Gardner Scholarship

Nursing Studies at the University of Edinburgh is delighted to be offering an exciting opportunity for a graduate of the department to undertake a fully funded, 3-year PhD studentship commencing September 2027.

This is an excellent opportunity for graduates of Nursing Studies who wish to further their career by undertaking a research degree leading to award of a PhD on successful completion of their studies.

The scholarship is funded from the Gardner Bequest which was left to Nursing Studies by Bill Gardner, husband of Elsie Stephenson, Nursing Studies’ founding Director.

This funding model includes a full-time studentship for up to 3 years (36 months), subject to you making satisfactory progress with your PhD research. Applicants will receive the following depending on their fee status:

  • Payment of home fees plus a stipend; or
  • Payment of international fees plus a stipend 

The stipend amount will be confirmed by the University in May 2027. The current UKRI stipend level for 2026/2027 is: £21,805 pa for full-time students.


This opportunity is open to UK and International Nursing Studies graduates of the University of Edinburgh. 

Applicants must be a graduate of Nursing Studies (University of Edinburgh) either from the MSc/MN programme or the BN(Hons) programme.

Applicants must satisfy the entry requirements for the PhD Nursing Studies programme at University of Edinburgh. 

For information on the PhD entry requirements, please visit: Nursing Studies PhD - Postgraduate research programmes


When making selection decisions, the school will consider the following information from your PhD application:

  • applicant’s academic achievements 
  • quality of the research proposal
  • relevance of the research proposal to our research themes 
  • degree of support provided by references

Applicants must follow the online application process for the PhD Nursing Studies programme (further information on how to do so can be found under 'Applying'). Applicants should indicate that they would like to be considered for the Gardner Scholarship via the application form.

We strongly recommend you contact potential supervisors within the department before applying.

Completed PhD admission applications must have been made by 23:59pm (UK Time) on Monday 19th April 2027.


The selection panel will make their decision after the deadline and the successful candidate who will be awarded the scholarship will be informed of their success in May 2027. 


Please contact the PGR Programme Director (Nursing Studies) if you have any questions: catherine.clarissa@ed.ac.uk 


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