Funded vs Unfunded PhD Positions: What the Terms Mean
Learn what "funded" and "self-funded" mean for a PhD, what a stipend usually covers, and the questions to ask before you accept an offer.
PhD adverts use many funding words. The words include "funded," "fully funded," "self-funded," and "studentship." These words do not always mean the same thing. Read each advert with care. Check the exact terms on the official page before you accept an offer.
What "funded" means
A funded PhD position comes with money from a funder. The funder can be a university, a research council, a company, or the EU. In most funded positions, the funder pays your tuition fee. The funder also pays you a stipend or a salary for living costs.
A stipend is not a loan. You do not pay it back. In some countries, a PhD position is a paid job, not a stipend. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agency funds many UK studentships this way. For 2026 to 2027, UKRI sets a minimum stipend of £21,805 a year outside London. UKRI also sets a minimum fee of £5,238 a year for the student's university. The university draws this fee from the UKRI grant. The student does not pay it.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks fund PhD positions across Europe in a similar way. Each researcher is recruited as an employee of the host organisation, not as a scholarship holder. The researcher gets a living allowance and a mobility allowance. A family allowance is also paid when it applies. Amounts change with each call. Always check the open vacancy for the current numbers.
Tip: The word "funded" can mean different things at different universities. Always open the advert's own funding section and read the exact terms.
What "self-funded" means
A self-funded PhD position has no funder attached. Imperial College London's own funding guidance says a student who pays for their own doctoral degree is a self-funded student. You pay your own tuition fee. You also pay your own living costs and research costs for the whole PhD.
Self-funded positions still need an offer from a supervisor and a university. You may combine self-funding with a part-time job, a loan, or a scholarship from another source. Some students use a government loan from their home country. Other students use a bank loan for postgraduate study. Check what your target university allows before you plan your budget.
What a funded position usually pays
Funded positions vary a lot between countries and fields. Use this table as a general guide. Always confirm the current numbers on the official page.
| Funder or country | What it usually covers | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| UKRI studentship (UK) | Tuition fee plus a tax-free stipend | UKRI's own studentship pages |
| MSCA Doctoral Network (EU) | Living allowance, mobility allowance, family allowance if it applies | The EURAXESS job listing for the position |
| University assistantship (several countries) | A salary for teaching or research work, plus a fee waiver | The university's graduate school page |
| Self-funded | Nothing. You pay fees and living costs | Not applicable |
A funded position does not always cover every cost. Ask about the exact fee covered, the stipend amount, and the length of the funding. Some funding lasts three years. A PhD can take longer. Ask what happens if you need extra time.
Funding words you will see in adverts
Different countries use different words for the same idea. A "studentship" in the UK is usually a funded PhD position with a stipend. A "doctoral contract" (contrat doctoral) in France is an employment contract for a PhD candidate. An "assistantship" in several countries pays a salary in return for teaching or research work, often alongside a fee waiver. A "scholarship" or "bursary" can mean a one-off payment, a yearly stipend, or a fee waiver, depending on the funder.
Do not rely on the word alone. Open the official page for the exact position. Read what the funding actually pays, and for how long.
Questions to ask before you accept an offer
Ask these questions before you sign an offer letter. Do this even when a position looks "fully funded."
- Does the funding cover the full tuition fee, or only part of it?
- Is the stipend taxed, and in which country do you pay this tax?
- How many years does the funding last? What happens after that date?
- Does the funding pay for a visa, health insurance, or relocation costs?
- Can you do paid work outside the PhD, and how much?
- Who pays if your project needs extra lab costs, travel, or conference fees?
- Is the position a job with an employment contract, or a stipend with no employment status?
Write down the answers. Keep a copy of the funding terms with your offer letter.
Common mistakes
Do not assume "funded" means the same amount at every university. Figures change each year and by funder. Do not sign an offer before you read the funding letter in full. Do not confuse a fee waiver with a stipend. A fee waiver removes the tuition charge. A stipend is separate money for your living costs. Do not forget to ask about tax. Some countries tax a PhD stipend. Other countries do not.
Where to find funded PhD positions
PhD Atlas lists funded PhD positions and open PhD positions across many countries and fields. You can also search by field or country, for example positions in the Netherlands, Germany, or Sweden. If you plan to apply for an MSCA Doctoral Network position, read our guide on MSCA Doctoral Networks.
PhD Atlas matches open positions to your CV. You can compare funded and self-funded options, then check the funding terms before you apply.