phd funding gov.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

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

by Alumni Team | Aug 2, 2022

COMMONWEALTH PHD SCHOLARSHIPS

How to apply, supporting documentation, advice for applicants, choosing a university/course, applicant eligibility.

• Eligible countries

Completing the application form

• Selection process and criteria

Tenure and placement

Financial assistance, general conditions, faqs and enquiries.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for applicants from least developed countries and fragile States, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth,  for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.

Purpose: Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) , Commonwealth PhD scholarships contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by supporting research that will have a developmental impact. They also enhance individual teaching and research capacity leading to increase institutional capacity in academic and other sectors in Commonwealth countries, and will contribute to UK higher education and research by attracting high-calibre international applicants and encouraging links and collaboration, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Intended beneficiaries: Commonwealth PhD scholarships are for high-quality graduates who have the potential to undertake world-class research of a developmental nature and to become influential leaders, teachers, or researchers in their home countries.

These scholarships are offered under the six  CSC Development themes .

Applications for Commonwealth PhD scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year are now closed.

Applications to the CSC must be made using the CSC’s online application system.

The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via the online application system .

Applicants are advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.

As well as applying to the CSC, applicants must apply to a nominating agency .

There are three types of nominating agency for PhD scholarships:

• National nominating agencies  – this is the main route of application.
• Selected universities/university bodies  – which can nominate their own academic staff.
• Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies .

Nominating agencies put forward applicants to the CSC for consideration. The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships.

Each nominating agency oversees its own selection process and may have additional eligibility criteria.  Applicants must check with the nominating agency for their specific advice and rules for applying, and their own eligibility criteria.

Nominating agencies may set their own closing dates for applications.

Agencies will nominate candidates to the CSC by December 2023.

Applicants can expect to hear the outcome by July 2024. We will contact all applicants by email and they should ensure all folders of their email accounts are monitored, including junk mail and spam folders. A scholarship offer may be withdrawn if an applicant is emailed but does not respond within a specified time.

Applications must include supporting documentation to be eligible.

Please note that applicants are required to collect references and supporting statements, on institution letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details, from referees and proposed supervisors in the UK and then upload them in PDF format to the application system with their other supporting documentation.

The references and supporting statements must be uploaded to the application system by the deadline for applications and we are unable to accept references and supporting statements any other way or after this date.

Applicants must upload the following documents with the application:

• Proof that they are a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
• Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English. Where any transcripts are missing or do not include all pages, the application will be considered ineligible.
• References from at least two individuals, in PDF format, signed and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details.
• A supporting statement, in PDF format, signed and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details, from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the institutions named on the application form.

Applications will be considered ineligible if any of the required documentation is not included by the closing date.

The CSC will not accept supporting documentation submitted outside the online application system.

When completing the references, referees should be asked to comment as fully as possible on the applicant, keeping in mind the following points for inclusion, as appropriate:

• How long, and in what capacity, the referee has known the applicant.
• The referee’s views on the applicant’s suitability for the proposed Scholarship and the need for the particular subject of study in the UK.
• Information on how, and to what extent, the applicant has shown ability in terms of capability to grasp concepts and reason analytically; capacity for original thought; and motivation and perseverance in achieving objectives.
• Assessment of the applicant’s particular strengths and weaknesses.
• The applicant’s potential to impact development in their home country.
• Any other general qualities which the referee considers would make the applicant a good recipient of a Scholarship.

Please note that the CSC does not charge apply for any of its scholarships or fellowships through its online application system.

When completing supporting statements, proposed supervisors should be asked to confirm that they are, in principle, prepared to have the applicant working with them and that they have the facilities to undertake the research. They should also be asked how the applicant’s plan of study fits with the expertise of their department and to indicate how much of the applicant’s plan of study, if any, they wrote. Any additional comments they make will be appreciated by the Commission.

Applicants can find general information about applying for a Commonwealth Scholarship on our advice for applicants page .

Please read and complete the PhD Scholarships eligibility checklist before submitting your application.

Applicants may find the following resources useful when researching their choices of institution and course of study in the UK:

• Study UK – British Council website, with guidance for international students and a course and institution search
• Steps to Postgraduate Study – a guide to asking the right questions about taught postgraduate study in the UK
• Postgrad.com  – information for postgraduate students, with a course search
• Prospects – information on postgraduate study in the UK
• Research Excellent Framework 2021 results – results of a system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions
• UCAS Postgraduate – guidance on how to find and apply for a postgraduate course
• Discover Uni – the official website for comparing UK higher education course data
• UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) – advice for international students on choosing a course of study

The CSC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Applicants can also discover how Commonwealth Alumni are making an impact and leading change across critical development issues by visiting our development impact stories page .

To apply for this scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2024.
• By September 2024, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)*.
• Not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in their home country before September/October 2024.
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

*The CSC recognises that disabled people have often faced and overcome challenges or barriers in their education journey which have prevented them achieving the academic requirement for a Commonwealth Scholarship. Disabled applicants who can demonstrate their potential to contribute to international development but who do not hold a 2:1 Undergraduate degree may be considered for a contextualised nomination through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) nominator. For more information, please contact CDPF directly using the details on our NGOs and charitable body nominators page .

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants. For further information on the support available to scholars who share that they have a disability, see the  CSC disability support statement .

There is no age limit for CSC applications. Applicants are advised to confirm with their employers any age restrictions on leave entitlement they may have in place.

Eligible Countries

Please note that only applicants from the eligible countries listed below can apply for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and fragile states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in 2023/24.

Bangladesh Cameroon Kenya Kiribati Lesotho Malawi Mozambique Nigeria Pakistan Rwanda Sierra Leone Solomon Islands Tanzania The Gambia Togo Tuvalu Uganda Zambia

In the application form, applicants are asked to:

• List all undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications obtained.
• List up to 10 publications and prizes.
• Provide details of employment history and explain how the experience gained supports and is relevant to the programme to be undertaken in the UK.
• List names and positions of three referees who are qualified to comment on both their capacity to benefit from the proposed Scholarship in the UK and their ability to deliver development impact afterwards. One of the referees must be a current employer (if applicable) and at least two references must be included with the application.
• Provide a Development Impact statement in four parts.

In the first part applicants should explain how the proposed scholarship relates to:

• Development issues at the global, national, and local level
• Development issues connected to the chosen CSC development theme and the wider sector

The second part should explain how they intend to apply their new skills once the Scholarship ends.

The third part should outline what they expect will change in development terms following the Scholarship, including:

• The outcomes that they aim to achieve
• The timeframe for their implementation
• Who the beneficiaries will be

In the fourth part applicants should write about how the impact of their work could be best measured and evidenced.

Applicants are also asked to:

• Confirm what their award objectives are and how each of them will be met by the Scholarship programme.
• Confirm what their career plans are for the 5 years following the Scholarship.
• Confirm their long-term career plans.
• Provide a detailed plan of study.
• Provide a personal statement to summarise the ways in which their personal background has encouraged them to want to make an impact in their home country. Applicants may wish to highlight any areas where they have already made significant contributions, including overcoming personal or community barriers in accessing higher education or within their field.
• Summarise the ways in which they have engaged in voluntary activities and the opportunities they have had to demonstrate leadership.

Selection Process and criteria

Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:

• Academic merit
• Quality of research proposal
• Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s come country

For further details, see the Commonwealth Scholarships selection criteria .

Applicants should note the criteria carefully and link their answers in the application form to each point listed.

Scholarships are tenable at any approved UK university or higher education institution with which the CSC has a part-funding agreement for a specific programme of research for 36 months of full-time study only. For the full list, see here: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/uk-universities

Scholarships are to obtain one degree; funding will not be extended to enable candidates to complete a qualification in addition to or higher than that for which the selection was made.

Scholarships are made in respect of full-time study only and no other course of study may be undertaken at the same time.

The CSC does not provide new direct financial or promotional support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas, defined as the extraction, production, transportation, refining and marketing of crude oil, natural gas or thermal coal, as well as any fossil-fuel fired power plants.

Applicants must make clear in the application which qualification they are applying for. This will enable the CSC to consider the application in the correct category. Applications which do not make this clear may be considered ineligible.

Applicants are advised to list three universities and supervisors that they think are the most appropriate for their study, in order of preference, and to explain their reasons. This is important because the CSC will not change the university or supervisor (or the order of preference) of a provisionally selected candidate after the point of selection, unless exceptional information becomes available that could not have been foreseen at the time of application.

Applicants may propose to study at one university for a four-year PhD, but this must be based in a recognised Doctoral Training Centre. They must research this option thoroughly and justify its added value compared with a three-year PhD. As the CSC will fund only a limited number of four-year PhDs, applicants are strongly advised to also propose at least one three-year PhD choice.

The CSC will make the final decision on institution of study, and reserves the right to overrule any preferences indicated by the candidate. The CSC will consider the suitability of the course and its value for money when deciding on any overrule.

Applicants must take the necessary steps to apply for admission to their preferred universities in advance of their scholarship application. Many courses have strict admission deadlines and candidates should check admission requirements carefully when applying. If an applicant is selected for a scholarship and has not applied and been accepted for a course, it may not be possible to proceed with the scholarship.

Applicants must provide a supporting statement for a named supervisor from at least one of the UK universities to which they are applying. Details of what the supporting statement should include are outlined in the supporting documentation section. Applicants are strongly advised to provide a supporting statement from a supervisor at the first choice university. If not, the CSC reserves the right to select for placement at another university for which a statement is provided.

Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed).
• Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and Scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels).
• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
• Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (the cost of one economy class return airfare to the fieldwork location), where approved.
• Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to the Scholar’s home country, unless they have claimed or intend to claim spouse and/or child allowances during their scholarship or have received a return airfare to their home country for fieldwork.
• If a Scholar is accompanied by their spouse but no children: spouse allowance of £290 per month for a maximum period of nine months, if they and their spouse are living together at the same address in the UK (unless the spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
• If a Scholar is accompanied by their spouse and children: spouse allowance of £290 per month and child allowance of £290 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their spouse and children are living with them at the same address in the UK (unless their spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
• If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of child allowance of £576.61 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them at the same address in the UK.

If a Scholar shares that they have a disability, a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.

The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining a Scholar’s family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and Scholars must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who accompany them to the UK.

For more information, see the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars .

Please note that the conditions outlined in the Handbook are subject to change.

A Commonwealth Scholarship covers fees, approved fares, and personal maintenance. Other scholarships, awards, or bursaries that cover the same costs may not be held concurrently.

For the CSC to administer the application effectively and efficiently after submission, it will be necessary to create a record in the applicant’s name. If they apply for an award to the CSC, their details will be kept on file. Basic anonymised demographic data for all applicants will be kept for analytical research. The CSC is committed to protecting personal information and to being transparent about the information we are collecting about applicants and what we do with it. To find out more, see our privacy notice .

Applicant’s personal information will be used to conduct necessary due diligence checks to CSC’s satisfaction, before CSC proceeds with any type of formal agreement or contractual relationship. In most cases, the due diligence checks will be straightforward, however further information may be requested, so we ask for full co-operation to speed up the process.

If an applicant does not agree to personal data being used for the purpose of conducting due diligence, unfortunately CSC will not be able to proceed further with the application process.

If an application is successful, the CSC will notify the applicant that they have been provisionally selected (selected for an award subject to the CSC agreeing terms of admission to the university) at which point they will be a provisional scholarship candidate.

The CSC does not require any applicants to take an IELTS (English language) test.

The CSC will not be able to offer a scholarship if it would contravene the terms and conditions of another scholarship previously held.

When terms of admission to the university have been agreed, the CSC will provide a Notification of Award (formal offer of a scholarship).

When all conditions of the Notification of Award have been met, the CSC will provide a formal Confirmation of Award.

Candidates will be required to submit a Health and Disability Form  before the Confirmation of Award can be issued.

Candidates will be required to sign an undertaking to return to their home country as soon as possible after the end of the award.

Candidates are expected to start the award on the date stated in the Notification of Award.

If a candidate requires a Student visa to come to the UK to study, they must meet all relevant immigration requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration. They should check the GOV.UK website for updated information.

All UK immigration regulations are set by UK Visas and Immigration and are subject to change. The CSC has no control over these regulations.

Candidates will be selected for an award based on the plan of study outlined on the application form, which is not expected to change significantly during the award. Any such changes must be agreed by the CSC.

Throughout their award, Scholars are expected to reside in the UK, and must seek approval from the CSC in advance of any overseas travel.

Scholars must not undertake paid employment during the award without approval from the CSC in advance.

Collaboration is a feature of doctoral research. The CSC expects that participants in collaborative projects will develop a collaborative agreement to clarify the contributions and rights of each partner. The CSC will not get involved in negotiating an exploitation agreement but will need to be assured that an arrangement acceptable to all parties exists. Arrangements should be made to identify, protect, and value any arising intellectual property and to secure a suitable return to the institution and the investigators through exploitation. The CSC considers the intellectual property ownership to lie initially with the student; however, many universities have their own locally applicable policy. In many cases, it is in the best interest of a student for ownership to be vested with the university, which will have greater negotiating powers and will be likely to be able to seek the best returns in any exploitation agreement. Award holders are expected to notify the CSC when CSC-funded intellectual property is exploited.

The CSC will consider a request to extend a Scholar’s leave to remain in the UK after their award only if they wish to move from Master’s to PhD study. Strict conditions will apply.

The CSC cannot provide a letter of support or permission for Scholars to remain in or return to the UK after the award to enable them to work or undertake postdoctoral study.

The following are not eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship; an employee, a former employee, or relative of an employee of the Government of the United Kingdom; or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities or the British Council; or a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner, former Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner or a relative of a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner. Former employees of the organisations listed above are eligible to apply three years after ceasing their employment with them.

In line with the UK Bribery Act 2010, any applicant convicted of bribery will be banned from reapplying for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship for a period of up to five years.

Applicants are expected to adhere to the CSC’s Code of Conduct for award holders and the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure .

An award may be terminated at any time for reasons of unsatisfactory conduct, progress, or attendance, or if registration is suspended or terminated by the university for any reason.

The CSC is committed to administering and managing its scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner. For more information, see the CSC Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedure at and the FCDO guidance on reporting fraud .

The CSC is committed proactively to safeguard and promote the welfare of our beneficiaries, and to protect its staff, Commissioners, beneficiaries and all those with whom the CSC comes into contact. The CSC requires staff, members of the Commission, applicants for and recipients of CSC awards and suppliers to act consistently with its requirements for safeguarding. Applicants should note the  CSC Safeguarding Policy which sets out the obligation for staff, members of the Commission, applicants for and recipients of CSC awards and suppliers to act consistently with its requirements for safeguarding.  Any safeguarding concerns should be reported to the Commission at:   [email protected]

All conditions of award are subject to UK local law and practices and are subject to change by the CSC.

For more information, see the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars . Please note that the conditions outlined in the Handbook are subject to change.

For general information about applying for Commonwealth Scholarships or Fellowships, please see our FAQs page.

For queries not covered on the website, please use the contact us form .

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PhD studentships

If you're looking to get PhD funding for a specific research project or field of study, Doctoral studentships can provide you with either a partially or fully-funded PhD

Who awards PhD studentships?

PhD studentships are most commonly awarded by the UK's seven Research Councils in the form of Research Council grants , with research funding overseen by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) .

Individual UK universities also offer scholarships and bursaries to PhD students, while many professional bodies fund Doctoral research in collaboration with these academic institutions.

For instance, research awards are offered by the following engineering organisations:

• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) - QUEST scholarships
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
• Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng)

Additionally, CASE studentships (formerly known as Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering) can be part-funded by any non-academic body in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) . These four-year PhDs require the student to work at the organisation for at least three months.

You can also apply for funded PhD opportunities through many charities, foundations and trusts, including:

• Action Medical Research
• Alzheimer's Society
• British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)
• British Heart Foundation (BHF)
• Cancer Research UK
• Diabetes UK
• Rosetrees Trust - PhD Plus
• The Leverhulme Trust
• Wellcome Trust

Before you start applying for a funded PhD, it's always a good idea to discuss this with a prospective supervisor first, as they're often able to provide tips on maximising the likelihood of receiving financial support.

How much can I receive?

Many PhD studentships, including those offered by universities, professional bodies, or charities, foundations and trusts, provide three years' funding paid at a similar rate to the Research Council grant:

• Fees-only studentship - These cover a student's tuition fees, plus any associated project and training costs (a minimum of £4,786 per year in 2024/25).
• Full studentship - These add a non-repayable, tax-free maintenance grant known as a 'stipend'. In 2024/25, this is worth a minimum of £19,237 and it can be used towards living costs - see UKRI - Find studentships and Doctoral training .

For example, at The University of Manchester, the School of Social Sciences PhD studentship includes tuition fees for three-and-a-half years and a maintenance grant of £18,622 (2023/24 rate) per year for living expenses, plus associated research costs - such as fieldwork and attending conferences - from the Research Training Support Grant.

However, you should be aware that some PhD studentship recipients are required to teach undergraduates. While this provides an excellent opportunity to gain vital employability skills, it can also be hugely time-consuming. You must be satisfied that tutoring won't negatively affect the quality of your research before accepting your place.

Is my programme eligible for a PhD studentship?

PhD studentships can start at any time of the year, but most begin in September, October or January.

Certain types of PhD, for example professional Doctorates, may not be eligible for a PhD studentship. The same applies to part-time or distance learning options.

Am I eligible?

PhD studentships typically demand that applicants have a Bachelors degree at 2:1 or above, plus a relevant Masters degree or professional experience at that level of study.

Those who already possess a PhD are often ineligible, while some PhD studentships are limited to students fitting certain criteria - for example, those from a disadvantaged background, from a certain country or of a certain ethnicity.

If you're a European Union (EU) national, you'll need to have settled or pre-settled status under the government's EU Settlement Scheme to be eligible for student finance in this country - and this includes PhD studentships.

How do I apply for a PhD studentship?

The application process can be lengthy, and competition is fierce.

Some PhD students will be automatically considered for financial support once they've been accepted by an institution, but many are required to make separate PhD funding applications. These are usually made directly to the university - even for those studentships from Research Councils, professional bodies, or charities, foundations and trusts.

You'll typically be asked for your PhD application form, a research proposal , a cover letter and your references. After the institution has reviewed your application, you may be invited to interview.

Throughout this process, the university will scrutinise what you'll bring to the institution. Applicants at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), for example, are judged on:

• the quality of their research project and how it connects with research currently being undertaken at the institution
• how appropriate the supervisory team is
• their calibre, academic qualifications and academic/research experience
• whether the research can contribute towards the Research Excellence Framework (REF), meaning that interdisciplinary research will be preferred.

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

You can improve your chances of success by:

• asking a friend or family member to proofread your application
• carefully choosing your referees, ensuring that they'll speak positively of you
• discussing your draft application with a relevant academic
• explaining how your work will be unique and innovative
• following the funding body's guidance regarding word counts and formatting.

What other PhD funding is available?

If you're unsuccessful with your PhD studentship application, you could consider:

• crowdfunding
• employer sponsorship
• PhD loans .

Find out more

• Explore 5 routes to getting a Doctorate .
• Read about 5 challenges faced by PhD students .
• Consider what to do next after completing a PhD .

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• PhD Loans – 2023 Guide for Doctoral Students
• Funding a PhD
• A PhD Loan can fund a PhD in any field lasting between three to eight years .
• You can borrow up to £28,673 for courses that started on or after 1st August 2023.
• There are several eligibility restrictions, including that you must be a UK national resident and not receiving other funding (e.g. from Research Council or NHS).
• The repayments will be 6% of your annual income above  £21,000 .

What Is a PhD Loan?

A PhD loan is a form of UK Government loan made available to doctoral students residing in England or Wales. It is designed to help students fund their doctoral programme or equivalent degree, covering basic costs such as the tuition course fees and living costs.

The most common degrees they cover are:

• PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
• EngD – Doctor of Engineering
• EdD – Doctor of Education

Note: PhD Loans are formally known as Postgraduate Doctoral Loans, however, many postgraduate students commonly refer to Doctoral Loans as PhD Loans due to their primary use to fund PhDs.

Am I Eligible for a PhD Loan?

There are several requirements you must meet to be an eligible student for a PhD loan, such as your residency status. The eligibility criteria are summarised below into two categories – those that make you eligible and those that make you ineligible for a PhD loan.

Requirements That Make You Eligible:

• Be a UK or Irish citizen or have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme , and ordinarily a resident of England or Wales.
• Be under the age of 60.
• Undertake a PhD (or another doctoral degree) that is three to eight years long and provided by a university in the UK.

Note: A common misunderstanding amongst university students is that a Doctoral Loan can fund an MPhil degree. As an MPhil is a Master’s degree, it does not meet the ‘Doctoral or equivalent’ requirement for being eligible for a Doctoral Loan. Therefore, if you are considering undertaking an MPhil, you should instead be applying for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan. If more appropriate for your situation, you can find out more information about Postgraduate Loans here .

Requirements That Make You Ineligible:

You must not:

• Already hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.
• Already be receiving funding. This includes grants from the Research Council (studentships, stipends & scholarships etc.), a social work bursary or NHS bursary (note that being eligible for an NHS Bursary even if you’re not receiving one will make you ineligible for a PhD loan).
• Already have had a Doctoral Loan before, unless you left your course due to illness, bereavement or another serious personal reason. You are still eligible if you have received an undergraduate loan in previous study.
• Obtain your PhD through publication (as this won’t have a period of study associated with it)

Aspects That Don’t Affect Your Eligibility:

There are several aspects of your PhD course that do not affect your eligibility to receiving Doctoral Loans. These are:

• Your doctoral course – your PhD can be in any subject or field. The underlying requirement is that it is provided by a university in the UK; i.e. a university in either England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Full-time or part-time course – you need not pursue your PhD full-time to be eligible. The underlying requirement is that your PhD can be completed within eight years regardless of how you allocate your time.
• Taught, research-based or a combination of both – as long as your PhD has an aspect of studying associated with it, the method of obtainment of your PhD will not affect your eligibility.

How Much Funding Can I Get?

The amount of funding you can obtain isn’t means-tested. This means that it isn’t related to your financial background or household income and therefore you can qualify for the full amount regardless of your situation.

The maximum loan amount you can borrow falls into one of three categories:

• Up to £28,673 if your course starts on or after 1st August 2023 ,
• Up to £27,892 if your course started between 1st August 2022 and 31st July 2023 ,
• Up to £27,265 if your course started between 1st August 2021 and 31 July 2022 .

You may apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan in any year of study, however you may not receive the maximum amount if you apply after the first year of your PhD. For annual costs, you may receive:

• Up to £12,167 per year  if your course starts on or after 1st August 2023 ,
• Up to £11,836 per year  if your course started between 1st August 2022 and 31st July 2023 ,
• Up to £11,570 per year  if your course started between 1st August 2021 and 31 July 2022 .

When Will I Get Paid?

Your loan payments will be spread out across all academic years of your course.

Example: If you undertake a full-time PhD over 5 years and apply for a loan amount of £25,000, you will receive £5,000 in each academic year.

Further to this, the allocation for each academic year will be paid in three even instalments, with each instalment paid at the start of a new term.

Example: Continuing with the above example, the £5,000 per each academic year would be paid in three instalments of £1,667.

Your first instalment will typically be paid immediately after your course start date. This is because your university will first need to confirm to Student Finance England (SFE) or Student Finance Wales that you’ve officially enrolled with them before the student loan can be released to you.

How and When Do I Repay?

Repayment terms – You will need to start repaying your loan once you have completed your PhD and started earning an annual income over £21,000 .

Once both these conditions are met, you will start making your repayments at 6% of your income above £21,000 . This means that for the first £21,000 you earn, you won’t need to make any contributions towards your loan repayment, however, anything above £21,000 will be subject to a 6% deduction for repayment towards your student loan.

It’s worth noting that if you work for an employer after your PhD, your repayments will be automatically deducted from your salary and there isn’t anything you will directly need to do. However, if you decide to work for yourself as opposed for an employer, you will need to make the repayments yourself.

Like undergraduate loans taken for undergraduate degrees, a postgraduate Doctoral Loan is subject to interest, which will need to be paid on top of your original student loan value. The interest rate is the retail price index (RPI) plus 3%.

Example: The average UK RPI for 2019 was approximately 2.4%. This means that besides the mandatory 3% that is owed, the average interest rate on a Doctoral Loan in 2019 would have been 5.4%.

It’s worth noting that if you aren’t able to completely repay your postgraduate loan within 30 years from the date of your first payment, the remaining loan debt will be voided.

How Do I Apply?

You can apply in one of two ways – either online , by setting up an account on Student Finance England’s website, or by post , by filling in a printable form on GOV.UK ‘s website. Click the respective below to be taken directly to their websites where you can find out more. Note that you will only have to apply once for Postgraduate Doctoral Loans; Student Finance England will contact you every year to confirm the amount you will receive.

Online Application – Student Finance England

Postal Application – GOV.UK

Note: While English residents and EU students who will study in England need to apply to Student Finance England, Welsh residents and EU students who will study in Wales will need to apply to Student Finance Wales .

The application deadline is based on when your doctoral programme is due to start; you should apply within 9 months of this start date.

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

Other PhD Funding Options

A PhD Loan is only one of several sources of funding to support your PhD studies and living expenses. The other postgraduate funding options available to you are:

• Research Council funding and studentships
• Scholarships and bursaries
• Employer sponsorship
• Charities and Trusts

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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 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

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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!

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Doctoral Research Scholarships and funding

The University has a number of awards for UK/EU and overseas candidates starting a one-year Masters programme and for PhD study, some of which are region- and country-specific scholarships. Interested candidates are strongly urged to apply. More information on these awards can be found on the  scholarships and grants page .

ESRC Scholarship Competition

Economic and Social Research Council funding The University of Birmingham is part of the ESRC Midlands Graduate School that includes Aston, Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick. 

The competition for ESRC scholarships to which eligible students beginning their studies in October 2024 is now open and the deadline for applications is 23 January 2024 .

Information about the Midlands Graduate School, training pathways and eligibility for studentships, as well as the application form and guidance notes, can be found on the Doctoral Training Partnership website .

In order to be eligible for consideration for an ESRC scholarship, applicants must have applied for a PhD place in the School of Government. To apply to the Doctoral Programme, please go to the subject specific page listed below:

• International Development PhD
• Public Administration and Policy PhD
• Political Science and International Studies PhD

Find out more about the  areas of research  in the School of Government .

International Scholarships

To award outstanding achievement and to attract students of the highest calibre from around the world, the University of Birmingham is pleased to offer a number of international scholarships. Scholarships for international students .

For information and updates on possible further sources of funding for overseas applicants, see the webpage for the University of Birmingham Brazil Scholarships.

Central University Scholarships

These are one-year Scholarships which offer fees and - subject to availability of funds - maintenance. Some of these scholarships are subject-specific, for international students and for home students. All scholarships listed below are offered subject to available funds, and are open to both EU and international students in addition to home students, unless otherwise stated. For information on deadlines – including the date by which you must hold an offer of a place on the doctoral research programme.

Postgraduate students may use the Postgraduate Funding Database to search for scholarships and bursaries. In addition, some of the scholarship schemes open to those within the School of Education are listed below. Please read any documentation carefully for eligibility and closing dates. 

General funding advice may also be found on the Student Funding Office webpages.

Funds for current Doctoral Researchers

The School offers DR funding for the following:

• Conference funding.  Grants are available for the travel expenses and registration fees for postgraduate research students delivering a paper at an academic conference. These are allocated competitively in three rounds each year. Deadlines for application are circulated by email before each round.
• General research funding.  Funding from the School is available for small requests from doctoral researchers in order to cover general research costs that cannot be covered by funding from other sources. This fund will be allocated competitively by the same committee which allocates conference funds. Application process and deadlines will be advertised by email.

Further information

• Doctoral research degrees

Doctoral Research Student Administrator

Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 3497, Email:  [email protected]

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Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees

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PhD funding

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

• Funded centres
• Funding by faculty
• EPSRC Studentships
• Black British Researchers Studentships
• CSC Scholarships
• Exeter Paris-Saclay Studentships
• Alternative funding

How can I fund my PhD?

There are all sorts of ways to fund your research degree, including research council studentships, career development loans, and employer sponsorship. These web pages will help you understand what kinds of funding are available, when it is released and how you can apply for it.

Before you start looking into how to get funding, remember to consider   how much a research degree is likely to cost.

It is always a good idea to contact the Postgraduate Research team in the   Faculty or Academic department  you are interested in studying in for details of their specific funding opportunities.

Funding postgraduate research degrees

University funding for PhDs

Class of 2024 Postgraduate Progression Award

We are pleased to offer graduating University of Exeter students completing their degree this summer and progressing direct to a research degree (eg MPhil/PhD) with us in 2021/22 a scholarship towards the cost of their first year tuition fees. Please note that this award is not recurrent for postgraduate research students.

Please visit our   Class of 2024 Progression Award page   to learn more.

Terms and conditions apply .

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer other University of Exeter alumni beginning a research degree (eg MPhil/PhD) with us in 2024/25 a scholarship towards the cost of their first year tuition fees. Please note that this award is not recurrent for postgraduate research students. The scholarship is available to any University of Exeter graduate who has completed one of the following:

• graduated from an undergraduate or postgraduate degree awarded by the University of Exeter
• completed an inbound Study Abroad semester/year at the University of Exeter
• completed a credit-bearing University of Exeter International Summer School

Please visit our   Alumni Scholarship page   to learn more.

Terms and conditions apply

QUEX Institute Partnership with The University of Queensland

The University of Exeter and The University of Queensland have partnered to establish the QUEX Institute, a multi-million pound partnership designed to bolster their joint global research impact.

The partnership will strengthen a joint commitment to co-produce research of the highest quality, boost industry and business collaboration, and publish high-level policy reports designed to inform and shape key government initiatives across the globe.

Each year, 6 generous, fully-funded studentships are available for the best applicants, 3 offered by the University of Exeter and 3 by the University of Queensland. This select group will have the chance to study in the UK and Australia, and will graduate with a double degree from the University of Exeter and the University of Queensland.

How much?   Full tuition fees, stipend of £15,000 p.a, travel funds of up to £15,000, and RTSG of up to £15,000 are available over the 3 year programme

Who is eligible?  Applicants should be highly motivated and have, or expect to obtain, either a first or upper-second class BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

When is it available?  Applications for 2022/23 entry are now closed. 

For more information about the partnership, please visit the   QUEX pages .

University of Exeter Sanctuary Scholarships

The Sanctuary Scholarship scheme enables individuals seeking asylum and refugees who are not able to access student finance to study at the University of Exeter.  To find out more, check eligibility and apply, please see the  Sanctuary Scholarships  page on our funding database.

Research council PhD studentships

How much?   Full tuition fees and a generous living allowance (approximate total £20,000 per year) 

Who is eligible?  Home and International students with outstanding academic records

When is it available?   Autumn to early spring

Research Council-funded PhD studentships generally pay your tuition fees (usually in the region of £4,500 to £5,000 per year) as well as providing a generous living allowance (approximately £17,668 per year) enabling you to concentrate fully on your research full-time. Because of this, Research Council studentships are very desirable and highly competitive.

There are seven research councils in the UK which distribute government funding for research. They are presided over by   Research Councils UK , and each one faces a different area of research. In alphabetical order, they 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)

Please be aware that the specific subjects covered by each council can and do overlap in some instances, depending on specific topics, for instance, History can fall under both the ESRC and the AHRC depending on the precise topic.

Types of award

Research Council studentships generally come in three kinds: open awards; thematic awards; and project awards. Awards given in the humanities and social sciences are usually open or thematic, meaning they are open to any pitch relevant to the specific funding council, or else are tied to a specific research area within the funding council - for instance the medical humanities.

Awards given in the sciences are usually project-based, and can be highly specific; rather than applying for funding to research your own idea, you are essentially applying for a place working on a pre-defined research project, such as genome sequencing a specific organism.

Who is eligible?

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 fees at the UK research organisation rate.

This is a change in the criteria and will come into force for the start of the 2021 academic year.  Please note up to 30% of full studentships are also available to international students which are defined as EU (excluding Irish nationals), EEA, Swiss and all other non-UK nationals.

If you have any queries about your residency status, you should speak to the appointed contact for the individual studentship before applying.

For the academic criteria, applicants should have a first or 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Equivalence may be demonstrated by qualifications gained outside of the UK or an undergraduate degree plus relevant postgraduate study, or experience in their chosen field.

Where can I find PhD studentships?

Research Council studentships are listed on the relevant  Doctoral Training Partnership  and  research topic  pages. In addition, all our current PhD studentship opportunities are searchable via the search box available on every page of this Postgraduate Research site. You will find them listed in the 'PhD Projects' tab in the search results page.

When are studentships available? 

Research Council studentships are generally open for applications during   autumn and winter , although deadlines vary and some can be as late as April. Because they are competitive and attract the very best-qualified students, it is best to start looking, and be ready to apply, from September. This means you may need to start considering funding for your PhD before teaching for your Masters has even begun, if you wish to progress directly from a taught postgraduate programme to a research degree.

Doctoral Training Partnerships

The vast majority of funding for PhDs that comes from the research councils is via Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). These are consortia of universities who together receive bulk funding for research into specific areas. By sharing resources, expertise, and facilities, Doctoral Training Partnerships can provide outstanding support and training for PhD candidates researching within them. Most Doctoral Training Partnership-funded PhDs work on a joint-supervision basis, where your primary supervisor is from one institution and your secondary supervisor is from another.

The University of Exeter is a partner in numerous  Doctoral Training Partnerships , and is one of very few universities to be part of partnerships facing every research council.

How much?   Up to £27,892 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2022

Who is eligible?   UK nationals and Irish citizens, or those with 'settled status'

How do I pay it back?  Once you are earning over £21,000 a year, you will pay back six percent of your income each year. If you already have a Postgraduate Master’s Loan then you’ll make a combined repayment of six percent covering both postgraduate loans.

Full information can be found at   Gov.uk .

Funding solely for international students

As an international student your first action when looking for PhD funding should be to check grant-awarding bodies in your own country (for instance the Ministry or Department of Education), and your local (or nearest) office of   the British Council . The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you.

As with anyone seeking funding for a PhD, it is also worth contacting the department you with to study within, to find out more about internal funding opportunities available to outstanding candidates.

Funding opportunities for international PhD students are subject to the usual rules regarding   immigration and visas .

All International Students

British Chevening Scholarships

For students wishing to follow full-time taught or research postgraduate-level courses in any subject at UK universities or colleges in the public sector. Most scholarships are mainly for one year, but awards are also occasionally given for shorter vocational courses/research attachments. Awards are given to cover all or part of the cost of the period of study. Contact the British Embassy, British High Commission or British Council Office in your own country.

British Council Fellowship Programmes

Full scholarships for professionals in fields considered by the British Council to be of special importance in the candidate's own country. Grants are for postgraduate study or research and range from short attachments to research leading to a PhD. Grants vary in size – from small grants to fellowships which will cover fees and living expenses. For details, contact the British Council in your own country, or write to: Fellows and Scholars Department, The British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN (tel: 020 7930 8466) or International Student Services Unit, Regional Services Dept, The British Council, Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 6BB (tel: 0161 957 7000).

Commonwealth Students

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)   is the world's first and oldest international university network, established in 1913.

A UK-registered charity, the ACU has over 500 member institutions in developed and developing countries across the Commonwealth. The ACU administers scholarships, provides academic research and leadership on issues in the sector, and promotes inter-university cooperation and the sharing of good practice – helping universities serve their communities, now and into the future.

Commonwealth Scholarship Plan

Full scholarships for Commonwealth students to enable them to study in other Commonwealth countries. Grants are for one to three years and usually cover the cost of travel, tuition fees and living expenses. In some cases, additional allowances may be available for help with books and clothes. For details, write to: Commonwealth Awards Division, Association of Commonwealth Universities, John Foster House, 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PF; [email protected]

For Commonwealth students specifically interested in PhD study in the UK and at the University of Exeter, Commonwealth Scholarships for PhD and split-site PhD study are available. These are aimed at talented graduates from selected countries and normally close in June for study commencing the following September. Please see the UK's   Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website   for details. 

DFID Shared Scholarship Scheme

Scholarships for students in developing Commonwealth countries for taught courses at postgraduate (or in certain cases undergraduate) level. Preferred subjects are those relevant to the economic and social development of your own country. For details, contact the British High Commission or British Council in your own country, or write to: Department for International Development, 94 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5JL (tel: 0300 200 3343 / +44 (0) 1355 84 3132)

Canadian students

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund   is a charity which provides funding for academically exceptional Canadian students already registered on a postgraduate programme in the UK. The programme has to be full-time and last longer than one year. For full details please   visit their website .

Chinese students

China Scholarship Council and   University of Exeter PhD Scholarships    

The Great Britain-China Educational Trust (GBCET)   administers its own awards, and also makes awards with funds contributed by the Sino-British Fellowship Trust, the Universities' China Committee in London, and the Han Suyin Trust. The awards are meant to contribute towards applicants' university tuition fees, and living expenses.

The British Association for Chinese Studies (BACS)   provides a detailed overview of the state of funding available to researchers and students for China-related studies in the UK.

European Students

European Union (EU) citizens can apply and qualify for a full award including fees and stipend for UK research council studentships.  Each consortium of UK research council studentships cannot allocate more than 30% of the total number of awards to International students, including EU citizens. 

The EU provides some grants to promote the exchange of students and academic staff within Europe, such as the SOCRATES and LEONARDO Programmes. The European Commission (EC) also makes some awards to students from developing countries. Contact the EC office in your own country or write to the European Commission, Directorate General III, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium. Further details can also be found on the   Community Research & Development Information Service (CORDIS) web site .

Research collaboration in Europe extends beyond the EU and residents of European countries with organisations affiliated to the European Science Foundation may also be eligible for certain schemes.

Indian Students

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation

The major objective of the Foundation is to identify exceptionally talented young Indian students and support them financially to develop their special skill and talents to the maximum. It achieves this by awarding scholarships to outstanding young students to continue their post-graduate study/research abroad. Over the last three decades, more than 350 scholars have benefited from these scholarships.

Pakistani Students

The   Higher Education Commission   is an excellent site detailing scholarships available to Pakistani students wishing to study abroad.

USA Students

Fulbright Scholarships

Full scholarships for United States graduates to enable them to study in the UK. Write to the Graduate Students Programs, Institute of International Education (IIE), 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017- 3580, USA

British Marshall Scholarships

Full scholarships for United States citizens, who are under 26 and are graduates of United States universities, to enable them to study for a degree in the UK. For details, write to: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, John Foster House, 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PF; tel: 020 7387 8572;   [email protected] . Application forms are available from United States universities and colleges, British Consulates General in the United States, or British Information Services, 845 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, USA

Charities, trusts, foundations and philanthropy

How much?  Varies: from £10 to £10,000 or more 

Who is eligible?  Varies according to provider

When is it available?   Varies according to provider

If you are not one of the lucky few able to secure a fully-funded studentship, there are still lots of ways to fund your PhD. A 'portfolio funding' approach - using lots of different, small awards and sources of funding rather than relying on one source - can really help you. Applying to educational charities can be an effective way of building up a portfolio of funding.

There are all sorts of philanthropic organisations dedicated to helping people pay for educational pursuits. These vary from major charities with millions of pounds dedicated to specialist research, to small trusts offering modest grants to help pay for books or travel. Some are very niche in their remits (funding just research into specific topics, such as the   Research Society for Victorian Periodicals , or by people from specific places or social groups), and others are much more general. It is worth researching opportunities thoroughly, and writing speculative letters to appropriate bodies who may not have formal application processes.

Finding out about what opportunities are available can be tricky; many bodies have minimal websites that are not updated regularly, and some don't have websites at all. Writing, calling, or following potential funders on social media can help.

When applying, you will need to outline the case for why you deserve funding in much the same way as you would outline your academic case for being able to do a PhD. It is worthwhile mentioning if you have already secured any awards, as this demonstrates that organisations already think you are worth funding.

Print directories of funding bodies

The Grants Register is an annual publication listing charities and other bodies that provide grants, including for education. We have   copies in our libraries . We also have copies of   The Directory of Grant-Making Trusts , a similar publication.

Find out more about charities, foundations, and trusts on   our alternative funding page .

Employer sponsorship and industry funding

How much?  Varies according to sponsor 

Who is eligible?  Varies according to sponsor

When is it available?  Varies according to sponsor

Responsible employers are always keen to develop their employees through training. While a 3-4 year full-time PhD may seem like an extreme example of staff development, it’s not unheard of, especially in technology-driven businesses and the medical and legal professions. Museums and heritage groups, and tech industries working on cultural projects (such as mobile apps), are often open to funding / working with humanities researchers. We also offer specific   professional doctorates , which are studied for alongside work, in   education   and   engineering .

Getting the support of your employer is obviously key, and you’ll need to put together a proposal for your training in much the same way as you’d need to construct a business plan for any new commercial venture.

Likewise companies often approach the University of Exeter with proposals to fund research that can further their business, and often the best way of doing this is via PhD students. Specific opportunities that arise are listed in our   Postgraduate Research search  alongside other studentships, but it may be worth talking to relevant academics in your field to find out about other possibilities that could be created for outstanding candidates.

Working while studying

How much?  Varies 

Who is eligible?  Anyone

When is it available?  All year

Working full or part-time while studying for a research degree can be incredibly demanding, but is a possibility for the many academically-capable PhD candidates who just miss out on the limited funding available. Almost 90% of students funding a PhD in this way are studying part-time, for obvious reasons.

Working while studying can also help give you key work-related skills that might be quite different to those you gain as a researcher, but just as valuable to future employers. It can also, crucially, give you a much-needed break from the intensity of PhD research.

There are several things you will need to consider. For instance, the University has   regulations on how many hours you can work alongside your studies . You will also need to make sure your employer is understanding regarding the demands that your studies will make on your time; while some research degrees allow for great flexibility of time, others will demand your presence at specific times in laboratories or workshops.

There are several opportunities to work here at the University itself while studying for a PhD, such as being a   Residence Life Mentor , or through the   Temporary Staff Bank .

Private loan providers

Some financial institutions offer specialist loans for postgraduate students. An internet search may help you identify any potential schemes, but please be aware of the terms and conditions of the scheme and the annual percentage rate in order to identify the total cost of your loan.

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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

Bristol Doctoral College

Bristol has one of the largest concentrations of funding and support for postgraduate research in the UK. Here is an overview of funding options and some tips for exploring funding to support your postgraduate research programme.

Overview of funding

Scholarships.

The University offers a number of funded postgraduate research scholarships for outstanding applicants in all faculties. All of the scholarships available are listed in the online search facility - just use the ‘Research postgraduate’ filter on the form to see a full list of what’s available for postgraduate research students. Awards normally cover full tuition fees and a stipend paid at the  UK Research Council rate , although this can vary according to faculty.

Search the Student Funding database

Studentships

More than 300 funded PhD studentships are available across our six faculties for outstanding students. These vacancies will usually cover tuition fees as well a monthly stipend to cover living costs. They are attached to specific research projects or fields and are advertised individually on school and faculty webpages, or searchable on the jobs.ac.uk web pages.

Search for studentships on jobs.ac.uk

Opportunity Bristol

Opportunity Bristol provides financial support to UK students from Black backgrounds to undertake a research-related Masters degree. The scholarship scheme supports  students in the transition from undergraduate to PhD-level  study. The scheme aims to place students in a better position to pursue a career in research  by supporting their studies at m asters  level.  

Find out more about Opportunity Bristol

Visiting Ukrainian Doctoral Studentships

In 2022, the University of Bristol is offering eight studentships to doctoral students from Ukrainian universities for 6 months.

Find out more

Cohort-based doctoral training

We currently have 29 funded Doctoral Training Centres offering excellent funded postgraduate research opportunities and a wide range of skills training. Funded studentships on these programmes offer the chance to study as part of a cohort of researchers and usually cover fees and living costs. PhD students within these cohorts gain a broad range of skills and knowledge that can be applied across a wide variety of careers within and outside of academia.

Search cohort-based doctoral training

Self-funded study

If you intend to fund yourself through your postgraduate research programme, you might be considering studying part-time in order to work alongside your research to help fund your living costs. Find out more about the cost of living in Bristol .

Doctoral loans

For self-funded postgraduate research students, the UK Government has announced new doctoral loans of up to £25,000 over the duration of a postgraduate research programme. UK nationals who are ordinarily resident in England, aged 59 or under, who are not already receiving funding via a UK Research Council, are eligible. The government is currently considering making EU students eligible.

Doctoral study loans

Employer sponsorship

It might be possible for your employer or company to support your doctoral studies, particularly if the research is valuable and relevant for your employer. Securing sponsorship for your PhD can give you financial support while your employer could benefit from the research you undertake and the skills you bring back to your company.

The Bristol Doctoral College supports opportunities within this portfolio of work and can advise interested applicants further.

Contact us for further information

Funding tips

For further resources, recommendations, and all-things-money related to research degrees, check out our funding tips .

Funding for postgraduate research students

Find out more about the funding options available to you as a postgraduate research student.

If you are considering starting a postgraduate research course, you could get help to pay for your course and living costs.  You may be eligible for a Postgraduate Masters Loan or a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan. Postgraduate research (PGR) programmes include: PhD, MPhil, ResM, MD, DPA, DBA, EdD and DClinPsy.   If you are looking to study a postgraduate taught programme, please view our information on funding for postgraduate taught students . If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the Student Financial Support Team  

Fees and costs

Postgraduate masters loans (pgml).

Am I eligible for a postgraduate masters loan? 

How to apply.

• You will not be eligible for Postgraduate Masters Loan if you have outstanding student loan arrears or have previously been found to be ‘unfit’ for student support (e.g. because of attempted fraud).
• You will not be eligible if you already have a Masters (or qualification equivalent or higher) degree already.
• A Postgraduate Masters Loan is not available to students wanting to ‘top-up’ a lower level qualification to a Masters degree. The course must be a full standalone master’s course.
• You must register for the full 180 credits in order to receive the loan. Prior Accredited learning cannot be used to reduce the number of credits taken.
• Postgraduate Masters Loans are not available for postgraduate level courses such as PgCert (Postgraduate Certificate), PgDip (Postgraduate Diploma) or where the postgraduate course is funded by undergraduate student finance, such as: ITT (Initial Teacher Training) or Integrated Masters.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans (PGDL)

Am I eligible for a postgraduate doctoral loan?

How do i apply for a loan, details of repayment requirements and the interest rate payable, further information.

• PhD loans information on the Prospects website
• PhD loans information on the FindAPhD website

Additional funding

• Additional funding for disabled students
• Additional funding for care leavers

Scholarships, bursaries and support funds

Supporting students with the cost of living

Postgraduate research degrees.

• PhD Funding – Explore Your Options

PhD Funding Options

Finding funding for a PhD can seem challenging, but it may not be as hard as you think.

In fact, there are a wide range of options available: from Research Council studentships and doctoral student loans to funding from universities and independent charities , as well as a wide range of other PhD scholarships.

We've filled this section with detailed guides to all the different types of postgraduate funding that could be available for your PhD. You can also read our quick overview of the main options, or check out our advice on applying for PhD funding .

Who funds PhDs? And how do scholarships and studentships actually work? If you're new to PhD funding, start with this simple guide.

How do you actually go about applying for PhD funding? Our guide offers some simple advice and answers common questions students may have.

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.

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.

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.

Universities often have funding available for their PhD students, with support ranging from full studentships to fee waivers, small grants and other partial funding. Our guide explains the kinds of award an institution might offer and shows you where to start looking for them.

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Government PhD loans in England

What students are eligible.

Some PhD students are eligible for loans, but many are not because of their alternative funding arrangements. As with all UK Government student loans, students must be usually resident in England for three years before making the application. If you are an EU national, then you must have settled or pre-settled basis if you are starting your PhD after the 1st of August 2021. Other international students must have indefinite leave to remain in the UK and all students must be under the age of 60 on the first academic day of their studies.

What students are not eligible?

Students who are not eligible for a PhD student loan in England are those who have received or will receive funding from one of the Research Councils, those who are getting a Social Work bursary , an Educational Psychology bursary and those who are getting other funding from Student Finance England . If you have received funding for a PhD in the past, then you may not qualify for funding unless you left your course for a serious personal reason. Students who are also eligible to apply for an NHS bursary, even if they don't apply for it, are not eligible for a government PhD loan, and neither are those who already have a PhD. Students who are behind in their payments to the Student Loan Company will also be rendered ineligible.

What courses are eligible?

The PhDs eligible for a PhD loan are those studied on a structured basis either part-time or full-time. PhDs by publication and top-up PhDs are not eligible for Government PhD loans in England. The PhD must last between three and eight years, and the student must have started their PhD on or after the 1st of August 2018. The course must also be based at a UK public university with research degree awarding powers, or the lead university of your PhD must be a UK university and 50% of your time must be spent in the UK for the duration of your PhD. Many postgraduate doctoral qualifications are eligible and these include a PhD or DPhil, Doctor of Engineering (EngD) and a Doctor of Education (EdD).

Is the value of the loan linked to course fees?

No, the amounts you borrow is up to you rather than the Government, as long as it doesn't exceed the annual limit. If you are studying an integrated masters and PhD program, then you can apply for PhD funding but not masters funding.

Who should you apply to and by when?

Students should apply to Student Finance England, either online, using their online forms or by telephone if there is difficulty using a computer, because some reason such as a disability. You must apply within nine months of the first day of the last academic year of your PhD to access any Government loans, and this must be done once you have a secured PhD place.

Does the debt get cancelled at any point?

Any PhD loan that is still outstanding 30 years after the repayments start is cancelled. For students who become unable to work because of disability or ill health any amount they owe is also cancelled.

Government PhD loans in Wales

Which students are eligible.

Those PhD students eligible for a Government PhD loan in Wales are any student that has been resident in Wales for three years and is a UK citizen, an EU citizen with settled or pre-settled status or has permanent leave to remain the UK. International students who are refugees are also often eligible as are many children of migrants and refugees. EU or EEA and Swiss students who are travelling to Wales to study can all access Welsh Government loans. Students must be under 60 years of age on the first day of their course and the PhD must be the first postgraduate doctoral-level course they have studied. Distance learning PhD students are eligible for Government loans if they are resident in Wales for the duration of the PhD. As are those students who are in the armed forces or are the dependents of someone in the armed forces and are based abroad.

Distance learning PhD courses are eligible for Government PhD loans in Wales, as are both full- and part-time PhDs. However, integrated masters and PhD courses are only eligible for masters-level funding. Students must be attending a UK-based publicly funded university or if it is a private university, then the PhD course must be approved by the Welsh Government. Similarly to Student Finance England, a student applying to Student Finance Wales can be based at two universities but must spend 50% of their time in the UK-based institution. The PhD must be research-based and completed in three to eight years. The amount you can borrow is not related to the topic you are studying.

Who should you apply to and when?

You should apply to Student Finance Wales and you can do this before you have a secured place at a university, but funds will not be released until you have a PhD position. The PhD loan applications are done online, but there is provision for those who need assistance with online applications and must be completed within nine months of the first day of your course.

The debt can be cancelled 30 years after the first repayment is made or if the student becomes too ill or disabled to work.

Government PhD Loans in Scotland & Northern Ireland

The Scottish and Northern Irish Governments do not offer any loans to PhD students in any form. This includes those masters level students who are studying a masters that is an integrated into a PhD, however these students may well be eligible to apply for a UK Government masters loan .

UK Government PhD Loans… in a nutshell

So, in summary, what PhD loans are avaialble from the UK Governments?

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Other PhD loan options in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Students in Scotland and Northern Ireland will have to find alternative funding methods, such as the UK Research Councils and other funding bodies or private loans. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, PhD students often receive public funds in the form of grants and bursaries from the Research Councils based in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The governments in these home nations fund areas they wish to see more research through these different research councils and organisations. Check with the university you are applying to for your PhD, as they will have a significant understanding of the financing options for your particular research area. As part of your application for a research PhD, you will find that funding your studies will be a large part of your investigations.

Are any private loans available for PhD students in the UK?

There are a few private lenders who work with some universities in the UK to offer specialised loans to PhD students. Lendwise is one good private loan option, this private loan company offers loans of between £5,000 and £100,000 and has the advantage of student-friendly considerations such as fee-free early repayment. This type of lenders will contact your university to ensure that you are studying there, but don't usually require a co-signer for the loan. The amount they will lend to you and the conditions are based on your credit rating in the UK and the subject that you are researching. However, in comparison to UK Government loans, you can receive other funding sources and this does not impact on how much you can borrow.

PhD bank loans

PhD students are able to get bank loans if they meet the eligibility requirements. If you are studying your PhD part time and working at the same time, then your income should allow you to borrow money from traditional banks. For full-time students, borrowing money like this will be less likely as the bank will want to know how you will pay back the money. Also, the repayments will start immediately and you are unlikely to be offered a discounted rate like private or publicly funded student loans. If you have a limited credit rating, then you may find that you cannot have a loan without a guarantor or co-signatory.

PhD loan repayments

Whatever type of PhD loan you opt for, it is crucial that you are fully aware of the repayment terms. So let’s take a look at what these could be.

Here we have compiled answers to frequently asked questions about UK PhD loans. If you still have any unanswered questions about PhD loans please email us and we will do our best to help.

What courses qualify for a UK Government PhD loan?

The PhD loan is only available for students in England and Wales. The PhDs eligible for a PhD loan are those studied on a structured basis either part-time or full-time. PhDs by publication and top-up PhDs are not eligible for Government PhD loans in England. If you are studying an integrated masters and PhD program, then you can apply for PhD funding but not masters funding.

Can I apply for a UK Government PhD loan in Scotland or Northern Ireland?

No – UK Government PhD-funding is only available for PhD students in England and Wales. Other private and commercial PhD funding options are available in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Are UK Government PhD loans means-tested?

No – all that matters is that you and your PhD are eligible for the loan, your income and savings do not affect your eligibility.

Can I apply for a UK Government PhD loan if I’ve lived outside the UK in the last three years?   

No – to apply for a loan as a UK student you must have lived in the UK for three years prior to your PhD. You can have travelled from the UK for holidays or periods of temporary absence during these three years, but you shouldn’t have become ordinarily resident in another country.

Will my credit history be checked?  

Your personal credit rating and existing debts won’t matter for UK Government PhD loans unless you are in arrears with the Student Loans Company. Your credit history will usually be checked with private funding companies.

Can I get a PhD loan whilst working?

Yes – you can have a job during your PhD studies and still access UK Government PhD student finance. You will also be able to apply for a private loan from companies like Lendwise if studying your PhD whilst working.

When will I have to start making my PhD loan repayments?

Your loan repayments will depend on what home nation or private company you got your loan from. It is important to check the repayment terms before you commit to taking out the loan

Disclaimer:  Prodigy Finance and Lendwise are two of many potential funding options for postgraduate students. Other student funding options are available; research all your options thoroughly before making a commitment. Please be aware that Postgrad Solutions Ltd receives a commission from both parties for any successful loan applications taken out by Postgrad.com and LLMstudy.com users. Postgrad Solutions accepts no responsibility for your choice of loan and does not endorse or support Prodigy Finance or Lendwise. Prodigy Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and entered on the Financial Services Register under firm registration number 612713. Lendwise Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm registration number 782496.

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Postgraduate research

Postgraduate research funding for UK (home) students

We offer scholarships, bursaries and other funding to help you with tuition fees and living expenses.

Funding opportunities open and close all the time, so please check this page throughout the year.

Types of funding

Government schemes, like Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), are the main sources of financial support for postgraduate researchers. We award over £7m of funding each year through UK Research and Innovation (ukri.org).

UK Government loans

You may be entitled to a postgraduate loan to help fund your studies.

• Doctoral loans  (for a PhD)
• Masters loans  (for an MPhil or an MA/MSc by research)
• Funding for students with disabilities

If you have a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability, you may be eligible for additional financial support.

Funding opportunities

The following opportunities are currently open for applications.

[email protected] +44 (0)1904 325962

Related links

• Tuition fee rates
• Living costs
• Teach while you study

York Performance Award

The York Performance Award is the result of a generous endowment by Sir Ron and Lady Barbara Cooke. The Award enables University of York students to perform in a venue beyond York in a drama and/or music performance.

• Funding: £1000
• Academic year: 2024/25
• Open to: International (including EU) and UK (home) students

Departmental opportunities

Many of our departments and centres offer additional opportunities and specialised guidance on funding your studies.

• Centre for Applied Human Rights
• Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies
• Centre for Health Economics
• Centre for Medieval Studies
• Centre for Modern Studies
• Centre for Renaissance and Early Modern Studies
• Department of Archaeology
• Department of Biology
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Computer Science
• Department of Economics and Related Studies
• Department of Education
• Department of English and Related Literature
• Department of Environment and Geography
• Department of Health Sciences
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• Department of Politics and International Relations
• Department of Psychology
• Department of Sociology
• Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre
• School of Arts and Creative Technologies
• School for Business and Society
• School of Physics, Engineering and Technology
• York Law School

Other schemes and resources

External opportunities are not vetted or endorsed by the University.

• FindAPhD scholarships  (findaphd.com)
• Intelligent Games and Games Intelligence  (iggi.org.uk)
• Science and Technology of Fusion Energy  (fusion-cdt.ac.uk)
• Government funding for postgraduate study  (gov.uk)
• Postgraduate Studentships  (postgraduatestudentships.co.uk)
• Prospects funding advice  (prospects.ac.uk)
• Research Professional  (researchresearch.com)

Previous opportunities

Many funding opportunities are renewed annually. Some of those listed below may reopen for applications later in the year.

• NERC Panorama Doctoral Training Partnership
• Snowdon Masters Scholarship
• White Rose Arts and Humanities Doctoral Training Partnership
• White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership
• White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership (collaborative)
• Wolfson Humanities Scholarship
• York Graduate Research School PhD Scholarship

Chevening Scholarships

Fully-funded scholarships to undertake any master's course at any UK university. And so much more...

In this section

Chevening Scholarships enable outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK. Whilst there is no ‘typical’ Chevening Scholar, we are looking for the kind of people who have the passion, ideas, and influence to provide the solutions and leadership needed to create a better future.

Because these scholarships are fully-funded (flights, accommodation, and course fees are all included), you are free to focus on achieving your professional goals and maximising the experience of a lifetime. You will live and study in the UK for a year, during which time you will develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK. On completing your studies, you will leave the UK equipped with the knowledge and networks necessary to bring your own ideas to life.

This section of the website contains all of the information you need in order to successfully submit an application. We encourage you to review it fully in order to ensure that you have the best possible chance of being selected for an award.

For more information about Chevening Scholarships, please subscribe to our newsletter, The Alphagram.

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Do your homework

Applying for a Chevening Scholarship is a competitive and challenging process. To give yourself the best chance of success, it is advisable that you do as much research as possible. We've collated the most important information for you here.

Who can apply?

Are you eligible for a scholarship? Learn more about Chevening’s eligibility and work experience requirements.

Guidance for your application

Before submitting your application, it is recommended that you read the guidance offered.

Research master's courses

Trying to find the right courses for your application? Our course finder is here to make your search easier.

Application timeline

How long does it take to find out if you've been successful? Understand the process by looking at the timeline.

Why study in the UK?

The UK is home to many of the world's best universities, but why else might you want to study here?

Apply for an award

Applications for Chevening Scholarships are now closed.

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• < Back To High Blood Pressure
• Causes and Risk Factors
• What Is High Blood Pressure?
• Living With High Blood Pressure
• Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure

MORE INFORMATION

High Blood Pressure Causes and Risk Factors

Language switcher, what are the risk factors.

Many factors raise your risk of high blood pressure. You can change some risk factors, such as unhealthy lifestyle habits. A healthy lifestyle can lower your risk for developing high blood pressure.

Other risk factors, such as age, family history and genetics, race and ethnicity, and sex, cannot be changed. But, you can still take steps to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and its complications .

Blood pressure tends to rise with age. Blood vessels naturally thicken and stiffen over time. These changes increase the risk for high blood pressure.

However, the risk of high blood pressure is rising for children and teens, possibly because more children and teens have overweight or obesity .

Family history and genetics

High blood pressure often runs in families. Much of what we know about high blood pressure has come from genetic studies. Many  genes are linked to small increases in high blood pressure risk. Research suggests that as an unborn baby grows in the womb, some DNA changes may also raise the risk for high blood pressure later in life.

Some people have a high sensitivity to salt in their diet, which can play a role in high blood pressure. This can also run in families.

Lifestyle habits

Lifestyle habits can increase the risk of high blood pressure, including if you:

• Eat unhealthy foods often, especially foods that are high in salt and low in potassium. Some people, including Black people, older adults, and people who have chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome, are more sensitive to salt in their diet.
• Drink too much alcohol or caffeine
• Don’t get enough physical activity
• Don’t get enough good-quality sleep
• Experience high-stress situations
• Use substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, “bath salts,” or other stimulants

Some medicines can make it harder for your body to control your blood pressure. Antidepressants, decongestants (medicines to relieve a stuffy nose), hormonal birth control pills, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen can all raise your blood pressure.

Other medical conditions

Other medical conditions change the way your body controls fluids, sodium, and  hormones in your blood. Other conditions that can cause high blood pressure include:

• Some tumors 
• Chronic kidney disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Overweight and obesity
• Sleep apnea
• Thyroid problems

Race or ethnicity

High blood pressure is more common in Black adults than in White, Hispanic, or Asian adults. Compared with other racial or ethnic groups, Black people tend to have higher average blood pressure numbers and get high blood pressure earlier in life. Also , some high blood pressure medicines may not work as well for Black people.

During pregnancy , Black women are more likely than White women to develop preeclampsia . Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder that causes sudden high blood pressure and problems with the kidneys and liver.

Men are more likely than women to develop high blood pressure throughout middle age. But in older adults, women are more likely than men to develop high blood pressure.

Women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy are more likely to have high blood pressure later in life. Research shows that medicines used to control high blood pressure during pregnancy lower the chance of pregnancy complications and won’t harm the developing baby.

Social and economic factors

Research shows that factors such as income, education level, where you live, and the type of job you have, as well as stressors on the job may raise your risk of high blood pressure. Working early or late shifts is one example of a social factor that can raise your risk.

Experiencing discrimination and poverty has been linked to high blood pressure. Also , some research has shown that experiencing stress, danger, harm, or trauma as a child may raise the risk of high blood pressure.

Can High Blood Pressure be prevented?

How to prevent high blood pressure.

A heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent high blood pressure and its complications.

• Choose heart-healthy foods that are lower in salt (sodium) and are rich in potassium. Fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. For more ways to limit your sodium, visit the DASH Eating Plan page or print out the Tips to Reduce Salt and Sodium handout.
• Avoid or limit alcohol.
• Get regular physical activity . Even modest amounts can make a difference. Reducing the amount of time you sit each day can help lower your blood pressure.
• Aim for a healthy weight .
• Quit smoking .
• Control your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. To learn some tips to help manage your cholesterol level, read our booklet Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes to Lower Cholesterol .
• Manage stress .
• Get enough good-quality sleep .

Natali Ramirez-Bullon, Ph.D.

160 Zillicoa St. Asheville , NC 28804 United States

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About Natali Ramirez-Bullon, Ph.D.

Dr. Natali Ramirez-Bullon is a listing and recovery botanist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Currently the national recovery lead for 10 federally listed plant species. Natali is an AAUW American Dissertation Fellow and National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) graduate fellow.  A graduate of Florida State University with a master's and Ph.D. in ecology and evolution.  For her master thesis, she constructed and analyzed a matrix demographic model for a threatened dioecious plant to determine their population status. Her dissertation research used field experimentation and synthetic analyses of global scale biological data to support a quantitative framework for setting conservation priorities for plant species. Prior to joining the Service, she worked as a biologist for environmental consulting companies, research institutions, non-profit and federal conservation agencies in three countries (Peru, UK, and USA). She led an interdisciplinary team to investigate how public engagement with biodiversity influences policy and how it relates to conservation success, resulting in one of her eight publications. In her free time, she enjoys learning new skills such as crocheting and spending time with friends.

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• Education and learning
• Apprenticeships, 14 to 19 education and training for work

What qualification levels mean

England, wales and northern ireland.

There are 9 qualification levels.

Entry level

Each entry level qualification is available at three sub-levels - 1, 2 and 3. Entry level 3 is the most difficult.

Entry level qualifications are:

• entry level award
• entry level certificate ( ELC )
• entry level diploma
• entry level English for speakers of other languages ( ESOL )
• entry level essential skills
• entry level functional skills
• Skills for Life

Level 1 qualifications are:

• first certificate
• GCSE - grades 3, 2, 1 or grades D, E, F, G
• level 1 award
• level 1 certificate
• level 1 diploma
• level 1 ESOL
• level 1 essential skills
• level 1 functional skills
• level 1 national vocational qualification ( NVQ )
• music grades 1, 2 and 3

Level 2 qualifications are:

• CSE - grade 1
• GCSE - grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C
• intermediate apprenticeship
• level 2 award
• level 2 certificate
• level 2 diploma
• level 2 ESOL
• level 2 essential skills
• level 2 functional skills
• level 2 national certificate
• level 2 national diploma
• level 2 NVQ
• music grades 4 and 5
• O level - grade A, B or C

Level 3 qualifications are:

• access to higher education diploma
• advanced apprenticeship
• applied general
• international Baccalaureate diploma
• level 3 award
• level 3 certificate
• level 3 diploma
• level 3 ESOL
• level 3 national certificate
• level 3 national diploma
• level 3 NVQ
• music grades 6, 7 and 8

Level 4 qualifications are:

• certificate of higher education ( CertHE )
• higher apprenticeship
• higher national certificate ( HNC )
• level 4 award
• level 4 certificate
• level 4 diploma
• level 4 NVQ

Level 5 qualifications are:

• diploma of higher education ( DipHE )
• foundation degree
• higher national diploma ( HND )
• level 5 award
• level 5 certificate
• level 5 diploma
• level 5 NVQ

Level 6 qualifications are:

• degree apprenticeship
• degree with honours - for example bachelor of the arts ( BA ) hons, bachelor of science ( BSc ) hons
• graduate certificate
• graduate diploma
• level 6 award
• level 6 certificate
• level 6 diploma
• level 6 NVQ
• ordinary degree without honours

Level 7 qualifications are:

• integrated master’s degree, for example master of engineering ( MEng )
• level 7 award
• level 7 certificate
• level 7 diploma
• level 7 NVQ
• master’s degree, for example master of arts ( MA ), master of science ( MSc )
• postgraduate certificate
• postgraduate certificate in education ( PGCE )
• postgraduate diploma

Level 8 qualifications are:

• doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy ( PhD or DPhil )
• level 8 award
• level 8 certificate
• level 8 diploma

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