The Bhagavan Mahavira PhD Scholarship

Key information

Deadline date
Amount
Full tuition fees and stipend for 3 years

Scholarship overview

The Centre of Jaina Studies is offering one 3-year PhD Scholarship in Jaina Studies for entry in September 2025. 

Applicants from a broad range of disciplines and approaches to Jaina Studies are encouraged to apply, e.g. historical, philosophical, anthropological, from within the study of religions. For the first year of this award in 2025-26, the total scholarship provided will be £41,652. This amount will cover tuition fees, with the remaining funds to be paid directly to the scholar as a stipend. Funding in subsequent years will have an uplift to support increased tuition fee charges.

The Bhagavan Mahavira PhD Scholarship is generously supported by Drs. Jasvant N. Modi and Meera Modi and family. 

Eligible programmes

  • Full-time PhD programme focused on Jaina Studies (new admissions only, starting in September 2025).
  • Part-time programmes are not eligible.

Candidate criteria

  • Applicants must possess or expect to be awarded a master’s degree with distinction mark or equivalent. Applicants with a non-UK master’s degree must be in the top rank of their cohort as evidenced by references and transcripts.
  • Applicants must have demonstrated in the research proposal of their application for admission that their research is focused on Jaina studies.
  • The scholarship is open to UK/EU and overseas applicants.
  • Candidates must have submitted a complete application for admission by the scholarship application deadline of 12:00 PM (midday, UK local time) on 30th May 2025.
  • Candidates must have an offer of admission by the time the SOAS Scholarship Panel meets.
  • If your offer is conditional on English, please arrange your English test and ensure you meet the English requirements as soon as possible.

Candidate assessment

  • Candidates will be assessed on academic merit and their PhD proposal by a Selection Panel consisting academic members of the Centre of Jaina Studies at SOAS.
  • The assessment will be based on the information in your application. Selectors will be looking at degree results, academic references, statement of intent and full research proposal, and other relevant information.
  • Only those who have been accepted for admission will be considered for shortlisting by the SOAS Selection Panel.

Notification of results

The scholarship shortlisting and awarding period is expected to be completed by the end of June 2025, at the earliest. Successful candidates will be contacted first and once all awards have been allocated, the unsuccessful candidates will be notified. 

Scholarship application deadline

  • Applications must be submitted no later than 12:00 PM (midday, UK local time) on 30th May 2025.
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • You must submit a complete online application to your programme of study as soon as possible and then submit an electronic application for the scholarship.
  • Applicants applying for scholarships must also submit an application for admission well in advance. Please note that complete applications for admission can take up to 4 weeks to be considered by the Department, although this duration can vary depending on the time of year. You should be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks in busy periods.

Scholarship application procedures

Further information about PhDs at SOAS University of London is available from doctoralschool@soas.ac.uk. Applicants should follow the following steps:

Step 1: Apply for your programme

For guidance on applying to a Research Programme and Information on what makes an application, please visit how to apply (research).

Applicants must have submitted a complete admission by the scholarship application deadline. The panel will be considering your scholarship application together with your online application for admission.  Please note that complete application for admission can take up to 4 weeks to be considered by the Department, although this duration can vary depending on the time of year. You should be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks in busy periods.

Step 2: Apply for the scholarship

Apply for the scholarship by 12:00 PM (midday, UK local time) on 30th May 2025.

You must apply for this scholarship via the online application form:

Contact

For enquiries, please:

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