Cardiff University has announced 100 PhD studentships and research projects for the 2026/2027 academic cycle, creating outstanding opportunities for aspiring researchers from the UK and around the world. As one of the United Kingdom’s leading Russell Group universities, Cardiff offers fully funded and competitive doctoral projects across a wide range of disciplines, including artificial intelligence, medicine, engineering, psychology, biosciences, physics, mathematics, healthcare, and the humanities.
Many of the available projects are open to international applicants, while funding eligibility varies depending on the individual studentship. Applicants are encouraged to review each project carefully to confirm funding status, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines.
Cardiff University offers 100 PhD opportunities
The university’s postgraduate research portal currently lists 100 PhD studentships and research projects across multiple academic schools. These projects are supervised by internationally recognised researchers and provide candidates with the opportunity to contribute to innovative research addressing global challenges.
The available studentships span numerous disciplines, including:
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics
- Computer Science and Cybersecurity
- Engineering and Materials Science
- Medicine and Healthcare Sciences
- Psychology and Neuroscience
- Biological Sciences
- Physics and Astronomy
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Environmental Sciences
- Politics, Sociology, Languages and Humanities
With projects available in both STEM and social science fields, Cardiff University provides opportunities suitable for graduates from diverse academic backgrounds.
Funding and eligibility
Funding arrangements differ between projects, but the listings include opportunities for:
- UK students
- European students
- Non-European (international) students
- Self-funded doctoral candidates
Several projects are marked as Competition Funded and are open to students worldwide, while others are directly funded for eligible applicants. International candidates should verify whether tuition fees, living stipends, and research costs are covered before submitting an application.
Featured PhD projects
Among the 100 available doctoral opportunities are several highly competitive research projects with international eligibility.
CyberInvent: Where Cybersecurity Research Meets Real-World Impact explores cutting-edge cybersecurity research within the School of Computer Science and Informatics. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Mapping the Developing Brain: Linking Structure and Function through Imaging focuses on advanced neuroimaging research within the School of Psychology and welcomes worldwide applicants.
Other notable projects include research on chronic pain and neurodiversity, adaptive virtual-reality exergaming for older adults, medication adherence in first-episode psychosis, glioblastoma therapy resistance, gene-diet interactions in psychiatric risk, prostate cancer immunotherapy, and space-time quantisation using photon-counting interferometry.
These projects demonstrate the breadth of Cardiff’s interdisciplinary research environment and its commitment to advancing scientific discovery.
Application deadlines
While some PhD projects accept applications on a rolling basis, many competitive studentships have fixed deadlines.
Key deadlines include:
| Project type | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| Competition-funded Psychology projects | 21 October 2026 |
| Healthcare Sciences projects | 21 October 2026 |
| Biosciences projects | 21 October 2026 |
| Physics and Astronomy project | 30 October 2026 |
| CyberInvent (rolling applications) | Applications accepted all year |
Applicants should submit their applications well before the stated deadlines, as funded doctoral positions are highly competitive.
Why study at Cardiff University?
Cardiff University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, recognised globally for excellence in research and higher education. Doctoral researchers benefit from world-class laboratories, specialist research facilities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and supervision from leading academics.
The university’s Doctoral Academy also provides professional development, research training, networking opportunities, and career support designed to prepare PhD candidates for academic and industry careers.
How to strengthen a PhD application
Prospective applicants can improve their chances by preparing a strong research-focused application. A competitive application typically includes:
- A strong academic record relevant to the chosen discipline.
- A well-written research proposal where required.
- Clear evidence of research experience or technical skills.
- An updated academic CV highlighting publications, projects, or laboratory experience.
- Strong academic references from lecturers or research supervisors.
- A tailored personal statement demonstrating alignment with the selected research project.
Applicants should also contact prospective supervisors where appropriate to discuss research interests before submitting their formal application.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through Cardiff University’s official postgraduate research application system. Each PhD listing contains detailed information about eligibility, funding availability, supervisory team, required documents, and the application procedure.
Because funding conditions vary between projects, candidates should carefully read the individual project description before applying.
