16 Fully Funded PhD & DPhil Scholarships in Mental Health, Psychology & Public Health (UK, 2026)

Looking for fully funded PhD scholarships in the UK?
This curated list features 16 funded PhD and DPhil studentships across public health, mental health, psychology, digital wellbeing, nutrition, climate action, economics, and social sciences, offered by leading UK universities.

These opportunities provide UKRI-level stipends, tuition fee coverage (UK and/or international), and research training beginning in 2026. Deadlines are approaching fast — early preparation is key.

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🔍 Featured Funded PhD & DPhil Opportunities

1️⃣ DPhil Studentship: Public Health, Digital Exposure & Youth Mental Health

Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
📍 Oxford, UK
💰 £20,780 per year (UKRI-aligned)
🗓 Deadline: 6 February
🔎 Focus: Digital exposure, youth mental health, cross-national public health policy

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2️⃣ PhD Studentship: Modelling Indoor Air Quality & Mental Health

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February
🔎 Focus: Indoor air quality, physical & mental health modelling

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3️⃣ PhD Studentship: Loneliness & Mental Health in UK Policing

School of Psychology, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February
🔎 Focus: Occupational mental health, policing, wellbeing research

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4️⃣ PhD Studentship: Peer Victimisation & Mental Health in FASD

University of Surrey
📍 Guildford, UK
💰 Full UK tuition + UKRI stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26)
⏳ Duration: 3.5 years (from Oct 2026)
🗓 Deadline: 4 February

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5️⃣ ESRC DTP Collaborative PhD: Smartphone Use & Adolescent Mental Health (RE-MIND)

Midlands Graduate School DTP
University of Birmingham & Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 See advert for full funding
🗓 Deadline: 20 February
🔎 Focus: Digital wellbeing, EMA methods, adolescent mental health

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6️⃣ PhD Studentship: Nutrition & Health for E-Sports Performance

Loughborough University
📍 Loughborough, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 5 February
🔎 Focus: Nutrition science, performance, digital sport

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7️⃣ PhD Studentship: Eco-Emotions, Youth Mental Health & Climate Action

Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February
🔎 Focus: Climate anxiety, youth wellbeing, conservation engagement

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8️⃣ PhD Studentship: Digital Toolkit for Informal Caregiver Wellbeing (CareImagined)

School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February
🔎 Focus: Emotion regulation, digital health tools, caregiving

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9️⃣ PhD Studentship: Health Economics

Centre for Health Economics, University of York
📍 York, UK
💰 Tuition (UK or international) + UKRI stipend (£20,780)
🗓 Deadline: 30 January

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🔟 PhD Studentship: Diet, Stress & Cerebrovascular Health

School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 See advert
🗓 Deadline: 25 January

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1️⃣1️⃣ PhD Studentship: BETW33N – Equitable Digital Wellbeing

School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham
📍 Birmingham, UK
💰 Funding details in advert
🗓 Deadline: 17 February

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1️⃣2️⃣ Nigel Groome PhD Studentship: Food, Nutrition & Health in Female Prisoners

Oxford Brookes University
📍 Oxford, UK
💰 £20,780 stipend
🗓 Deadline: 20 February
🔎 Focus: Nutrition, prisons, gender & health equity

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1️⃣3️⃣ Two Fully Funded PhDs in Psychology

University of Liverpool
📍 Liverpool, UK
💰 Full fees + UKRI stipend (£20,780)
🗓 Deadline: 1 March
🔎 Focus: Health psychology, applied research for real-world impact

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1️⃣4️⃣ Supervisor-Led Collaborative PhD Studentships (Social Sciences)

South and East Network for Social Sciences
📍 Colchester, London, Norwich
💰 £23,000 stipend
🗓 Deadline: 16 February

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1️⃣5️⃣ Funded Master’s & PhD Scholarships – Connected Waters Leverhulme Programme

University of Roehampton
📍 London, UK
💰 £10,000 funding
🗓 Deadline: 25 February
🔎 Focus: Water systems, environment, interdisciplinary research

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1️⃣6️⃣ DPhil Studentship: Translational Neuroimaging of Neurogenetic Disorders

Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
📍 Oxford, UK
💰 £20,780 per year
🗓 Deadline: 6 February
🔎 Focus: Neuroimaging, genetics, translational mental health research

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🎯 Who Should Apply?

These funded PhD opportunities are ideal for:

• Final-year Master’s students

• Early-career researchers

• Professionals seeking doctoral training

• Applicants interested in mental health, public health, psychology, climate, nutrition, digital wellbeing, and social policy

Both UK and international students are eligible for many of these studentships.

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🚀 Final Tip for Applicants

Most UK PhD studentships are highly competitive.
👉 Contact supervisors early
👉 Prepare a strong research statement
👉 Secure academic references in advance

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🔗 Explore more funded PhD, Master’s, and Fellowship opportunities:
👉 https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=scholarship