PhD Studentships

Bursaries, grants and scholarships exist in all forms of education, and universities definitely push them more to help students that require help.

What are PhD studentships?

A PhD studentship is a highly competitive scholarship for students undertaking a Doctorate degree.

A PhD is a high level qualification people can take after completing a postgraduate degree, like a Master’s degree.

PhD studentships can guarantee a partially or fully funded place on a doctorate project. Most of the time the project has already been confirmed or is pre-determined from their university. The studentship then funds the work.

Who awards PhD studentships?

PhD studentships are mostly awarded by seven research councils based in the UK. They are awarded in the form of Research Council grants, as well as by individual institutions via scholarships and bursaries.

However, many professional bodies, like the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), and The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), fund Doctoral research with universities across the UK.

This also applies to many charities, trusts and foundations; Alzheimer’s Society; Action Medical Research; British Heart Foundation (BHF); British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG); Rosetrees Trust; Diabetes UK; and The Leverhulme Trust.

Try to discuss funding your Doctorate study with a prospective supervisor or tutor at the university, as they can help with maximising your chances of receiving financial support.

Similar to distance learning and Open University PhD studentships, funding for international students is less likely, but it isn’t impossible.

What are the seven research councils that fund PhD studentships?

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

Are PhD studentships funded by academic bodies?

Not all PhD studentships are funded by Research Councils or academic establishments. Some can be part-funded by any non-academic bodies, like the Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering (CASE).

These are four-year PhDs and require the student to work at the organisation funding the project for at least three months.

How much can I receive?

Funding, including that offered by trusts, charities, foundations, or universities and professional bodies, provide three years of funding. It is at a similar rate to a fees-only studentship or full studentship funded by the Research Council grant.

One example may be an Imperial PhD studentship including tuition fees for three years and a maintenance grant each year for living expenses. The funding may also include costs associated with the work, such as fieldwork and expenses for attending conferences.

Some universities require you to teach undergraduates during your time, which is an excellent opportunity to obtain vital skills attractive to employers. It is also time-consuming and may include you planning lessons, marking papers and mentoring students as well as conducting your PhD work.

You should assess whether tutoring would affect your research before accepting your place. Also, not all institutions have this as a requirement, so it’s best to check with the university.

For EU members, there may be limited (or no) studentships available, and the application may require additional information, such as passports or documentation.

What is the difference between a fees-only studentship and a full studentship?

A fees-only PhD studentship covers your tuition fees, plus any associated costs with the project and training. A full PhD studentship is non-repayable, tax-free maintenance grants known as a ‘stipend’, whereas a fees-only studentship may be repayable under certain conditions.

They were known to be worth a minimum of £14,777 - £15,000 which can be used towards living costs, such as rent and bills. However, this could be subject to change and should be checked beforehand.

How competitive are PhD studentships?

PhD studentships are incredibly competitive because there is limited funding for research at the doctorate level. You also should conduct research into what the university and its professors have done and are doing now. If your proposal is the same or similar then they wouldn’t need to fund more work into the same topic.

The application process can also include a lengthy application and an interview.

Am I eligible for a PhD studentship?

The majority of PhD studentships ask for candidates to have an undergraduate bachelors degree with at least a 2:1 or above, plus a relevant master’s degree. They may also ask for professional experience at a master’s level if you do not hold a postgraduate qualification.

Those who already have a PhD are often ineligible, as they’ve obtained a Doctorate already. Some PhD studentships are limited to applicants that fit certain criteria, which may include being from a disadvantaged background, of a certain ethnicity or from a particular country.

Universities will use your application and previous work as an example of what you can achieve during your PhD studentship.

How do I apply for a PhD studentship?

They can start at any time of year but tend to start in September, October or January.

The application process can be competitive and lengthy.

Some Doctorate students will be automatically considered for the funding once they are accepted by their university, however, many have to apply separately for PhD funding. Typically these are made directly to the institution, like KCL PhD studentships would see candidates apply to King’s College London.

Even PhD studentships from charities, foundations and trusts, Research Councils and professional bodies, would see students apply via the university.

During the application, you may be asked for your PhD application form, a cover letter, a research proposal and your references. After the university reviews your application you might be invited to attend an interview.

Throughout the PhD studentship application process, the educational establishment will scrutinise and investigate what you’d bring to the institution. This will also change on a case-by-case basis, as Plymouth University PhD studentship interviews will ask different questions than Bristol PhD studentships.

Universities may look for the quality of research, and how it connects to current research in the field and at the institution, and your academic qualifications. They may reflect on whether your proposal will contribute towards Research Excellence (a system that assesses research at universities).

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

Universities will use your application and previous work as an example of what you can achieve during your PhD studentship.

Ensure you proofread your application before sending it off, by asking either a friend or family member to read through it.

Choose your referees carefully, people who will speak highly of you, such as a previous tutor who admired your work.

Discuss your draft application with a relevant academic, maybe someone who currently works at the university you are interested in.

Explain why your work is unique and innovative, and why it is relevant to the institution you are applying to. Have they conducted research in the field beforehand or will your work progress their previous work?

Lastly, follow the funding body’s guidance on word counts and how your application should be formatted. If you ignore this then it won’t work in your favour.

The majority of PhD studentships ask for candidates to have an undergraduate bachelors degree with at least a 2:1 or above, plus a relevant master’s degree.

Tips for applying for a PhD studentship

• Check the details of the funding - project funding can vary, from the amount of financial support given to the types of projects they offer the support to.
• Check additional duties that may be required - from teaching seminars to participating in conferences.
• Understand the application requirements - universities will have different requirements for their studentship applications, including content, format and word count.
• Survey the field - Map out the individual topics within the field to decide what the exact focus of your proposal will be. It will also show what has already been heavily explored and show what needs more exploration.
• Contact supervisors - contacting supervisors before submitting an application can provide you with much-needed advice before you send it off. You can also see if it ‘fits’ with the university’s current research area.
• Plan the time and preparation you’ll need - writing the application isn’t easy, especially if you’re no longer in full-time education with access to a library and online resources.
• Make your proposal specific - ensure it is structured enough that the university can read and follow the proposal. It will also show you are already involved and understand your own project.
• Sell yourself - It’s similar to a job, where you apply and may be interviewed and have to sell yourself on why they would want you to conduct research at their university.

Are there PhD studentships for international students in the UK?

Similar to distance learning and Open University PhD studentships, funding for international students is less likely, but it isn’t impossible.

International students should seek guidance from the university they are applying to before making their application to find out what studentships are available.

For EU members, there may be limited (or no) studentships available, and the application may require additional information, such as passports or documentation.

For international students outside of the EU, if the university of your choice doesn’t offer PhD studentships it’s also worth looking at institutions in your own country. There are other options, such as the Department of Education and the British Council who have few studentships available in various countries so they’re worth looking into.

Further, there may be universities that do offer funding for students from abroad, like Wellcome trust PhD studentships. Wellcome Trust has been known to provide financial support to those who studied for their first degree in the UK, regardless of nationality.

If you find the university says EU/EEA (European Economic Area) only, it is worth getting in touch as there could be clauses that allow you to apply anyway.

PhD studentships can guarantee a partially or fully funded place on a doctorate project.

Can you have a PhD loan and a studentship?

Those seeking to study for a PhD can apply for a student loan from the government, but you can’t have a PhD studentship too. The eligibility is actually the same as funding handed out by the Research Councils.

Also, you can’t ever receive a doctoral loan once you have received Research Council funding, however, you can switch from a government loan to a studentship, provided you cancel the loan as soon as you’re granted a PhD studentship.

Students could apply for a doctoral loan as a ‘backup’ if they don’t find a studentship before their PhD starts.

What other PhD funding is available?

If you find your application has been unsuccessful that doesn’t mean your journey to a PhD stops there.

Other funding is available, including PhD loans, scholarships and bursaries, Research Council grants, employer sponsorships and even crowdfunding.