The University and Faculty offer a wide range of studentships to support MPhil and PhD study. There is comprehensive information about University funding on the Postgraduate Admissions pages.
The University also provides a funding search, which includes the grants available to Faculty Students.
When using this search, please ensure that you choose "Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies" under 'Eligible department', there is no Department-specific search option for our Faculty.
If you indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for University funding, you will also automatically be considered for AMES studentships in your field of study. Some scholarships have separate application forms you must complete as indicated below.
University Funding
| Source | Course | Eligibility | Value | Deadline |
| Open-Oxford-Cambridge Arts and Humanities Research Council DTP | All PhD. |
Home and EU students only, new and continuing students.
Applicants are advised that their application needs to showcase the impact that their research would have, and has the potential to impress readers who have no knowledge of their specific field. In our 2021/22 competition, a minimum of ten awards are available for Home fee status Black and Global Majority students applying for doctoral studying an AHRC subject area through the Open University, University of Oxford or University of Cambridge. A minimum of two of these studentships will be awarded to candidates who identify as Black or Mixed Black, Bangladeshi or Mixed Bangladeshi, and Pakistani or Mixed Pakistani, since these groups are disproportionately under-represented in doctoral study in the Humanities. |
Home students, full fees and maintenance.
EU and International students please see the website. |
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| Gates Scholarship | All MPhil and PhD. | Any non-UK citizens. | Full scholarship. | Varies by course. |
| Cambridge Commonwealth and Cambridge Overseas Trusts | All MPhil and PhD. | Must be about to begin a course, all nationalities. | Varies by scholarship. | Varies by course. |
Faculty Funding
For Japanese Studies funding information please see the dedicated Japanese Studies Funding page.
KOREAN STUDIES |
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| Source | Course | Eligibility | Value | Deadline | Contact |
| Yang Won Sun Foundation Postgraduate Studentship | A part-studentship for an MPhil (Korean Studies) | The studentship is available to applicants of any nationality seeking to pursue an MPhil in Korean Studies at the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge. | £15,000 | 1st December, 2022 |
Dr Nuri Kim nk588@cam.ac.uk |
MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIESStudents are expected to apply to scholarships available both externally and within the University of Cambridge (see links below) to be considered for any of the following departmental funding. |
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| Source | Course | Eligibility | Value | Deadline | Contact |
| Modern Hebrew Studies Scholarships | A part or full studentship for a PhD in Modern Hebrew Studies. | For those studying Modern Hebrew Literature and Israeli cinema, and connected subjects. | Varies | 1st December, 2022 |
Dr Yaron Peleg yp240@cam.ac.uk |
| E. G. Browne Memorial Research Studentship |
A part-studentship for an MPhil or PhD in Middle Eastern Studies (Arabic, Persian).
Priority may be given to PhD applicants. |
Must have graduated with honours in Persian or Iranian, and must be researching in the field. Candidates should not normally have reached the age of 29 on 1st April in the year of candidature. |
Varies, likely to cover home/EU tuition fees.
One year, re-application possible. |
1st December, 2022 |
Dr Christine van Ruymbeke cv223@cam.ac.uk
|
| RA Nicholson Studentship | A part-studentship for an MPhil or PhD in Middle Eastern Studies (Arabic, Persian). | None specified. | Varies. | 1st December, 2022 |
Dr Christine van Ruymbeke cv223@cam.ac.uk
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| Soudavar Research Studentships in Persian Studies | A part or full studentship (Home/EU rate) for an MPhil or PhD in Persian Studies. | All aspects of Persian Studies in the Islamic period are encouraged, particularly those which faculty members are currently researching. | £5,000-£22,000 per year. Renewable by application for 3 years. | 1st December, 2022 |
Dr Christine van Ruymbeke cv223@cam.ac.uk |
| Wright Studentship | A part-studentship for an MPhil or PhD in Arabic Studies. | For those studying Arabic Language and Literature, and connected subjects. | Varied, around £4,000 p/a. Re-application possible. | 1st December, 2022 | Dr Christine van Ruymbeke cv223@cam.ac.uk |
| Hebrew Studies | - | Granted on the basis of need and availiability. | Varies. | - |
Professor Geoffrey Khan gk101@ames.cam.ac.uk |
| Centre of Islamic Studies Studentships | 1-3 part or full studentships for an MPhil or PhD. | For those studying Muslims in the UK or Europe or other topics related to Islam or Muslims in the global age. | Partial or full funding for fees and/or living costs | 1st December, 2022 | Applicants with relevant research interests are considered automatically as part of the normal application process to pursue postgraduate studies at the Faculty. |
| Rapson Scholarship | PhD and MPhil, Indian and Iranian Studies. | Preference given to applicants who use Sanskrit, Pali or Avestan sources. | Varies. Maximum award equivalent to University and College fees at the home/EU rate for up to three years. | 1st December, 2022 |
Dr Vincenzo Vergiani vv234@cam.ac.uk |
Other Sources of Funding
| Source | Course | Eligibility | Value | Deadline |
| Louis Cha Scholarship | PhD and MPhil, Chinese Studies. | St John’s College only. Research in the literature, history and culture of early and dynastic China. | Varies, generally fees and living costs. | Automatic consideration upon offer from St John’s. |
| Simon Henry MPhil Studentship | MPhil, Chinese Studies | Churchill College only. UK students only. | Fully funded studentship. | Please refer to the Churchill College website |
| Soon-Young Kim Award | PhD. Korean Studies, Japanese Studies, Chinese Studies. | Those in the first year of a Post Doctoral Research Fellowship, first year PhD students. Must be studying the history of science and technology. | Varies. Potential for renewal for PhD students. | Please refer to NRI website for further information. |
Small Grant Sources
For Japanese Studies funding information please see the dedicated Japanese Studies Funding page
| Source | Course | Eligibility | Value | Deadline | Contact |
| Bursaries for Researcher Development Training | PhD and MPhil. | Not for language study. | Varies. | Ongoing. |
Prof Laura Moretti lm571@cam.ac.uk
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| Researcher-Led Events Scheme | PhD and MPhil. | For organising conferences and symposia. | Varies. | Ongoing. |
Research Development Office Dr Christian Gilliam christian.gilliam@admin.cam.ac.uk
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| Conference Bursaries for Chinese Linguistics and Language Acquisition | PhD and MPhil. | For travel expenses, must be related to Chinese linguistics/Chinese language acquisition and research. | Up to £500 p/a. | Ongoing. |
Dr. Boping Yuan by10001@cam.ac.uk Application Form
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DMES Travel Fund (Martin Hinds and A J Arberry Funds) |
PhD and MPhil. | Supports travel and residence in the Islamic Middle East and North Africa, or any other Arabic or Persian-speaking country, for the purpose of language courses or similar activities. | Around £100-500. Re-application possible. | Ongoing. | Dr Christine van Ruymbeke cv223@cam.ac.uk Application form
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| A.H. Morton Scholarship for Doctoral Research in Classical Persian Studies | PhD, Classical Persian Studies. | Supports study of Classical Persian and associated subjects. | Maximum £3,000, can be applied for up to final year. | 30th April to start following academic year. | secretary@gibbtrust.org |
| Gibb Memorial Trust Centenary Scholarship | PhD, Middle Eastern Studies (7th Century to 1918) | Must be at an advanced stage in Doctoral Study. | Up to £2000 anually. | 30th April to start following academic year. | secretary@gibbtrust.org |
| Smuts Memorial Fund | PhD or MPhil. | Commonwealth-related work. | Varies. | Ongoing. |
- Centre of Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge, MPhil and PhD, Islamic Studies
- Daiwa Foundation, MPhil and PhD for British citizens, Japanese Studies
- Soon-Young Kim Award, PhD, Korean Studies, Japanese Studies, Chinese Studies
- Universities China Committee in London, PhD, Chinese Studies
- BACS: The British Association for Chinese Studies, Postgraduate, Chinese Studies
- Dunlevie Humanities Studentships
The Faculty also holds a large number of small funds to support current postgraduate students, for example for language acquisition, fieldwork and research travel. Please contact the Postgraduate Administrator for more information.