British Society for Eighteenth Century Studies Postgraduate Taught Scholarship

In order to increase opportunities for access to postgraduate study and promote diversity within the cohorts of these programmes, the British Society for Eighteenth Century Studies is delighted to offer one bursary, worth £25,000, to one BAME¹ student enrolling on a postgraduate taught programme within English, History or Modern Languages and Cultures in 2026/27.

This scholarship is open to BAME applicants for the MA programmes in either English, History or Modern Languages and Cultures whose study interests connect chronologically and thematically with those of the Society for Eighteenth Century Studies.

This award is limited to applicants classified as Home students for fees purposes.

If you require further information please contact Professor James Clark: J.G.Clark@exeter.ac.uk.

This bursary will be awarded as a one year tuition fees deduction of £11,000 plus a living stipend for one year of £14,000; it cannot be paid as cash. The tuition fees element will be automatically deducted from your first year tuition fees upon enrolment. The stipend will be paid in monthly instalments directly to the student’s UK bank account.

This award is for one year only and is not recurrent for subsequent years of study.

Applicants whose ability to undertake the programme will be dependent on the outcome of a successful bursary application can request a deposit deadline extension to the scholarship notification date. To do this, please contact pg-ad@exeter.ac.uk.

1 Self-identify as Black, Asian, Arab, Mixed or Other (all ethnic minorities in the UK)

How to apply

To apply, you must complete and submit an online application form here, including a short (800 word) letter of application providing an explanation of how your intended studies connect chronologically and thematically with those of the Society for Eighteenth Century Studies, whose aims are outlined here: https://www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/.

The deadline for applications is: 31 July 2026.

Applications will be checked initially to ensure that the eligibility criteria have been met.  Applications will then be considered by a nominated panel.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email by 11 August 2026. If you are offered the award then the offer email will explain the next steps.

Summary