phd funding in the uk

Studentships and doctoral training

Get a studentship to fund your doctorate.

UKRI studentships offer funding for doctoral research. They also offer you access to training, networking and development opportunities to help you build a research and innovation career.

Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You could get:

• a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments
• support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)

The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back. Some research organisations may offer more if you study in London, or they or one of their collaborators might decide to top up the payment. This will be outlined in the studentship advert from the research organisation.

We normally pay the support for tuition fees directly to your research organisation.

The levels given here are for the academic year 2024 to 2025. UKRI’s approach to doctoral stipend and fee levels will be reviewed through the  new deal for postgraduate research .

Additional support for your doctoral studies

As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you may be able to access additional funding to cover the cost of other related training and development opportunities.

This could include:

• conference attendance
• language training
• overseas research visits
• internships or placements with a non-academic partner

The availability of support will depend on the research organisation and the training grants they have on offer. You should contact the research organisation you are interested in applying to, to find out what you could get.

Extra support if you have a disability

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

You should speak to your research organisation’s disability advisor to assess your needs. They can help put the right support in place, including a DSA application if necessary. You cannot claim DSA directly from UKRI.

DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

The allowance covers:

• non-medical personal assistance
• specialist equipment
• extra travel costs
• general expenses

Find out more about DSA in our framework .

If you are a research organisation you can download claim forms and guidance for DSA .

Who can apply

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award, both the stipend to support living costs, and home-level fees at the UK research organisation rate.

How to find opportunities

Many UK research organisations offer some form of studentship funding from UKRI. These opportunities will depend on the subject you want to study and will normally be advertised by the research organisations.

Research organisations may have additional opportunities that do not involve UKRI. UKRI supports around 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You should speak to the research organisation you are interested in to find out what studentships are available.

You could also consider using a specialist website like   FindaPhD  to look for opportunities.

When to apply

Research organisations set their own deadlines for applications.

Many open for applications early in the academic year and close in January or February. This is not a hard and fast rule. It is important that you check the deadlines for the research organisation where you want to study.

How to apply

You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship. You must contact the research organisation you are interested in studying with and use their application process.

For doctoral students who are already studying with a studentship, there are opportunities to get additional funding to support placements that are separate from your doctorate.  Find training and development opportunities .

Last updated: 14 February 2024

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• Funded PhD programmes 2024 UK

Funded PhD research programmes 2025 UK

The University of Brighton regularly invites applicants for fully-funded PhD studentships across all its disciplines. 

These allow motivated, high-calibre applicants for research degrees to join our thriving academic community and contribute to our rich and innovative research environment. 

Our processes also often allow us to support promising candidates for applications to external funders and we regularly welcome self-funded applicants to programmes across all disciplines.

We will be advertising University of Brighton studentships later in the year. Meanwhile, please visit our PhD funding advice page  for current offers or see below for further general advice about applying for a funded PhD in the UK. 

Visit our PhD disciplinary programme lists

What UK PhD studentships are available ?

Depending on the discipline area, applicants for postgraduate research study may be:

• applying to work on specific, defined research projects
• applying to work with an academic department or individual with specific interests
• or applying with a self-identified research topic proposal.

When available, studentships are open to home and international students and will be given to candidates who best fulfil the promise outlined by these academic departments.

Students may like to review the funding opportunities listed at the foot of the page or visit our  PhD funding advice page  . 

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can watch the video on YouTube .

Can you be a researcher? Professor Bhavik Patel reassures applicants of all backgrounds that they can study for a PhD and aim for a research career. 

How do I apply for a PhD studentship?

The application for financing schemes will usually involve:  

• submitting a full application through the university's PhD application portal, our University of Brighton portal is accessible from the  PhD funded projects webpages . You will upload your research proposal as part of this process.
• The submission must include two letters of reference, academic qualifications, a proposed project approach, a personal statement and your CV (resumé).
• Shortlisted applicants are likely to be invited for interview.

What does PhD funding include?

The funding for the PhD usually covers the full fee and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus an allowance of £1,500 per year for researcher training for three years (or part-time equivalent). 

Successful candidates benefit from expert supervisory teams, a programme of postgraduate researcher development workshops and membership of specialist, interdisciplinary research centres and groups. There will be introductions to a network of relevant researchers, careers advice and opportunities for interaction within and beyond the university. Through this, our PhD students have the best start possible towards ambitious careers that make use of their research degrees.

The University of Brighton fosters research careers and will provide doctoral training, attentive and expert supervision and access to world-class laboratories and equipment. 

We are renowned as a leading applied university, with pioneer academics in disciplines from sport science to design history and applied science research that translates efficiently to the global challenge of worldwide health and wellbeing. Our strategy of 'practical wisdom' leads to real-world partnerships and beneficiaries across all disciplines while the development of community-university partnership practices have placed us among the best universities for many aspects of co-produced research and innovation.

We pride ourselves on the ways we work in partnership with those outside higher education, across the European Union and internationally. Through our research collaborations we work with a wide range of universities, both internationally and with universities in the UK. We are also founding members of two UKRI Doctoral Training Partnerships which, this year, are dealt with outside our University of Brighton studentship offer. We learn constantly from our involvement in these, and our rich resources are offered across all doctoral research programmes.

Recently the University of Brighton celebrated its performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) and the Knowledge and Exchange Framework (KEF2023). Over 87 per cent of our submitted impact case studies in REF2021 were rated as having 'outstanding' or 'very considerable' impact beyond academia. We are dedicated to developing this quality work with new students. Read more about the review of our research and knowledge exchange performance in REF2021 . Also, read more about our KEF2023 results, which placed Brighton in the top tier for economic and social benefits .

How will you build a relationship with your supervisor? Professor Annebella Pollen and Dr Tom Ainsworth are among those offering advice. This film was made by the University of Brighton for UKRI and also features academics from other institutions.

How do I increase my chances of getting a PhD studentship?

You must be able to show your suitability for a UK research degree if you wish to apply for fully-funded studentships.

This includes evidence either of a relevant and successful academic background or equivalent relevant professional/expert background in the applied subject area. Applicants from overseas will also have to fulfil any English language and visa requirements.

This will be true for studentships in the UK across most of the UK universities. It is usual for applicants either to have completed (or be about to complete) a masters degree, have an exceptional undergraduate record and references, or demonstrate the equivalent scholarly potential.  

Supervisory staff and research students at the University of Brighton consider how important diverse thinking and inclusive practice are to their doctoral studies.

Can I get PhD funding at the University of Brighton?

We have a long-standing annual programme of funded PhD opportunities across all our disciplines, including several rooted in research council (UKRI) partnerships .

The initiatives allow postgraduate study for UK-based students as well as study in the UK for international students (depending on the PhD programme). 

We are also keen to encourage students who might be able to self-fund their doctoral studies. Studying part-time, for example, is likely to prove more affordable and more easily balanced with professional life than you'd imagine. 

We are dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere and structure for your studies. Show us your own qualities and your suitability for programmes as they become available and we will look forward to receiving your application. 

Insitutions and funding bodies for PhD study

On the Funding pages of our website we post advice as to the regular and specific funding opportunities available through the University of Brighton, its partners and networks. 

These include  Doctoral Training Partnership  and University of Brighton PhD studentship calls,  individual studentship projects , University of Brighton  international research scholarships  and our  alumni scholarships  for current and past students. 

We also include below some of the major funding options for international students wanting to do a PhD with us, each of which may support all or part of your studies.

Worldwide international funding schemes for PhD research

The british council.

The British Council offers a search engine for UK courses, institutions (including the University of Brighton) and scholarships.

Find out more about scholarships and funding through The British Council.

The Gen Foundation

The Gen Foundation considers applicants living in all countries. It is a charitable trust which principally provides grants to students/researchers in natural sciences, in particular food sciences/technology.

Find out more about grants to students and researchers from The Gen Foundation .

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender. Our multifaceted development approach aims to help communities and individuals become self-reliant.

Find out more about research funding through the Aga Khan development network .

The Open Society Foundations

The Open Society Foundations are active in more than 120 countries around the world, using grant-giving, research, advocacy, impact investment, and strategic litigation to support the growth of inclusive and vibrant democracies. The four main themes of the Open Society Foundations are climate justice, equity, expression, and justice and they will award grants and fellowships throughout the year to organisations and individuals who share those values. The Open Society Foundations look for grantees who have a vision and whose efforts will lead to lasting social change.

Find out more about postgraduate funding through The Open Society Foundations .

International Education and Financial Aid

The International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA) provides students from all over the world comprehensive information on financial aid for studying abroad. Using the IEFA website, you can easily search the IEFA database for scholarships, grants, loan programs, and other options available to help finance your international education.

Find out more about international PhD research funding through the IEFA .

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds 

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) awards PhD fellowships of two to three-and-a-half years to outstanding junior scientists worldwide who wish to pursue an ambitious PhD project in basic biomedical research in an internationally leading laboratory.

Find out more about the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds fellowships .

Resource sites for international PhD research funding

Internationalstudent.com.

InternationalStudent.com is a leading online resource for international students around the world providing advice pages for studying in the USA, UK and Australia for international students, plus a dedicated study abroad center for US students who want to travel abroad.

Find out more about international study through InternationalStudent.com .

ScholarshipTab

ScholarshipTab is an online portal that connects international students to available scholarship opportunities round the world.

Find out more about the Scholarship Tab resource .

International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA)

The IEFA provides students from all over the world comprehensive information on financial aid for studying abroad. Search the IEFA database for scholarships, grants, loan programs, and other options available to help finance your international education.

Find out more from the International Education and Financial Aid website .

The European Funding Guide 

Scholarships and grants for students from the European Union

Find out more through the European Funding Guide  

The Americas: Postgraduate doctorate funding from institutions and bodies to study in the UK

• Marshall Scholarship:  Provides for United States students to study abroad.
• Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship provides for United States students to study abroad.
• American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
• Global Affairs Canada International Scholarships Program
• Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund
• Canada's Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
• The Bolsas Lideres Estudar Program provides for Brazilian students studying in the UK .

Asia: Postgraduate doctorate funding from Asian institutions and bodies to study in the UK

The Charles Wallace Bangladesh Trust

The Charles Wallace Burma Trust

China and Hong Kong

Great Britain – China Educational Trust is a charity that promotes mutual understanding between the UK and China and aims to build long-term connections between the two countries. It delivers awards contributing towards university tuition fees and living expenses for Chinese nationality students studying for a PhD in any subject at a UK university.

Great Britain China Centre Chinese Student Awards  offers scholarships of up to £3,000 for citizens of China and Hong Kong studying for a PhD in any subject at a UK university

The Hong Kong People Association (HKPA)  aims to provide financial aids for further university education to students from Hong Kong who are not able to afford international tuition fees. 

The Charles Wallace India Trust  offers PhD funding for study in the arts, heritage conservation or the humanities.

The Inlaks India Foundation

The JN Tata Endowment award funds 90 to 100 scholars across disciplines ranging from the sciences to management, law and commerce and the fine arts.

The KC Mahindra Education Trust

The Persia Educational Foundation Abdolreza Ansari Scholarship   is designed to support the education of students of Iranian descent enrolled in a Master or Doctorate programme in human rights or public service in the UK.

Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships  offer partial funding scholarships for international students of Iranian descent towards a PhD in any subject.

The Kenneth Lindsay Scholarship Trust

The Anglo-Jewish Association (AJA)  provides funding for Jewish students to study a Masters or PhD in the UK.

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies  funds students of macroeconomics with a view to them working at the International Monetary Fund.

The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan . The HEC offers government scholarships for Pakistani students to study abroad in various countries, including the UK.

Saudi Arabia

The Cultural Bureau of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (SACB)  offers scope for full tuition fees and supporting fees for PhD level study.

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

The Thai Office of Educational Affairs 

Europe: Postgraduate doctorate funding from European institutions and bodies to study in the UK

The European Funding Guide  - Scholarships and grants in the EU.

France -  Entente Cordiale scholarships for postgraduate studies  provide funding to help students enrolling for a Masters or a PhD qualification in the UK or in France.

Italy -  Il Circolo Italian Cultural Association is a UK-registered charity based in London with the mission to support deserving students with awards and scholarships.

Norway - Lanekassen  - The Norwegian student loans and grants awarding body supports Norwegian students studying overseas.

Scandinavia - Fundraising.how  - article database offering funding advice for Scandinavian students.

Sweden - CSN -  loans and grants for Swedish students studying overseas.

Australia: funding for PhD study in the UK

The Australia Day Foundation  offers grants to young Australians for fees and course materials.

Africa: funding for PhD study in the UK

Sudan -  The Gordon Memorial College Trust Fund (GMCTF)

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Research Council funding

If you're looking to secure PhD funding in 2024/25, your first move should be to find out whether you're eligible for a non-repayable Research Council studentship

RESEARCH COUNCIL GRANTS AT A GLANCE

• Research Councils fund PhD students in different subject areas.
• Grants can cover tuition fees and living costs.
• Apply to the university, not the Research Council.
• You don't have to repay the money.
• Alternatively, take out a PhD loan .

Who awards Research Council funding for postgraduate study?

Research Councils in the UK provide funding for different subjects of academic research. The seven councils are:

• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

These organisations are grouped together with Innovate UK and Research England under the umbrella organisation UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This non-departmental public body supports around a fifth of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You can learn more about the individual Research Councils at UKRI - Councils.

One of UKRI's priorities is funding the training of new researchers, which means that if you're studying for a  PhD  or research  Masters  you may be able to access a non-repayable Research Council grant.

Research Council funding is distributed directly to universities based on their research aims. To obtain funding, individual or groups of universities set up Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) or Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) within which they train PhD students.

It's then up to the universities (not the Research Councils) to decide who to award studentships to - usually based on academic merit following a competitive application process.

Contact the university you want to study at to find out what's available, whether you're eligible, what the selection criteria is and how to apply. Your proposed PhD supervisor will be able to help.

How much Research Council funding can I receive?

There are two main parts to a Research Council studentship. In 2024/25 they're worth:

• £19,237 as a minimum Doctoral stipend to cover living expenses
• £4,786 for PhD tuition fees.

The figures are slightly higher if you're studying in London due to the high cost of living, and will also typically rise with inflation each year. Additional allowances may be available for specific costs related to your studies. Read more at UKRI - Get a studentship to fund your Doctorate .

Research Councils also pay Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) to those who are eligible.

The funding does not have to be paid back, and grants usually cover the full three or four years of your PhD study.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for Research Council funding, you'll need to meet a range of criteria:

• Your undergraduate results  - holding a 2:1 or higher undergraduate degree.
• Extra qualifications and experience  - obtaining a Masters degree (or equivalent postgraduate qualification), as well as carrying out professional research or work experience. These aren't necessary requirements but will enhance your application.
• Your financial situation  - Research Council funding is awarded on a merit basis. However, you can't be receiving any other form of government funding or working full time if you're hoping to submit an application. Part-time workers may still be eligible for reduced funding.
• Your residency  - If you're a UK student who's been resident in the UK for three years, you'll normally be able to receive a full studentship for both living costs and fees. As an international student you'll also be eligible for a full award covering your fees, living costs and other expenses. However, universities have placed a limit on the number of studentships available to international students, with this capped at 30% of the institution's total.

Is my course eligible for Research Council funding?

Research Council studentships are open to both research Masters and PhD students, although it is PhD applicants who receive the majority of the funding. In 2022/23, UKRI committed over £3billion to the seven Research Councils in the form of research and innovation awards and fellowships, and it plans to dedicate more than £500million in 2024 to support Doctoral studentships as part of its new Doctoral landscape awards.

Your university department will be able to tell you whether your programme is eligible for funding, as well as offering advice on how to submit a high-standard application.

For those receiving a PhD studentship grant, further help is available in the form of UKRI training and development to support you in getting the most out of your Doctorate.

If you can't get Research Council funding, you may be eligible for a PhD loan worth up to £29,390 (2024/25) - but you aren't allowed to combine the two types of funding.

How do I apply?

You'll normally be able to apply for the funding only after you've been accepted onto a PhD programme.

While application processes may differ, each will follow the same outline. You'll need to be prepared - if you start your research as soon as you've decided you'd like to study for a PhD you'll have a greater idea of what's on offer, what you'd like to do and the steps you need to take to get there.

Your funding application will usually need to contain:

• A research proposal  - the most passionate students, who can show how their research is going to positively impact their career and the field they're working in, are generally more successful. Get tips on how to write a successful research proposal .
• A justification of resources  - this is a breakdown of what you'll be spending and where throughout your studies, and why this spending is important.
• A personal statement  - as well as impressing with your proposal, you might be asked to provide a written statement explaining why you deserve funding. Highlight your financial circumstances but also your skillset and enthusiasm.
• References  - ideally provided by your undergraduate or postgraduate tutor, your references should be from those who can comment on your academic achievements or work ethic.

Generally speaking, applications can be made early in the academic year and will close in January/February, but you should bear in mind that opportunities for funding are open throughout the year so deadlines may vary.

How can I increase my chances of success?

The UKRI awarded 6,000 research and innovation grants and fellowships in 2022/23. Therefore, with competition so fierce, you'll need a polished application to stand a chance of being considered. There are always more applications than there are grants available.

Your prospects of receiving funding are typically higher if your research is in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field. This is because there are more funding places on offer to STEM applicants, particularly in the field of engineering. For instance, while the EPSRC offered 600 PhD grants and studentships in 2022/23, the number of AHRC and ESRC grants awarded totalled just 294 and 351 respectively.

It's also important to ensure that your application is compelling. Universities want proof that they're funding worthwhile research in a meaningful and interesting area. They expect assurances that you'll complete your work to a high standard and in keeping with set deadlines.

Find out more

• Search for PhDs in the UK .
• Consider PhD studentships  and scholarships and bursaries .
• Explore  PhD study .

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King's College London

International phd scholarships.

King's College London is one of the world's leading research institutions with a diverse research community producing internationally recognised work. King's and the Centre for Doctoral Studies are dedicated to attracting, retaining, and developing top international postgraduate research talent to study alongside our renowned academic supervisors.

If you are interested in a postgraduate research degree (MPhil/PhD) at King's. there are a range of funding opportunities for international postgraduate researchers at King's, including:

• Joint PhD Programme Funding
• King's China Council Scholarships

You can learn more about these opportunities below. You can also access our postgraduate funding database to search all currently open funding competitions at King's.

Postgraduate Funding Database

A link to PG Funding database

Joint PhD Scholarships

Three scholarships are available for the 2023/24 academic year for students applying to joint PhD programmes run in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong, National University of Singapore or the University of Sao Paulo, with King's as their home institution.

The King's Joint PhD Scholarship provides full tuition fees, stipend and an annual research grant.

Download the guidance for the 2023/24 Joint PGR Scholarships .

Find out more about the Joint PhD Programmes available at the National University of Singapore, University of Hong Kong, and University of Sao Paolo by visiting the International Education webpage.

• Applications close 26 March 2023

King’s-China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship programme (K-CSC) 2023-24

King's College London and the China Scholarship Council (CSC) hold an agreement to jointly fund PhD students to pursue research degrees at King's College London.

As part of the agreement, successful students will receive a scholarship that covers the tuition fee, an annual living allowance that includes overseas student health cover, a return airfare to London and visa application fees.

Please be aware that students funded through this scheme must abide by any additional terms and conditions set by the CSC. Scholars will be required to enter into a legally binding agreement with the CSC before they are able to take up the scholarship. If there are any significant developments that could affect/hamper a scholar's expected completion of the PhD, scholars are advised to get in touch with the Education Section in the Chinese Embassy.

A considerable number of K-CSC scholarship awards are available for the 2023-24 competition.

• Applications close 02 January 2023

Find full details on the KCL Funding Database.

Useful links

Postgraduate English Language Requirements

Find out more about our English Language Requirements.

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career-advice.jobs.ac.uk

PhD Funding – A Checklist of Possible Sources

There are probably more funding opportunities for your PhD than you think. It is worth making sure you have investigated them all.

Funding bodies support PhD students in different ways. Some pay course fees only, some include a stipend (maintenance costs) or travel expenses, and others offer a one-off award to ease the financial burden of academic study.

Each funding body will have its own criteria for eligibility. At PhD level full funding will tend to be awarded on academic merit, but there are also some that take into account financial background and other criteria such as gender (such as in the case of the British Federation of Women Graduates).

Research Councils

The seven Research Councils invest in the region of £380 million into doctorate research every year. However, funding is made available through the participating universities rather than the research councils themselves. Universities set up Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) or Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in order to receive funding.

It is then up to the universities to decide who to award studentships to – usually based on academic merit following a competitive application process.

Eligibility criteria and award amounts are standardised and you will find many other funded PhDs referring to research council rates when defining their own. Research council studentships include fees and a minimum stipend per annum which is paid tax-free.

The seven Research Councils include:

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

The above organisations have been grouped together with Innovate UK and Research England in 2018, and the umbrella organisation is called UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) .

UKRI’s key objectives include providing funding for the training of new researchers.

Academic institutions

Universities, colleges and research institutes also fund their own studentships, and these are typically listed on the institution’s own website alongside its research council-funded studentships. Some will offer fees only, while others may offer a stipend as well. Amounts may vary although many use the research council rates as a benchmark.

Commercial and charitable organisations

A number of non-academic organisations help fund research at PhD level in collaboration with the university hosting the study. CASE (Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering) studentships are for four-year PhDs. These are part-funded by a non-academic ‘co-operating body’ such as a UK industrial firm, public sector organisation or charity. Students spend at least three months of the PhD working in-situ at the co-operating body which makes a financial contribution to both the student and the project. Students often find these to be good avenues for finding full-time work at the end of their placement, and will have gained valuable hands-on work experience. There are also CASE-Plus studentships where students spend a further year working full-time on the premises of the co-operating body as an employee following the PhD.

A number of charitable organisations, foundations and trusts can help fund PhDs:

The Wellcome Trust

Cancer Research UK

The British Academy

The British Federation of Women Graduates

The Institution of Civil Engineers

Institution of Engineering & Technology

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Royal Geographical Society

Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland

Leverhulme Trust

Action Medical Research

The Grundy Educational Trust .

Self-funding

If you are having difficulty in getting funding from the above sources, you may be able to fund your own way through a PhD. You may be eligible for Professional and Career development loans. It is wise to review the specific application criteria to ensure that you are eligible.

A further option is to study part-time while working. This could however place additional demands on your time and financial situation. Be aware that if you have managed to access some funding elsewhere, you may be prohibited from working during your PhD as part of the stipulations of the award.

The jobs.ac.uk website lists some excellent PhD opportunities as well as a wide range of jobs – do take a look at them!

For more PhD tips:

Your PhD Journey – Top Tips 

What Can You Do With a PhD?

PhD Application Tips

What is a PhD and Why Should YOU do one?

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Henrietta Nagy

Henrietta Nagy is a seasoned portfolio worker with over 10 years’ experience in the UK education sector. Henrietta writes educational content, designs academic courses, delivers university lectures, mentors entrepreneurs, and provides career development coaching. One of Henrietta's recent organisational clients is the Oxford University where she has facilitated over 100 hours of learning events. With 9 years of higher education studies internationally (including an MBA), she has worked with CEOs, academics, scholars, managers, women entrepreneurs, academic administrators and other consultants.

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10th October 2019 at 12:12 pm

I am a PHD Scholar at Wollegga University, Ethiopia.I need a Research Grant. Would you please help me?

3rd December 2019 at 9:21 am

I am conflict management PhD candidate in South Africa I need funding. My area of focus is Terrorism in Nigeria. Any advice

4th September 2020 at 8:57 pm

I was offered PhD opportunities at Universities of Cape Town, Queen Margaret and Winchester but could not find funding. My area of specialization is health systems management planning and poli

11th September 2020 at 3:25 pm

I am DBA scholar at University of Northampton researching on industrial actions. I need a research grant. Please assist.

4th December 2020 at 5:11 pm

I am looking for an admission to study PhD Medical Imaging or PhD Nuclear Medicine Technology with finding or grants. Kindly specifically help.

6th August 2022 at 6:45 am

I am a PhD scholar in one of the Federal Universities of Technology in Nigeria. I seriously need a funding to allow me carry out a thorough research on Microplastics pollution in coastal areas of Southwestern part of Nigeria. Thanking you for your timely response. Olanipekun Oluwafunmilayo (Mrs)

5th January 2021 at 9:00 am

I am South African and I have been admitted for a PhD programme at the University of Worcester, UK. However, I am struggling to get funding. Please assist where you can.

18th October 2021 at 12:03 pm

I am due to go into my final year of my Professional doctorate in education, and need funding just for this one year. My research is into COVID and the impact upon young children. Please, can anyone guide me towards any potential sources of funding for this one year?

27th January 2022 at 1:42 pm

I have been admitted for a PhD programme at the University College London in 2022 fall, but I find it difficult to get funding as a non-European international student. Any advice! Many thanks in advance.

5th March 2022 at 1:32 pm

Hello, I am a Chinese student. If I am admitted to a PhD programme of Newcastle University in 2022 fall, but I have not applied for CSC, and the program I applied for is not a full prize program, what other subsidies can I apply for?Any advice! Thank you very much in advance!

10th June 2022 at 6:13 am

I am interested in fully funded PhD, I am a master student in de Montfort university presently.

22nd June 2022 at 5:13 pm

My name is Esther, a Nigerian. I am looking for a PHD in Gender studies and Food Economics, please i will appreciate your kind assistance.

31st January 2023 at 2:57 am

I am a Nigerian and will be taking a Ph. D in UK or any European country soon. Please can you share useful information on how to get external funding for my Ph. D in Urban and Regional Planning with specialty in Landscaping and Transportation. Your impactful feedbacks will be highly appreciated.

7th October 2023 at 4:31 pm

My name is Jingrong, a Chinese student. I am a PhD student in the University of Bristol presently, my research is based on the remanufacturing operations. I am interested in some related funding.

13th August 2022 at 5:50 pm

My name is Bulea Christopher, I am seeking to do PhD in Organizational leadership and management. I shall be grateful.

19th October 2022 at 1:31 pm

I am Nigeria and will be taking a Ph. D in UK soon. Please can you share useful information on how to get external funding for my Ph. D in renewable energy system of technology. Your impactful feedbacks will be highly appreciated. Thanks

31st October 2022 at 8:58 am

My name is Nkomo Dalubuhle from Zimbabwe lm looking for a PHD in curriculum studies in education

18th November 2022 at 3:51 am

I am from Pakistan and want to apply for PhD programme at the University of Staffordshire UK. However, I am struggling to get funding. Please assist where you can.

21st October 2023 at 3:56 pm

I am master’s in special education from pakistan.i required fully funded uni of this field.

14th March 2024 at 8:01 am

I’m a Tunisian student who has been accepted into a PhD program at Newcastle University for 2024, specializing in Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as a master’s degree program at the University of East Anglia, focusing on Rural Development. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to secure funding for either program. Do you have any advice on what steps I can take or where I can apply for funding? Thank you in advance!

25th June 2024 at 10:26 pm

My name is Wendy Mbele from South Africa lm looking for a PHD in business administration studies

25th June 2024 at 10:30 pm

My name is Wendy Mbele from South Africa lm looking for a DBA funding please.

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PhD funding

Create ground-breaking research with our funded PhD opportunities and PhD scholarships for UK and international students.

We add PhD scholarships throughout the year so keep checking this page for updates.

Find PhD funding and scholarships

Browse all available awards .

Other PhD funding sources

PhD funding sources for international students

Doctoral training centres and partnerships

You may be eligible for a PhD loan of up to £28,673. Read more about  PhD loans .

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

The University also subscribes to the The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online . The Guide contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance written by successful applicants, and numerous tools to help you prepare a winning grant application.

If you are a current Sussex student you can register for the Guide with your Sussex email address. If you are a prospective postgraduate student who has applied to Sussex, please use the following authentication PIN to register for the Guide: 6789

Our Doctoral Training Centres and Partnerships

We have scholarships and studentships funded by the following doctoral training centres and partnerships :

• be.AI Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships  (Leverhulme Trust)
• CHASE (funded by AHRC - the Arts and Humanities Research Council)
• The Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme: From Sensation to Perception and Awareness
• Sussex STFC studentships (funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council)
• DISCnet Centre for Doctoral Training (funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council)
• SeNSS – the South-East Network for Social Sciences (funded by the Economic and Social Research Council - ESRC)
• SoCoBio Doctoral Training Partnership (funded by BBSRC – the Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council)
• Sussex EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• UKRI Food Systems

Our doctoral training partnerships and centres funded by the UK Research Councils (UK Research and Innovation) are open to UK and International students according to the UKRI student eligibility rules . Up to 30% of each cohort of students may be International, but International PhD fees are not covered by the scholarships.

For information on eligibility, please check the current UKRI guidance .

Sussex PhD funding partners

We have scholarships and studentships funded by:

• CHASE (funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council)
• Science and Technology Facilities Council
• South-East Network for Social Sciences (funded by the Economic and Social Research Council).

Ways to pay for your research, training and living costs

You can also:

• look for a part-time job (on campus or in Brighton & Hove) - you may have working restrictions if you have a visa
• teach other students (this depends on your project and where you're based, so check with your supervisor or research group)
• apply for researcher funding while you study through the Doctoral School.

You may be  eligible for the Disabled Students Allowance  If you have a learning difficulty, health problem or disabiity. Email  [email protected]  for information on disability support.

You might also be interested in:

• PhD research support
• PhD degrees

• How Much Does a PhD Cost in the UK?
• Funding a PhD

Choosing to dedicate the next few years of your life towards a PhD is no light decision. Not only will it require you to dedicate an extensive amount of your personal time, but you’ll also need to consider how you’ll fund it. This raises the question, how much does a PhD cost in the UK?

The cost of a PhD can be divided into three key areas; tuition fees, living expenses and research expenditures. The combined cost of these are approximately  £20,000 per year  for UK students and can increase to over  £40,000 per year  for international students. A more in-depth breakdown of these costs can be found below. We’ve also compared these costs to other countries and outlined the various methods available to you to fund your PhD studies.

Tuition Fees

For UK ‘home’ students, the tuition fee for a PhD varies between £3,000 to £6,000 per academic year. For 2023/24 programmes, most universities opt for £4,712 per year within this range. Although this number may seem a little odd, it’s commonly adopted due to being the indicative rate set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for UK universities.

International Fees

Unlike for UK applicants, the rates for international students don’t align with the indicative level set by UKRI. Following the implementation of Brexit, EU students now follow the same fee rates as other international students. International students will find that their tuition fees are higher than those of home students. For example, at the time of writing, the average annual PhD tuition charge at the University of Dundee is £4,825 for home students undertaking an Engineering PhD. This same average is £25,305 for international students.

International applicants will also find that the fee for PhDs in STEM subjects are greater than those in non-STEM subjects. For example, at the University of Bristol, a doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering costs £25,300 per year whilst a doctorate in Medieval Studies costs £20,100 per year.

To summarise, international students can expect a tuition fee of between £16,000 to £25,000 per year, with an average of around £19,600 per academic year. Non-STEM subjects will generally be at the lower end of the range, whilst STEM subjects will be at the higher end of the range.

Part-time Fees

The above fees are based on full-time postgraduate study. If you’re doing a part-time PhD, you can expect the fee to be half of these amounts. Although this may appear to be a cheaper option, keep in mind that the average duration of part-time PhDs are twice that of full-time PhDs. Therefore, the total tuition cost will amount to the same value and the end of both courses.

Other Degree-related Costs

Research support fees.

If your research project requires a high use of consumables, equipment or other resources, you may have to support the cost of these through an additional annual fee. This additional annual fee, often referred to as either a ‘research support’ or ‘bench’ fee, often apply to laboratory-based STEM research projects. Bench fees vary between different projects, even those within the same field. Therefore, it is best to speak to the admissions team on a project-by-project basis to receive anything useful.

Another cost you will need to account for is travelling. As part of your degree, many supervisors will expect you to attend conferences, training workshops, or other collaboration opportunities. As a result, you will often need to travel to various destinations which aren’t always limited to the UK. Although some programmes will cover these costs, it’s not unheard of that some positions will expect you to fund this yourself. It’s impossible to put a value on this, as the extent of travel depends on each project. Therefore, it would be wise to speak with the admissions team and current PhD students. They can provide you with an accurate estimate and let you know whether the university will cover the expenses.

Overtime Period Fee

When you’re enrolled into a PhD programme, you will be given a period to complete your PhD within. This period is known as your ‘registration period’ and is usually 3-4 years for a full-time PhD and 6-7 years for a part-time PhD. If you’re given an extension due to not completing your PhD study within this time, you will need to pay an overtime registration fee. Although the amount depends on each university, the University of Leeds sets theirs as £290 for 2023/24.

Living Costs

From a 2022 survey of over 2,300 university students , the average living cost, covering expenditures such as rent, bills, food and recreation, was £924 per month. This equates to £11,088 per year.

Although this is an average cost, your true cost of living will depend on your location. Living in major cities such as London will draw significantly higher rent and travel costs than living in more rural locations. Although your living situation will in large be driven by the university you undertake your PhD with, you should factor it in when deciding which universities to apply to.

To put this into perspective, the survey average of £11,088 per year uses a rent average of £418 per month. In London, this average increases to £650 a month and can surpass £1,000 if staying in university halls or private student accommodation. This is supported by University College London (UCL) who state you should expect an average rent of £1,028 per month if living in private accommodation around their university.

Tip  – You can use this handy calculator for an estimated average cost of living for any UK university. All you need to do is select the university, and the calculator does all the rest.

If you’re an international student, you should factor in return flights back home. Although this may seem like a small expenditure compared to tuition fees and rent, they can add up quickly depending on the frequency and distance of your trip.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How to Fund Your PhD

Studentships.

A studentship is a form of scholarship for doctoral students. They can either be partially funded, which cover tuition fees only, or fully funded, which also covers living costs through a ‘stipend’.

Studentships can be found in various places. Research Councils (RCUK) and European Social Fund (ESF) make funding available to university departments, who in turn make the funding available to doctoral students. Therefore, you will find that there are many postgraduate funding opportunities available to you, with the best places to look being the RCUK and ESF websites and the university departments themselves. External institutions which focus on research and development such as research trusts and charities would also be a useful place to look for a funded PhD.

Doctoral Loans

If you’re a UK student, you may qualify for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan from Student Finance England. This form of financial aid is available for nearly all postgraduate research degrees undertaken in a higher education setting. They will allow you to borrow up to a total of £28,673 for 2023/24 courses .

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Graduate Teaching Assistantships are a form of studentships which allow you to teach undergraduates as part of your research degree. This not only helps improve your academic skills, but it also enables you to receive a salary whilst you’re studying. As well as teaching assistantships, some departments also provide opportunities for demonstrations, marking papers, and tutorial support. The amount you can earn through these schemes will depend on how many hours you work and what agreements you make with your supervisor or course leader.

Working Whilst You Study – Part-time PhDs

A research student may opt for a part-time PhD as opposed to a full-time one. Although this would double the duration of their studies, it allows them to take on a part-time job to improve their financial situation. For students going down this route, it would be highly beneficial to pick up a part-time role in a position related to your industry. This will help refine your skills and increase your employability within this career role should you choose to pursue it after your degree.

If you’re an international student, keep in mind that you’ll likely be on a study visa. Therefore, there’ll be certain restrictions on what you can and can’t do alongside your study.

How Does This Compare to the Fees in Other Countries?

When considering the tuition fee of PhDs across different countries, the United Kingdom is generally considered as being in the ‘middle-ground‘ region.

A handful of countries offer PhD programmes for free. These include, but are not limited to, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Norway and Poland.

The middle-ground region comprises countries such as Austria, Spain, Russia and New Zealand where postgraduate fees range from £1,400 to £4,000 per academic year.

The upper-end region comprises countries such as Hong Kong and the United States, where postgraduate tuition fees for a PhD student can go up to £33,000 per year.

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

The University of Manchester is committed to supporting postgraduate research students. Each year we invest substantially in doctoral funding.

In addition to these internal funds the University is highly successful in attracting sponsorship for research students, particularly from the research councils, industry, trusts and charities.

Funding tips

• A good first step in exploring funding options is to speak to staff within your subject area to find out how previous students have financed their studies.
• Search our funding opportunities database to ascertain which awards are available.
• Search our project listings to find directly-funded, competition-funded and self-funded projects. Competition-funded projects are projects that are in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful.
• Faculty and School websites often provide further information, particularly about project-specific studentships. These studentships can be advertised at any time throughout the year.
• Some PhD funding schemes involve applying directly for advertised projects, while others require you to develop a research proposal alongside a supervisory team. Make sure you read the criteria carefully in advance.
• Before applying for a studentship, read through the eligibility criteria thoroughly, and ensure you note the closing deadline.

Loans for doctoral students

Find out if you qualify for a postgraduate doctoral loan. 

Funding opportunities

Explore the funding opportunities available for postgraduate research students.

Centres for Doctoral Training

See what funding opportunities are available in these centres of cutting-edge research.

President’s Doctoral Scholar Award

We offer 100 elite studentships a year under this flagship scheme.

The Turing Scheme

We’re offering research placements at international partner universities and research institutes.

Find out more

Get in touch with us to find out about funding for your research programme.

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Why is it so hard to get PhD funding in the UK for international students?

In general, it's fairly difficult to get a funded PhD position in the UK, if you're an international student.

An international grad student in the UK has essentially a few options, such as: (1) ultra-prestigious scholarships like the Rhodes scholarship, (2) external funding, e.g. from industry or their home country's government (this is common for students from many Asian countries), or (3) compete for a very small number of department or university funded positions/scholarships open to internationals.

This is very different from the situation in the US and most of continental Europe, where a PhD position always comes with a salary, and where there's typically no discrimination between domestic and international applicants.

Are there historical reasons why the UK PhD system is like this? It seems strange, especially given that the UK is a wealthy country strong in scientific research. Why don't they reform their system to better attract international talent?

(My field is physics, but I think the same is true across other STEM subjects.)

• united-kingdom

• 7 Almost all public (i.e. state-funded) universities in the US discriminate against international applicants; this is just not made obvious. –  Alexander Woo Commented Mar 24, 2022 at 19:54
• 2 @AlexanderWoo That is debatable. A lot of the discrimination against foreign students is indirect, because non-US universities are less well known, and because a certain country's education system might be perceived negatively. In any case it is nowhere nearly as extreme as in the UK. –  Aqualone Commented Mar 24, 2022 at 20:00
• 6 The situation at Berkeley was (and I would think still is) the following: the department covered the tuition for all students out of its budget. Domestic students could become in-state residents and have paid on their behalf a much cheaper rate after one year; international students continued to be charged at the out-of-state rate throughout. In addition, some grant funds could only be used for domestic students. The result was that one needed much stronger test scores, grades, and recommendations to be admitted as an international student (even if you came from a US undergrad school). –  Alexander Woo Commented Mar 24, 2022 at 20:36
• 5 @AlexanderWoo. funding is a different issue than "discrimination". Any tax supported institution may validly want to use the majority of its funds for residents (i.e. taxpayers). That may also reflect the UK situation as well. –  Buffy Commented Mar 24, 2022 at 20:47
• 3 @Buffy - I think it's clear this question is about funded positions for graduate students. –  Alexander Woo Commented Mar 25, 2022 at 0:56

3 Answers 3

The big difference between the UK system and some other systems is that in the UK a PhD student is primarily regarded, at least by the system (even if not always by the supervisor) as a student who is there to learn, whereas, at least in the EU system, PhD students are primarily regarded as researchers who are there to perform a role.

The OP asks "Why don't they reform their system to better attract international talent?". This assumes that students are regarded as something you want to attract in order to benefit the country. But officialdom in the UK regards students as people who take benefit, rather than give it. A student is receiving a service, not providing one. To a British official, asking why they don't fund overseas PhD student is the same as asking why they don't pay for the undergraduate tuition fees of international students.

So, the British government sets aside a certain amount of money each year from its education/training budget to train PhD students. As it sees its job to educate British people, it would usually only pay for the PhD education of British people - it is other people's governments' job to pay for the education of their own people.

All of this is at least partly related to the superiority of the Arts and Humanities in British culture as the place where real intellectuals come from - at least in the minds of those in power, who almost without fail have humanities degrees from elite universities. In the arts and humanities, this view that PhD students are not part of a research workforce is closer to the truth.

All of this should not be taken as an endorsement of this situation, which I think is terrible.

All hope is not lost though. While with the UK leaving the EU, students from the EU became international students, the government has partially offset this by saying that up to 30% of students recruited to the main government-funded PhD programs (UKRI DTPs/DTCs) can be overseas students. In practice, I've found that this cap hasn't been a limitation, and we've been able to admit all the overseas students that ranked high enough in open competition in our DTP.

• “… the self-proclaimed superiority of…” Unfortunately there’s an oversupply of demand for UK degrees (and from some other countries as well) so that international grad. students are seen as an income stream to make up for administrative overspending. –  ZeroTheHero Commented Mar 27, 2022 at 13:35
• 3 "Self-proclaimed" is not my experience - its not the humanities PhDs themselves proclaiming their superiority, but more the gatekeepers of British society/culture, who are not generally humanities PhDs. I don't really buy into the whole two cultures thing. I also think that the tendency of universities to abuse international students as an income stream is separate from the government's decision to not fund them. –  Ian Sudbery Commented Mar 27, 2022 at 17:16

Funding of international students in the UK is a lot more difficult than places like the US because the UK research organizations (UKRI and the various research councils underneath it) have very strict rules about which type of award can and cannot support students, and how the money should be allocated to students.

The first major difference is that grants from the UK research councils (such as EPSRC/BBSRC/ESRC/etc.) can not be used to fund any student fees, so when a professor gets a new grant, they can't use it for students they have to use it for research staff (such as post-docs) [1]. This is very different from the US system, where grants from bodies like the NSF/NIH can be used to fund students.

Instead, the UK research councils have special "Doctoral training" grants and "PhD Studentships" that are meant for funding PhD students. Even these are limited though, with the current UKRI rules [2] saying that no more than 30% of the UKRI-funded portion of a cohort on a training grant (e.g. Centre for Doctoral Training, training grant programs awarded to universities, etc.) can be international students, and even then, the UKRI-provided money can only be used to cover the amount of the home fees for the student. This means that those international students still must pay the difference between the international and home fees amount (although the university can cover the difference from other sources, such as internal funding or company support).

Both of these restrictions means that the main funding source available to support PhD students in countries like the US (e.g. government grants and centers) is not easily available to support international students in the UK, forcing the reliance on the private programs and university-level programs where the individual charities/universities set the rules and not the government.

[1] RGC 4.5 in https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/UKRI-170821-FullEconomicCostingGrantTermsConditions-Aug2021.pdf

[2] https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UKRI-170321-InternationalEligibilityImplementationGuidance.pdf

• 1 I think the question was why does the UK have policies that lead to this situation in general, not what are the details of the funding restrictions that lead to this. –  gib Commented Mar 26, 2022 at 8:54

Different countries give different answers to the basic question

Why would a society (country) fund someone from outside that society for getting some academic degree?

Some of the reasons can be:

• pure altruism,
• seeing it as development aid (which will be politically desirable),
• expectation that the person will stay and work for a domestic company, thus strengthening the economy,
• strengthening the domestic research community (in international competition),
• lack of own personnel capable of doing important research.

Alas, societies often are only willing to invest resources (money) if the can clearly see a good return-on-investment. And the UK seems to be a bit more sceptical here than other countries.

• 1 This doesn't directly address the question. Also, the points you raise only partially apply since a PhD is a job in additional to being an academic course. (indeed, in some places in continental Europe, PhD positions are essentially jobs, with the degree awarded in the end being almost like a side-effect) –  Aqualone Commented Mar 25, 2022 at 12:24
• 1 @Aqualone See my answer, below, but I think the key point you are missing is that in the UK a PhD is not regarded as a job in addition to being an academic course. At least not in the minds of those that make the policies. –  Ian Sudbery Commented Mar 26, 2022 at 23:56

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• Education and learning
• Student finance

Doctoral Loan

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD.

There’s different funding if you normally live in Wales . Moving somewhere to study does not count as normally living there.

You can also get extra support if you have a disability .

You will not be eligible for an Adult Dependants’ Grant, a Childcare Grant or Parents’ Learning Allowance from Student Finance if you’re studying a doctoral course.

When you can apply

You can now apply for funding for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

When you repay your loan

You’ll have to start repaying your loan when your income is over a certain amount (the ‘threshold’ amount).

You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.

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https://www.vitae.ac.uk/doing-research/are-you-thinking-of-doing-a-phd/how-to-apply-for-a-doctorate-in-the-uk-and-get-funding/who-provides-funding-for-uk-doctorates

This page has been reproduced from the Vitae website (www.vitae.ac.uk). Vitae is dedicated to realising the potential of researchers through transforming their professional and career development.

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Who provides funding for UK doctorates

Funding for a doctorate (including fees and living expenses) can come from one or more of a range of research funders, including the UK Research Councils, certain charities or other funding bodies, industry, overseas governments or European Union initiatives. Funding can come from the universities’ own funds or a doctorate can be self-funded by the doctoral researcher or funded by their employer.

UK univerities also receive additional funding to cover the costs of supervising doctorates from one of the national HE funding bodies (e.g. HEFCE - the Higher Education Funding Council for England). 

An analysis of the main sources of funding for all doctoral researchers in the UK in 2012/13 is shown below.

The biggest funders of doctoral programmes are:

• Doctoral researchers themselves - around a third of doctoral degrees are entirely self-funded
• Universities, who provide around 21% of funding for doctoral degrees
• The UK Research Councils, providing around 15%.

There are lots of cases of partial or shared funding, e.g. where different bodies fund a programme jointly, such as a funder and the university, or a funder and an industry partner, or the university and part self-funding by the doctoral researcher.

How can I find funding for a doctorate?

Several specialist services are available which list doctoral funding sources (these are often referred to as funding for PhD studentships), for example:

• EURAXESS UK funding search
• EURAXESS EU jobs site

How does PhD funding work?

Funding bodies support doctoral researchers in different ways: some will pay programme fees and also a stipend (i.e. to cover your living costs and expenses), some will only pay programme fees and others simply make a one-off award of some kind. Each funding body will have its own criteria for eligibility.

The UK Research Councils make their funding available through the participating universities rather than directly to doctoral researchers. Research Council awards cover university fees (currently about £4,000 per year) and provide an annual stipend for the doctoral researcher of just under £14,000 per annum (2014/15 rate) which is paid tax-free. The 7 UK research councils are:

Arts and Humanities Research Council Economic and Social Research Council Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Medical Research Council Natural Environment Research Council Science and Technology Facilities Council

For more information on additional costs you might encounter, see: How much does it cost to study for a UK doctorate?

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• FindAMasters

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• The Cost of a Masters – How Much is a Masters Degree in the UK?

How Much Does a Masters Degree Cost in the UK in 2024?

Written by Mark Bennett

Masters costs in the UK can vary anywhere between £4,000 to £22,000 depending on your nationality. For home students, the average cost of a Masters degree in the UK is £8,740 . Masters fee for international students is usually much higher at around £17,109 . Postgraduate fees also depends on the course where Business courses cost more than classroom-based Masters.

This page is here to help you understand how much a Masters degree is in the UK. We've brought together detailed information on typical fees for different types of Masters degrees across the UK, indicating the cheapest type of Masters. We've also summarised some of the other expenses you may have to budget for as a postgraduate.

Knowing how much you’ll have to pay in tuition fees for postgraduate study will make your search for funding more effective – and help you budget during your course.

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How much is a Masters degree in the UK?

Postgraduate courses in the UK are normally cheaper, per year, than undergraduate courses.

Whereas a typical UK Bachelors degree can cost up to £9,250, average cost of a Masters degree in the UK is £8,740 . There's a bit more you need to know to properly understand how postgraduate fees work.

How postgraduate fees work

Unlike undergraduate degree fees, which are subject to a cap, the costs for Masters programmes in the UK are set by universities themselves.

This means that degrees in the same subject can cost more or less than others. There are also different types of Masters degree and the costs for these differ too.

The following table displays average fees for different types of postgraduate course in the UK.

* Based on the 2021-22 Reddin Survey of UK postgraduate fees , published by the Complete University Guide , as well as additional research and calculation by FindAMasters. Figures given are broad averages only and will not necessarily reflect fees for specific courses.

As you can see, fees vary for different types of degrees, broadly reflecting how expensive they are to run (a Masters in English or History doesn't require the same facilities and consumable resources as one in Chemistry or Engineering).

Generally speaking, a classroom-based, taught programme like an MA will be the cheapest Masters degree on offer.

You'll also notice that average cost for international students in the UK is £17,109 (nearly twice as much as the tuition fees for a domestic student).

One final thing to bear in mind is that, because they aren't capped, UK postgraduate fees tend to rise slightly with inflation each year. That actually means that your fees can sometimes go up a little in the second year of a two-year Masters (though most full-time UK Masters degrees are one-year long).

Fees in different parts of the UK

The cost of a Masters also varies quite a bit across the UK, partly due to differences in the way universities (and students) are funded.

Here's a quick comparison of average classroom-based taught Masters fees in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We've also included the maximum postgraduate loan available to students 'from' each country, as a handy reference.

As you can see, Northern Ireland is the cheapest place to study a Masters in the UK. Do bear in mind that this average is only taken from two different universities, however!

Remember, these are only representative averages. It isn't always true that a Masters in Scotland is cheaper than one in England, for example. Postgraduate loans are also portable (you don't have to study your Masters in the country you get a loan from).

Fees for other postgraduate courses

Not all Masters-level courses award a full Masters degree. Shorter courses leading to a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) are often cheaper.

You can generally expect fees for a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) to be around a third to a half of those for an equivalent Masters. Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) courses will be more expensive, but still cheaper than a full Masters.

How much is a Masters in the UK for EU students

Following Brexit, the majority of EU citizens will now count as international students and pay higher fees for a UK Masters. There are some exceptions for students from Ireland and for EU nationals who were already settled or settling in the UK prior to 30 June 2021. Our guide to UK Masters funding for EU students has more detail and will help you find out if you’re classified as an international student.

Masters funding in the UK

Costs of a Masters degree may vary, but most students are eligible for a wide variety of funding opportunities.

These range from the UK government's postgraduate loans loans to charitable grants and bursaries . You can find out more about financial support and funding options in our guides to UK Masters funding .

Postgraduate living costs

Tuition fees aren’t the only thing you’ll need to take into account when calculating how much a Masters degree will cost. Living costs should be an important consideration – accommodation, food and entertainment will likely eat up a large chunk of your finances for the duration of your course.

Our guide to postgraduate living costs in the UK will give you an idea of what expenses you may encounter during your Masters, calculating average monthly budgets across a range of UK university towns and cities.

If you’re considering a Masters in Europe, we’ve put together a full guide to European Masters fees and living costs . Rounding up average postgraduate tuition fees in a range of European study abroad destinations, the page will help you work out which country could be the cheapest option for your Masters.

Masters funding and costs around the world

Interested in finding out how much Masters cost around the world? Read our dedicated guides to know more about Masters in popular destinations like Canada , the States , Germany and more.

Other postgraduate study costs

Tuition fees and living costs will account for most of the cost of your Masters. But you may also need to budget for other postgraduate degree expenses.

We’ve picked a few to be aware of, below.

Health insurance

You won’t normally need extra health insurance to study a Masters in your home country. Instead you’ll be covered by any existing public or private healthcare. Or you may not need a policy at all.

The situation is likely to be different if you’re studying abroad though.

Unless you’re part of a reciprocal scheme such as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you’ll probably need to purchase insurance to cover you during your Masters.

Basic insurance won’t usually be too expensive. Your university may provide extra details, or even be able to sell you a suitable policy.

Most countries charge a fee for processing your visa application and issuing the required documents.

Needless to say, you’ll only need to pay visa fees if you’re studying abroad. But studying abroad won’t necessarily mean that you have to pay visa fees. Some groups of countries (such as the European Union) don’t require student visas for their members’ citizens.

Our guides to postgraduate study abroad provide information on student visa requirements and costs in different countries, including popular destinations like the UK and USA .

Application fees

Some universities charge a small amount to process Masters applications . Others accept students through postgraduate application portals that charge their own administrative fees.

This won’t always be the case. In the UK, for example, there is no centralised system for postgraduate admissions and most universities don’t charge application fees for Masters degrees.

Your university will be able to provide detailed information about any administrative fees it charges. Our guides to Masters study abroad also explain postgraduate application fees in specific countries.

Admissions tests

Some courses require students to complete graduate admissions tests in order to gain a place on their Masters programmes.

These are separate to standard admissions fees: they cover the cost of sitting the test and receiving a score, not the cost of processing your overall application. Fees vary depending on the test you’re taking.

The most widely accepted admissions tests for Masters study are the GRE (Graduate Records Examination) and the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).

Both are more common in the USA than elsewhere, but universities in other countries may use them. The GMAT, in particular, is popular with prestigious business schools assessing applicants to their MBA programmes.

Language tests

If you’re studying abroad in a second language, you may need to submit a score from a recognised language test.

This won’t always be the case: existing experience studying in a language will usually suffice instead of a test score. So will other relevant evidence of your language skills (such as having lived and worked abroad).

However, studying at postgraduate level may sometimes require a more advanced test or higher score than would be requested for an undergraduate degree. Check with your university if in doubt.

Different countries have their own preferred language tests, though many universities will accept more than one. See our guides to international language tests for postgraduate study, for more information.

Travel costs are easy to overlook, but they can add up quickly. Unless you’re living in university accommodation you’ll need a way of getting to and from your postgraduate classes.

It’s a good idea to look at typical costs for busses, trams or trains in your university city and factor these expenses into your budgeting.

And remember: if you’re studying abroad you’ll also need to travel to your destination country – and be able to get home once you’ve finished your Masters.

Once you know how much a Masters is likely to cost, the next thing to do is work out how you'll meet that cost! Our guides to postgraduate funding can help.

Find your perfect Masters!

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When you’re making plans for Masters study, one of the most important factors to take into account is how much you’ll end up paying during your programme.

Wondering how much you'll need to study in Australia? We look at the key costs for a student in Australia including tuition fees, visas and a comparision to the USA.

Read our complete comparison of 2023 Masters fees and student living costs in different European countries.

These are some of the living costs you’re likely to encounter in the UK’s major university cities while studying a Masters, including average accommodation prices.

Fees for international postgraduates in the UK vary, but are usually higher than those for domestic students. Our guide helps explain what rate you’ll pay and looks at the typical cost of a Masters for overseas students.

Worried about money management? Some postgraduate students share how they managed their finances.

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• PhD Funding from Charities

Written by Ben Taylor

If you’re not lucky enough to have a Research Council studentship or a university scholarship , funding a PhD can seem like a daunting prospect. PhD funding from charities can be a viable alternative, however – if you know where to look, these organisations can be excellent (and unexpected) sources of financial support.

By building up a ‘portfolio’ of PhD grants and applying to a range of charities and trusts, you could find yourself with a healthy amount of funding to support you during your doctorate.

This page will give you an idea of the range of doctoral funding that’s available from charities, as well as tips for making a successful application for financial support.

On this page

Charity funding resources.

Even though there are plenty of charities out there offering funding for PhD students, it can be difficult to know how and where to begin your search. Don’t despair – there are several grant databases that provide an excellent resource for current and prospective PhD students on the hunt for funding.

Turn2us is a charity that maintains a searchable database of charitable grants for people in need. After filling in a few details about your location and situation, Turn2us returns a list of charities that may be able to provide you with support.

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding was created by two PhD students who secured over £50,000 in charity grants towards their studies between them. As well as offering practical tips for identifying suitable organisations and making successful applications, the Alternative Guide runs a database of more than 1,000 charities.

You can also find out more about funding PhD study without a scholarship from one of the co-founders.

The Grants Register

With a focus on postgraduate and professional funding, the Grants Register is one of the most comprehensive sources of information for PhD students looking for support. It’s not limited to the UK, either: listing around 3,500 awards, the Grants Register has an impressive scope.

The only problem is that the Grants Register isn’t available online, only in physical form. However, many universities and local libraries will have a copy of the directory for you to browse.

PhD funding guide

Our own funding guide covers the essentials, from Research Council studentships and university scholarships to PhD loans and other forms of funding.

Large charitable trusts

It’s something of a myth that charities are small, needy organisations. Of course, there are lots of charities that do fit this description, but there are also plenty of charities that have assets worth at least a million pounds (and in some cases much more).

The following trusts and foundations are well worth your time and attention if you’re a PhD student looking for funding.

It's worth noting that some charities don't acccept applications from students . Instead, funding is awarded to universities, who will then be able to offer a certain number of scholarships or grants.

The Wellcome Trust

A global charitable foundation, the Wellcome Trust supports thousands of researchers around the world. The Trust aims to spend up to £5 billion in the next five years, providing ample opportunities for talented scientists, researchers and artists in a range of fields including Biomedical Science and Population Health, as well as the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Along with funding for existing projects, the Wellcome Trust also offers full doctoral studentships for PhD candidates in relevant areas. Importantly, these studentships are normally open to all nationalities, the main condition usually being that you’re enrolled on a PhD in the UK or Ireland.

Take a look at the Wellcome Trust’s funding schemes .

The Leverhulme Trust

The Leverhulme Trust is another large charitable trust, distributing around £80m of research funding each year. It has a broad remit that covers the Arts, Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences, helping all kinds of researcher achieve their goals.

A large proportion of funding from the Leverhulme Trust is aimed at established academics looking to complete a significant research project. However, the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships scheme is dedicated to supporting doctoral students, offering a fixed sum of £90,000 over the course of four years.

The Leverhulme Trust doesn't accept direct applications from students. Funding is awarded to universities, which covers up to 18 scholarships. The scholarships will be offered in a research area which the unversity has identified as a priority.

The Nuffield Foundation

The Nuffield Foundation provides funding for social policy research, with an emphasis on education, welfare and justice. It doesn’t cover PhD programmes, however, instead focusing on promising research projects.

Find out more about applying for a grant from the Nuffield Foundation .

Small charities

Beyond the large charitable trusts and foundations above, there are thousands of small charities in operation across the UK. It’s unlikely that a single grant from one of these organisations will be enough to fund an entire PhD, but with a little perseverance you can begin to build up a healthy ‘portfolio’ of funds from charities.

Luke from the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding managed to raise nearly £40,000 from various bodies, showing what dedication can achieve.

The best way to get started in your own quest for funding is to use one of the charity support resources mentioned above and find out what organisations are operating in your local area.

You’ll probably be surprised by the diversity of these charities – some of them have a rather niche focus while others have an especially broad remit.

To give you a taste of what’s out there, we’ve listed a few notable examples of smaller charities that provide support for PhD students:

• Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust – This is the Leverhulme Trust’s sister charity, offering grants to students who are closely related to a travelling sales representative, pharmacist or grocer (or employed as one themselves).
• The Vegetarian Charity – The Vegetarian Charity provides small grants (usually up to £500) to vegetarians and vegans who are younger than 26.
• The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust – This organisation gives annual grants of between £400 and £1,000 towards courses in any subject (but not professional qualifications like PGCEs and law conversion courses).

Applications for PhD charity funding

Applying for charity funding isn’t quite the same as applying for other forms of PhD funding . Whereas Research Council studentships and university scholarships can involve rather lengthy applications processes with a single annual deadline, smaller charities are often more flexible. You may find that they have several deadlines for grants spread over the course of the year.

Many small charities don’t have an online presence – if you’re applying by post, make sure you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the charity’s response.

In terms of the application itself, the process is usually relatively simple. Charities will normally ask that you write a personal statement detailing your financial situation, your PhD and the potential impact of your research. Following these tips should stand you in good stead:

• Avoid jargon and overly technical terms – This is particularly important if you’re contacting a small charity that doesn’t have expertise in your PhD specialism. Write for a well-educated, interested audience without knowledge of your topic.
• Career – Explain why a PhD is essential to your career. Make sure they know that a doctorate isn’t a self-indulgence, but an important part of your employment prospects.
• Research impact – Talk about the ways in which your doctorate could affect wider society. If possible, make a connection between your PhD subject and the work of the charity (this might not always be feasible).

Charities are often happier if they’re part of a wider support network for your studies, rather than the sole funder of a PhD. Make sure you mention any other funding sources – if you can show that you’re working hard to secure support from several places, this will be a good sign of your commitment.

If, for example, you’ve applied for a UK PhD loan , you should talk about this in your application. Although these loans can’t be combined with public funding like Research Council studentships, you can top up your funding with a PhD funding grant from a charity or trust.

Combining multiple sources of funding is usually referred to as ‘portfolio funding’, and requires careful planning. With a little organisation, it can be a good option for dedicated PhD students.

PhD funding

Want to find out more about other PhD funding options ? We’ve written guides to Research Council studentships , university scholarships and doctoral student loans . Then head over to our course search to find your perfect PhD opportunity .

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

You may also like....

We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about PhDs, covering course types, applications, funding and the benefits of further study.

Not sure how to fund your PhD? This guide answers some of the most common questions about PhD funding in the UK.

The seven UK Research Councils provide government studentships for PhD research in different subject areas. Our simple guide explains how this funding works, what you can get and how to apply successfully.

You may be able to get a PhD loan of up to £27,892 for a UK doctorate. Our guide explains eligibility, applications and repayments.

Our guide explains the best ways to fund international PhD study in the UK, with information on all the main scholarships available to you.

A range of scholarships may be available to help you fund a PhD. Our guide explains the different types of award with tips for making a successful funding application.

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