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Fees and funding for research students

Find out how much a PhD or Professional Doctorate will cost and the funding options available, including PhD studentships, stipends, loans and doctoral awards.

Once you’ve decided to study a research degree, the next step is figuring out how you're going to fund it. There are many different types of funding, including studentships, external grants, and loans. Explore this page to see what’s available and how much a research degree will cost.

How much does a PhD or Professional Doctorate cost?

Our tuition fees are set and reviewed on an annual basis and the amount you pay will depend on the length of your course and mode of study. For some Science and Technology projects, an annual bench fee may also be payable.

Postgraduate Research fees for 2023/24 entry

CourseUK tuition fee per yearInternational tuition fee per year
PhD full-time£4,712£16,500, or £17,600 for Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, or Science and Technology courses.
PhD part-time£2,356£8,250, or £8,800 for Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, or Science and Technology courses.
At-distance PhDs£3,800£9,850
Professional Doctorates (Education, Social Practice and Forensic Psychology)£3,500£12,700
Completion fee£695£695

Postgraduate Research fees for 2024/25 entry

CourseUK tuition fee per yearInternational tuition fee per year
PhD full-time£4,786£17,150, or £18,300 for Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, or Science and Technology courses.
PhD part-time£2,393£8,575, or £9,150 for Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, or Science and Technology courses.
At-distance PhDs£3,900£10,250
Professional Doctorates (Education, Social Practice and Forensic Psychology)£3,600£13,200
Completion fee£695£695

PhD funding

There are many different ways to fund a PhD, including university studentships, funding from research councils, charities or businesses, and doctoral loans. PhD funding falls into three main categories:

  • Fully-funded – your PhD tuition fees are covered in full along with an amount for living costs and other expenses (usually called a stipend).
  • Partially-funded – part of your fees or living costs are covered, but not both. You will usually need to top up this funding with your own money or other grants.
  • Self-funded – you are financing your own PhD fees and living costs through a combination of savings or earnings and loans.

Search our current projects.

ESRC studentships

The Midlands Graduate School (ESRC accredited) is looking to recruit top quality PhD students to commence study in October 2024 across a range of subjects, offering studentships – covering a maintenance stipend and payment of tuition fees at the home fee rate.

ESRC Studentships
Three students having a conversation, smiling in the sun in the rooftop garden.

NTU fully-funded PhD studentships

Every year we provide fully-funded PhD studentships with opportunities across all our academic disciplines. These cover the full cost of tuition plus a stipend for living expenses for both UK and International students. Applications usually open in October.

Sign up for emails to be notified of the next release and to keep up to date with research funding.

What is a PhD stipend?

Some funded projects may eligible for a stipend – a grant to help cover your living expenses that you don't have to pay back. Find out the current minimum stipend rates set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Funding for international researchers

Many of our funded PhD projects are open to international students. Check the specific project details to see who is eligible.

FindaPhD also provides a guide to funding for international students looking to study a PhD in the UK.

Other funded opportunities at NTU

We’re pleased to participate in funded projects that improve access to research and benefit local communities.

Midlands4Cities

Funding and supporting outstanding research in Arts and Humanities across the Midlands.

More about the partnership

Co(l)laboratory

A Universities for Nottingham project providing funding for locally-relevant, challenge-based research.

More about Co(l)laboratory

Equality and Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation (EDEPI)

A funded programme for NHS workers, created to tackle barriers to doctoral education for racially minoritised groups.

More about EDEPI

ESRC Studentships

Funding and further support for doctoral candidates in a range of subjects and pathways.

More about ESRC Studentships

Doctoral loans

Student Finance England and Student Finance Wales provide a non-means-tested Doctoral loan of up to £28,673 to help with course fees and living costs for a postgraduate research course, such as a PhD or Professional Doctorate.

These are available on full-time, part-time and distance learning courses if you are living in the UK and you’ll only start to repay when your income is over £21,000 a year.

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA)

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) helps to cover the extra costs you might incur because of a disability, including a long-term health condition, mental health condition, physical disability, or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or dyspraxia.

Learn more about DSA

Alumni discount

We offer an exclusive 20% discount to NTU alumni who enrol on an eligible postgraduate course.

External funding

A variety of research councils, governmental agencies and charities can provide funding for your research degree. Take a look at some of the opportunities available below.

Need advice on how to fund your studies?

Our student finance team are here to help. They can offer guidance on postgraduate fees, loans, and money management.

Chat to the team on Unibuddy, email financial.support@ntu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)115 848 2494.

For advice on making secure international payments please visit our international scholarships and fees pages.