Fully funded PhD studentships in Islamic Studies

Through the generosity of the Hartwell Fund and the Sheikh Zayed Fund, the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge is delighted to be able to invite applications for two fully funded doctoral awards in Islamic Studies for candidates wishing to commence research from 1 October 2025.  The Hartwell Studentship is offered at the Overseas fee rate, and the Sheikh Zayed Studentship at the Home fee rate, both with maintenance.

Potential applicants are encouraged to consult the Faculty of Divinity website to see whether their research plans align with the research agenda of the Faculty, and to contact one of the following persons if they wish to discuss whether the Faculty can offer supervision in their proposed topic. Professor Esra Özyürek specialises in the anthropology of Muslim societies and in interfaith relations involving Islam. Dr Tim Winter specialises in Sufism and the development of Ottoman learned institutions, and in Muslim-Christian relations, and has broad interests across the range of Islamic Studies. Dr Tony Street specialises in the intellectual history of the Islamic world in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries CE, in particular in Arabic logic and philosophy.

Applications, which must be submitted no later than 7 February 2025 in order to be considered for these awards, should be made via the Cambridge Postgraduate Application Portal, selecting the course entitled ‘PhD in Theology and Religious Studies’. Applicants should state clearly in their application that their research interests are within the domain of Islamic Studies and that they wish to be considered for these studentships. In addition to making the application via the Portal, please email the Faculty’s Postgraduate Studies Co-Ordinator, Ms Katy Williams, to notify the Faculty of your wish to be considered for this award.

The Faculty of Divinity is keen to encourage applications from people of a wide range of backgrounds. The studentships will be offered according to the Faculty’s academic judgement of the potential of the applicants to succeed in doctoral research, and of the merit and feasibility of the proposed research projects in the light of the Faculty’s research strengths.

Closing date for applications: 7 February 2025.