Applied Sciences

Chancellor’s Scholarships

We are seeking the very best graduates from across the UK to participate in our Chancellor’s Scholarships Scheme, which gives those selected access to a full tuition waiver on their research degree, as well as additional funds to attend national and international conferences to disseminate and publish their research.

Details

To celebrate 200 years of the University of Huddersfield, which in 1825 was established as The Science and Mechanics Institute, we are awarding Chancellor’s Scholarships across all PhD disciplines.

These scholarships are available across all academic disciplines for research undertaken on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Eligibility criteria

Our Chancellor’s Anniversary Scholarships Scheme is a competitive application process open to home (UK resident) candidates and to be eligible you must have achieved one of the following:

• 2:1 honours degree or above.
• Distinction at taught Master’s.
• Master’s by Research degree and have a letter of recommendation from your supervisor.

Research degrees include the following awards; PhD, Professional Doctorates, Master’s of Arts by Research, and Master’s of Science by Research.

General

The University of Huddersfield reserves the right to vary or withdraw the waiver at any point in future academic years.

All scholarship students must successfully complete progression monitoring at the end of each academic year to continue the scholarship award.

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact gs.pgradmissions@hud.ac.uk

How to apply

To apply, complete our online expression of interest form. Please make clear on your form that you wish to be considered for our Chancellor’s Anniversary Scholarship Scheme.

For more information on applying, please visit our how to apply for a research degree page.

The following deadline dates will apply:

PGR Start Date	Application Deadline Date
Sept/Oct 2025	13 June 2025
January 2026	17 October 2025
April 2026	23 January 2026

 

Selection process

All eligible candidates will be subject to interview as part of the selection process. This will be arranged by the relevant academic school.

Further information

For further information, please contact the Graduate School at gs.pgradmissions@hud.ac.uk

Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Scheme 

If you’re a Huddersfield graduate, looking to undertake a full-time or part-time research degree, you may be eligible for a full fee-waiver on your research degree.

The scholarship is open to home and international candidates. 

Please note, for international students our Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Scheme provides a fee waiver of at least 50% on full-time or part-time research degrees, some schools may offer 100%.

 

Eligibility criteria 

Our Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Scheme is a competitive application process and to be eligible, you must have achieved one of the following: 
 
- a first-class honours degree 
- a distinction at taught Master’s 
or 
- be recommended based on your Master’s by Research by your supervisor and academic school 
and 
- graduated from the University of Huddersfield in the last three years.  

Any offer will be conditional on your degree outcome if you are graduating in the current academic year.

 

General  

Available for research undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis including PhD, Master of Arts by Research, and Master of Science by Research.  

Scholarship is only available for the standard registration period only,  

For doctoral awards, or PhD, the fee waiver will be for 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time 

For Master’s by Research awards, the fee-waiver will be for 1-year full time or 2 years part time.  
 
The fee waiver will not apply to any research undertaken outside of this standard registration period, including any write up period.  
 
The University of Huddersfield reserves the right to vary or withdraw the waiver at any point in future academic years.  

Please note, that this fee waiver is subject to availability.  
 

How to apply 

To apply, complete our expression of interest form. Please make clear on your form that you wish to be considered for our Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship Scheme. 

To be considered for the scheme, ensure you meet the application deadlines:  

PGR Start Date	Application Deadline Date
Sept/October 2025	13 June 2025
January 2026	17 October 2025
April 2026	23 January 2026

 

Selection process 

All eligible candidates will be subject to interview as part of the selection process. This will be arranged by the relevant academic school.

Further information 

For more information, please contact the Graduate School at gs.pgradmissions@hud.ac.uk  

Industry Funded PhD Studentship: Characterisation and Optimisation of Starch used in Paper Manufacturing

Starch plays a crucial role in paper manufacturing, enhancing paper strength, surface properties, and printability. However, variability in starch quality, processing conditions, and raw material properties can significantly impact performance, leading to inefficiencies and increased production costs. Optimising starch formulations and processing techniques is essential in improving paper quality and sustainability within the industry. This research project aims to characterise and optimise starch used in paper manufacturing by investigating current materials and processes, exploring enzymatic modifications, and assessing starch efficiency.

Key skills and topics from this course

The project will provide valuable insights into improving starch functionality by linking raw material properties to paper performance. Additionally, the study will explore alternative materials, such as polysaccharide blends and chemically or enzymatically modified starches, to enhance paper strength and contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable materials in paper production, benefiting both industry and the environment.

Most of the work will be performed within the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Huddersfield. However, this is an industrially funded studentship supported by DS Smith, a leading provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging worldwide, with recycling and papermaking operations across Europe. The project will involve occasional visits to DS Smith paper manufacturing facilities and will have access to their Fibre and Paper Development Laboratory in Kemsley, UK.

During the PhD, the successful candidate will develop a broad range of skills crossing the disciplines of materials science, biochemistry and analytical chemistry. Techniques will include rheology, materials testing, spectroscopy, surface analysis, molecular weight analysis and developing novel analytical techniques.    

Supervisors are Prof. Alan Smith and Prof. Gordon Morris - Biopolymer Research Centre, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield.

Important information

• This opportunity is only available to UK citizens or those with settled status. 
• Applicants should have a Master’s degree at distinction level or a 2.1 or 1st class undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline. A strong background in materials science, enzymatic processes, or polymer chemistry, particularly carbohydrate/polysaccharide chemistry is desirable, along with excellent analytical and laboratory skills.  
• The project would particularly suit candidates with a strong industrial focus as it will provide a valuable insight into large scale manufacturing. 
• The successful candidate will benefit from full funding, including a stipend of £20,750 p/a, collaboration with industry, and access to state-of-the-art research facilities and opportunities for travel. 
• Closing date for applications is the 8th August. Project to commence in October 2025.

How to apply

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter to Professor Alan Smith a.m.smith@hud.ac.uk or Professor Gordon Morris g.morris@hud.ac.uk.