The Dowley/Retford Studentship in History of Art

Outstanding candidates for postgraduate research in the History of Art are invited to apply for The Dowley/Retford Studentship. This PhD studentship, based in the School of Historical Studies at Birkbeck and supported by the Dowley Charitable Trust, covers full-time home fees and an annual stipend.

Qualification type: MPhil/PhD

Length: 3 years full-time

Eligibility: home students/applicants starting in September 2025 or January 2026

Location: London

Funding provided: tuition fees paid in full and an annual stipend for living costs of £20,000.

• The application will prompt you for details of any scholarships or grants you intend to apply for.Please ensure you respond with: Dowley/Retford Studentship 2025. If this section is left blank, your application will not be picked up for assessment.
• A research proposal of up to 2,000 words.
• Transcripts of relevant studies and, where appropriate, a letter from your course coordinator predicting the expected degree result (for those who still have to complete their current Master's-level programme).
• A sample of writing such as your MA dissertation, or similar.

References

• Referees will be automatically prompted to upload their references when you submit your application.
• We strongly encourage you to contact referees as early as possible to ensure theyare prepared to upload their reference by the referee deadline (see below).

Closing date for applications: Monday 16 June 2025, 5pm

Deadline for references/supporting statement: Monday 23 June 2025, 5pm

Interview date for shortlisted applicants: Monday 30 June 2025

About the Dowley Charitable Trust

The Dowley Charitable Trust was set up by Emma and Justin Dowley. Dr Emma Dowley is a History of Art graduate from Birkbeck. The studentship has also been named in honour of Kate Retford, Professor of History of Art at Birkbeck and Emma's PhD supervisor.