Application Timeline

To help with your application planning here are some of the important dates, including application deadlines.

November 2025

Applications open

Read through the guidance and criteria supplied in this website.

Contact your preferred supervisor to help you prepare your themed project proposal or to discuss your application.

Prepare your proposal, contact your potential supervisor, contact your referees, work through the checklist of documents you will need to apply

If you would like extra support to apply please check out our very helpful resources and advocacy schemes.

You must do this first!

Apply for a place

Submit your application to the University of Leeds and/or the University of Warwick along with the required documentation.

This will give you a Student Identification Number (Leeds) or Applicant ID Number (Warwick). If eligible, it is at this stage that you will be invited to an interview. You will be sent information on this closer to the time.

You can apply anytime but we would recommend doing this well ahead of the studentship deadline in case you have any technical issues or if you need to provide any additional resources.

20 April 2026

Apply for studentship

Read the ‘Guidance for Applicants‘ on this website, prepare your statement or proposal, and don’t forget to check in with your proposed supervisor.

Submit your application for the Themed or Project Studentship – there is only one application form for the studentships.

What happens after the application is submitted?

Applications are checked for eligibility and then eligible applications are assessed by the Creative Bridges Studentship Committee.

May 2026

Notification of outcome – unsuccessful

Unsuccessful applicants will be informed of their application outcome.

June 2026

Notification of outcome – successful

Successful applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application. You will be sent formal academic and funding letters. 

1 October 2026

Creative Bridges Start

Welcome! Time to start! You will be sent details on how to access and navigate university systems, support on offer and you will meet more people who will help you on your PhD journey. An induction will be planned for you and you will get to meet others in the Creative Bridges cohort.

First instalment of your Creative Bridges stipend will be paid.