A Doctor of Philosophy – PhD – is one of the highest academic qualifications awarded in the UK by a university, making you eligible for prestigious roles in academia and advanced professional roles in your field of expertise. If you love learning and want to continue your research in a field you’re passionate about to make a discovery, create a difference, or shine a new light on an issue, then a PhD may be the right qualification for you.
Since PhDs are generally long – about four to six years – and require many additional expenses such as travel for field work and academic conferences, Indian students explore many avenues to obtain funding for their research. Doing a PhD in the UK is especially beneficial as there’s a variety of government-funded research opportunities in the country, in addition to those being provided by private funders and universities. In this blog, we’ve detailed the main categories of funding available for students wishing to pursue a PhD in the UK and have provided two lists of fully-funded opportunities.
Benefits of pursuing a PhD in the UK
Successfully completing a PhD requires leveraging a wide range of information and helpful supervisors to execute your research idea. This means that the research environment you’re in, including technology, staff, and peers, would help you in producing a research output of high quality.
In the UK, doctoral students benefit from excellent academic support and guidance, enabling them to produce high-quality research and breakthroughs in their respective fields. Additionally, choosing the UK for your PhD can give you these advantages:
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Shorter duration – If you’re studying full-time in the UK, you can usually finish your PhD in three to four years, as opposed to five or even six years in another country like the US. Doctoral students in other countries usually spend the first two years of their programme doing coursework whereas in the UK, you have the chance to immediately start working on your thesis from the first year, enabling you to get the qualification faster.
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Tax-free stipend – Receiving funding for your PhD means getting a monthly stipend to fund your research and living expenses or a scholarship amount towards your studies. These payments are generally exempt from income tax provided you’re studying full-time at an educational institution.
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Three-year post-study work visa – Any student in the UK is generally eligible for the UK’s post-study work visa, officially known as the Graduate visa. It’s a great option for PhD students as it permits you to stay in the UK for three years after you have completed your research.
The UK’s research programmes are innovative and world-renowned, helping doctoral students build key skills and pursue job opportunities in academia after their studies. This makes the UK an attractive research destination for many prospective PhD students, but they often search for funding for their work due to the high cost of being a self-funded PhD student in the UK.
How much does a PhD cost in the UK?
In the UK, being a self-funded PhD student can be expensive, as the annual tuition bill comes up to £18,000 for international students for the first three years. However, don’t let these high prices discourage you as almost all PhD students in the UK can access a range of financial support options to assist them in their studies.
Many PhD students around the world enrol based on scholarships, studentships, or grants being provided by various government and private entities. In the UK too, there are a variety of funding options available for PhD students and having a thorough understanding of them can help you become a fully-funded PhD student. Let’s start by understanding the main sources of funding available for PhD students in the UK.
Understanding PhD funding
Obtaining funding for your PhD often serves two critical aspects of your academic journey: it allows you to find essential financial support for your research endeavours and acts as a valuable recognition of your scholarly work. PhD funding in the UK mainly comes from the following three sources:
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UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
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Universities
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External funders
If you receive the opportunity to become a fully-funded student by one of the above funders, your tuition fees, all your living costs and other research-related expenses will likely be covered for the duration of your programme. Before searching for funding, you need to think about the type of PhD you want to pursue in the UK as this will give you an idea about the application process you need to follow, both to obtain entry into the programme and to obtain funding for it.
How to apply for PhD funding in the UK
In the UK, there are two main types of PhDs you can apply for – an advertised PhD research project or your own research project. The application process for your PhD, and subsequently for funding it, depends on the type of PhD you wish to do:
- An advertised PhD research project – UK universities typically have existing research projects at the postgraduate level which regularly take in doctoral students where you can contribute to the research while getting your qualification from the university. If you’re applying for an advertised PhD research project, here are the general steps you need to follow:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 – Find your project | UK universities offer diverse opportunities for research at the postgraduate level, and you can find these through the university websites. From the advertised projects, you can select one that matches your research and learning interests. |
| Step 2 – Find out more about the project | Read all the available information about the research project you’re interested in, including its duration, funding level/type, entry requirements, and application deadlines. Contact the relevant department or supervisors to find more information where needed and pay close attention to the application process. You may be asked to apply to the specific project or be asked to apply to a larger subject area and identify the project title within your application. |
| Step 3 – Prepare your personal statement and supporting documents | UK universities ask for specific documents to support your application. These include a personal statement, references, academic certificates and transcripts of all previous degrees, proof of English language test scores, and sample work. |
| Step 4 – Submit your formal application, along with an application for funding if available | Once you’ve identified your project and prepared your supporting documents, you can submit the application and upload the supporting documents using the university’s online application portal. This is also the point at which you submit your application for funding if an advertised project is supported by UKRI, the university, or an external funder. |
- Your own PhD project – In the UK, you’re not limited to applying to existing research projects. You can propose your own research idea too and show the university how you plan to execute it. Each university’s application process may have slight variations, but in general these are the key steps you need to follow when proposing your own research idea:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 – Identify your subject area | If you’re passionate about a particular area, refer to the course listings of different universities to find a subject that is closely aligned to it. You can also find your subject area by researching the university’s research themes. Once you have found your subject area, go through the entry requirements to see if you are eligible to undertake research with that university. Typically, you will need an honours degree and a master’s degree, along with a demonstrated commitment towards academic research. |
| Step 2 – Identify a supervisor for your research project | Once you’ve identified a subject area, you will need to find a supervisor for your project. All doctoral students in the UK are provided with a lead supervisor by their respective universities to supervise and mentor your research. Ensure the department to which you are applying can offer appropriate supervisory support in your research area. Reach out to potential supervisors via email, clearly expressing your research proposal and formally requesting an initial conversation. After multiple consultations, decide on the best fit for your research needs. |
| Step 3 – Explore funding opportunities | There are many ways to finance your PhD, including scholarships, studentships, and partial funding from other sources. Each university typically lists their funding sources on their website, which is a good starting point for your research into funding opportunities. |
| Step 4 – Write your research proposal | A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research. It should include your key questions, research methodology, and the importance of your research. Writing a strong research proposal is crucial, as it helps potential supervisors and funders determine if they can support your project academically or financially. |
| Step 5 – Submit your formal application | Once you’ve identified a supervisor and completed your research proposal, you can submit your formal application to the university. Visit the course page of the subject area most relevant to your research topic. Upload your supporting documents, including your research proposal and the name of your potential supervisor. |
Whichever type of PhD you wish to pursue, when you start looking for funding, it’s important to first understand how each of the funders supports students and their respective eligibility criteria. Let’s first look at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and how it can support your PhD in the UK.
UKRI funding for PhDs in UK
UKRI – a public body sponsored by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology – is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions across England by bringing together seven interdisciplinary UK Research Councils. These publicly-funded councils support research and studentships across seven subject areas:
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Arts and humanities
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Biotechnology and biological sciences
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Engineering and physical sciences
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Economic and social research
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Medical research
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Natural environment research
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Science and technology facilities
Currently, UKRI supports about 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers by awarding grants to universities, which in turn fund studentships. Studentships provide funding for postgraduate research students who are working on specific projects.
It’s important to keep in mind that studentships are different from scholarships. The main difference is that you’re expected to work during your studentship as a teaching or research assistant in exchange for your funding whereas scholarships are a type of financial award aimed at recognising academic talent of the student receiving it.
As of the 2024-2025 academic year, a studentship supported by UKRI provides PhD students with:
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A minimum stipend of £19,237 per year towards living costs, paid in regular instalments
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A minimum support of £4,786 towards tuition fees
While pursuing your PhD in the UK, you may also be able to access additional funding through UKRI to cover other research-related expenses, such as:
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Attending conferences
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Conducting fieldwork
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Language training
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Overseas research visits
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Internships or placements with an academic partner
Almost all UK universities offer some sort of studentship through a UKRI grant – they normally advertise this on their websites. Let’s look at the application process for a UKRI studentship next.
How to apply for a UKRI studentship
Since UKRI funds doctoral students through research organisations – in this case, universities – you can’t apply directly to UKRI for a studentship. Instead, you must use the application process being provided by the university you’re considering for your research project.
Depending on the type of PhD you want to apply for (an advertised project or your own), you can follow the steps we outlined previously in the blog to apply for your UKRI studentship. To start with, you can check if the university you’re considering is eligible for UKRI funding and open opportunities through the UKRI website.
Funding and researching your PhD in the UK can be expensive, but it’s rare for a PhD student to be completely self-funded in the UK. Often, the seven research councils of the UKRI or the university they’re studying at provide valuable support to PhD students. Let’s now look at how universities financially support PhD students in the UK.
University funding for PhDs in UK
Most UK universities provide fully-funded awards to doctoral students to support their studies. Unlike funding for bachelors or masters students by universities where you’ll mostly only see the term ‘scholarship’ being used to describe it, there are many awards for PhD students that are offered by UK universities, including:
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PhD studentship/Graduate teaching assistantship – This is normally a fully-funded package, covering fees and living expenses in exchange for graduate work such as teaching or lab assistantship.
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Fully-funded PhD scholarship – Scholarships are financial awards granted to exemplary students, aimed at covering all expenses associated with their studies.
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PhD fee waiver – A tuition fee waiver is a tuition scholarship for your PhD where you won’t be required to pay tuition fees, but you will have to cover living and research-related expenses by yourself.
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PhD stipend – A stipend is usually a regular payment towards your living costs.
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PhD bursary – This is general funding paid to a student to cover a portion of their academic expenses.
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PhD grant – This is usually a one-off payment towards all or a part of your research expenses.
Most of the above types of awards provide fully-funded opportunities for doctoral students wishing to expand their research in the UK. This support would allow you to cover your annual tuition fees, the costs of field trips and conference attendance, and your living expenses. We’ve given a list of 10 fully-funded PhD opportunities by UK universities below.
List of fully-funded PhD opportunities by UK universities
Deciding to study in the UK is an investment, as a prestigious degree from a UK university serves as a transformative experience in your academic journey, taking your employability to the next level after you have obtained your qualification. UK universities have a variety of scholarship programmes to support international PhD students in their studies as part of their efforts to improve the quality and credibility of their research outputs. Let’s have a look at some key fully-funded PhD opportunities being provided by the UK universities below.
| University | Fully-funded UK University PhD Opportunity | Subject Area/s |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Trent University | Creative Approaches to the Representation of Crisis Heritage in the Museum using Digital Means | Architecture, design, and the built environment |
| University of Brighton | Techne Doctoral Training Partnership’s (AHRC) Fully Funded Studentship | History/cultural history, philosophy, media, cultural studies/memory heritage, design and architecture, art and design history, visual arts practice, photography, creative writing, creative arts, performance, fine art, linguistics, and literature |
| Imperial College London | President’s PhD Scholarship | Any subject being offered by the university |
| Swansea University | Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Science and Engineering | Aerospace, civil engineering, electrical engineering, general engineering, mechanical engineering, biosciences, geography, physics, engineering and applied sciences, mathematics, and computer science |
| Aston University | PhD Studentship: Treatment of Corneal Infection Using UVC Technology | Ophthalmology, optometry, microbiology, bacteriology, virology, pathology, dentistry, veterinary dentistry, veterinary medicine, and veterinary pathology |
| Sheffield University | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA) | Science, engineering, and maths |
| Edinburgh University | Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships | Any subject being offered by the university |
| University of Portsmouth | Fully-Funded PhD in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries | Architecture, art and design, film, media, and creative technologies |
| Lancaster University | BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership in Food Security | Food security |
| University of Reading | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training in the Mathematics for our Future Climate (MFC CDT) | Mathematics and statistics |
We’ve gone into more detail about each of the above PhD programmes in the next few sections so you can pick the one that best aligns with your research interests.
Nottingham Trent University
NTU’s ‘Creative Approaches to the Representation of Crisis Heritage in the Museum using Digital Means’ project invites students to examine the role of museums in representing and communicating the ongoing Aral Sea Crisis in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Eligibility criteria – Master’s level experience in the use of digital heritage in museum or site environments
Brighton University
Brighton’s Techne Doctoral Training Partnership’s fully funded studentship invites students to research in creative sound and music; design for circular cities and regions; experimental design practices; and radical methodologies.
Eligibility criteria – Master’s degree in a relevant subject
Imperial College, London
The President’s PhD Scholarship allows doctoral students to undertake a research project of their choosing with the support of an excellent supervisor. It also gives them cohort-building opportunities with other President's PhD scholars.
Eligibility criteria – First class or equivalent in an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree or a distinction in a standalone master’s qualification
Swansea University
The fully-funded ‘PhD Scholarships in Science and Engineering’ programme invites students to research at the Faculty of Science and Engineering that is renowned for producing lifelong learners who are prepared for the global economy.
Eligibility criteria – A distinction in a master’s degree relevant to the subject for PhD study
Aston University
Aston University’s PhD studentship on the treatment of corneal infection using Ultraviolet C (UVC) technology invites students to evaluate the efficacy of certain treatments for localised corneal infections.
Eligibility criteria – First or upper second class bachelor’s degree and/or a merit or distinction in a master’s degree, in relevant subjects
Sheffield University
The EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLA) at Sheffield invites students to engage in cutting-edge research across a wide range of engineering, health, and science disciplines.
Eligibility criteria – Master’s degree in a relevant subject
Edinburgh University
Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships offer unparalleled research facilities, superb supervision, and development opportunities to doctoral students.
Eligibility criteria – Master’s degree in a relevant subject
University of Portsmouth
The ‘Fully-Funded PhD in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries’ programme at Portsmouth invites proposals for research projects that demonstrate tangible real-world social impact and that identify collaborations with non-academic institutions, groups or organisations.
Eligibility criteria – Upper second class or equivalent bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in a relevant subject
Lancaster University
Lancaster’s ‘BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership in Food Security’ invites students to focus on the global challenges posed by an expanding population, pressure on agricultural land, climate change, and the diminution of scarce resources.
Eligibility criteria – Master’s degree in a relevant subject
University of Reading
Reading’s ‘EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Mathematics for our Future Climate programme is designed to equip students with skills in theory for climate science, (geo)physical sciences, scientific computing, statistics, and data analysis.
Eligibility criteria – Master’s degree in a relevant subject
Since almost all universities offer some sort of scholarship, studentship, or award to PhD students, you may be wondering about where to begin your search. To get started, consider using the British Council’s ‘Scholarship search’ option for doctoral students which lists all open funding opportunities by UK universities.
In addition to the UKRI and UK universities, many private funders are keen to support international students who wish to pursue a PhD in the UK. We’ve highlighted funders specifically supporting Indian doctoral students in the next section.
External funding for PhD students in the UK
Embarking on a journey to obtain your PhD can be an exciting and challenging prospect as you need to plan out how you can finance your research during your PhD years. Fortunately, there are a number of external fully-funded scholarships and grant opportunities for Indian students looking to read for a PhD in the UK.
| Scholarship | Value |
|---|---|
| Royal Society Research Professorship | Covers a four-year PhD studentship in a STEM subject |
| The Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata Endowment for The Higher Education Of Indians | INR 10 lakhs |
| Felix Scholarship | Covers tuition fees and provides a grant for living costs (around £18,300), along with one return flight from India to the UK |
| The Inlaks Scholarship | Covers tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel, and provides a health allowance |
| Oxford Indira Gandhi Scholarship (DPhil) | Covers tuition fees and provides a grant for living costs for students wishing to study at Oxford University |
| The Rhodes Scholarship | Covers tuition fees and living expenses for students wishing to study at Oxford University |
| Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship | Covers tuition fees, international airfare, the UK visa cost, and living expenses |
We’ve gone into more detail about each of the above PhD programmes in the next few sections so you can pick the one that best aligns with your research interests.
Royal Society Research Professorship
Royal Society Research Professorships provide long-term support to world-class researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Eligibility criteria – Be a world-class researcher of outstanding achievement and promise who wishes to relocate to the UK to undertake their research
The Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata Endowment for The Higher Education Of Indians
The Endowment supports Indian master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral students studying overseas in any subject, based on merit.
Eligibility criteria – A bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university
Felix Scholarship
Felix scholarships are offered at three universities – the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), part of the University of London – based on outstanding academic merit and financial need.
Eligibility criteria – Academically gifted and underprivileged Indian students who have obtained at least a first-class bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university or a comparable institution
The Inlaks Scholarship
The Inlaks Scholarship offers support to Indian graduates of exceptional talent, character, and motivation, across multiple subject streams.
Eligibility criteria – Must hold a degree from a recognised Indian university
Oxford Indira Gandhi Scholarship (DPhil)
The Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development supports Indian students researching sustainable cities, climate change and clean energy, healthcare innovation, environmental sustainability, food and water security, and law, governance and human rights.
Eligibility criteria – Academic merit
The Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship supports Indian students wishing to study in the medical, mathematics, physical, or life sciences subject areas.
Eligibility criteria – Completed prior studies in India
Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship
The Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships enable academically outstanding Indian students to study doctoral degrees in science, technology, economics, and social sciences at St. John’s College, University of Cambridge.
Eligibility criteria – Must hold a first class master’s degree from a recognised Indian university
When applying for a PhD scholarship or funding opportunity like the ones we’ve highlighted above, it’s important to highlight your potential as a research student, your past contributions to your field of study, and your passion for making a difference in academia. We’ve given you some tips on how best to demonstrate these qualities in your PhD application next.
Tips to getting into a fully-funded PhD programme in the UK
In addition to passion towards your field of research, you need excellent undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications to apply for a PhD. If you do have the required academic background and a demonstrated keen research interest, you can apply with a proposal that introduces your research topic, duration of research, and the financial plan to help fund your research. Here are some tips on securing a fully-funded PhD in the UK:
- Identify all available funding opportunities – Since PhD students in the UK are supported by various entities, it’s vital that you first make a list of all possible sources of funding for your research. This can be a time consuming process, but it’s instrumental in ensuring you don’t miss out on applying for any potential funders.
When identifying opportunities, make sure to speak with potential supervisors and current PhD students as they would have a detailed understanding of the funding landscape in the UK and can advise you.
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Put together an outstanding application – An outstanding application isn’t limited to accurately fill in your application form; you also need to ensure your research proposal is up to UK standards. Remember to give yourself as much time as possible to finetune your proposal and incorporate the feedback of your potential supervisors.
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Demonstrate your research potential, enthusiasm for research, and thirst for academic knowledge – Ensure that your application documents, including your CV, highlight your past research projects, your peer-reviewed publications, and your experience at research conferences. These will support your personal statement where you are required to showcase your thirst for knowledge.
Fully-funded PhD positions are highly sought after in the UK, so it’s best to start your planning early on. Our team of experts is ready to support you at every stage of your PhD application process through our PhD service.
How our PhD Service can help you
SI-UK’s PhD Service offers personalised support to maximise your chances of acceptance into your preferred programme. Here’s how our PhD Service can assist you:
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Pre-screen your transcripts to confirm eligibility for your chosen PhD programme
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Offer guidance on selecting universities that align with your research interests and career goals
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Provide a checklist of required documents to streamline your application
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Edit all supporting documents, including your personal statement, CV, and reference letters, to present your profile effectively
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Review and refine your research proposal, offering constructive feedback to strengthen your submission
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Assist with university application forms and monitor the progress of your application post-submission
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Conduct a 60-minute non-subject-specific interview session to help you familiarise yourself with the process, followed by detailed feedback
You can visit our PhD Service page to learn more about this dedicated support service.
If you’re ready to take the next academic step in your life with a PhD in the UK, SI-UK is here to help. From checking your transcripts to guiding you through the application process, our experts will make sure you’re fully prepared to achieve your goals. Schedule a free consultation with our experts and start your PhD journey in the UK today.
FAQs
Can I get a fully funded PhD in the UK?
Yes, you can. The UK has many fully-funded PhD opportunities being offered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), UK universities, external funders, and government sources.
Can I get a 100% scholarship in the UK?
Yes, you can. The UK has many 100% scholarships for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students, covering the tuition fees for the duration of the course programme. Check out our blog on fully-funded scholarships for Indian students to understand how you can apply for a 100% scholarship in the UK.
What are the fees for a PhD in the UK for Indian students?
The annual tuition fee for an international PhD student in the UK is approximately £18,000 (about INR 19 lakhs). However, it’s rare to find self-funded PhD students as almost all doctoral candidates receive some sort of financial support in the UK from UKRI, UK universities, or other external funders.
Is a PhD from India valid in the UK?
Yes, a PhD from India is valid anywhere in the world, including in the UK. You may be asked to prove your degree credentials if the university through which you obtained your PhD is not well-known.
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