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Fully Funded Phd in UK for International Students with Scholarships (2024 Admissions)

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Updated on 04 July, 2024

Sr. Content editor

While many of us are interested in pursuing a PhD program in the UK, the fees for the program could add tremendous stress. But fret not; there are many fully-funded PhD programs in the UK for international students that make higher education affordable.

We will discuss all the details regarding applications, deadlines, tenure, and much more for fully-funded programs in the UK for international students.

High-calibre students who wish to apply for fully-funded PhD studentships can consider these programs. These fully-funded programs are offered by a wide range of universities in the UK and some Non-profit and corporate organizations. The positions in these fully-funding PhD can close at any time if someone accepts the offer.

Country/course eligible for

Usually, these fully-funded programs in the UK are available for overseas, European Union, and domestic students. The courses eligible for fully-funded PhD programs will vary according to different scholarships and programs.

Level of scholarship

The fully-funded PhD scholarship in the UK is for candidates who plan to pursue a PhD program or are currently pursuing one. You should essentially have a bachelor’s and master’s coursework for the same.

Tenure/duration

The fully-funded PhD in the UK for international students covers the expenses for the entire duration of the course, which is typically three years.

Subject/fields

There are no fixed subjects or fields where the scholarships will be offered. Students can find opportunities in every discipline across different fully funded PhD programs.

Number of scholarships available

Several scholarships are available for fully-funded PhD in the UK for international students. Some of the renowned names are


President’s Ph.D. Scholarships at Imperial College London	1. offered by Imperial College London to 50 research students 2. offered to all the nationalities
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program	1. Nationalities from countries like Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Syria,Madagascar, Mozambique, France, Portugal, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan,Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
Lancaster Ph.D. Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries	1. Offered by Lancaster University 2. Two fully-funded UK PhD scholarships to students in the field of environment 3. offered to students from developing students
Kamran Djam Scholarships	1. offered by Fereydoun Djam Charitable Trust 2. Nationalities that can benefit from this scholarship are India, United Kingdom, European Union, and other international students
Aberystwyth University Scholarship	1. offered to to European students who wish to pursue PhD in the Department of Mathematics
Leeds Doctoral Scholarships	1. open to International student or British/European Union student
Krebs Memorial Scholarship	2. open to all the nationalities
British Council Newton Ph.D. Program	1. Open to students from Africa, Asia (including China, , Europe, Middle East, India & South East Asia),Oceania, North America, South & Central America
UCL Critical Histories of Art Scholarship	1. Open to UK and EU students only 2. offered by University College London
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program	1. open to students from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, Mozambique, France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Ten universities offering fully-funded PhD in the UK for international students

Here are ten universities in the UK offering international students a fully-funded doctoral program in the country for your reference:

1. University College London

2. University of Leeds

3. University of Nottingham

4. Imperial College London

5. Lancaster University

6. Aberystwyth University

7. Kings College London

8. University of St Andrews

9. University of Liverpool

10. London Business School

Application duration

Each of these fully-funded PhD programs has a different application start date. We strongly suggest you be aware of the same by regularly checking the official websites.

As far as deadlines are concerned, below mentioned are some of the renowned fully funded Ph.D. program scholarships along with their deadlines.


President’s Ph.D. Scholarships at Imperial College London	5th November/ 11th January
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program	21st March
Lancaster Ph.D. Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries	31st March
Kamran Djam Scholarships	1st May
British Council Newton Ph.D. Program	Not indicated
Aberystwyth University Scholarship	End of January
Leeds Doctoral Scholarships	1st April
Krebs Memorial Scholarship	1st April
UCL Critical Histories of Art Scholarship	27th April

Mode of Application

The mode of application for fully-funded PhD programs in the UK is online.

Eligibility Criteria and Additional Requirements

1. Eligible countries: the UK, EU citizens, and foreign candidates are acceptable

2. Acceptable course/subjects: PhD support is generally awarded in the given research areas such as Architecture, construction projects and organization, building energy, construction products and processes, digital construction, urban planning, water engineering, and infrastructure, transport.

3. Admissible criteria: To be eligible, the applicants must meet all the following criteria:

It would be best if you had, or expect to achieve, a minimum of 2:1 honours degree (equivalent international qualification) in a similar discipline.

Previous applicants should have their degrees in Civil Engineering, transport, geography, building services engineering and physics, mathematics, or chemistry.

A relevant master’s degree clubbed with employment experience will also give you an edge.

Value of Scholarship

The scholarship value for a fully-funded PhD in the UK varies from GBP 20,000 to GBP 23,200 (INR 20 Lakh to INR 21.56 Lakh).

Selection Process

The selection process involves a panel of experts who access your academic, research, and extracurricular contributions. At times, need-based scholarships are also provided to students.

Requirements for continuing the Scholarships

Most of these scholarships are allotted annually, but we recommend maintaining a stellar academic record if you wish to continue the scholarships.

1. Masters in Finance in the UK

2. MS Courses in the UK

3. Oxford University’s Rhodes Scholarship

4. Cambridge University Scholarships

5. Duke University in the UK

In summary, the availability of fully funded PhD programs in the UK for international students in 2024 represents a significant opportunity for scholars worldwide. These scholarships not only alleviate the financial challenges associated with advanced studies but also open doors to extensive research resources, expert guidance, and international academic networks. For aspiring doctoral candidates, these programs in the UK offer more than just financial support; they provide a platform for groundbreaking research, intellectual growth, and the chance to contribute to global knowledge. The 2024 admissions cycle thus stands as a gateway for talented international students to embark on a journey of discovery and academic excellence, fully supported by the generous scholarship opportunities available in the UK.

Here are some detailed articles on Fully Funded Scholarships for top Study Abroad Destination:

Fully Funded Scholarships in UK
Fully Funded Scholarships in USA
Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia
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Fully Funded Scholarships in New Zealand
Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland
Fully Funded Scholarships in Netherlands
Fully Funded Scholarships in Italy
Fully Funded Scholarships in Spain
Fully Funded Scholarships in Singapore
Fully Funded Scholarships in France

Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Marketeer. At upGrad, she is helping out people keep informed about the scopes and opportunities of studying abroad via informational articles/blogs.

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Entry requirements for international PhD applicants

At Sussex, you'll join a community of students and staff from more than 100 countries. We accept applications for postgraduate study from across the world.

International students sit at a table talking at a cafe at the University of Sussex

General entry requirements for international students

At Sussex, our usual entry requirements for UK and international students are:

at least an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree or equivalent international qualification
a Masters degree if you are applying for research degrees in the arts or social sciences, or an equivalent international qualification.

We may also consider professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing when making offers.

To find out which qualifications and grades we accept from your country:

search for the PhD you want to study
go to the Entry requirements section and select International requirements
choose your country from the drop-down list.

You can also get advice from Sussex representatives in your country .

Specific entry requirements for international students

You must also meet our specific entry requirements for each research degree. These are listed with each PhD degree .

the grade required for your course
if you need to have an undergraduate qualification in a specific subject
if you need to have a Masters qualification.

If you are an American student, federal regulations state that you must have a secondary school completion credential (high school diploma) or the recognized equivalent of a secondary school completion credential to be eligible to apply for Federal Student Aid. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid .

English language qualifications

All teaching at Sussex is in English. You must be sufficiently fluent in English to be accepted on to your PhD, and this may form part of your offer.

Find out more about our English language requirements

You can also apply to study our Pre-sessional English course .

For some research degrees we may ask you to attend an interview.

If you are an international student, you may be interviewed over the phone or via Skype.

Applying for a visa

If you are an international student, you may need to apply for a student visa to study in the UK.

Find out more about applying for a visa on the Student Hub .

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

You need to apply for ATAS clearance if you are not a national of an European Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, and you are applying for a science or engineering-based PhD.

Find out more about ATAS on the Student Hub .

You might also be interested in:

English language requirements
how to apply for a PhD
visa information on the Student Hub .

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phd universities in uk for international students

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Study Options in the UK
PhD and Research Degrees

PhD Study in the UK

What is a phd.

A PhD is a research degree and is the highest award available at universities in the UK. The study is based on a substantial research project on an area of academic interest, typically up to 100,000 words in length, written as a thesis, which then must be defended in an oral examination in front of a panel of experts. Students are assigned a supervisor, and a PhD duration is typically three years full-time and six years part-time.

Very few research degrees feature taught modules, so students are expected to take more responsibility for their work and schedule.

PhD Eligibility

UK universities are free to admit anyone, with PhD admission generally conditional on the prospective student having completed an undergraduate degree with at least upper second-class honours and a master's degree . English language ability must be proved; a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 is generally required.

PhD Research Proposal

All students who apply for a PhD must submit a research proposal ( example ). The proposal should address the research you wish to undertake, how you will do it, and why it is important. A panel of experts must accept the proposal before your programme can begin.

Other types of Research Degree

Mphil (master of philosophy).

If you wish to study for a PhD, you may first need to begin an MPhil and then transfer to a PhD programme after 12-18 months. An MPhil is also a qualification in its own right and is generally thesis-only, lasting one year full-time and two years part-time. The thesis must present the results of a study and research and be a maximum of 60,000 words.

Students choose to study an MPhil if the proposed research has insufficient scope for a full PhD.

MRes (Master of Research)

An MRes is an advanced postgraduate research degree in the areas of art, humanities, and social sciences. Some Ph.D. Programs require an MRes qualification before beginning a PhD. The programme proper, and the student is required to complete a 40,000-word dissertation.

An MRes is a good way to see if you enjoy conducting research without fully committing to and funding a full PhD.

Professional Doctorate

Professional doctorates are similar to PhDs but are intended to advance professional practice rather than improve academic ability. Joint professional doctorates include law, education, business, engineering, and medicine.

How long does a PhD last?

A PhD in the UK usually takes three to four years if you study full-time. However, it can vary depending on the subject and how quickly you make progress. If you study part-time, it may take longer, typically five to seven years.

How much does a PhD cost?

Funding and researching a PhD can be expensive, with EU students paying up to £6,000 per year, and international students more.

It is rare for a PhD student to not be supported by some form of bursary, grant or scholarship though, and many universities and research councils provide monetary support for part or all of a PhD programme.

PhD admission - how do I apply?

Once you have decided on an area of research and have looked into how you will fund your study, you will need to fill out several documents required when submitting your application. They can include:

Academic transcripts
Academic references
Personal statement
Research proposal ( example )

Students will also need to identify a supervisor who will oversee their PhD.

Top PhD Programmes in the UK

- university of oxford.

The DPhil in Computer Science at Oxford University offers students the chance to do advanced research in a beautiful setting. You can study topics like linguistics, biology, medicine, and quantum computation alongside computer science, get one-on-one guidance from experienced supervisors, attend lectures, and gain transferable skills.

Popular PhD course: DPhil in Computer Science
Entry requirements: A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a four-year undergraduate degree (equivalent to a master's degree) in a relevant subject, or a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a three-year BSc/BA degree and a master's degree with merit or distinction in a relevant subject.
International fee: £29,700

- University of Cambridge

The PhD in Computer Science at Cambridge University is research-focused. Students work on their research projects under the guidance of a supervisor for three to four years. When admitted, students undergo a probationary period and are registered for the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS).

Popular PhD courses: PhD in Computer Science
Entry requirements: A UK First class Honours Degree or international equivalent. Additionally, having a master's-level degree or equivalent postgraduate work is highly desirable.
International fee: £35,673

- Imperial College London

The Imperial College Business School offers a Master's in Research (MRes) that introduces students to theory and research methods in Finance, Economics, and Management, providing a solid foundation for future doctoral studies. Depending on the chosen research area, the MRes programme can be completed in one or two years.

Popular PhD course: One year Master’s in Research
Entry requirements: A high academic standing (such as a distinction or merit), or a first-class or upper second-class honours undergraduate degree.
International fee: £17,500

- University College London

The Management MRes + MPhil/PhD programme at UCL School of Management offers a prestigious research experience for students seeking scholarly careers in management studies. With a strong reputation for world-leading research, the programme provides rigorous academic training and personalised research mentorship.

Popular PhD course: Management MRes + MPhil/PhD
Entry requirements: A first-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an equivalent overseas qualification. UCL encourages applicants from various disciplines to apply and requires them to have taken the GMAT or GRE General Test.
International fee: £29,000

- University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh’s PhD in Informatics focuses on training researchers with comprehensive knowledge in their discipline and a specialised area. During the first year, you will attend relevant lectures, submit a thesis proposal, and receive annual progress reviews. Successful completion of a thesis and oral examination leads to the award of a doctorate. Regular talks and seminars provide additional learning opportunities.

Popular PhD course: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Informatics
Entry requirements: A degree in an Informatics-related field like Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science, or Computer Science. Proficiency in computer programming is required.

Study a PhD in the UK

If you are interested in studying for a research degree in the UK, arrange a free consultation today. The PhD Service can also help you apply with expert application advice, interview practice and research proposal editing.

PhD Admission FAQ

Is a phd fully funded in the uk for international students.

PhD funding for international students in the UK varies. Some universities offer full funding, while others require students to find funding. Scholarships, grants, and assistantships are available, but not all PhD programmes are fully funded.

What are the requirements for studying for a PhD in the UK?

To study for a PhD in the UK, you generally need a master's degree or an equivalent qualification in a related field. You'll also need to write a detailed research proposal explaining your research objectives and academic references that assess your research abilities. Additionally, you must secure funding to cover your tuition fees and living expenses, which can come from scholarships, grants, personal funds, or sponsorship. Requirements may vary, so it's best to check with individual universities.

Can international students apply for a PhD in the UK?

international students can apply for a PhD in the UK. UK universities accept applications from students worldwide.

How much does a PhD cost for international students in the UK?

PhD tuition fees for international students in the UK depend on factors such as the university, field of study, and location. On average, fees range from £15,000 to £35,000 per year. However, it's important to note that actual fees can vary significantly .

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Imperial College London Imperial College London

Looking for funding?

Use our scholarships search tool to look for available scholarships. Also explore our latest funded PhD vacancies .

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is the most common type of doctoral degree and the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve.

It normally takes between three and four years of full-time work to complete. It is also possible to undertake a PhD part time, over five to six years.

The main activity of a PhD is to carry out an original research project under the direction of one or more supervisors, to be written up as a thesis.

Different routes to achieving a PhD

There are a number of ways to achieving a PhD at Imperial:

by undertaking a course of study based on your own research proposal
by joining a research project that comes with funding attached (known as a studentship)
by combining it with Master's study in an integrated route that typically lasts four years

Pursuing your own research idea

To search for PhD opportunities based on your own research proposal you first need to identify a research group within Imperial whose area of expertise best matches your idea.

Use the links below to search the different PhD opportunities within our academic departments, centres and institutes. This includes information about current studentships and often guidance on finding a supervisor.

Our interdisciplinary approach means our expertise often spans departmental boundaries – and so do our courses – so you may find opportunities in an unexpected area of the university.

Faculty of Engineering

Aeronautics
Bioengineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
School of Design Engineering
Earth Science and Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Medicine

Department of Brain Sciences
Department of Immunology and Inflammation
Department of Infectious Disease
Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction
Department of Surgery and Cancer
National Heart and Lung Institute
School of Public Health

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Life Sciences
Mathematics
Centre for Environmental Policy

Imperial College Business School

Doctoral programme

Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication

PhD in Arabic, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish Studies
PhD in science communication studies

Global Challenge institutes

We have six Global Challenge institutes, which were created to address some of society's biggest challenges.

If you have an idea for a PhD that falls within the remit of one of our Global Challenge institutes please contact them directly to discuss before making a formal application.

Data Science Institute
Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment
Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering
Institute for Security Science and Technology
Institute of Global Health Innovation

Energy Futures Lab does not offer PhD programmes, but does deliver the MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures .

Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies | Imperial College London-Technical University of Munich

We have recently formed a strategic partnership in education, research and innovation with the Technical University of Munich, one of Germany’s most international and entrepreneurial universities, producing highly ranked research, like Imperial, in science, engineering and medicine.

As part of the partnership, Imperial and TUM have launched a 'Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies' with the aim of co-developing cross-disciplinary clusters of PhD students who will have access to world-leading academic supervisors and state-of-the art facilities at both institutions.

The first round of the programme will focus on the theme of 'Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare and Robotics'.

Find out more about the Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies and apply

3 best universities in the UK for a PhD in 2023

The best universities in UK for PhD are often ranked for their research quality across a broad range of subject areas and find themselves among the top 100 in global rankings .

Some of these universities include the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London – all internationally respected and renowned for their prestige and standard of research.

Compared to the US where the total length of a full-time PhD is usually four to six years, it only takes between three to four years to complete your PhD in the UK.

But pursuing it is a huge commitment. Time will be scarce and you will find yourself writing in abundance to meet the deadlines that come with it.

With these challenges in mind, it’s important that you choose the best universities in UK for PhD programmes. You should also be mindful of pacing yourself on this journey.

These are the three best universities in UK for PhD and why you should choose them:

Getting this advanced degree is a long and tough journey. It’s important that you choose the right programme at the best universities in UK for PhD studies. Source: Narinder Nanu/AFP

1. King’s College London

Notably among one of the best universities in UK for PhD studies, King’s College London is ranked third amongst multi-faculty universities for research impact under REF 2021 .

Twelve Nobel Prize winners are associated with King’s, including Maurice Wilkins who discovered the structure of DNA, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu who fought South Africa’s apartheid regime.

Postgraduate programmes offered at KCL take on interdisciplinary approaches and world-class teaching with the use of digital tools in the humanities.

These include PhD and MPhil, Professional doctorates, MD (Res), MPhilStud, Joint/Dual PhD.

Some of these programmes are flexible, allowing students to choose between a part-time option, a full-time option and even distance/e-learning option.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for postgraduate studies at King’s College London.

2. University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities and is ranked 28th on QS World University Rankings 2023 .

It conducts research across an extensive range of subject areas, from Arab World Studies to Coatings and Ceramics to Physics and Astronomy.

As a postgraduate researcher, you will be a part of the Manchester Doctoral College (MDC) – a cross-collaboration to improve research experience across the institution.

MDC has established flagship funding opportunities, such as the President’s Doctoral Scholarship award scheme, to support the next generation of leaders in research.

Search here for the full list of doctorate programmes.

3. University of Bristol

Another university that’s a Russell Group member is the University of Bristol.

Its research continues to make strides since the uni’s founding in 1876, tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues like infection and immunity, human rights, climate change, and more.

The university also currently has 40 Fellows of the Royal Society and 13 of the British Academy – a remarkable achievement for a relatively small institution.

Postgraduate programmes here include the traditional PhD, professional doctorates (EdD, EngD, DEdPsych, MD, DDS) and international dual PhD .

Another standout feature is the uni has one of the largest concentrations of funded Doctoral Training Partnerships and Centres in the UK.

These often offer full scholarships for three to four years, and many operate in collaboration with other universities or global companies, providing access to a wealth of resources .

Looking for tips on how to better prepare yourself for your PhD journey? Read here for everything you need to know to get into the best universities in UK for PhD studies.

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Schools & departments

International Development PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: International Development

Discovery Day

Join us online on 21st August to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh.

Find out more and register

Research profile

The University of Edinburgh is host to a thriving and cosmopolitan community of researchers working on global development issues.

We are home to internationally renowned academics working at the intersection of:

international development policy and health
science and technology
urbanisation
human rights

We are also respected regional centres of expertise in Africa, South Asia and Latin America.

Research community

As a doctoral student in International Development, you will become part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community. You will also join the Global Development Academy, which coordinates research and teaching on international development across the University.

We also welcome students who are keen to develop doctoral research projects in collaboration with third parties, for example:

multilateral and bilateral agencies
campaign groups
media organisations

Research seminars and events

In addition, you will be invited to join research workshops hosted by the Global Development Academy and regular open research seminars held by subject areas across the School of Social and Political Science.

Programme structure

Usually undertaken full-time over three years, or part-time over six years, the PhD in International Development is a research degree in which you will make an original contribution to knowledge by pursuing an extended and focused piece of research on a topic of interest to them.

You will also be invited to join research workshops and regular open research seminars held by subject areas across the School of Social and Political Science, where you will enjoy special opportunities to meet development policy makers, practitioners, diplomats, and internationally recognised academics. Interdisciplinary research is strongly encouraged.

While based in the School of Social and Political Science, in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, International Development doctoral students will have opportunities to draw from expertise across the University's different Schools and Colleges for the purposes of supervision and research collaboration.

Training and support

As a postgraduate in our International Development group, you will receive regular one-to-one thesis supervision from two supervisors with expertise in your regional and/or specific research areas.

Focused supervision in the International Development group is drawn from faculty associated to:

Centre of African Studies
Social Anthropology
Social Policy
Politics and History

In addition, staff from across the University provide enriching expertise and training for our research students.

Focused supervision in the International Development group is drawn from faculty associated to the Centre of African Studies, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Social Policy, Politics and History. In addition staff from across the University provide expertise and training for our research students.

A wide range of training facilities are available to PhD students. The Graduate School provides a range of ESRC-recognised research training courses for social science students across the University. You are encouraged to participate in taught Masters level courses to assist you intellectual development and support you research.

The University’s Institute for Academic Development provides a range of courses and events to assist with methodological training and career development.

* Institute for Academic Development

Finally, you will participate with your peers in the bespoke course, International Development Exchanges and Advanced Skills, to improve your research abilities. These combine to enable you to acquire a broad set of academic and transferable skills during your time with us.

Research library and archive facilities in Edinburgh are outstanding.

You will be a member of the Graduate School of Social & Political Science, with full access to the Graduate School’s facilities in the Chrystal Macmillan Building.

Other library and archive facilities include the University’s Main Library, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Records Office. Proximity to the Scottish Parliament and other institutions of national government provides further research opportunities.

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent, and a UK masters degree with an overall mark of 65% or its international equivalent.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

Entry requirements by country
English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Read our general information on tuition fees and studying costs:

Scholarships and funding

Featured funding.

School of Social and Political Science Scholarships

UK Research Council Awards

For specialised guidance on submitting a competitive scholarship application, please follow the requirements and recommendations and how to contact relevant academic staff as advised here:

Important information and recommendations

(Revised 10 November 2023 to update featured funding opportunities)

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

your programme
the duration of your studies
your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

Search for funding

Further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4086
Contact: [email protected]
Programme Advisor, Dr Aaron Kappeler
Contact: [email protected]
Graduate School of Social & Political Science
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15A George Square
Central Campus
Programme: International Development
School: Social & Political Science
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This programme is not currently accepting applications. Applications for the next intake usually open in October.

Start date: September

Awards: PhD (36 mth FT, 72 mth PT)

Application deadlines

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

How to apply

You must submit a research proposal demonstrating your knowledge of your field of research, which will be closely scrutinised as part of the decision-making process. We request that PhD research proposals are no more than four A4 typed pages in Times New Roman, 12pt font. This includes charts and figures but does not include references or a bibliography.

We require PhD applicants in particular to contact potential supervisors before applying to discuss their research proposal so we can ensure there is adequate supervision.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

Discover more about this subject area

PhD Education / Entry requirements

Year of entry: 2024

View full page

Academic entry qualification overview

Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 60% or above, a minimum mark of 60% in your dissertation (or overseas equivalent)

English language

IELTS test minimum score - 7.0 overall, 7.0 in writing, 6.0 in other sections.
TOEFL (internet based) test minimum score - 100 overall, 25 in all sections.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) UKVI/SELT or PTE Academic minimum score - 76 overall, 76 in writing, 70 in other sections.
To demonstrate that you have taken an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a majority English speaking nation within the last 5 years.
Other tests may be considered.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the programme.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country.

The University requires you to reside within a commutable distance from Manchester during your time as a registered student, unless you are on approved fieldwork/a formal placement or are on a period of Submission pending. This is to ensure that you are able to meet attendance expectations and participate in wider research activities within your discipline area and/or School.

King's College London

International phd scholarships.

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

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

Joint PhD Programme Funding
King's China Council Scholarships

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

Postgraduate Funding Database

A link to PG Funding database

Joint PhD Scholarships

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

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

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

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

Applications close 26 March 2023

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

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

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

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

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

Applications close 02 January 2023

Find full details on the KCL Funding Database.

Useful links

Postgraduate English Language Requirements

Find out more about our English Language Requirements.

Applying for a PhD in the UK

Written by Mark Bennett

Planning on applying for a PhD in the UK? This guide covers what’s required to get onto a UK PhD programme and how to submit your application.

PhD Study in the UK - Key Details
	164
	(1096)
	550,000
	3-4 years
	£4-5,000 (domestic rate)
	September to June

UK universities

There are over 150 universities in the UK. The vast majority are public universities , meaning that they receive funding (including budgets for PhD studentships) from the UK Government. All British universities are free to pursue their own research objectives, but the amount of funding each institution receives is partly based on regular assessments of its performance as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) .

A small number of private universities also operate in the UK. They tend to specialise in specific subjects, such as Business or Law.

UK countries

The four parts of the UK each have slightly different higher education systems:

England is home to the majority of the UK's universities, including the two oldest ( Oxford and Cambridge )
Scotland is home to 15 of the UK's universities, including four 'ancient universities' ( St Andrews , Glasgow , Aberdeen and Edinburgh ) dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries
Wales has eight universities, all of which are public institutions, dating from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
Northern Ireland has two universities, each of which operates multiple campuses

The governments of each part of the UK have powers to decide on higher education policy, including fees and funding. But, in practice, PhD research works pretty similarly across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The country that's best for you will depend on the research opportunities available at specific universities.

UK university groups

Some UK universities are organised – officially or unofficially – into different groups. Here are some of the more common ones you may come across, together with what they mean:

The Russell Group is an association of 24 universities across the UK. The group is self-selecting (it decides on its own members) and positions itself as representing the country's leading research universities. In practice this is broadly accurate as the Russell Group includes some of the best ranked British universities and – perhaps more importantly – awards the majority of UK PhDs.
The ancient universities are a group of seven institutions that date from the sixteenth century or earlier, including Oxford , Cambridge , St Andrews , Glasgow , Aberdeen and Edinburgh as well as Trinity College Dublin (in Ireland ). 'Membership' of this group isn't based on anything other than chronology (unsurprisingly, new universities can't join) and the ancient universities don't collaborate as such, though some are members of the Russell Group. Of more importance is the fact that some ancient universities award their doctorates as a DPhil rather than a PhD. The degree and its recognition are fundamentally the same.
The red brick universities are another informal grouping based on history rather than collective organisation. They include nine civic universities founded during the nineteenth-century industrial revolution with the aim of providing education and training for their cities. In contrast to the medieval buildings of the ancient universities, their campuses were built largely from red brick – hence the name.
The term 'post-92' is sometimes used to describe universities that were originally polytechnics (higher education institutions focussing on teaching and training rather than research) before being granted full university status in 1992. Many of these 'ex-poly' universities actually have long and proud histories and are now some of the UK's most innovative research centres.

There are a few other formal and informal groups, including 'plate glass' universities (founded in the 1960s – the UK has a thing for associating universities with building materials) as well as membership organisations for newer universities such as MillionPlus and GuildHE.

You don't generally need to worry about which group your prospective university is or isn't part of. It's true that some groupings confer a degree of prestige, but universities are invited into the Russell Group because of their research performance and reputation, not the other way around. There are also many excellent universities which haven't chosen to join particular associations.

Accreditation and research quality

The UK takes quality assurance for universities very seriously, with several levels of official recognition and accreditation.

The right to use a university title is protected by law in the UK and can be granted by royal charter, Act of Parliament or similarly official means.

The right to award degrees is also protected. A university must either be a 'recognised body', in which case it can award its own degrees. Or it must be a 'listed body' in which case a recognised body must award degrees on its behalf (listed bodies are often newer universities or specialist colleges with qualifications accredited by more established neighbouring universities).

You can use the UK Government website to quickly check if a university is officially recognised .

UK universities' research quality is separately monitored through an exercise known as the Research Excellence Framework (REF) . This examines the research a university is producing as well as its impact on society in general. The environment and support provided for PhD students is also considered as part of this process. The most recent REF results were published in 2021.

UK university cities

There are excellent universities located across the UK, from London and the South of England to the Scottish Highlands and Islands . With that said, here are a few of the UK's most popular student cities:

Study in London
Study in Edinburgh
Study in Manchester
Study in Cardiff
Study in Birmingham
Study in Sheffield

How to apply for a PhD in the UK

You should apply directly to a university for a place on a UK PhD project or programme. There are two ways to do this:

Some PhD projects are advertised by universities with set aims and objectives. These are most common in STEM subjects and often have funding attached. You can browse UK PhD adverts here on FindAPhD.
Other PhD projects are designed by students who put forward a research proposal for the work they would like to do. These are more common in Arts, Humanities and some Social Science subjects. You can browse UK PhD programmes to apply within here on FindAPhD.

It's often a good idea to contact a prospective PhD supervisor before applying, but this isn't usually a necessary step. Universities will usually pair students with the most appropriate supervisor for their project.

We’ve written dedicated guides to applying for a PhD in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences , as well as STEM subjects.

Admissions requirements

You will normally need the following to be accepted for a PhD in the UK:

A suitable undergraduate degree (equivalent to a UK 2.1 or higher). A Masters may also be required in some subject areas.
Evidence of language proficiency (if English is not your first language).
Evidence that you possess the necessary materials to gain a UK student visa (for international students).
Other application materials including a research proposal , personal statement or references .

Actual requirements vary between projects and programmes.

Not all UK PhD applications require a formal interview , but this is more common for funded positions or programmes with limited space.

Interviews can often be conducted online. You may be asked to answer some questions about your application and / or give a short presentation on your intended research.

Inidan qualifications in the UK

In July 2022, the UK and Indian governments signed a memoradum agreeing to automatically recognise undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in each other's countries. This means that if you studied your Bachelors or Masters in India and are now applying for a UK PhD, your qualifications will recognised as equivalent to British ones.

It also means that it will be easier for you to seek work in India with a PhD from a UK university!

Find a PhD in the UK

Why not get started browsing some UK PhDs ? Alternatively, you can look at our other guides to studying a PhD abroad .

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University students silhouetted against blue sky under promenade arches on Brighton Seafront

Postgraduate research degrees
Funding and studentships
Funded PhD programmes 2024 UK

Funded PhD research programmes 2025 UK

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

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

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

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

Visit our PhD disciplinary programme lists

What UK PhD studentships are available ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do I apply for a PhD studentship?

The application for financing schemes will usually involve:

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

What does PhD funding include?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can I get PhD funding at the University of Brighton?

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

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

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

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

Insitutions and funding bodies for PhD study

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

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

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

Worldwide international funding schemes for PhD research

The british council.

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

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

The Gen Foundation

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

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

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

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

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

The Open Society Foundations

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

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

International Education and Financial Aid

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

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

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds

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

Find out more about the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds fellowships .

Resource sites for international PhD research funding

Internationalstudent.com.

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

Find out more about international study through InternationalStudent.com .

ScholarshipTab

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

Find out more about the Scholarship Tab resource .

International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA)

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

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

The European Funding Guide

Scholarships and grants for students from the European Union

Find out more through the European Funding Guide

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

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

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

The Charles Wallace Bangladesh Trust

The Charles Wallace Burma Trust

China and Hong Kong

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

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

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

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

The Inlaks India Foundation

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

The KC Mahindra Education Trust

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

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

The Kenneth Lindsay Scholarship Trust

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

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

The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust

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

Saudi Arabia

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

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

The Thai Office of Educational Affairs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Australia: funding for PhD study in the UK

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

Africa: funding for PhD study in the UK

Sudan - The Gordon Memorial College Trust Fund (GMCTF)

How to apply for a PhD in the UK

Applying for a phd is not quite as daunting as you might think. a postgraduate student recruitment officer from the university of sussex shares his tips for putting together a phd application.

Ben Osborne

There are many different reasons for wanting to pursue a PhD – to move into an academic role at a university, to continue studying a subject you are passionate about or to further your career.

Whatever your motivation, many students are now choosing to pursue a PhD abroad. This guide will help you understand how to apply for a PhD at a UK university and answer any questions you might have around doing PhDs.

Download your Study Abroad Guide for FREE!

How to apply for a phd.

Application rules and methods vary for each university. The number of courses that you can apply for in a year will vary. For example, at the University of Sussex , you can apply for up to three postgraduate courses per year using the postgraduate application system.

If you are applying for more than one degree, you must submit a research proposal/statement specific to each area of study you apply for.

You can also apply to different universities to improve your chances of being accepted to a PhD course of your choosing.

What qualifications do I need?

Each PhD will have specific entry requirements and you will also need to meet a university’s general entry requirements. This may be an upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (2:1) or an equivalent international qualification. For some PhDs you may need a master’s qualification, and you may be asked to attend an interview.

International students may also be required to prove language proficiency. This will vary across institutions so do check what level universities expect before starting your application.

Applicants should always check the specific entry requirements in a university’s online prospectus before making an application.

When should I start applying?

This will depend on when your term start date is. Most research degrees will start in September but some courses offer additional entry points in January or May.

You can apply all year round for research degrees starting in September, January and May, and the deadlines for applying are usually one month before the course start date for UK applicants, and three months before for international applicants.

If you’re applying for funding from an external organisation you’ll need to be aware that they may have different deadlines for the funding application. So give yourself plenty of time to research your funding options, and ensure you know how long the application process takes.

Many universities offer a number of funded PhD opportunities and PhD scholarships for UK and international students, and it’s always worth investigating funding routes such as research councils and other organisations, both in the UK and overseas.

In some cases, it may be possible to study a PhD by distance which means you’ll be able to learn online and have virtual meetings with your supervisor.

If this is something you would be interested in doing you should check before applying whether your university can accommodate this option.

Nine things to know before doing a PhD Starting a PhD during the pandemic Studying for a part-time PhD: the challenges and the benefits Is it possible to do a three-year PhD as an international student?

How should I look for a supervisor?

Usually if you are applying for a funded project, or to a research centre or group, you will normally be asked to provide a statement explaining your suitability for working in that area, and if successful you will be allocated a supervisor.

If you wish to propose your own area of research, you need to decide on a research topic, and you will be expected to write a research proposal. In some cases you may only be required to provide a summary of academic interests and this can be used to match you to a researcher that suits you.

If you are proposing your own research topic, there may be a research database at your university that you can search, or your university will match you with a supervisor during the assessment of your application. It may be possible to request supervision by a particular member of faculty – this will be considered but not all requests can be accommodated.

If you do find a potential supervisor who matches your research area, check their online profile for indications of their doctoral supervision capacity. If they are open to doctoral applications, you can contact them directly to check their availability for supervising you.

It is a good idea to draw up a shortlist of two to three potential supervisors, and take an in-depth look into their research history. You can also find out more about your potential supervisors by looking in the reference sections of academic textbooks and searching for articles in research databases and academic blogs.

When you contact your potential supervisor, it is important to tell them something interesting about yourself, and explain your research interests and how you feel your research proposal matches their expertise.

How do I write a research proposal?

If you are proposing your own research you will need to write a strong proposal that formulates a precise, interesting research question, and establishes the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking.

You’ll need to make sure your proposal describes the data or source material your research requires, and outlines a clear and practical methodology that enables you to answer the research question and that states clearly what you hope to discover at the end of your research, and what new areas it might open up.

The precise content and structure of your research proposal will depend on your subject area, and the University of Sussex has some helpful resources on our website to guide you through the process.

How long does the application process take?

Completing an application and writing a research proposal may take some time and should not be left until just before the application deadline.

It’s not easy to give a definite idea of how long it takes to hear if your application has been successful, as it will depend on when the application is made and the nature of the specific PhD, and you would need to meet any conditions contained within the offer before you can start the PhD.

What are the associated costs?

There won’t typically be an application fee for PhDs but there are tuition fees. If a university does charge application fees they will usually be between £50-£100.

The tuition fees for students studying in the UK are set by UK Research and Innovation . Fees for international students are £18,975 for non-lab-based subjects, and £22,975 for lab-based subjects per year.

You’ll also need to factor in living costs, but there are a number of funding routes you can apply for to help with this. As well as PhD scholarships and funded research projects there are research council awards, PhD loans for those eligible, and various organisations to which international students can apply for funding, such as The Gen Foundation and Open Society Foundations.

It’s important to be aware of the costs involved, but it’s also worth remembering that the educational, career and personal benefits of PhD study can be worth it.

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Where Tea Breaks and Thesis Breakdowns Collide!

Are you considering pursuing a PhD in the UK? Completing a PhD in the UK in 2024 from the renowned research institutes present in the country adds a unique weight to your resume. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the intricacies of pursuing a PhD course in UK. This blog aims to provide you with practical advice and in-depth insight for prospective PhD students. Whether you are deciding upon the university to pursue your PhD course or you have already dived into the application process, here is all you need to know about pursuing a PhD course in UK.

Overview of PhD in the UK

PhD is one of the highest degrees awarded in UK universities. A PhD involves a substantial research project prepared around a specific topic and area of interest. It typically involves up to 100,000 words woven together within an informative thesis. In the end, once the thesis has been finalised, the candidates go through a stringent oral examination where they are expected to defend their thesis findings in front of a knowledgeable and esteemed group of experts.

The candidates each have an assigned supervisor who helps and assists the students with their research. The duration of a PhD generally ranges from three years (full-time) to 6 years part time PhD in UK. Students can choose from full-time and part time PhD courses on the basis of their requirements. Some of the most popular PhD courses opted by students include Computer Science, Medicine, Engineering, Paramedic Sciences, Law, and many more!

Why Study PhD in the UK?

You can find a plethora of reasons to explore the range of PhD programs in UK. We have listed down a few out of many to help you understand why UK is considered to be one of the best educational destinations in the world:

1. Houses Top-notch Institutions

‍ The UK is home to top universities and educational institutions such as the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, and many more. This allows students to conduct their research using the right resources under the supervision of esteemed professors. The country has established itself as a leader in the academic sector.

2. Research-centric Infrastructure

‍ The universities and academic institutions in the UK provide abundant infrastructural support to students who wish to accomplish their research in the country. The UK cherishes an ages-long tradition of substantial research and has also led some of the most groundbreaking research around the world.

3. Scholarships and Grants

‍ If financial constraints are holding you back from enrolling in a PhD course in UK then do not fret. Various private organisations and universities in UK offer scholarships and financial aid to students who come from humble backgrounds. This eases the financial burden on them and helps in the growth of the research community.

4. Globally Established Footing

‍ A PhD in the UK assists students in building their CV and is regarded as one of the best achievements in their professional careers. It opens multiple doors for students in a varied range of fields.

5. Culturally Immersive Experience

‍ UK, being one of the most preferred student destinations, brings students from all over the world together. One can also explore the vibrant culture of UK and learn about the rich and diverse history that the country has had.

Types of PhD in the UK

There are several types of PhD degrees available in the UK that an individual can pursue. Each of them is tailored with the precision of the respective academic disciplines.

1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This is the most common doctoral degree of all that one can pursue in the UK. It emphasises the original research based on a specific field, which culminates in a thesis or dissertation at the end.

2. Professional Doctorates

This type of PhD degree is specifically curated for practitioners working in fields of education (EdD), business (DBA), engineering (EngD), and even healthcare ( Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Clinical Psychology)

3. Integrated PhD

An integrated PhD includes a combination of doctoral study with Master’s level coursework. This allows students to seamlessly enter into a PhD after finishing the Master’s degree without actually having to apply for a PhD in the UK separately.

4. Joint or Dual PhD

A dual PhD or a Joint PhD consists of a collaborative partnership between international institutions. The candidate is supposed to undertake the research under the tutelage of two universities and get a single doctoral degree from both institutions combined.

5. PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is when a candidate, a substantially experienced researcher, is allowed to submit a series of published papers or articles. Along with this, they can also submit a contextualising commentary, which works as a basis for their doctoral thesis.

6. Practice Based PhD

Practice-based PhD candidates are those who pursue fields that require an empirical understanding of the subject. This involves creative arts and design disciplines. This kind of PhD generally involves candidates producing and working on their artistic work and even performances along with their theoretical thesis.

Top Universities for PhD in the UK

Numerous universities in the UK offer top-notch Ph.D. courses in a diverse range of fields. These academic institutions are a major point of attraction for international students pursuing a Ph.D. Here are some of the top universities in the UK and their prominent Ph.D. programmes.

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1. University of Oxford

QC Ranking: #1 Top PhD Course Offered: DPhil in Computer Science, DPhil Socio-Legal Research Eligibility & Admission Requirements: First class or upper second-class bachelor degree with honors in a relevant discipline and four-year undergraduate degree. First class or upper second class 3-year long bachelor degree along with a Master’s with merit or distinction. Average Tuition Fees: £27,770

At the University of Oxford, students can apply for a PhD in Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Social Sciences, Medicine & Health, Humanities, Computer Science, etc.

2. University of Cambridge

QC Ranking: #3 Top PhD Course Offered: PhD in Biological Sciences Eligibility & Admission Requirements: First-class honours degree from a recognized UK university or from an internationally known institution. A Master’s with distinction and relevant work experience. Average Tuition Fees: £31,515

At the University of Cambridge, one can choose from a plethora of domain options for PhD such as Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Archaeology, Criminology, Computation Cognition and Language, etc.

3. Imperial College London

QC Ranking: #6 Top PhD Course Offered: Business School Master’s in Research (MRes) in Finance/ Management Eligibility & Admission Requirements: Four year long undergraduate degree or a Master’s in relevant field along with a significant GMAT/ GRE score. Average Tuition Fees: £36,800

The university offers a variety of PhD courses in eclectic domains such as Aeronautics, Bioengineering, Brain Sciences, Immunology and Inflammation, Life Sciences, etc.

4. University of Edinburgh

QC Ranking: #22 Top PhD Course Offered: Doctor of Philosophy, Philosophy MScR Eligibility & Admission Requirements: First or upper second class honors degree in UK or equivalent international institutions. Master’s with excellent scores in relevant subject. Average Tuition Fees: £26,700

The University of Edinburgh is widely recognised for establishing its cachet as a top business school. It offers a variety of business-oriented Ph.D. courses in the UK, such as Those in Accounting, Business Economics, Finance, Financial Technology, and more.

5. University College London

QC Ranking: #9 Top PhD Course Offered: Management MRes + MPhil/ PhD Eligibility & Admission Requirements: First or upper second class honors degree. Master’s from UK or equivalent from international institutions must have an MA degree. Average Tuition Fees: £28,900

UCL is one of the leading research and management institutes which offers top research programmes. It also offers PhD and doctoral programmes in Computer Science, Engineering and Technology, Paramedic Science, etc.

Admission Requirements & Criteria

The admission requirements to enrol for PhD programs in UK depend from university to university, although some common requirements for admission are as follows:

1. Academic Qualifications ‍

Academic qualifications, which involve the candidate’s previous degrees, including their Master’s or equivalent degree, which is extremely important for a PhD. During some exceptional and rare cases, a student with just a Bachelor’s degree can also be selected based on their skills and previous achievements.

2. Research Proposal

‍ Research proposal plays an important role in getting selected for a PhD course in UK. A well-prepared research proposal that underscores the topic, research questions, methods, and, ultimately, the objective is required during the application process. This document helps the jury assess the feasibility of the proposed research project.

3. References & Letter of Recommendations

References are something which any candidate applying to a PhD program in UK must have. These references should come from professors and previous supervisors who need to attest that the candidate holds high academic abilities research potential, and is best suited for the doctoral program.

4. English Proficiency

‍ English language proficiency is also assessed, especially in the case of PhD in UK for international students. The students whose primary language isn’t English are supposed to demonstrate their proficiency through different tests such as IELTS & TOEFL .

Test Scores Required for PhD in the UK

When one decides to study in the UK, one of the major qualification requirements rises to be is language proficiency. To prove the same, one needs to perform well in exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, and many more and score a required grade or band to enrol in their desired course and university.

Application Process

The application process to pursue a PhD degree in the UK is pretty simple. Here is a step by step guide as to how you can apply for your PhD program in the UK.

1. Choose a discipline. Explore what you really wish to pursue and see what all PhD universities in UK are offering. 2. Submit your application to the respective universities and pay the application fee. 3. Submit all the documents and paperwork required by the university. This may vary from university to university. 4. Write down your research proposal and send it in along with all your other documents. 5. Look for a supervisor who can guide you through your research degree. 6. If you are looking for financial aid or scholarships in UK while you pursue your PhD, apply for them at the same time. 7. Wait for the decision from the respective university.

Cost & Tuition Fees for PhD in the UK

The cost and tuition fees for PhD in the UK depends from university to university and course to course. Although, students who come from humble backgrounds can easily apply for various PhD scholarships in the UK to get financial support.

PhD in UK Scholarships

There is a varied range of scholarships that students who wish to accomplish their PhD in the UK can explore. Here is a list of scholarships that one can apply for while planning to pursue PhD programs in UK. Following are the PhD scholarships UK that you should check out:

Career Prospects after PhD in the UK

The UK, being a flourished economy, offers numerous job opportunities to students after they accomplish their PhD degree in the UK. Following are some of the job prospects that you can look after once you have completed your PhD courses in UK. The prospects can be divided into different types such as - Academic Careers, Industry Careers, Government and Public Sector, and much more. Let’s explore the possibilities:

1. Academic Career Opportunities

Postdoctoral Researcher
Lecturer (Entry-Level)
Senior Lecturer

2. Industry Specific Careers

Research Scientist
Data Scientist
Project Manager

3. Government and Public Sector

Policy Analyst
Government Scientist
Program Evaluation
Entrepreneurship

4. Non-Traditional Careers

Science Writer
Scientific Policy Analyst
Editor (Publishing)
Global Opportunities

All and all, pursuing a PhD degree in the UK opens up a number of opportunities for students who wish to delve deeper into their area of interest. Expanding their knowledge in the respective fields helps these individuals make significant contributions to the fields of academia, a specific industry, and society as a whole.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of opting for phd courses in uk, what is the duration for phd, what describes a student's eligibility to enrol in a phd program in uk, are there fully funded phd programs in uk, is it worth enrolling for a phd course in uk.

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Top 10 phd universities in uk for international students.

To assist and guide you in achieving your PhD dream in the UK, we have compiled a list of top universities for PhD in UK for international students. So if you are searching for the best schools for PhD programs in UK to consider, then you are on the right page.

The highest academic achievement you can attain in the UK to improve your career and future chances is a PhD. It expands your knowledge base and exhibits your exceptional degree of skill in a certain academic field.

But it is not easy to get admission to study at any of the top PhD universities in the UK. You first need to develop the necessary skills to qualify for top PhD programs at UK universities.

For this reason, we have listed the best universities in the UK to pursue your PhD degree program as well as the requirements for admission into these prestigious institutions. Below are the best schools to consider.

Universities for PhD in UK for International Students

1. Oxford University

Oxford University is acknowledged as one of the best universities in the world and is widely recognized for its groundbreaking research that has greatly benefited the world in several ways.

Oxford is a world-renowned center for education, research, and teaching and is the oldest institution in the history of the English language.

Location	Oxford, United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Biochemistry
	Chemistry
	Engineering Science
	Medical Science
Average Annual Fees	$11,700

2. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is a global footprint. The University of Cambridge has been at the forefront of academic study and research for more than eight centuries. The world has changed substantially as a result of their discoveries and innovations.

Location	Cambridge, United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Clinical Neuroscience
	Chemical Engineering
	Biotechnology
	Engineering
Average Annual Fees	$10,000-$35,000

3. Imperial College London

You may be chosen to earn full tuition fees and a significant stipend for a PhD spot at Imperial College London if you are an outstanding undergraduate or Master’s student who has a strong ambition to pursue a PhD program at a top-tier research institution. International students can get a PhD at Imperial College London for one of the lowest costs in the UK.

Location	London, United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Life Sciences
	Mathematics
	Mechanical Engineering
	Medical Sciences
Average Annual Fees	$33,000

4. University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is a well-known public research university that is located in the first industrial metropolis in the world. It is one of the biggest institutions in the UK, with over 38,000 active students enrolled.

You will gain a lot from Manchester’s continued investment in the top research facilities and its vibrant research culture, which promotes creative, cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Location	Manchester, United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Chemical Engineering
	Chemistry
	Electrical Engineering
	Material Science
	Mathematics
Average Annual Fees	$24,000-$30,000

5. University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s leading research institutions in the United Kingdom. International students are particularly fond of the university.

The PhD program at the University of Edinburgh is designed to prepare you as a researcher with a solid foundation in both your field of study and a specialty area.

Location	Edinburgh, United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Medicine
	Engineering
	Geosciences
	Informatics
	Mathematics
Average Annual Fees	$10,000-$30,000

6. University of Bristol

The University of Bristol is renowned for its outstanding research and teaching. The PhD program here offers a way for students to start and complete their own independent research projects.

It provides possibilities for personal and academic growth to prepare you for the social, intellectual, and personal difficulties you will face during your career.

Location	Bristol, United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Medical Science
	Biochemistry
	Physiology
	Biological Science
Average Annual Fees	$25,000-$35,000

7. University College London

One of the top three multi-faculty universities in the UK, University College London was founded in 1826. Students can prepare an original research thesis with the help of their supervisor by enrolling in the UCL Philosophy MPhil/PhD program (s).

Location	London, United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Chemical Engineering
	Chemistry
	Physics and Astronomy
	Material Science
Average Annual Fees	$25,000-$37,000

8. King’s College London

King’s College London, one of the leading Ph.D. universities in the UK, offers more than 180 courses to overseas undergraduate students.

Students can also choose from a wide range of master’s, executive master’s, postgraduate diploma, and postgraduate certificate programs in 17 distinct academic subjects. Students can do research in any of Fourteen departments in a wide range of fields through this institution’s MPhil/PhD program.

Location	London, United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Pharmaceutical Science
	Medical Science
	Life Science
Average Annual Fees	$35,000-$45,000

9. London School of Economics and Political Science

Rolling admissions are available to about 11,000 students each academic year at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The majority of the roughly 55% of LSE candidates from outside the UK come from almost 200 different nations. It is one of the best PhD programs in the UK for overseas students.

Location	London United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Communication
	Social Science
	Law
	Journalism
Average Annual Fees	$20,000

10. Newcastle University

Newcastle University is one of the top universities in the UK in terms of employment prospects. Graduates from Newcastle earn up to 120,000 euros a year on average. The teaching and research conducted here are at the cutting edge of new thinking and investigate and address the challenging problems posed by the evolving job landscape.

Location	Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
University Type	Public University
Top PhD Programs Offered	Medical Science Bio-Engineering
Average Annual Fees	$30,000-$35,000

Requirements for PhD in UK for International Students

TOEFL: 88-100
IELTS: 6.5-7.5
For entry into the Ph.D. program, a master’s degree with a minimum of 70% is necessary. But some of the top universities in the UK would only consider applicants who have a four-year bachelor’s degree.
Statement of Purpose
Letters of Recommendation
Relevant work experience

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Study PhD in UK: Complete Guide for International Students

“How to pursue a Ph.D. in the UK?” is a common question asked by International students.

Are you one of them, exploring the prospects of pursuing a Ph.D. in the UK in 2024? Then look no further! The UK boasts renowned research-intensive universities with exceptional infrastructure, offering fully funded Ph.D. opportunities to international students. Whether you're aiming for a comprehensive guide on Ph.D. courses, universities, costs, or the prerequisites to embark on this academic journey, we've got you covered! Delve into the details and insights to discover more about pursuing a Ph.D. in the UK.

If you are looking for Ph.D. opportunities in the UK, Yocket is here to guide you through everything. And by everything, we mean - cost breakdowns to admission requirements, university shortlisting to visa interviews. Explore the comprehensive guide you need for your academic aspirations in 2024. For personalized assistance, connect with Yocket counselors right now!

An Overview of the PhD Program in UK

Embarking on a Ph.D. journey in the UK means diving into an immersive research experience that combines top-tier academic standards with industrial partnerships. Generally spanning three years, the UK's Ph.D. programs culminate with a thesis submission, often completed 12 months before the official program conclusion. While individual universities may tailor their programs, the key advantages of pursuing a Ph.D. in the UK are significant and multifaceted:

Ph.D. Course Duration in the UK	3-4 years
Average Tuition Fee	£15,000 to £20,000 per year INR 1327,410 to INR 17,69,880 per year
Mode of study	Full-time or part-time
Popular Ph.D. Course in UK	Computer Science, Engineering and Technology, Paramedic Sciences, Law, Social Science, Architecture, etc.
Top Universities for PhD in Uk	University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and Political Science

Making decisions about shortlisting universities for your Ph.D. can be quite a challenge, but worry not, we're here to simplify the process for you! Whether you're swaying between a "Yes," "No," or "Maybe," our experts can guide you through this critical phase of your academic journey, offering personalized advice to help you find the perfect match among the top Ph.D. programs in the UK

Why Study PhD in the UK?

The decision to pursue a Ph.D. in a UK university carries substantial benefits and opportunities, making it a highly favored destination for international students, especially for those from India. Let's dive into the reasons that make the UK an ideal choice for a doctoral degree:

Academic Excellence: With over 10 universities in the top 100 worldwide, the UK is a prestigious hub for academic excellence, offering superior research facilities and quality education.
Supportive Government Initiatives: The UK government's introduction of a 3-year post-study work visa and extended studentships for international researchers seeking Ph.D. is a promising development that supports and encourages global scholars.
Cultural Diversity: Engaging in a Ph.D. program in the UK grants students the chance to immerse themselves in a rich and diverse cultural milieu, creating an enriching and vibrant academic experience.
Vast Career Opportunities: Upon completing a Ph.D. from globally recognized universities in the UK, students gain access to a wide array of career prospects, spanning commercial research, academic pursuits, and business-oriented roles.

The UK stands as a beacon of academic brilliance, offering a wealth of possibilities for international scholars, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to excel in their doctoral pursuits.

Suggested: What are the Job Opportunities after Studying in UK?

Further, let’s check the top PhD courses in UK through this infographic.

Moving on, here is a quick look at the types of PhDs a student can pursue in UK.

Types of PhD Programs in UK

Exploring the types of Ph.D. programs in the UK opens up a range of options for international students seeking advanced research and academic pursuits:

Standard Ph.D.: This foundational type involves the student proposing, conducting, and documenting research in the form of a thesis. It's widely available across many UK universities.
Integrated Ph.D.: Combining a one-year Master of Research (MRes) with a subsequent three-year standard Ph.D., the Integrated Ph.D. offers students numerous educational prospects and is offered in over 30 UK universities.
Professional Ph.D.: Geared towards providing extensive employment opportunities, the professional Ph.D., primarily in engineering, science, and medical fields, is highly sought after by international students.
Distance Learning Ph.D.: Tailored for part-time or busy international students, this program accommodates flexible schedules and can typically be completed within 5-6 years.
Ph.D. by Publication: This unique Ph.D. type is often available to a university's alumni, enabling students to submit their own published works or articles, with word counts ranging between 5,000-20,000 each.

To embark on a Ph.D. journey in the UK, international students must meet specific admission criteria, which vary among institutions. Understanding these requirements is crucial for a successful application.

Suggested: Best Masters Universities in UK!

Eligibility and Admission Requirements to Study PhD in the UK

What is the Ph.D. eligibility in the UK? The admission requirements for a Ph.D. in the UK for Indian students differ between the universities and the course you wish to pursue. Let us check out the basic requirements to apply at Ph.D. universities in the UK:

A master's degree
Research proposal
English proficiency test scores
Additional documents like SOPs , LORs , and CV /Resume.

Let us now talk about these Ph.D. requirements UK briefly!

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Masters Degree and Academic Transcripts

The most basic requirement to apply for a Ph.D. in the UK is to have a master's degree in a related field, with academic transcripts for each level of study. Some universities may ask for only a bachelor's degree, which entirely depends on a case-by-case basis.

Research Proposal

A research proposal is a document that is asked by a majority of universities admitting students for their Ph.D. programs. A research proposal should have the topic you wish to research, the intention of the research, and a plan on how the research would be conducted.

English Proficiency Test Scores

It is essential for you, as an international student, to have English proficiency proof in terms of IELTS , TOEFL , PTE , or other tests. The minimum IELTS requirement for a Ph.D. in the UK for Indian students is a score of 7.0 or above.

Additional Documents

Additional documents like the statement of purpose, work experience, and recommendation letters will add more value to your overall application.

Suggested: Find out the Difference Between IELTS and TOEFL

Now that you are aware of the requirements, let us take a quick look at the application process for Ph.D. in the UK.

Application Process for PhD in UK

How to apply for a Ph.D. in the UK? The application process for Ph.D. admission in the UK is quite simple to pursue. Here is a quick look at the steps you need to follow:

Choose your discipline and a university to start your research in the UK.
Submit the application form along with the application fee.
Submit all the required documents and requirements asked by the particular university.
Create a research proposal to be submitted along with all the documents.
Find a supervisor to start your doctoral degree.
Apply for a scholarship or financial aid, if available at the university.
Wait for the admission decision.

Finding a supervisor can be a cumbersome job, and so universities assist you in the same. Also, know that you may not get the supervisor that you had asked for, universities take these decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Suggested: How to Create an SOP for PhD?

Another important factor that impacts your decision to study abroad is Ph.D. fees in UK. So, let us briefly take a look at the cost of studying for and Ph.D. Scholarships UK.

Cost of Purusing PhD in the UK

The cost of pursuing a Ph.D. in the UK varies for domestic, EU, and international students. The annual cost for Domestic or EU students generally comes around £6,000 (INR 5,30,964) , while for international students it is typically between £16,000 (14,15,904)to £24,000 (INR 21,23,856) per year .

In addition to tuition fees, students need to account for living expenses . On average, monthly living costs for students in the UK fall within the range of £1,100 (INR 97,343) to £1,300 (1,15,042). The actual expenses fluctuate based on individual lifestyle choices and the city of residence.

Suggested: Breakdown of the Cost of Living in UK for International Students

For international students, scholarships, bursaries, and studentships are common forms of financial assistance provided by various UK universities. These financial aids significantly ease the financial load for students pursuing Ph.D. programs in the UK.

Scholarships to Study PhD in UK for International Students

To assist Indian students aiming for a Ph.D. in the UK, numerous scholarships are available. These scholarships play a pivotal role in supporting their academic endeavors and minimizing the financial burden. Our compiled list encompasses these prestigious scholarship opportunities, empowering students with crucial financial aid options


Oxford Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarships	Indian nationals on a Merit basis for pursuing a DPhil in areas of interdisciplinary research	Course fees and living costs are covered
Ertegun Scholarship program in Humanities through Oxford University	Students pursuing a DPhil in humanities	£15,609 (INR 13,81,302) + full course fees
Gates Cambridge	Non-EU students enrolled in a postgraduate program	£17,500 (INR 15,48,645)+ full course fees + two air tickets + visa
President’s Ph.D. Scholarship Scheme through Imperial College London	High-Performing master students with excellent academic performance and research potential	Full tuition fees + £21,800 (INR 19,29,169) per annum for 3.5 years
Edinburgh Doctoral Scholarships	Students showcasing outstanding merit and research potential	University tuition fee + stipend of £15,609 (INR 13,81,302) per annum

Suggested: All-about Scholarships for International Students in UK!

Now that we have all the details regarding studying Ph.D. in the UK, let us take a look at the top universities in the UK for the program.

Top 5 Universities in UK for Ph.D.

The UK, being a nation known for its high standards in the field of research, is very much preferred by international students. Most of the Ph.D. universities in the UK are renowned for their research outputs. We have curated a list of the top Ph.D. universities for you below:

University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Imperial College London
University College London
University of Edinburgh

Let us check out the details about these universities:

1. University of Oxford

The University of Oxford has received innumerable accolades for various parameters in groundbreaking research, innovation, and academic excellence. The university provides international students willing to pursue a Ph.D. in the UK with an environment that is extremely beneficial and highly valuable across nations.

QS World University Rankings 2024

Popular Programs

DPhil Socio-Legal Research, DPhil Theoretical Physics, DPhil Clinical Medicine, DPhil Archaeology

Average tuition fee

£28,650/ year

INR 25,35,353/year

2. University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is known for its research practices around the globe. The majority of international applicants receive Ph.D. scholarships in the UK through the University of Cambridge. Besides, this university also offers funded research projects to international students.

QS World University Rankings 2024

Popular Programs

Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Ph.D. Mathematics, Ph.D. Clinical Neurosciences, Ph.D. Zoology, Ph.D. Physics

Average tuition fee

£33,972/ year

INR 30,06,318/year

3. Imperial College London

The Imperial College London is known to focus exclusively on subjects like sciences, business, medicine, and engineering. Having research impact as the top priority since 1907, Imperial College London should be one of your top choices for a fully funded Ph.D. in the UK for international students.

QS World University Rankings 2024

Popular Programs

Ph.D. Design Engineering, Ph.D. Immunology and Inflammation, Ph.D. Mathematics

Average tuition fee

£26,500/ year

INR 23,45,091/year

Suggested: Ph.D. Universities in the UK

4. University College London

Greatest industrial contacts, excellent collaborations, partnerships with nations across the world, and top-class research infrastructure is what sums up my Ph.D. at University College London . Home to more than 20,000 graduate students from around 150 countries, UCL is also known internationally for its employment opportunities after research.

QS World University Rankings 2024

Popular Programs

Ph.D. Behavioural Science and Health, Ph.D. Chemistry, Ph.D. Architectural Design, Ph.D. Financial Economics

Average tuition fee

£25,730/ year

INR 22,76,950/year

5. University of Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh is ranked 4th in UK for research and is one of the best universities offering several fully funded Ph.D. UK programs. With various partnerships across the globe, it offers numerous career opportunities for students completing their Ph.D... Students can opt for a pre-defined Ph.D. project or develop their own research idea.

QS World University Rankings 2024

Popular Programs

Ph.D. Accounting, Ph.D. Finance, Ph.D. Engineering, Ph.D. Informatics, Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Average tuition fee

£23,350 year

INR 20,66,334/year

Suggested: Chevening Scholarships in UK 2024!

Studying at these top universities in UK will ensure that you have a promising future. Let us take a look at the career opportunities after a Ph.D. in the UK.

Career Opportunities after Pursuing PhD in the UK

Though the Ph.D. cost UK is quite high, so are the returns. Ph.D. graduates from the UK are seen performing commercial research post-graduation in various fields like education, science, technology, medicine, and others. Students are also seen working in the private sector performing research for business organisations, apart from working for academia or pursuing even higher research.

For a better understanding of what careers post Ph.D. in UK look like, we have tabulated the salaries for various Ph.D. job profiles below:


Senior Economist	£64,000 (INR 56,63,616)
Data Scientist	£52,000 (INR 46,01,688)
Senior Software Engineer	£70,900 (INR 62,74,224)
Associate Professor	£62,000 (INR 54,86,628)
Research Scientist	£46,000 (INR 40,70,724)

The United Kingdom, with an average salary of £49,825 (INR 44,09,213) , remains a premier destination for pursuing a Ph.D. Its allure isn't solely based on the promising financial returns but also on the accessibility of numerous scholarships for international students. The UK consistently stands at the pinnacle of choices for those seeking a rewarding academic future. For additional guidance and personalized support on your study abroad journey, our counselors are available through Yocket premium subscription – ensuring you're equipped with the best resources for your educational endeavors.

Suggested : How to Obtain a Post-study Work Permit in UK?

From the Desk of Yocket

For international students aspiring to pursue a Ph.D. in the UK, navigating the educational landscape and requirements can be complex. At Yocket, we've meticulously crafted a comprehensive guide to assist students in understanding the intricacies of pursuing a Ph.D. in the UK. Our aim is to provide valuable insights into the UK's educational system, requirements, and potential opportunities for international students. This guide is tailored to support and assist students in making well-informed decisions throughout their Ph.D. journey in the UK.

Embarking on your Ph.D. journey in the UK? It's not too late for 2024. Dive into our comprehensive guide, tailored for international students aiming for a successful Ph.D. in the UK. Apply with Yocket now to secure your spot for 2024 and seize invaluable insights on academic requirements, opportunities, and more. Trust Yocket to be your guiding light through this crucial academic pursuit and set the stage for your Ph.D. aspirations in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions about PhD in UK

Which are the top universities for PhD in UK?

The top universities for PhD in UK are: 1) University of Oxford 2) Imperial College London 3) University College London

How much does a PhD in UK cost?

PhD in the UK costs in the range of £15,000 to £20,000 per annum on an average for international students.

Is it easy to get a job after pursuing a PhD in UK?

Yes! PhD graduates can very easily grab an average salary of £49,825 per annum post graduation.

What are the popular courses to pursue PhD in UK?

The most popular courses are clinical psychology, physics, mathematics, immunology, and medicine.

What is the minimum average grade requirement for masters to pursue PhD in UK?

The minimum score a student must achieve to pursue PhD in UK is 60% in both taught course units and dissertation.

Rohan Deshmukh

PhD in UK: Fees 2024, Top Colleges, Placement and Salaries

The average annual tuition fee for pursuing PhD in UK at the top universities is 20,000 GBP- 50,000 GBP (20-50 Lakh INR) and the average cost of living in UK is around 14,000 GBP (14 lakh INR) per year. The opportunities after studying in UK universities are vast. Almost 87% of the Ph.D. students start working after graduation and earn an average pay of 40,000 GBP- 60,000 GBP (40-60 Lakh INR) per annum.

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PhD in UK: Top Universities

International students are attracted to the high-quality education offered by the top universities in UK . According to the QS Ranking of 2024, 5 universities in the UK rank among the top 50 universities across the world. The following table lists some of the top universities offering PhD in UK:

Qs Rankings 2024	University	Program	Application Deadline	Annual Tuition Fees (GBP)
#2	University of Cambridge	Aerosol Science, Architecture, Archaeology, Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine, , Law, Medical Science, Oncology, Surgery	16 May 2024	25,000 - 55,000
#3	University of Oxford	, Engineering Science, Law, Economics, Philosophy,Clinical Medicine, Astrophysics	25 January 2024	25,000 - 30,000
#6	Imperial College London	, Physics, Business, Brain Science, Mechanical Engineering	15 April 2024	20,000 - 40,000
#22	University of Edinburgh	Nursing Studies, , Engineering, Socio-cultural Studies, Economics, Accounting, Finance	15 July 2024	24,800- 29,700
#32	University of Manchester	Accounting and Finance, Criminology, Architecture, Law, Mathematics, Petroleum Engineering, Sociology,	19 January 2024	27,000-40,500

Why Study PhD in UK?

PhD graduates from UK universities have a high employability rate, with 82% of them in employment or further study within six months of graduation, Higher Education Statistics Agency.
The UK has some of the world's best universities, and many of these institutions are highly ranked for their PhD programs. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, the UK has 3 universities in the top ten for graduate employability, and five universities in the top 40 for graduate employability.
The opportunities after studying in UK universities are vast. Almost 87% of the Ph.D. students start working after graduation and earn an average pay of 40,000 GBP- 60,000 GBP (40-60 Lakh INR) per annum.
UK universities offer cutting-edge research facilities and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Students have access to world-class resources and expertise, allowing them to undertake innovative research in their chosen fields.

PhD in UK: Admissions

Depending on the institution and the particular school, the admission requirements for PhD in UK may change, but they typically include academic credentials, English language proficiency, and work experience. In the section below the detailed admission requirements for top universities offering PhD in UK are given.

PhD in UK: Eligibility Criteria

Admission requirements for a PhD in UK can vary depending on the university and the area of research. However, there are some general admission requirements that most universities will require from applicants:

Academic Degree- A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a related field of study.
Minimum GPA- The minimum GPA requirement is 3.7 on a scale of 4.0
English Proficiency Test Score- IELTS: 7.0 or above, TOEFL: 100+.
Statement of Purpose (SOP) - Submit a 5000 word personal statement outlining their academic and professional background, their reasons for applying to the program, and their career aspirations.
Letters of Recommendation (LOR) - Applicants are usually required to provide at least 2-3 academic or professional references.
Research Proposal- A 3000 word research proposal needs to be submitted in the area of research you are applying for.

PhD in UK: Admission Requirements

Following table shows the general admission requirements for getting into a Phd program in the UK universities along with their respective academic requirements and additional document requirements:

Academic Requirement	IELTS Score	Additional Documents
A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a related field of study.	7.5 or above	SOP (maximum 1,000 words), 3 LOR (all academic), Resume, Transcript(s)
A 4-year Bachelor or Master’s with 70% grades may be accepted for entry to Masters or Research.	7.0 or above	SOP, 2 LOR (minimum 1 academic), Resume, Transcript(s)
Professional Bachelor's (at least 4 years) in professional subject from a Well-Ranked Institution with an overall grade of 75% or CGPA 8.0+.	7.0 or above	SOP, 2 LOR (minimum 1 academic), Resume, Transcript(s), Research Proposal
A minimum of a three-year degree and who have obtained First Class at a reputable university or have completed a three-year degree with First Class, and also obtained a master's, both from reputable universities with minimum grade of 70%	7.0 or above	SOP, 2 LOR (all academic), Resume, Transcript(s), 3000 word Research Proposal
a masters degree in a related or relevant subject, and a research proposal	7.0 or above	SOP, 2 LOR (all academic), Resume, Transcript(s), Research Proposal

PhD in UK: Cost of study

United Kingdom is one of the most pursued and sought out countries in the world for international students. The cost of study in UK will include the cost of living and the tuition fees a student is paying for PhD in UK. The cost of study in UK can differ from person to person depending on the university of their choice. The average cost of study in UK ranges from 30,000 GBP to 37,000 GBP (30-37 lakh INR).

PhD in UK: Tuition Fees

A PhD in UK lasts for 3-5 years on a full-time basis depending on the University and the area of research. The following table highlights the annual fees for pursuing PhD in UK universities:

University	Total Tuition Fees (GBP)	Fee for Indian Students (INR)
University of Oxford	25,000 - 30,000	26-31 Lakh
Imperial College London	21,000 - 44,000	22-45 Lakh
University of Cambridge	25,000 - 55,000	26-57 Lakh
University of Manchester	27,000 - 40,500	28-42 Lakh
University of Edinburgh	24,800- 29,700	26-32 Lakh

Cost of Living in UK

The cost of living in UK includes accommodation, food, transportation, healthcare, personal expenses etc. The average cost of living in UK is around 14,000 GBP- 24,000 GBP (14-25 lakh INR) per year.

Likely living costs for 1 month (in GBP)		Likely living costs for 9 months (in GBP)		Likely living costs for 12 months (in GBP)
Lower range	Upper range	Lower range	Upper range	Lower range	Upper range
Food	315	495	2835	4,445	3,780	5,940
Accommodation	745	925	6,705	8,325	8,940	11,100
Personal items	190	320	1,710	2,880	2,280	3,840
Social activities	40	95	360	855	480	1,140
Study costs	35	85	315	765	420	1,020
Other	20	35	180	315	240	420
Total	1,345	1,955	12,105	17,595	16,140	23,460

PhD in UK: Scholarships

If you are planning to study in UK for a PhD you should know that it can become heavy on your pocket. For that reason UK universities provide different scholarships in UK for international students to lighten their burden. Following are some of the scholarships offered to international students who are applying for PhD in UK.

Scholarship	Awarded by (private/government/university)	Eligibility	Award Value
Scott Trust Foundation Bursary	University of London	Need Based	A bursary covering full tuition fees or 5,000 GBP subsistence allowance
Foundation Degree Scholarship	University of Westminster	A household income of £25,000 or below as assessed by the Student Loans Company.	1,500 GBP per year towards maintenance costs or tuition fees up to a maximum of four years.
International PGT Merit Scholarship	University of Leicester	Merit Based	Degree equivalent to a UK high upper second class degree – 3,000 GBP. Or Degree equivalent to a UK first class degree – 5,000 GBP.
University of Edinburgh	School Doctoral Scholarship	Enrolled in Ph.D. in history, classics or archaeology	Course fees (equal to UK/EU rate), 15,009 per year stipend
University of Manchester	Research Impact Ph.D. Scholarship	Enrolled in Ph.D. at Department of Humanities; Research Project related to philanthropic research themes	19,500 per year for 3 years; Additional 1,500 per year

PhD in UK: Job Opportunities

A PhD graduate earns on an average of 40,000 GBP- 60,000 GBP (30-60 Lakh INR) per year in the UK. Most of them go for an academic job especially in the teaching and education sector. According to Prospects UK, over 50% of graduates having PhD in UK are either education or science professionals working in the science and pharmaceutical industry.

Here are some sectors in the where PhD graduates may find job opportunities in UK , along with the percentage of PhD graduates employed in each sector (source: Vitae Researcher Development International):

Higher Education - 37%
Business and Industry: 23%
Government- 16%
Non-profit Organizations- 10%
Self Employed- 5%
Health and Social Care- 5%
Other Sectors- 4%

Here are some average salaries for various job titles in the UK for PhD holders:

Job Title	Average Salary (in GBP)	Average Salary (in INR)
Research Scientist	39,690	41.35 lakhs
Data Scientist	46,474	48.42 lakhs
Postdoctoral Research Associate	36,286	37.80 lakhs
Senior Research Scientist, Biotechnology	41,993	43.75 lakhs
Senior Research Scientist (Unspecified Type)	40,835	42.54 lakhs
Research Associate (Unspecified Type)	36,879	38.42 lakhs
Research Engineer	41,874	43.63 lakhs

Phd in UK: Visa

International students planning to pursue PhD in Uk will require a points-based Student Route visa (previously known as the Tier 4 student visa). To get this visa you must be able to show that you have sufficient money for living costs. The minimum requirements are:

£1,023 per month if your PhD is based outside London
£1,334 per month if your PhD is based in London

A student visa requires 70 points. These are awarded to you as follows:

50 points – for gaining your confirmation of acceptance for studies
10 points – for proving that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your degree
10 points – for proving you meet the English language requirements

PhD in UK: Work Permit

Provided you are pursuing a full-time PhD in UK, you may work alongside your project or programme, provided you do not: work for more than 20 hours per week, except during any vacations or in the case of an agreed work placement or internship

PhD in UK: ROI

A UK PhD offers a strong ROI as graduates gain advanced skills leading to higher salaries and diverse career opportunities, offsetting initial costs. The prestige of a UK PhD can boost professional credibility, leading to leadership roles and consulting opportunities, further enhancing ROI.

University	Annual Tuition Fees (in GBP)	Average Salary (in GBP)
University of Oxford	27,510 - 31,480	36,000
Imperial College London	21,600 - 44,100	51,000
University of Cambridge	29,826 - 37,458	39,000
University of Manchester	27,000 - 40,500	35,000
University of Edinburgh	23,350 - 28,000	38,000

PhD in UK: Degree Comparison

The following table draws a comparison between PhD in UK vs PhD in USA on the basis of program duration, tuition fees, cost of living, visa, average salary among other parameters.

Parameter	PhD in UK	PhD in USA
Duration	3-5 Years	4-6 Years
Average Annual tuition fees	20,000 GBP- 50,000 GBP (20-50 Lakh INR)	20,000 USD- 50,000 USD (16-41 Lakh INR)
Cost of living (per month)	14,000 GBP (14 lakh INR)	1,800 USD (1.4 lakh INR)
Financial Support	Scholarships, grants, bursaries	Fellowships, assistantships, grants
Visa
Average salary	40,000 GBP- 60,000 GBP (40-60 Lakh INR)	55,000 USD- 75,000 USD (45-61 Lakh INR)
English language proficiency tests	: 7.0 or above TOEFL: 100+	IELTS: 7.0 or above :110+

Pursuing a PhD in the UK can be a great opportunity for students who are looking for world-renowned universities, a multicultural environment, generous funding opportunities, and a shorter duration of the program. UK offers excellent research opportunities, and PhD graduates from UK universities have a high employability rate. After completing your PhD in UK one can work at higher posts in different fields and earn an average annual salary of 40,000 GBP- 60,000 GBP (30-60 Lakh INR).

Ques. How much does a PhD cost in UK?

Ans . The average annual tuition fee for pursuing PhD in UK at the top universities is 20,000 GBP- 50,000 GBP (20-50 Lakh INR) and the average cost of living in UK is around 14,000 GBP (14 lakh INR) per year.

Ques. How long is the PhD in UK?

Ans . PhD in UK, also referred to as a doctorate, is a 3-5 years full-time and 5-6 years part-time degree depending on the University of choice and the area of research.

Ques. Do PhD students get paid in UK?

Ans A stipend is awarded to students planning to pursue Ph.D in the UK. The cost of the stipend varies from university to university. PhD stipends in the UK were set at £16,062 for students outside of London and £18,062 for those within London, reflecting the higher cost of living in the capital.

Ques. What are some of the top universities offering PhD in UK?

Ans . University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, and University of Edinburgh are some of the top universities offering PhD in UK.

Ques. What are the admission requirements for applying to a PhD in UK?

Ans . The minimum admission requirement for PhD in UK is to have a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a related field of study or a masters degree with a minimum of 70%, IELTS score of 7.0 or above or a TOEFL score of 100+ and while applying for a PhD in UK you will need to submit a research proposal in the field you of research you are applying for.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing a PhD in the UK?

Ans . Graduates with a PhD from a UK university have diverse career opportunities. While some pursue academic careers as researchers or professors, others find employment in industry, government, or non-profit organizations. The skills acquired during a PhD, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, are highly valued in many sectors.

Ques. Are there funding opportunities available for international students pursuing a PhD in the UK?

Ans . Yes, many UK universities offer scholarships, grants, and funding opportunities for international PhD students. These may cover tuition fees, living expenses, or research costs. Prospective students should research and apply for relevant funding opportunities early in the application process.

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PhD Fees in the UK for International Students

Maisie Dadswell
July 31, 2024

PhD fees in the UK for international students vary based on several factors, including your field of study, the university you are doing your doctorate research with and which city the university is in. The cost of a PhD in the UK is generally anywhere from £15,000 to £35,000 for annual PhD tuition fees. To help you budget, this article will cover all the variable factors before covering several potential finance options which can help you to fund your studying in the UK.

Even if the fees seem steep at first, don’t get disheartened; there are plenty of funding sources for international students – there is a reason why UK universities, including UWS London, are such popular academic destinations for PhD students beyond our high academic standards.

It is also worth bearing in mind that PhD tuition fees tend to increase each year in line with inflation. Always ensure you are budgeting with the most up-to-date PhD tuition fees, and take into account that for self-funded students, tuition fees may be marginally higher in the second and third years. The good news is that whatever your field of study and preferred university, PhDs will be vastly cheaper than undertaking a taught undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK as an international student. Along with covering the typical cost of PhD fees, we have also outlined additional expenses and living costs you may have to budget for. Luckily, as a full-time, student you’ll never have to worry about paying council tax.

PhD fees in the UK for international students

For domestic students in the UK, the average cost of PhD tuition fees is around £4,500. However, this can rise to £20,0000 – depending on the subject. The main reason there are vast differences in the price of PhD tuition fees is the resources that research students will require; typically, STEM students pay the highest tuition fees due to resources such as tech support, servicing, and equipment. The PhD students who can expect to pay minimum fees are students looking for a doctorate title in the arts, social sciences or humanities.

Part-Time PhD Fees

If you want to study part-time, you can expect to pay 50% of the full-time fees. However, this can vary, and not all PhDs are available on a part-time basis. If you are looking to be a part-time PhD student around your work or any other responsibilities, always check with the institution where you want to study if this is viable. You will also need to check if your visa restricts part-time PhD study.

Research Support Fees

Research support fees don’t apply to every international PhD student in the UK. However, you may need to pay research support fees, which will go towards covering the cost of any specialist materials you use during your research. For students carrying out their research in a laboratory setting, these support fees are also referred to as bench fees and cover the cost of any consumables used in addition to the facilities where any research and experiments are carried out.

Some universities will include bench and research fees in the tuition fee, while other institutions will quote them separately. Even if the PhD tuition fees aren’t all-inclusive, universities will always be 100% transparent and upfront about the costs. As the additional tuition fees can vary significantly due to the nature of the research that you are undertaking, bench fees and support fees will usually be discussed during the application process. Other universities prefer to make them available on request. Typically, where applicable, bench fees range between £1,000 – £10,000. You will only pay the higher bench fees if you are using expensive equipment and consumables; most UK universities keep the rates the same for domestic and international students.

How to Enquire about PhD Fees in the UK for International Students

To ensure that you are working with the correct figures when you’re budgeting or applying for funding for your PhD fees and living expenses, always be proactive in your search for accurate information by contacting the UK universities you are keen to study with.

When you are getting in touch with the university, state if you are an international or EU student, and pose these questions:

How much are the fees for the programme, and what is included/excluded in the fees?
Are there any extra-departmental research fees, printing costs or administration fees?
Does fieldwork incur additional costs?
Are the bench/research support fees the same for international students?
Are there any bursaries or scholarships available that I may be eligible for?

PhD Funding for International Students Studying in the UK

International students are eligible for many PhD scholarships in the UK; these scholarships and other funded projects are open to international students of all nationalities. Scholarships and grants can be provided by universities, government bodies and charities.

Funded PhDs for International Students

There are ample options to explore based on your field of research; to make your search for funding easier, many PhDs in the UK are advertised to domestic and international students with funding options attached. This is incredibly common for Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine (STEM) subjects, but it isn’t unheard of for the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities to offer the same funding options. Applying for a PhD with attached funding options isn’t worlds apart from applying for a job. If you are accepted as a candidate, you will receive a ‘salary’ in the form of tuition fees, research expenses and a grant which will go towards your living costs. If funding isn’t attached to a PhD project, you can use platforms such as FindAPhD to browse all the current projects offering funding to international students. To broaden your search, you can also use the search bar to sift through your different options. At the time of writing, FindAPhD has over 4,000 PhD projects and scholarships in the UK.

Research Council Studentships

Research Council Studentships are also frequently made available to international students in the UK looking for PhD funding. The more than generous financial support comes from UK Research and Innovation. If you receive funding from UK Research and Innovation, you will receive a monthly stipend to cover your living costs and a fee waiver. The waiver will allow you to pay the drastically reduced domestic rate instead of the PhD fees in the UK for international students. Whichever university funding you apply for, bear in mind that most funding is either provided in a bid to support widening participation or based on academic merit.

Government PhD Loans

If you aren’t eligible for a scholarship, grant, or funding from UK Research and Innovation, Government PhD loans are also available to some international students. Usually, to qualify, you will either need to be able to prove you have a settled status in the UK, be an Irish national or be part of the EU settlement scheme. These loans will cover your tuition fees and living expenses; you only need to repay the loan when you earn over the threshold amount.

Living Costs in the UK for PhD Students

The living costs for international students in the UK will vary greatly depending on your circumstances, lifestyle and where you live. The most expensive city for living costs, excluding rent, is £894 for London, while the cheapest is £577 for Bradford – based on 2022 figures. With rent included in London, it can cost £1,309 per month if you are living off campus, or £1,237 if you are living on campus.

How Much Does it Cost for a PhD in London?

London is renowned for its vibrant culture, history, and world-class education, making it a top choice for students pursuing higher degrees. However, it’s essential to note that London is also the most expensive city in the UK. The cost of living in the capital can be higher than in other parts of the country. While pursuing a Ph.D. in London offers incredible opportunities and access to prestigious institutions, potential students should be prepared for higher living expenses.

Additional Costs for International Students

Your PhD fees, rent and living costs will be your greatest expenses as an international PhD student. However, there are additional expenses which you may need to account for:

Visa Processing Fees – to apply for a visa outside of the UK, it will cost £363. If you are extending your visa or switching to a student visa, the processing fee is £490.
University Application Fees – these fees aren’t especially common in the UK; however, they aren’t unheard of.
Language Tests – if you are studying your PhD in a second language, you will need proof that you possess sufficient language skills. In some instances, you will be required to sit a language test and achieve a certain score.

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Enquire with us

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PhD International Development

Visit an Open Day
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Course details
Entry Requirements
Teaching and assessment
Employability

The International Development Department (IDD) is committed to encouraging new thinking in the fields of development studies, global politics, and public policy.

Studying for a degree by research with IDD means being part of an active research and practitioner community that will support you in accomplishing your academic goals.

Undertaking a PhD in International Development, you will have the opportunity to conduct original research under the guidance of academic supervisors within an active research environment with a focus on real world impact, leading to an 80,000 word thesis. You will take a number of research training modules in your first year and may attend further courses offered by the Department or the University that enhance your personal discipline-specific and transferable skills.

IDD is part of the School of Government, one of the leading UK and international centres for governance, politics, international development, and public management. As one of the largest Schools of Government, in the United Kingdom, it is home to more than 80 full-time academic staff, more than 1,200 undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, and more than 70 doctoral researchers. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, IDD was ranked 3rd in the country for the impact of our research on society.

The School of Government offers much more than a degree. As a doctoral student here, you have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of research events with staff and other doctoral students, including a PGR Colloquium and departmental speaker series. In addition, an individual training plan is drawn up to meet the needs of each student, covering coursework and skills development. As such, completing this research degree will cultivate specialist knowledge in your field and professional skills for a range of career settings.

We are particularly interested in receiving applications on the following themes:

Conflict and post conflict reconstruction
Governance and politics of development
Natural resource governance, management and livelihoods
Politics of environmental change and sustainable development
Inequality, poverty, and anti-corruption
Democracy and authoritarianism
Public sector management and decentralisation

Applications to study for a research degree on either a full- or part-time basis are welcome.

Further information

IDD Doctoral research page
Guidance on preparing a research proposal
Doctoral Research Scholarships and funding

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

Fees 2024 - 2025

Code 6612 - £4,778 (UK) Full time
Code 6612 - £21,360 (international) Full time
Code 6613 - £2,389 (UK) Part time
Code 696B - £4,778 (UK) Distance Learning 4 years
Code 696B - £21,360 (International) Distance Learning 4 years
Code 998A - £2,389 (UK) Distance Learning 8 years
Code 998A - £10,680 (International) Distance Learning 8 years
Code 6615 - £4,778 (UK) MPhil Full time
Code 6615 - £21,360 (International) MPhil Full time

For the most up-to-date information on fees, please contact the Department directly.

Learn more about fees .

Scholarships and studentships

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government. Information on scholarships and bursaries can be found via International Development Department

Explore our Postgraduate scholarship and funding database

How To Apply

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page . Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our Standard Requirements

MPhil: A good Honours degree in a relevant field, but the application may also be supported by appropriate work experience. Applicants for the MPhil degree should provide evidence of their research ability, for example, the mark received for an undergraduate dissertation.

PhD: Excellent undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Typically the latter will be a taught masters degree, including a dissertation. Normally candidates for the PhD programme will initially be offered a place on the MPhil programme and will be transferred to the PhD at the end of the first year, subject to a satisfactory review of progress.

Besides formal qualifications, a key factor determining whether the Department decides to accept a candidate for either degree is the quality of his or her research proposal and its relevance to our own interests. Successful completion of a research thesis demands a high level of self-discipline, motivation and commitment to the subject of research. Great importance is placed on work experience, when relevant. Please contact the Department for more details.

Learn more about entry requirements and see our Guidance for applying for a PhD .

International Requirements

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below. Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2022 (full table) , Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2023 .

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。请注意，中国院校名单参考软科中国大学排名2022（总榜），软科中国大学排名2023（总榜），以及软科中国艺术类高校名单2023 。

Business School - MSc programmes (excluding MBA)

商学院硕士课程（MBA除外）入学要求

Group 1 一类大学

Grade requirement
均分要求75%

院校

Group 2 二类大学

grade requirement
均分要求80%

软科中国大学排名2022（总榜）或软科中国大学排名2023（总榜）排名前100的大学

非‘985工程’的其他院校

以及以下两所大学：

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 中国科学院大学
University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences 中国社会科学院大学

Group 3 三类大学

grade requirement
均分要求85%

软科中国大学排名2022（总榜）或软科中国大学排名2023（总榜）101-200位的大学

School of Computer Science – all MSc programmes 计算机学院硕士课程入学要求

Group 1 一类大学

Grade requirement
均分要求75%

院校

Group 2 二类大学

grade requirement
均分要求80%

院校

Group 3 三类大学

grade requirement
均分要求85%

College of Social Sciences – courses listed below 社会科学学院部分硕士课程入学要求 MA Education (including all pathways) MSc TESOL Education MSc Public Management MA Global Public Policy MA Social Policy MA Sociology Department of Political Science and International Studies 全部硕士课程 International Development Department 全部硕士课程

Group 1 一类大学

Grade requirement
均分要求75%

院校

Group 2 二类大学

grade requirement
均分要求80%

院校

Group 3 三类大学

grade requirement
均分要求85%

All other programmes (including MBA) 所有其他硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Group 1 一类大学 Grade requirement 均分要求75%	院校
Group 2 二类大学 grade requirement 均分要求80%	院校
Group 3 三类大学 grade requirement 均分要求85%
Group 4 四类大学 We will consider students from these institutions ONLY on a case-by-case basis with minimum 85% if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 来自四类大学的申请人均分要求最低85%，并同时具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，将酌情考虑。

Please note:

Borderline cases: We may consider students with lower average score (within 5%) on a case-by-case basis if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 如申请人均分低于相应录取要求（5%以内），但具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，部分课程将有可能单独酌情考虑。
Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室 [email protected]

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below. Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent. Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2. Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees. Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent. The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters. Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Bachiller, Licenciado, or Título Profesional with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent. Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
De La Salle University - Manila
University of Santo Tomas
University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study. Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement
3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1. Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level. Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

International Students

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

by holding an English language qualification to the right level - IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band
by taking and successfully completing one of our English courses for international students

Research within the School of Government is aligned to one of three departments and Institutes:

The Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)

Dr Columba Achilleos-Sarll Feminist and post/decolonial theory; the Women, Peace and Security agenda; civil society and advocacy; visual global politics.

Dr David Bailey Protest, critical political economy and contemporary capitalism

Dr Stephen Bates British politics; Parliamentary Studies (in comparative perspective or focused on the UK Parliament).

Dr Tendayi Bloom Noncitizenship; Statelessness; Migration governance.

Dr Verena K. Brändle Digital democracy; social media and politics; European politics; border and migration studies; political communication

Dr Sarah Bufkin Racism and racialization; Black Atlantic political thought; Critical Theory; Cultural Studies.

Professor Peter Burnham Restructuring of the state in the global political economy; State theory and radical theories of IPE; Marx and contemporary Marxism; Economic policy and capitalist crisis.

Dr Mwita Chacha Regional integration; International cooperation; Politics of coups d’état; Public opinion.

Dr Licia Cianetti Democracy and institutional change; democratic regression; inclusion and exclusion from policymaking processes; cities and local democracy.

Dr Laurence Cooley Politics of deeply divided societies (especially Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina); post-conflict power-sharing; politics of the census and identity categorisation.

Professor David Cutts Political and electoral behaviour; Party campaigning turnout; Civic engagement; Populist parties; Social media and politics.

Dr May Darwich International Relations Theory and the Middle East; Foreign policies of Middle Eastern states; Identity politics in the Middle East; Security policies in the Middle East.

Professor David Dunn US foreign and security policy; Strategic and security studies, and diplomacy and statecraft.

Dr Rita Floyd Ethics of emergency politics, theories of security (especially securitization theory), the English school and environmental security.

Dr Guiditta Fontana Peace processes and war-to-peace transitions. The design of peace accords, Powersharing and Reform of cultural and educational institutions in conflict-affected societies. Multi-method research designs. Politics of Lebanon, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia.

Dr Emma Foster Environmental politics; gender/sexuality and international relations; gender/sexuality and international relations.

Dr Charlotte Galpin European and national identities; European public sphere and media; Euroscepticism, EU citizenship and social movements; The role of Germany or Britain in Europe; Brexit; Gender and feminist approaches to these topics.

Dr Julie Gilson Japanese foreign policy; East Asian regionalism and institutions; Asia-Europe and Japan-Europe relations; Civil society in Asia; Climate change and environmentalism in Asia.

Dr Ruben Gonzalez-Vicente South-South relations; Global China; the political economy of development, especially in Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean; critical political economy; political geography.

Dr Tim Haughton Contemporary politics of Central and Eastern Europe; Political campaigning; Party politics; Electoral politics.

Dr Laura Jenkins Feminist political theory; Contemporary political theory and British politics.

Dr Deema Kaneff Resources and Social Change; Postsocialist transformations and global capitalism; Property relations; Markets and moralities; Transnational migration, Social exclusion and inequalities. (Europe, Eastern Europe, Bulgaria and Ukraine)

Dr Peter Kerr British politics; State theory and theories of social and political change; UK party politics and party modernisation; Political leadership and governing strategies in the UK; Citizenship and political participation and political sociology.

Dr George Kyris International conflict, conflict management and resolution; International organisations, especially the European Union; State recognition; Statehood and sovereignty; Secession; unrecognised/ de facto states.

Professor René Lindstädt American Politics; Political Institutions; Accountability; Representation; Legislative politics and institutions; Elections; Political methodology

Dr Huw Macartney International or Comparative Political Economy; Banking and financial market governance; Globalisation, and historical materialism.

Dr Cerwyn Moore Political violence; international relations theory; Post-Soviet and post-communist security; Interpretive approaches to global politics and Chechnya.

Dr Richard North Any area of contemporary political philosophy, but particularly on justice and liberal and democratic political philosophy.

Dr Julian Panke European Union Politics; European Neighbourhood Policy; German foreign policy and Eastern European foreign policies (Poland, Slovakia).

Professor Patrick Porter The interaction of power and ideas in the making of foreign and defence policy in the U.S. and U.K, and in shaping their conflicts, classical realism, strategic thought and great power diplomacy.

Dr Adam Quinn US ‘grand strategy’; American national identity; American foreign and security policy; Ideological contest in American politics (contemporary and historical).

Dr Robert Ralston International Security; Civil-Military Relations; Grand Strategy.

Dr Richard Shorten Political theory, ideology, and rhetoric; fascism, Marxism and totalitarianism; reactionaries and conservatives; the political thought of Hannah Arendt, Albert Camus and George Orwell; intellectual politics of the Cold War.

Dr Asaf Siniver International mediation and conflict resolution; The politics, diplomacy and history of the Arab-Israeli conflict; The Israeli-Palestinian peace process; Contemporary US foreign policy and Foreign Policy Analysis.

Dr Nicola Smith Gender and sexuality; Feminist political economy; Queer theory; Biopolitics; Body politics; Sex Work; Obesity; Austerity.

Dr Graham Timmins Areas related to the external relations and foreign policy role of the European Union with specific reference to EU-Russia and German-Russian relations.

Dr Tsering Topgyal Chinese foreign and security policy; Tibet and China’s Nationality Policy; Asia-Pacific security and politics; US-China relations; Sino-Indian relations and Security studies.

Dr Sevasti-Eleni Vezirgiannidou International Environmental Politics; Climate change politics; Environment and trade negotiations; Environmental Regime effectiveness and compliance and The trade-environment debate.

Dr Marco Vieira Rising powers and global order; South-South political cooperation/identity/institutions, South American/Latin American politics; Brazilian foreign policy and International relations theory.

Dr Yi Wang Memory politics; Nationalism and national identity; Contemporary China; International relations of East Asia; Political communication

Dr Robert Watt Military History, power and networks, Small Wars/Insurgencies; Native American History & Politics.

Professor Mark Webber NATO; transatlantic relations; European security; American, Russian and British foreign policy; Theories and practices of security

Dr Mark Wenman Continental philosophy; Contemporary political theory; The philosophy of the social sciences; The history of political thought.

Professor Nicholas Wheeler Trust-building between adversaries, especially nuclear armed states; Nuclear weapons and proliferation.

Professor Kataryna Wolczuk Politics of Russia and post-Soviet countries; EU’s Eastern policy, Russia’s policy towards the post-Soviet states; Regional integration in the post-Soviet space; Nationalism and national identities (across Europe and Eurasia).

Professor Stefan Wolff - Ethnic conflict, civil war, post-conflict state-building; Geopolitics and great-power rivalry; Central Asia, South Caucasus, Eastern Europe, Western Balkans, Middle East & North Africa.

Dr Christalla Yakinthou Conflict transformation, particularly post-settlement; Transitional justice both in theory and practice, and transitions in the MENA region; The relationship between constitutional design and transitional justice; Power sharing, Cypriot, Lebanese, and Tunisian politics and conflicts and the right to truth in international law and practice, and issues around enforced disappearance and missing people during conflict.

Dr Sotirios Zartaloudis European Union politics and policies; Migration in Europe; European politics; Discourse

The International Development Department (IDD)

Dr Sameen A. Mohsin Ali Bureaucratic politics; politics of development, donor engagement, and public sector reform; public health, especially with regard to vaccination; politics of South Asia (especially Pakistan)

Dr Philip Amis Urbanisation; Urban policy; Poverty and housing.

Not currently accepting new PhD supervision applications

Dr Danielle Beswick UK development policy, including parliamentary scrutiny and public engagement in this; UK Africa relations; The UK Conservative Party and development; Politics, identity and security in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Rwanda; Knowledge exchange between universities and legislatures.

Dr Brock Bersaglio The political ecology of biodiversity conservation, wild meat (including food sovereignty), and zoonotic disease in eastern/southern Africa; anti-, post- and settler colonial development studies

Dr Adrian Campbell Public and local government reform, especially in transitional states.

Professor Nic Cheeseman Elections and democratization; The formation of a social contract in new democracies; Power-sharing and the politics of inclusion; Populism and strategies of political mobilization; African political thought.

Dr David Cobley Disability-inclusive approaches to development, especially in the areas of poverty reduction, livelihood development, inclusive education and disaster risk reduction.

Dr Niheer Dasandi Politics of international development and foreign aid; development and human rights; politics of climate change and health; foreign policy and development

Dr Jonathan Fisher Authoritarianism and authoritarian rule; (in)security and conflict; international politics of aid and peacekeeping; particular interest in sub-Saharan Africa.

Professor David Hudson Politics of leadership and coalitions; public opinion, survey analysis, and experiments; migration decision making; network analysis.

Professor Paul Jackson Conflict and post-conflict reconstruction; security sector reform and international intervention; combatants, politics and social reintegration; peacebuilding; economic development.

Dr Chris Lyon Politics of development; political theory; democracy, participation, decentralisation; social justice; development ethics

Professor Heather Marquette The politics of development and foreign policy; Corruption, kleptocracy and organised crime; Anti-corruption/counter-organised crime strategies and interventions

Dr Claire McLoughlin State legitimacy; The politics of public service delivery; The role of ideas in development.

Dr Emeka Njoku Critical security studies; Terrorism and counter-terrorism; Nonprofit organisations; conflict-related gender/sexual violence; State-civil society relations; peacebuilding.

Professor Fiona Nunan Renewable natural resource governance, management and livelihoods in low- and middle-income countries, especially fisheries and coastal ecosystems and community-based or collaborative governance.

Dr Martin Ottmann Political economy of civil war and development, including peace processes and negotiated settlements; Power-sharing, resource redistribution, elections, and political trust after war. PhD applications relying on advanced statistical research methods, mixed-methods designs, and modern methods of causal inference are particularly welcome.

Dr Emily Scott Humanitarianism, health, and migration; international organisation (IOs) and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs); state-society relations, particularly in the Middle East; conflict and security; localization and the international politics of aid.

Dr Merisa Thompson Feminist political economy; food and agrarian studies; the politics of gender and development; histories of colonialism, particularly the Caribbean.

Dr Kailing Xie Contemporary Chinese society, Gender and reproductive politics, the politics of nation-building; Civil Society; governance beyond the state; collective memory and emotions; Chinese diaspora;feminist epistemologies and methodologies.

Department of Public Administration and Policy (DPAP)

Dr Koen Bartels Social innovation; Democratic innovation; Public encounters; Urban governance; Action research; Interpretive policy analysis; Communication; Practice theory; Relational public policy and administration.

Dr Karin Bottom The role of small parties; Comparative politics; Policy analysis; Elections and quantitative methodologies.

Dr May Chu Risk regulation; Collaborative governance; Food safety and sustainability

Dr Abena Dadze-Arthur Transfer and brokering of knowledge across cultural and institutional boundaries. Decolonizing, transforming, and indigenising approaches to public management and governance. The scientific study of subjectivity (Q Methodology)

Dr Stephen Jeffares Projects that draw on social media data to understand change or controversies in public policy.

Dr Timea Nochta Networks in governance and policy; Complexity; Smart cities, digitalisation and e-government; Climate change and net zero; Network analysis; Mixed methods

Dr Louise Reardon Multi-level governance; Policy networks; Agenda setting; Policy change; Policy implementation; Transport policy; Wellbeing and quality of life; Smart cities.

Dr Philip Whiteman Policy implementation studies; Central and local government relations; Regulation of local government; Local authority corporate management scrutiny; Public sector performance, procurement and efficiency; Public consultation and participation; Organisation dynamics.

Departments from across the School of Government are all based within the Muirhead Tower. The Muirhead Tower offers state-of-the-art teaching and research study facilities including free wifi throughout the building and dedicated study areas for postgraduate research students.

Muirhead Tower comprises 12,000sq.m of floor space between two towers. The tower includes a number of sustainable features including solar shading (known in the trade as brise soliel) to control temperatures, as well as low energy fans; timed lighting to reduce energy waste; natural ventilation systems and a heat source taken from the University’s combined heat and power generator.

The space has been designed to create modern, attractive spaces for teaching and research accommodating 150 academic offices, 230 "hubs" for post graduate research students, teaching rooms for up to 100 people and a 200 seat lecture theatre.

What type of career assistance is available to doctoral researchers in this department?

The College of Social Sciences, to which the International Development Department belongs, has specially designated careers advisors and careers consultants who can provide guidance for doctoral researchers on career paths, CVs, training opportunities, application and interviews. The University’s central Careers’ Service also runs workshops and offers personally tailored advice and guidance including 1-1 careers advice, 1-1 CV advice. The Career’s Service also runs CV writing workshops especially for postgraduates in the College of Social Sciences, giving advice on how to compile CVs for both employment and for academic roles.

The University also has dedicated careers advisors for International students who run workshops and networking opportunities with potential employers. These are especially popular with International postgraduate researchers.

Online chat events

Postgraduate Research

PhD fees and costs

To study a PhD, you'll need to pay the cost of tuition fees, research support fees (such as materials used in a laboratory) and be able to cover your living expenses

A funded PhD studentship may meet all or part of these costs or you may be able to find funding for your self-funded PhD or research project. The fees below are for the academic year 2024/25.

	Duration	UK students	International Students
Full time	2-4 years	£4,786
Part time	4-6 years	£2,393

The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.

^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.

Paying fees

The University requires payment of tuition fees at registration for the whole of the coming academic session or for the duration of a programme that is to be completed in less than a year. However, arrangements can be made for self-supporting students to pay their tuition fees in installments.

All instalments must be arranged with the Student Administration and Support Division. If you hold a scholarship or studentship, the awarding body should provide the Student Fees section of the Student Administration and Support Division with an acceptable guarantee of payment.

If you expect to be sponsored please ensure that your sponsors understand fully their responsibilities for your fees and maintenance and that they are prepared to honour them for the duration of your studies in Liverpool.

If your sponsor does not provide an acceptable guarantee of payment, or defaults on their guarantee, you will become responsible for the payment of fees yourself. Unfortunately, the University is not able to provide financial aid or waive fees for students whose arrangements for financial support fail during the period of their studies.

Transfering funds from abroad

International students will need to ensure that they can bring sufficient funds with them for living expenses, as well as for payment of fees, or have sufficient funds sent to them in instalments throughout the year. Students from countries which operate strict foreign exchange controls should make sure that permission can be obtained for the transmission of adequate funds.

Other costs

Research support fees.

Research support fees, also known as 'bench fees', cover the cost of consumable materials used in your study. Some MPhil/PhD and taught programme projects use up large amounts of materials or ‘consumables’. In these cases you may be charged an annual Research Support Fee to help cover the cost of this. Programmes which might incur a Research Support Fee are likely to be those which are laboratory-based. You will be notified of any fee which applies in your offer letter. Research Support Fees are the same for UK, EU and International students.

Study costs

We want to try and help you prepare for the day-to-day costs of studying. These might include things like photocopying in the library, buying textbooks and specialist equipment or going on field classes. We have put together tables of additional costs for guidance, for each subject area, including where departments make contributions towards these costs.

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Exciting Opportunities for Doctoral (PhD) Positions at Prominent UK, Ireland, and European Institutions

Are you aspiring to study abroad and need a scholarship to support your academic journey? We have a comprehensive list of top scholarship opportunities for international students pursuing doctoral degrees (PhD degree) in Europe, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Benefit from fully funded PhD scholarships in fields like biological sciences, biotechnology, environmental science, astrophysics, materials science, computer science, and more. Don't miss this chance to advance your academic and research career with the support of highly competitive scholarship opportunities. Grasp the opportunity to advance your academic and research career.

Apply now for doctoral (PhD) positions at these esteemed institutions:

🔹 PhD Student in Condensed Matter Science, Max-Planck-Institute Stuttgart (Germany)

🔹 PhD Student in Very-High Energy Astrophysics, Universitat de Barcelona (Spain)

🔹 PhD Student in effect of rotational polarisation on gas-surface reactivity, Swansea University (United Kingdom)

🔹 PhD Student in Developing New Algorithms For Atomistic Cell Modeling, University Grenoble Alpes, (France)

🔹 PhD Student in the field of biochemistry, biophysics and structural biology at the Department of Molecular Biology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University In Lublin (Poland)

🔹 PhD Student in the Use of nano-bioconjugates as the next generation of imaging agents for Alzheimer’s disease, Université de Liège (Belgium)

🔹 PhD Student in Geography with focus on climate resilience, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway)

🔹 PhD student at the Laboratory for Colloids, Polyelectrolytes and Interfaces, University of Rijeka (Croatia)

🔹 PhD Student in AI-powered Digital Monitoring Systems for Small-Scale Fisheries in East Africa, NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway)

🔹 PhD Student in MBE nitride heterostructures with polarization engineering, Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik (Germany)

🔹 PhD student in the field of Astronomical Spectroscopy, Centro de Astrofisica da Universidade do Porto (Portugal)

🔹 PhD Student in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Optimizing Nanomedicines, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) - Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (Spain)

🔹 PhD Student in Heifer mastitis: Exploring risk factors and control measures in Irish dairy herds, Teagasc (Ireland)

🔹 PhD Student in Engineered Living Materials for Biomedical Applications, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), (Belgium)

🔹 PhD Student in Microwave Imaging for Bone Health Monitoring, University of Galway (Ireland)

🔹 PhD Student in DNA Nanotechnology for Nanophotonics: Chiral sensing with high-index dielectric nanoparticles, University of Fribourg (Switzerland)

🔹 PhD student in Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health (Luxembourg)

🔹 PhD Student in the field of molecular medicine, age-related diseases, immunology, molecular and lipid metabolism, cardiovascular research and bioinformatics, Medical University of Graz (Austria)

🔹 PhD Student in Optimization of the performances of a vertical axis wind turbine by a systemic approach involving aerodynamics, electromechanical conversion and power electronics, Ecole Centrale de Lyon (France)

🔹 PhD Student in Computational design of hypergolic metal-organic frameworks through crystal structure prediction and machine learning, University of Warsaw (Poland) 🔹 PhD Student in Human Movement and Sport Sciences, University of Rome (Italy)

🔹 PhD Fellowships for HPC, Numerical Simulations, and AI / ML projects, NHR-Verein e.V. (Germany)

These institutions are widely recognized for their excellence in research and innovation across various fields. Doctoral (PhD) positions at these institutions offer unique opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking research, collaborate with renowned experts, and develop invaluable skills that will propel your academic and professional career.

#PhD #MSCA-DN #Doctoral Network #PhDPositions #ResearchOpportunities #MariaCurieSklodowskaUniversityInLublin #UniversitédeLiège #NorwegianUniversityofScienceandTechnology #MaxPlanckInstituteStuttgart #UniversitatdeBarcelona #UniversityofRijeka #PaulDrudeInstitutfürFestkörperelektronik #CentrodeAstrofísicadaUniversidadedoPorto #SwanseaUniversity #SpanishNationalResearchCouncil-InstituteofAdvancedChemistryofCatalonia #UniversityGrenobleAlpes #Teagasc #UniversitéLibredeBruxelles #UniversityofGalway #UniversityofFribourg #LuxembourgInstituteofHealth #UniversityofGraz #EcoleCentraledeLyon #UniversityofRome #NHRVereineV #UniversityofWarsaw #Postdoc #StudyInEurope #HigherEducation #InternationalStudents

Adjusting to the UK as an international student

International and EU students

Visas, immigration and English language tests
Applying to study in the UK from around the world
Applying to study in the UK from the USA
Why study in the UK?
Applying to study in the UK from Europe
What level of English do I need to get into a UK university?
Ten ways to choose a UK university
The strength of a UK qualification to employers
How to prepare for a uni interview
What finance options are available?
How to open a UK bank account
Five ways to save money at university
Tips for international applications
What support is available at university?
Checklist for international students
Six support organisations that help international students
UCAS International App

What's on this page?

Before you arrive, adjusting to the uk, uk laws and culture.

Preparing ahead of time is the best way to ensure a stress-free start to your studies. Once you’ve got your place on a course, you’ll need to focus on getting your student visa first – it’s essential! After that, we also recommend arranging accommodation and travel plans in advance.

Arriving and getting around

Your life as an international student begins when you arrive at an airport, rail station, or boat terminal in the UK. You’ll need to show a valid passport and visa in order to get into the country.

Border officials may also ask to see:

An offer letter to study at your university
Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number
Bank statements showing proof of finances
Details of where you’re going to stay

Many universities offer airport transfer services for international students, making it easy to get to your accommodation after arriving. Taxis or public transport are also an option – it’s worth checking the route and booking in advance if you want to organise this yourself.

Practical advice for living in the UK

Accommodation.

University accommodation is likely to fill up quickly after study offers have been made, so you should look at what’s available as soon as you get your place on a course.

Private student halls are a popular choice with international students, with many offering comfortable rooms, social spaces, laundry facilities and more, all in one place. Plus they’re often in great locations, close to the city centre or near your university campus.

Healthcare services

If you’re a student in the UK for six months or more, you’ll have paid a health surcharge during your visa application. This means you can access healthcare through the National Healthcare Service (NHS) any time during your stay, at no additional cost. Getting dental care in the UK does involve extra fees, though.

You should register with a GP when you arrive – many universities have a health centre where students typically sign up.

If you have a medical emergency in the UK, you should dial 999 . If you need non-emergency medical help, dial 111 .

Banking and money

Getting a basic UK bank account (called a current account) is a great way to keep your money secure and manage it easily. Read our advice on how to open a UK bank account for more help.

You can pay for most things with a bank card or digital card in towns and cities, so you won’t need to carry a lot of cash around with you.

managing_money_worries.jpg

How much will things cost.

Your cost of living and studying in the UK will depend on your lifestyle, as well as what kind of accommodation you choose. Depending on where you're coming from, it may seem more expensive, or cheaper.

The British Council suggests that for accommodation, bills, and normal day-to-day expenses, international students can expect to pay:

Around £900 to £1,300 per month if you’re living outside of London
Around £1,300 to £1,400 per month if you’re living in London

Leaving your home country and your family, changing your lifestyle, and adjusting to a new culture can often cause feelings of anxiety. It’s a natural and temporary reaction, but there are lots of great ways to reduce feelings of culture shock and quickly settle into your life as a UK student.

Here's some advice to help you know what to expect.

Speaking English as a second language can be a challenge, especially if you aren’t feeling confident in your skills yet.

The UK is also known for its wide range of dialects and accents, which can even make it a challenge for British people to understand each other sometimes, with many different 'British' accents.

Just remember that it’s ok to not be fluent in English – the UK is a very multicultural country, and people will be happy to repeat themselves or speak more slowly if you need them to.

Changes in the food you can find, and how easily, can often be a big factor in culture shock or feeling ‘homesick’.

You might want to research any shops that stock food items from your country so you can cook your favourite dishes at home. Most of the major supermarket chains stock a wide range of foods, and many have entire international food aisles. If you live in a city or large town, you can usually find specialised supermarkets that may stock a larger variety of ingredients from around the world.

In most cities you can usually find a variety of restaurants which offer a wide range of international cuisines. But, you should find opportunities to try traditional British cuisine when you can. It’s all part of the experience, and you might even discover some new favourite foods.

Making friends

Feeling isolated after moving overseas can be unpleasant. Making friends and being part of a community is a wonderful way to get support while you transition into UK life. You’ll also have fun, learn more about other cultures, and make friends for life.

Your university’s international office will usually organise orientation and other social events, which are a great way to meet other international students early on. You can also meet UK students through your course, by joining a club, society or sports team at your university, at other events, or even in your accommodation.

While it can feel scary at first, getting out of your comfort zone and being proactive in meeting or talking with others always has fantastic results.

Climate and weather

Moving to the UK can be a shock for students who are used to higher temperatures or different weather patterns.

The British weather is often talked about being unpredictable, and it often does change several times during the day. While the summers can be hot, rain is always around the corner. Winters will have periods of sub-zero temperatures, with a small amount of snow often occurring. The north of the country is generally colder than the south by a few degrees.

The length of days can vary widely throughout the year. You can expect just over eight hours of daylight in winter, while during the longest summer days the sun can be up for more than sixteen hours. The sun rises about 8am sets about 4pm during the winter, but rises at 4am and sets at 10pm in the summer – leading to a very different experience.

It’s a good idea to look at what the weather will be like during the season you arrive, and pack for different weather types. A good coat and an umbrella is always wise!

Like every country, the UK has a culture with characteristics that may feel odd or confusing to new arrivals. However, understanding the unique culture of your new home is one of the most fun and satisfying parts of studying overseas.

To help you start your journey of discovery, here are a few key features of UK culture worth keeping in mind:

British people value politeness, including queuing, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, and being on time to any appointments
Don’t worry if people don’t seem very open or talkative at first, it can take time for them to open up
British 'humour' is known for being sarcastic and dry, and is often misinterprested as being rude by some cultures, and is often used to ease tense situations, so keep that in mind as you meet new people!
The UK is a socially liberal country and values everybody’s right to be themselves. People may dress differently to what you’re used to, show affection in public, or express their sexual orientation openly
Drinking alcohol is widespread and a way of socialising with your friends and family, but you don’t need to drink if you don’t want to

UK rules and laws

It’s important to make sure you’re aware of any rules that may be different to your home country.

Some that might be new to you include:

It’s illegal to smoke in public buildings, including restaurants, pubs and public transport. You also can’t smoke in university accommodation or on campus, apart from in specific areas
Vehicles drive on the left. Watch out for bicycles as well as cars and buses when crossing the road, and use a pedestrian crossing point if it’s busy
It's illegal to discriminate against anyone, including verbally, for their race, religion, gender, sexuality or any disability

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Fully Funded Phd in UK for International Students with Scholarships (2024 Admissions)

Updated on 04 July, 2024

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