Cardiff University PhD Studentships and Projects 2026 | 100 Doctoral Opportunities

Cardiff University is offering a broad range of PhD studentships and research projects for prospective doctoral researchers seeking to pursue advanced study in the United Kingdom. The current doctoral opportunities listing features 100 research projects across numerous academic disciplines, including computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, medicine, psychology, biological sciences, physics, mathematics, environmental sciences, economics, sociology and the humanities.

The opportunities are hosted across Cardiff University’s academic schools, research centres and specialist research groups. Some projects are directly funded, while others are competition funded. A number of projects are open to applicants from around the world, although funding eligibility differs between individual opportunities.

Cardiff University is a member of the Russell Group and has an extensive research environment spanning science, technology, medicine, social sciences, arts and humanities. The university states that its postgraduate research students work with field leading researchers and have access to research facilities and doctoral development opportunities.

About the PhD Opportunities

The Cardiff University PhD studentships and projects listing allows prospective researchers to explore doctoral research opportunities according to academic discipline, department, supervisor, research group, funding status and keywords.

Current areas represented in the listings include:

• Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence

• Cybersecurity and Data Analytics

• Biological Sciences and Biosciences

• Chemistry

• Engineering and Materials Science

• Physics and Astronomy

• Mathematics

• Medicine and Healthcare Sciences

• Psychology and Neuroscience

• Environmental Sciences

• Geography

• Economics

• Politics and Government

• Sociology

• Veterinary Sciences

• Nursing and Health

• Communication and Media Studies

• Architecture, Building and Planning

• Languages, Literature and Culture

Opportunity Benefits

The benefits depend on the funding attached to the selected doctoral project.

• PhD study at Cardiff University

• Access to specialist research facilities

• Academic supervision and research training

• Opportunities to work with established researchers

• Professional development through doctoral training

• Research and training support for eligible funded students

• Living cost support through applicable studentships

• Tuition fee support through applicable funding awards

• Access to doctoral research communities and networks

• Opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration

For UK Research and Innovation supported studentships, Cardiff University states that a typical full time studentship lasts three to four years and can include home tuition fees, additional funding for training and research expenses, and a tax free stipend for living expenses. International applicants should check the funding conditions of each individual project because UKRI funding normally covers home fee levels, with Cardiff providing a fee discount for eligible international students.

Programme Areas

The available doctoral projects cover a wide range of research themes. Examples from the current listing include cybersecurity research, brain imaging, chronic pain and neurodiversity, photon counting interferometry, virtual reality approaches to health, medication adherence, cerebellar network dysfunction, glioblastoma therapy resistance and gene diet interactions in psychiatric risk.

The university also provides opportunities connected to wider doctoral training programmes supported by research councils and other funding organisations. These include areas supported by the AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies according to the selected PhD project and its funding source.

Applicants should:

• Meet the academic entry requirements specified by the selected doctoral project

• Have an appropriate academic background for the proposed research

• Meet any subject specific requirements stated by the project supervisor or academic school

• Check whether the studentship is available to UK, European or international applicants

• Meet the funding eligibility requirements where the project is funded

• Satisfy any English language requirements applicable to the programme

• Review any additional research experience, technical skills or professional requirements listed for the selected project

Applicants should not assume that eligibility for one Cardiff University PhD project applies to another, as the individual projects can have different requirements.

Required Application Information

The application requirements depend on the selected PhD project. Applicants should prepare the materials requested on the specific project page and may need to provide:

• Academic qualifications and transcripts

• Curriculum vitae

• Evidence of relevant academic or research experience

• Research proposal where requested

• Personal or supporting statement where requested

• Evidence of English language proficiency where applicable

• References

• Any additional documents specified by the academic school or funding body

How to Find a Suitable PhD Project

Applicants can use the Cardiff University doctoral opportunities listing to search for projects based on their interests and circumstances.

1. Visit the Cardiff University PhD studentships and projects listing.
2. Search by academic department, discipline, research group, supervisor or keyword.
3. Review the research topic and supervisor information for projects that match your background.
4. Check the funding status carefully to determine whether the opportunity is directly funded, competition funded or intended for self funded applicants.
5. Confirm whether the project accepts international applications if you are applying from outside the United Kingdom.
6. Read the complete eligibility requirements and application instructions for the selected project.
7. Check the exact application deadline and required documents.
8. Prepare your application according to the instructions provided for that specific doctoral opportunity.
9. Submit the application through the application system specified by Cardiff University or the relevant funding programme.