How to Do a PhD in the UK: Funding, Fees and Fee Status

How funding works for a UK PhD

Most PhD students in the UK get a "studentship." A studentship pays a stipend (a tax-free living allowance) and your tuition fees. A research council, a university, or a charity pays for it. The UK's main public funder is UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI gives training grants to universities and other providers. The provider then offers studentships to students.

You cannot apply to UKRI directly. You apply to the provider that offers the studentship, for example through a specific project advert or an open competition in a department.

Some students are "self-funded." They pay their own fees and living costs, often with a loan, savings, or an employer. Self-funded places usually have lower competition, but you carry the full cost.

What a studentship pays

UKRI sets a minimum stipend each year. For 2025 to September 2026, the minimum is £20,780 a year. From 1 October 2026, it rises to £21,805 a year. Students at a London-based institution get a higher rate: £22,780, rising to £23,805 from 1 October 2026. This is a floor, not a cap: some projects pay more. Part-time students get a pro-rated amount.

UKRI also pays a minimum tuition fee for each studentship. For the 2026 to 2027 academic year, this minimum fee is £5,238. UKRI contributes only up to the home fee rate. If you have international fee status, your provider may ask you to pay the difference between the home and the international fee. Check this with the provider before you accept an offer.

A studentship normally gives you: paid annual leave (a minimum of 30 days, including bank holidays), paid medical leave (up to 28 weeks in a rolling 12-month period), and family leave. Your provider cannot ask you to do extra work in return for your stipend. UKRI funding does not pay for a visa or the UK immigration health surcharge (IHS), so budget for these yourself if you need a visa.

Tip: A "fully funded" advert usually means fees and a stipend. It does not always mean visa costs or the health surcharge. Ask the provider what the funding covers before you apply.

Home fee status or international fee status

UK universities place each student into one of two fee groups: home or international. Home fee status normally needs "settled" immigration status and three years of residence in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or (in some cases) the EEA or Switzerland, depending on your situation. Irish citizens usually get home fee status through the Common Travel Area, without needing to apply for settled status.

EU, other EEA, and Swiss nationals who do not hold rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement do not get home fee status for courses that start after 1 August 2021. If you moved to the UK, the EEA, or Switzerland on or before 31 December 2020, ask your provider to check whether you qualify under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Fee status rules are detailed and have many exceptions. The general rule above comes from England's official guidance; Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can set their own rules. Always ask the admissions office to confirm your fee status before you apply, since this decides which studentships you can apply for and how much you pay.

The Student visa

If you are not a UK or Irish national, you will usually need a Student visa to study a PhD in the UK. To qualify, you must:

hold an offer from a licensed student sponsor (a UK university)
show you have enough money to pay your course fees and support yourself
show knowledge of English
be 16 or over

You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts if you apply from outside the UK, or up to 3 months before if you apply from inside the UK. A decision usually takes 3 weeks (outside the UK) or 8 weeks (inside the UK). The visa fee is £558, plus the immigration health surcharge, which is charged for the length of your stay.

After you finish your PhD, you may be able to switch to a Graduate visa. PhD and other doctoral graduates get 3 years on this visa. The rules for other graduates are changing: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027.

Documents you need

Academic transcripts and degree certificates (with certified translations if not in English)
A research proposal or a statement of interest in the advertised project
Two or three academic reference letters
An academic CV
Proof of English language knowledge, if your first language is not English
Proof of funds, if you need a Student visa

How to apply, step by step

Search for open PhD positions and studentships on university and funder sites, and on PhD Atlas.
Read the eligibility section of each advert carefully, including fee status and degree requirements.
Contact the supervisor (for a project studentship) or check the department's open competition process.
Prepare your documents: transcripts, references, CV, and a research proposal or statement.
Submit your application before the deadline, usually by email or an online form.
If shortlisted, attend an interview.
If you receive an offer, confirm your fee status with the admissions office before you accept.
If you need a visa, apply only after you have an unconditional offer and a confirmation of acceptance for studies.

Common mistakes

Applying to a studentship that is restricted to home fee status students, without checking your own status first.
Assuming "fully funded" includes visa costs and the health surcharge.
Missing the window to apply for a Student visa, since processing can take weeks.
Not asking the provider to confirm the exact stipend and fee amount for the year you start, since these change annually.

Where to find open positions

PhD Atlas lists open PhD positions in the United Kingdom and funded PhD positions across Europe. If you are not sure whether a position is funded, read our guide on funded vs unfunded PhD positions. When you are ready to apply, see our guide on writing a PhD motivation letter.

Tip: Set up a free PhD Atlas account at /signup. We match open positions to your CV, so you see UK studentships that fit your subject and your fee status.