligibility criteria.
International applicants must still satisfy Cambridge’s admission requirements and any applicable UK immigration requirements.
3. Applicants Must Demonstrate Academic Excellence
The scholarship is highly competitive. Applicants must be assessed as academically excellent by the department or faculty to which they apply.
Departments and faculties consider academic transcripts, references, previous experience and the applicant’s potential to succeed in the proposed course.
Meeting the basic admission requirements does not guarantee a scholarship.
4. Applicants Must Meet the Relevant Course Requirements
Academic qualifications, research proposals, references and other requirements depend on the selected PhD course.
Applicants should check the course page carefully and prepare all documents requested by their department or faculty.
5. College Eligibility
Harding Scholarships can be held at all Cambridge Colleges except Trinity College and St John’s College.
Applying to either Trinity College or St John’s College does not automatically prevent a candidate from being considered for the scholarship. However, a successful candidate offered a Harding Scholarship would need to change to an eligible College to take up the award.
A proportion of scholarships are associated with St Catharine’s College, reflecting David Harding’s previous association with that College.
Is the Harding Scholarship Open to International Students?
Yes. The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship welcomes candidates from all nationalities.
International scholars receive the applicable tuition fee coverage and maintenance support, alongside the programme’s research allowance and eligible travel and immigration benefits.
For students coming from outside the UK, coverage of eligible student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs can help reduce the financial burden of relocating to Cambridge.
Applicants should note that the scholarship’s general international eligibility does not guarantee admission. Selection depends on academic excellence and the competitiveness of the applicant pool.
How to Apply for the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship 2027
The scholarship does not require a separate scholarship application form. Instead, applicants apply for their Cambridge PhD and indicate that they wish to be considered for funding.
Follow these steps to apply.
Step 1: Choose an Eligible PhD Course
Visit the University of Cambridge postgraduate course directory and identify a PhD programme that matches your academic background and research interests.
Official course directory: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses
Review the course’s entry requirements, research areas, application documents and funding deadline.
Step 2: Prepare Your PhD Application
Gather the academic transcripts, degree certificates, research proposal, references and other documents required by your chosen department.
Some courses may have additional requirements, such as a writing sample, portfolio or evidence of relevant research experience.
Step 3: Apply Through Cambridge’s Applicant Portal
Complete the online application for your chosen course.
In the Funding your Study section, select the option indicating that you wish to apply for funding.
This step is essential because the university uses your course application to assess your eligibility for relevant funding opportunities, including the Harding Scholarship.
Step 4: Submit Before Your Funding Deadline
The applicable deadline depends on the course.
Cambridge’s main funding deadlines for 2027–2028 entry are:
- 8 December 2026
- 6 January 2027
Check the specific deadline on your course page and submit your complete application, including references, by the relevant date.
If your course has an earlier deadline, the earlier date applies.
Step 5: Undergo Academic Assessment
The department or faculty assesses your application and identifies candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic potential.
Candidates who meet the programme’s academic criteria may then be considered for a Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship.
Step 6: Wait for the Funding Decision
The Harding programme’s published timeline indicates that scholarship selection takes place in late February 2027, with offers usually made from late February to early March.
Successful candidates may need to accept the award within a short period, usually seven days after receiving the offer.
The exact timing may vary, so monitor your email and Cambridge Applicant Portal for official communications.
Harding Scholarship 2027: Important Dates
| Event | Expected date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | September 2026 |
| Main Cambridge funding deadline 1 | 8 December 2026 |
| Main Cambridge funding deadline 2 | 6 January 2027 |
| Departmental academic assessment | December 2026–February 2027 |
| Harding Scholarship selection | Late February 2027 |
| Scholarship offers | Late February–early March 2027 |
These are general programme and university timelines. Your specific PhD course may have an earlier application deadline or additional requirements.
How Competitive Is the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship?
The Harding Scholarship is highly competitive because it is awarded to academically outstanding candidates across many disciplines.
Approximately 45 scholarships are awarded annually, and departments assess applicants based on their academic records, references, relevant experience and potential to succeed in doctoral research.
Applicants can strengthen their submissions by preparing a clear research proposal, securing strong academic references and ensuring that their proposed research fits their chosen department.
However, no application strategy guarantees an award. The final decision depends on the university’s assessment and the quality of the applicant pool.
FAQs
1. Is the Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers the University Composition Fee and provides a maintenance allowance, a £6,000 personal research allowance, eligible visa and IHS costs for international scholars, and economy travel to and from Cambridge.
2. What is the application deadline for 2027 entry?
The main Cambridge funding deadlines are 8 December 2026 and 6 January 2027, depending on the course. Applicants must confirm the correct date on their chosen PhD course page.
3. Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes. Applicants of any nationality are eligible to be considered, provided they meet the academic and course-specific requirements.
4. Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application?
No separate scholarship application form is required. You must apply for your PhD through Cambridge’s Applicant Portal and indicate that you wish to apply for funding.
5. How much is the maintenance allowance?
The programme’s published maintenance allowance for 2025–2026 was £21,360. The rate applicable to 2027–2028 should be confirmed with the official programme before publication or financial planning.
6. Does the scholarship cover international tuition fees?
Yes. The scholarship covers the University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate, including the Overseas rate for international students.
7. Can I apply if I am already studying at Cambridge?
You may be eligible if you are currently studying an undergraduate or master’s programme at Cambridge and are applying for a PhD there. However, candidates who have already started their PhD at Cambridge cannot normally apply to fund the remaining period of that doctorate.
8. How many Harding Scholarships are awarded each year?
Approximately 45 scholarships are awarded annually, although the exact number can vary.
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