University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship 2026 in the UK

Applications are now open for the University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship 2026 in the UK. This funded opportunity allows talented graduates to pursue a full-time PhD while gaining valuable university-level teaching experience.

The University of Liverpool is currently offering Graduate Teaching Fellowship opportunities in academic areas including Law, Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology. Successful fellows will become part of the university’s postgraduate research community, conduct doctoral research and contribute to undergraduate teaching.

The fellowship provides an annual maintenance grant of £21,805 for the 2026–27 academic year, along with coverage of university tuition fees at the full-time UK student rate. International students are also eligible to apply, but they must carefully review the tuition-fee conditions because the award only covers fees at the UK home-student rate.

The application deadline for the University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship is 1 July 2026 at 9:00 AM UK time.

University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship 2026 Details

• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Host University: University of Liverpool
• Opportunity Type: Graduate Teaching Fellowship
• Degree Level: PhD
• Study Mode: Full-time
• Available Fields: Law, Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology
• Funding Type: Funded
• Annual Stipend: £21,805
• Programme Start Date: 1 October 2026
• Eligible Applicants: UK and international students
• Application Deadline: 1 July 2026 at 9:00 AM UK time

About the University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool is a leading research-intensive university in the United Kingdom and a member of the prestigious Russell Group.

The university provides a strong academic environment for postgraduate researchers, supported by experienced supervisors, modern research facilities, professional-development programmes and teaching opportunities.

Graduate Teaching Fellows will join an active postgraduate research community and receive training designed to strengthen their research, teaching and academic-career skills.

Available Fellowship Areas

The University of Liverpool has announced Graduate Teaching Fellowship opportunities in the following main areas:

Liverpool Law School

The Liverpool Law School welcomes applications from candidates who want to undertake doctoral research in areas that fall within the expertise of its academic staff.

Research proposals may cover subjects such as:

• Criminal Law
• Contract Law
• Tort Law
• Public Law
• Land Law
• Equity and Trusts
• European Union Law
• European Criminal Law
• Transnational Criminal Law
• Migration Law
• Data Protection Law
• Law, Technology and Artificial Intelligence
• Business and Economic Law
• Constitutional and Human Rights Law

A separate fellowship is also available in collaboration with the European Criminal Law Academic Network, commonly known as ECLAN.

Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology

The Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology is inviting applications in selected research areas, including:

• Artificial intelligence and democratic political practice
• Environmental harm, extinction and restoration
• Digital visions of future cities
• Criminal justice, leadership and lived experience
• Online misogynistic cultures
• Neurodiversity in the criminal justice system
• Islamophobia, Muslim women and football
• Technology-facilitated gender-based violence
• Structural inequalities and deaths following contact with state agencies
• Public health criminology
• Alcohol use and supply in prisons

Applicants should select a research topic that closely matches their academic background and the expertise of the proposed supervisors.

Financial Benefits

Successful applicants may receive the following benefits:

• An annual maintenance grant of £21,805 for 2026–27
• Coverage of University of Liverpool fees at the full-time UK student rate
• Full-time PhD research opportunities
• Undergraduate teaching experience
• Teaching and assessment training
• Academic mentoring and professional development
• Research and career-development support
• Access to the university’s postgraduate research facilities
• Experience that can support a future academic career

The fellowship funding is normally provided for three years of full-time PhD registration, subject to satisfactory academic progress.

After the funded period, candidates may receive an additional writing-up period of up to one year. However, this writing-up period is not funded.

Important Information for International Students

International students are welcome to apply for the University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship 2026.

However, applicants must understand that the fellowship covers tuition fees only at the UK home-student rate. It does not automatically cover the full international tuition-fee rate.

International candidates may therefore be required to pay the difference between the UK and international tuition fees.

Applicants should contact the relevant department before applying to confirm:

• The international tuition-fee difference
• Additional funding requirements
• Student visa requirements
• Financial evidence needed for the UK Student visa

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility requirements depend on the selected department.

Eligibility for Law Fellowships

Applicants should:

• Have completed, or be close to completing, a postgraduate degree in Law at master’s level or an equivalent qualification.
• Have a strong academic record.
• Submit a high-quality PhD research proposal.
• Identify a suitable University of Liverpool supervisor.
• Be prepared to teach and mark assessments in foundation subjects of English Law.
• Demonstrate strong research, writing and communication skills.

In exceptional cases, candidates with an excellent undergraduate degree in Law or a related subject and relevant postgraduate professional experience may also be considered.

Previous teaching experience is not required.

Eligibility for Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology

Applicants should:

• Hold a good undergraduate degree in Sociology, Criminology or a closely related subject.
• Have completed, or be close to completing, a relevant master’s degree.
• Select one of the advertised research areas.
• Prepare a research proposal connected to the chosen topic.
• Be willing to teach undergraduate modules in criminology, critical social policy or a related subject.
• Possess strong academic research and writing skills.

Previous university teaching experience is not essential because training and mentoring will be provided.

Required Documents

Applicants may need to prepare the following documents:

• Updated academic CV
• Cover letter or personal statement
• PhD research proposal
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Academic writing sample
• Contact details of academic referees
• Two or three references, depending on the selected fellowship
• Evidence of English-language proficiency, where required
• Confirmation or support from a proposed supervisor

Applicants should review the requirements of their selected department carefully because the document list differs between the Law and Sociology fellowship routes.

Research Proposal

The research proposal is one of the most important parts of the application.

A strong proposal should normally include:

• Proposed research title
• Background of the research problem
• Main research questions
• Research aims and objectives
• Review of relevant literature
• Proposed research methodology
• Expected academic contribution
• Proposed timetable
• Connection with the expertise of the selected supervisor

The proposal should be clear, original, realistic and closely aligned with the selected fellowship area.

Teaching Responsibilities

Graduate Teaching Fellows are expected to combine doctoral research with a limited amount of undergraduate teaching.

Responsibilities may include:

• Delivering small-group teaching sessions
• Supporting seminars or tutorials
• Preparing teaching materials
• Marking undergraduate assessments
• Providing academic feedback
• Participating in teaching-related training
• Supporting departmental academic activities

The fellowship is suitable for candidates who want to develop both research and higher-education teaching experience.

How to Apply for the University of Liverpool Fellowship 2026

The application process generally includes the following steps:

Step 1: Select a Fellowship Area

Choose the Law, Sociology, Social Policy or Criminology fellowship that best matches your academic background and research interests.

Step 2: Find a Suitable Supervisor

Review the academic profiles of University of Liverpool staff and identify a supervisor whose expertise matches your proposed research.

Law applicants who have not already been admitted to the PhD programme must contact a prospective supervisor before submitting the fellowship application.

Step 3: Discuss Your Research Proposal

Contact the proposed supervisor and briefly explain:

• Your academic background
• Your proposed research topic
• Why you want to conduct the research at Liverpool
• How your proposal matches their area of expertise

Step 4: Prepare the Required Documents

Prepare your CV, personal statement or cover letter, research proposal, academic transcripts, references and other required documents.

Step 5: Submit the Fellowship Application by Email

Applications must initially be sent to the relevant postgraduate research team by email.

Applicants should clearly mention the exact fellowship position in the subject line of the email.

Step 6: Complete the Online Application

Applicants should not submit the online PhD application until instructed by the university or relevant department.

After receiving guidance, candidates may be asked to register and complete the University of Liverpool’s online postgraduate application.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship 2026 is:

1 July 2026 at 9:00 AM UK time

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Candidates should apply several days before the closing date to avoid technical problems or delays in obtaining references.

Why Apply for the University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship?

This fellowship provides an excellent opportunity for students who want to develop a career in research, university teaching or academia.

Selected fellows can:

• Complete a funded PhD at a Russell Group university
• Receive a competitive annual maintenance stipend
• Gain practical teaching and marking experience
• Work with experienced academic supervisors
• Strengthen their academic CV
• Build research and professional networks
• Receive university-level teacher training
• Prepare for future lecturer, researcher or policy-related positions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship fully funded?

The fellowship provides a £21,805 annual maintenance grant and covers tuition fees at the UK home-student rate. International applicants may have to pay the difference between home and international tuition fees.

Can international students apply?

Yes. International students are eligible to apply, but they should check the tuition-fee difference and UK visa requirements before submitting an application.

Is previous teaching experience required?

No. Previous teaching experience is not essential. Successful applicants will receive teaching training, mentoring and academic support.

What degree will fellows complete?

Successful candidates will undertake a full-time PhD at the University of Liverpool.

What is the programme start date?

The fellowship and full-time PhD registration are expected to begin on 1 October 2026.

What is the annual stipend?

The annual maintenance grant is fixed at the UKRI level of £21,805 for the 2026–27 academic year.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is 1 July 2026 at 9:00 AM UK time.

Final Thoughts

The University of Liverpool Graduate Teaching Fellowship 2026 in the UK is a valuable opportunity for graduates seeking funded doctoral study combined with university teaching experience.

The programme offers an annual maintenance grant, tuition-fee support, academic training, professional development and the opportunity to work within a leading UK research university.

International applicants are encouraged to apply, but they should note that tuition fees are covered only at the UK home-student rate. Candidates should contact a suitable supervisor, prepare a strong research proposal and submit all required documents before 1 July 2026.