Call for Pre-Application Statement of Intent

Peter Fergusson PhD Scholarship in English Medieval Architecture

The Courtauld, London

Due by 17 November 2025

Fountains Abbey. Photo: Tom Nickson

 The Courtauld is delighted to announce a new fully funded PhD scholarship in English medieval architecture, starting in September 2026. Architecture is understood broadly to encompass the built environment, from infrastructure, urban design and domestic buildings to churches, castles and cathedrals, but may also include architectural representation or micro-architecture. Eligible projects should focus on England in the period between the eleventh and early sixteenth centuries. 

The scholarship is made available thanks to a generous bequest by Professor Peter Fergusson (1934-2022), an internationally recognised scholar of medieval architecture. The scholarship includes full home or international tuition fees, as well as an annual stipend of £22,780 to support the costs of living in London. There is also an annual allowance of £1000 to support travel for research purposes, and the possibility of financial support for the scholar to organise a conference in their final year of study.  

The Courtauld is based in central London and has one of the largest communities of postgraduate art historians in the world. The extensive faculty includes several specialists of medieval art and architecture. Further details of research specialisms and contact details are available at https://courtauld.ac.uk/faculty and details of The Courtauld’s PhD programme and its application process can be found at https://courtauld.ac.uk/phd  

Candidates are expected to have a strong postgraduate degree in a relevant field and a feasible idea for an original research project. They are encouraged to contact prospective supervisors to discuss their application at the earliest opportunity and must submit a ‘pre-application’ statement of intent by 17 November 2025, in advance of formal submission of their application by 8 January 2026.