how many credits is a phd uk

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What is a PhD?

As the highest degree level achievable at university, completing a PhD shows that you've made a meaningful new contribution to your chosen research field

PhDs at a glance

• Involves three or four years of full-time study, or up to seven part time.
• Typically undertaken after achieving a Masters degree.
• Can either be funded or self-funded.
• Assessed through a written thesis and oral exam.
• Many Doctoral graduates choose to pursue an academic or research career.

What is the meaning of PhD?

The term PhD or Doctorate of Philosophy is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'philosophiae doctor'.

A PhD degree typically involves students independently conducting original and significant research in a specific field or subject, before producing a publication-worthy thesis.

While some Doctorates include taught components, PhD students are almost always assessed on the quality and originality of the argument presented in their independent research project.

How long is a PhD in the UK?

Full-time PhDs usually last for three or four years, while part-time PhDs can take up to six or seven. However, the thesis deadline can be extended by up to four years at the institution's discretion. Indeed, many students who enrol on three-year PhDs only finish their thesis in their fourth year.

While most PhD studentships begin in September or October, both funded and self-funded PhDs can be undertaken at any point during the year.

If you're planning on studying for a PhD abroad, take a look at our individual country profiles .

Do I need a Masters to do a PhD?

The majority of institutions require PhD candidates to possess a Masters degree , plus a Bachelors degree at 2:1 or above. However, some universities demand only the latter, while self-funded PhD students or those with significant professional experience may also be accepted with lower grades.

You may need to initially register for a one or two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Master of Research (MRes) degree rather than a PhD. If you make sufficient progress, you and your work will then be 'upgraded' to a PhD programme. If not, you may be able to graduate with a Masters degree.

If you need an MPhil or MRes before enrolling on your PhD, search Masters degrees .

What does a PhD involve?

A standard PhD degree is typically split into three stages. A three-year PhD may follow this pattern:

• First year - You'll meet with your supervisor to discuss your research proposal and agree an action plan with deadlines. You'll then complete your literature review, in which you'll evaluate and critique existing works to inform the direction of your project and ensure that your research will be original.
• Second year - Your focus will shift to gathering results and developing your thesis, and potentially begin writing chapters of your thesis. You may also present your results and ideas at academic conferences, gain teaching experience, collaborate with other students on similar projects, communicate the benefits of your research to the general public through workshops, lectures and presentations, or submit work for publication in an academic journal or book.
• Third year - Primarily involves writing your thesis, though your research may still be in progress. After your supervisor gives their approval, you'll submit your thesis before undertaking a one to three-hour oral exam ( viva voce ) in which you'll discuss and defend your thesis in the presence of at least one internal and external examiner.

How do I find a PhD?

As a PhD is different to other degrees, you're committing to more than simply an advanced qualification. You've chosen to engage in a large-scale independent research project and so you'll need to take into account a range of factors that will drive your search.

A methodical approach to the process is required and you'll need to consider the subject you're interested in carrying out research in and the type of Doctorate you're looking for, making sure this is the right project for you. Only when you're fully prepared and have a good idea of your research proposal should you search for PhD opportunities .

What other types of Doctorate are there?

Alternative types of PhD include:

• Higher Doctorate - These are usually granted on the recommendation of a committee of internal and external examiners, which assesses a portfolio of published, peer-reviewed research you've undertaken over the course of many years. This type of Doctorate is usually for those with several years of academic experience. Common award titles include the Doctor of Civil Law (DCL), Doctor of Divinity (DD), Doctor of Literature/Letters (DLit/DLitt/LitD/LittD), Doctor of Music (DMus/MusD), Doctor of Science (DS/SD/DSc/ScD) and Doctor of Law (LLD).
• Integrated/New Route PhD - This four-year PhD course is offered by over 30 universities and involves taking a one-year MRes before studying a three-year PhD. It combines taught elements with independent research, allowing students to learn different methodologies while building their transferable skills.
• Professional Doctorate - Geared towards students of vocational subjects such as medicine, education and engineering, professional Doctorates are focused on teaching and so normally involve smaller research projects and thesis component. They're often favoured by those aiming for a career outside of academia and are usually supported by employers.

How much does a PhD cost?

Tuition fees vary, but usually fall between £3,000 and £6,000 per year for UK students and those from the European Union (EU) with settled status. UK Research Councils pay universities £4,596 per year (from 2022/23) on behalf of each funded PhD student, so this gives a good indication of the average figure.

For EU students looking to pursue a Doctorate in 2022/23, you'll need to have gained settled or pre-settled status to be eligible for student finance - see PhD loans .

Non-EU students may pay considerably more for their tuition fees.

Despite this, many PhD students are now part or fully funded - scholarships and bursaries are widely available, and particular attention should be paid to Research Council grants .

PhD studentships and assistantships involving a mixture of research and teaching are also common, with scientific studentships usually paid at a higher rate.

How do I apply for a PhD?

Some students propose their own research area and apply for funding, while in some cases a supervisor may already have funding for a project and advertise it like a job. When making a PhD application, you'll typically be asked to submit:

• an academic CV
• your academic transcripts
• two or three academic references
• a personal statement
• a research proposal.

International students without settled UK status looking to study certain courses in medicine, mathematics, engineering and material sciences are required to comply with the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) . This involves undergoing a security clearance process with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. International students may also have to prove their English proficiency.

What can I do next?

Your ability to critically analyse, display intellectual maturity, and research independently and honestly is highly valued within academia and the workplace.

Many students who undertake a PhD get an academic job or become an industry researcher, possibly following the PhD with postdoctoral study, then a fellowship or lectureship.

Other career options will depend on your study area.

Discover what a PhD degree can lead to at your PhD, what next?

Find out more

• Consider your PhD options at 5 routes to getting a Doctorate .
• Get help with choosing your PhD supervisor .
• Explore funding postgraduate study .

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the University's principal research degree for graduate students and is available in all faculties and departments.

A Cambridge PhD is intellectually demanding and you will need to have a high level of attainment and motivation to pursue this programme of advanced study and research.

In most faculties, a candidate is expected to have completed one year of postgraduate study, normally on a research preparation master's course, prior to starting a PhD.

Completion normally requires three or four years of full-time study, or at least five years of part-time study, including a probationary period.

Terms of research are normally consecutive and, for full-time students, require residency in Cambridge. Not all departments offer part-time research degrees.

Various routes to the PhD are possible and, if you are made an offer of admission, it will be made clear whether you are required to study for a master's degree or certificate in the first instance, or will be admitted directly to the probationary year for the PhD. You are registered for the PhD only after a satisfactory progress assessment at the end of the probationary year (five terms for part-time degrees). The assessment is designed also to focus your mind on the stages necessary for the completion of your research within the normal time limit and to address any structural problems that have arisen during the first year. Students must pass the first year assessment in order to continue their PhD study.

During your PhD, your effort will be focused on writing a dissertation. The word count of the dissertation is dependent on the department and the Student Registry or Educational Student Policy will be able to tell you the maximum word limit. This must represent a significant contribution to learning, for example through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of a new theory, or the revision of older views, and must take account of previously published work on the subject. Some Cambridge dissertations go on to form the basis of significant publications.

Although you will spend long hours working independently, your department and College will both support you throughout your PhD. You are also able to attend regular seminars in your subject area and could be involved in teaching, perhaps giving seminars or supervising, or in the social life of your department and College.

PhD course search

Go to the Course Directory and filter courses using the relevant checkboxes.

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Entry requirements for UK applicants

We are looking for bright, enthusiastic and dedicated students to join our research community. We accept research applications from across the world.

General entry requirements for UK students 

At Sussex, our usual entry requirements for UK and international students are: 

• at least an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree 
• a Masters degree if you are applying for research degrees in the arts or social sciences.

We will also consider candidates who can demonstrate appropriate alternative learning such as experience gained in the workplace or professional qualifications.

If you are an international student see the international qualifications we accept .

Specific entry requirements for UK students

You must also meet our specific entry requirements for each research programme. These are listed with each PhD degree .

Check: 

• the grade required for your PhD
• if you need to have a Masters qualification. 

Interviews 

For some research degrees we may ask you to attend an interview. 

If you are an international student, you may be interviewed over the phone or via Skype.

You might also be interested in:

• student support
• tips for applying for a PhD
• applying for accommodation
• how to apply for a PhD

Credit requirement

The Academic Board of the University  adopted a new framework for the definition of doctoral degrees, this was produced in response to the increasing diversity in patterns of doctoral provision across UK universities and indeed internationally.

As part of the project registration process (CP1), the Director of Studies will identify the particular development needs of an individual student. This must be reviewed annually as part of progress monitoring as a student’s development needs may develop during their studies.

Module options

Students can register on any Masters (M) level module at UWE Bristol through the Doctoral Academy Hub .

It is expected that the credits taken will address the broad areas of researcher development, skills development and could include subject specific knowledge.

The module specifications page will provide you with a list of UWE Bristol modules that you can filter by level of study (ie M level).

Additionally, we have compiled a list of modules (PDF)  which have been previously taken by PGR students, which may help in identifying suitable learning opportunities.

Research in Contemporary Context

The  Research in Contemporary Context (RCC) module (PDF)  has been specifically designed for postgraduate research students. This module is comprised of seminars and research skills workshops , some of which can be attended remotely using interactive video-conferencing technology.

Advanced Specialist Text Study

The Advanced Specialist Text Study module (PDF)  has been designed for postgraduate researchers specifically in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.

The PGR degree student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the content of an advanced specialist text that has been identified as relevant to the PGR thesis topic by the Director of Studies of the PGR degree student. The chosen text must be approved in advance by the College Research Degrees Committee.

Minimum credit requirements

As part of this framework, all research degree programmes are now required to include the acquisition by the student of a minimum number of credits at Masters (M) level.

For PhD and DPhil students, there is also an opportunity to take additional modules (without additional tuition fees) up to a maximum number of credits, as below:

Students studying for a Professional Doctorate  will achieve their credit requirement as part of the taught element of their programme.

Please note:  An existing Masters qualification is not an automatic substitute for credits on research degrees.

Accredited Prior Learning (AL)

The student should note their intention to claim AL on the CP1 form  at the project registration stage. Once the CP1 has been approved by the College Research Degrees Committee (CRDC), the student will need to make a separate application for AL recognition.

A full statement is required that will either explain how the student will meet their development needs, or in the case of a non-UWE Bristol module, will detail its comparison with a specified UWE Bristol module.

Full supporting evidence, such as degree certificates, academic transcripts, syllabus details and module specifications, should be attached.

For more information, please contact the Doctoral Academy .

You may also be interested in

Contact the Doctoral Academy

Ways to contact the Doctoral Academy, from postgraduate research support to submitting your thesis.

Current postgraduate researchers

Useful information and guidance for current postgraduate research students and supervisors.

Support during your degree

Support from the Doctoral Academy available to postgraduate researchers at UWE Bristol.

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• Professional doctorate

What is a professional doctorate?

Professional doctorates are equivalent to a PhD but have a focus on a specific professional context. Once you have completed your professional doctorate you will have the title of doctor.

We offer the following professional doctorate degrees:

• Doctor of Social Science (DSocSci)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)

Professional degrees for professionals

These programmes are designed for professionals in the public, private, and third sectors. As with any other research degree, you will - with the advice and guidance of your personal supervisor - need to produce a piece of original research. The difference is that your research will be informed by your own professional practice and will usually seek to develop understanding that contributes to professional practice more broadly.

You will, therefore, need to have an interest in your professional context and be able to explore this through a structured research programme leading to you making an original contribution to understanding of that professional context.

A different kind of research degree

A key difference in the format of professional doctorates is that you will be required to undertake a greater number of research training and discipline-specific modules. Through these modules you will develop your understanding of theoretical issues relevant to your professional context and begin thinking about what you want to look at in your research and how you will do this.

International recognition

The UK professional doctorate is an internationally recognised and respected academic qualification and many of our professional doctorate graduates come from outside the European Union. Employers across the world recognise and value the quality of a UK university education; however, you should ensure that potential employers in your country recognise the professional doctorate qualification. You may need to obtain equivalency certification at your own expense in order for your degree to be recognised outside the European Union.

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Doctorate (PhD, EdD, EngD, PhD by Special Regulations)

Doctoral degrees are awarded to those who have demonstrated all of the criteria below: 

• a significant contribution to the field of study through the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, connection of previously unrelated facts or the development of new theory or revision of older views;
• submission of work of a quality in whole or in part of a standard to merit publication (whether or not subsequently published);
• provides evidence of the acquisition of knowledge and a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry;
• is of a quality and quantity to reflect three years of full-time postgraduate study/five years part-time postgraduate study.

Master of Science/Master of Letters

The Master of Science or Master of Letters degrees are awarded to those who have demonstrated all of the criteria below:

• provides evidence of a useful contribution to the field of study;
• systematic understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in the field of study
• includes critical evaluation of current methodologies and wider research in the area of study;
• provides evidence of an understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry;
• submission of work of a quality and quantity expected for two years of full-time postgraduate research and study

Master of Philosophy

The Master of Philosophy degree is awarded to those who have demonstrated all of the criteria below:

• understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in the field of study;
• submission of work of a quality and quantity expected for one year of full-time postgraduate research and study

Form of work

All students are expected to submit a thesis.  Content of a thesis may differ by subject, but it is expected to include critical review, reworking of existing material providing the provenance of such material is clearly identified, and the results of the original investigation carried out during the course.  In some cases it may also include submission of compositions or recorded work (e.g for a degree in Music).

A thesis may contain previously published material as an integral part of the thesis. This material should be set in the context of an overall thesis (as part of a connected argument) with suitable introductory and concluding passages to link the published material to the rest of the work.   Although permissible, it is not expected that a thesis submitted for the awards of MSc, MLitt or MPhil will include published works.

The amount of previously published material to include is up to each candidate, however included publications must refer to research carried out as part of a candidate’s degree and the thesis must keep within the word limits specified by the relevant Degree Committee . 

Candidates for the PhD by Special Regulations and, with the approval of the relevant Degree Committee, candidates for the PhD (by general regulations) and the EdD may submit a thesis consisting of a number of previously published papers.  In these cases the thesis must also contain a substantial introductory summary statement summarising rationale; placing the work in the context of the wider field of study;  clarifying the extent to which works represent a consistent body of research, and the original contribution to knowledge they make; and providing clear detail on the exact contribution of the student to each included paper.  It would not be necessary for any published work to be re-written prior to inclusion in a thesis.  The amount of published material to include is up to each candidate, however with the exception of candidates for the PhD by Special Regulations the included publications must refer to research carried out as part of a candidate’s degree.  All candidates must also keep within the word limits specified by the relevant Degree Committee .

Works will be considered as ‘published’ if they are traceable in ordinary catalogue and copies are obtainable at the time of application or were at some previous time by members of the public through normal channels. 

The thesis must also be submitted in the approved  format .

Assessment  

The examination shall consist of submission of a thesis embodying the results of the candidate’s approved course of research, and examination on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.

Examiners will assess on the extent to which the thesis:

• is clearly written;
• fulfils the requirements for the degree.

  The oral examination should allow:

• the candidate to defend his or her thesis and clarify any matters raised by the Examiners;
• the Examiners to probe the candidate’s knowledge in the general field;
• the Examiners to assure themselves that the work presented is the candidate’s own and to clarify matters of any collaboration; and
• the Examiners to come to a definite conclusion about the outcome of the examination.

For MPhil programmes where the supplementary programme regulations state requirements for the examination, these shall be supplementary to the guidance detailed above.

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8 big differences between the US and UK PhD experience

And one important similarity. 

Helen Robertson

Credit: Malte Mueller/Getty

And one important similarity.

11 March 2020

Malte Mueller/Getty

In 2019, I took a risk by moving halfway around the world as a postdoctoral researcher in molecular evolution.

Since then, I’ve been struck by how different the grad school experience is here at the University of Chicago in the US, compared with my time at the University College London in the UK, where I completed my PhD in 2017.

Here’s what I’ve noticed:

1. UK grad school interviews are shorter and more lab-specific

In the UK, you’re likely to apply directly to a lab for an advertised project or one that you develop with your supervisor.

In the US, the application process is more centralized. You usually apply to a school instead of a lab. Some programs even require you to take a standardized Graduate Entry Program test, though this seems to be on the decline .

Grad school interviews in the US tend to be longer. They can involve a series of interviews, tours, and faculty events over a number of days.

2. In the US, a work-life balance is harder to achieve

I’ve been surprised by how all-encompassing a US doctorate can be. Even after the first year of teaching, the number of seminars, journal clubs, and university-related activities make the US PhD experience very grad school-centric.

I was fortunate during my UK-based PhD to approach it more like a full-time job than a continuation of my masters year. There were intense periods that required late nights in the lab, but I had time to pursue other interests , which provided some balance and made me more productive at work.

Of course, it’s difficult to generalize about working patterns. Demanding schedules are not wholly dictated by the country you’re studying in. A recent study found that 76% of surveyed grad students spent more than 41 hours a week on their project.

3. It takes longer to complete a PhD in the US

Probably the best-known difference is the time it takes to complete a PhD.

UK PhD programs tend towards three years in length, although it’s increasingly getting closer to four years – a trend that might soon be reflected in funding arrangements .

It’s a different story in the US, where, according to the Survey of Earned Doctorates , students take an average of 5.7 years to graduate.

4. UK PhD fees tend to be lower

Fees err on the more expensive side in the US, as they do for undergraduate degrees – although this isn’t always true for international students.

US PhD fees, coupled with the longer study time, means that the costs associated with grad school are generally higher than in the UK, even before living costs are considered.

If you have a funding body attached to your project, it will likely pay your tuition fees as part of its finance package. But this flags a major difference between the two countries: funding and scholarships.

5. Many US students need to apply for their own funding

From my understanding, most advertised science-based PhD projects in the UK are attached to funding, which covers tuition fees, bench costs, and living expenses. The tax-free PhD stipend set by all UK Research Councils is £15,285 (approximately US$20,000), although other funding bodies pay more.

In the US, there is no national funding level – your level of financial support will be dictated by your school or lab. This means there is generally much more encouragement for US PhD students to apply for their own funding than there is in the UK.

This is good experience for a future scientific career, but if you have to work additional hours to supplement scholarships, you’ll ultimately end up with less time for your project.

6. US PhD programs are more structured

This is particularly true in the first year for US PhDs, which includes lectures, exams, and lab rotations. Only at the end of the first year, after passing your qualifying exam, do you have the opportunity to pick the lab you’re going to pursue your PhD research in.

In the UK, I started in the lab that I spent the duration of my studies in. This meant no structured classes or rotations in my first year, and I began my own research right away.

PhDs that are run through a Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) – centres that manage the Research Council-funded PhD degrees – are increasingly popular in the UK, and include classes and rotations during the first year, but often without the frequent exams and coursework that characterize grad school in the US.

7. There is more focus on defending your thesis in the UK

Writing my thesis was the final hurdle of my UK PhD experience. It gave me the opportunity to document my ideas, successes (and failures), and the context of my project. I defended my thesis in a closed session with two examiners: one internal to my institution, and one external.

From what I’ve seen, finishing a doctorate in the US is less focused on a thesis. Instead, your committee determines that you have completed sufficient work and skill attainment to warrant your defense. Only then can you write your thesis, and defend it in a public session.

In the UK, it’s unlikely you’ll know your examiners well, but a US PhD defense is assessed by the same thesis committee that have known you for the duration of your studies.

8. Teaching is an added bonus in the UK

My UK PhD funding set no teaching requirements: instead, I was free to teach labs and mark coursework at the discretion of my supervisor. And I was paid for any teaching hours I did.

Teaching requirements in the US vary from school to school. For some students, working as a teaching assistant is necessary to pay fees and living expenses – particularly if you don’t have comprehensive funding.

There might also be minimum teaching requirements for the duration of your PhD in the US. In this respect, the time commitment and financial compensation of teaching is very institution-specific.

One important similarity: The lab you join will determine your experience

Despite the differences in structure and requirements between UK and US PhDs, one thing that is common to them all is that, ultimately, your PhD is going to be shaped by the lab you decide to join.

If have a positive working environment and appropriate guidance and support from your supervisor, and you’re interested in and motivated by your thesis topic, then your grad school experience will likely be rewarding.

And that’s true regardless of the country you’re studying in.

How Long Is a PHD UK?

• Katie Baker
• September 26, 2023

For full-time students, a PhD in the UK typically takes three to four years. For PhD candidates who opt to study their doctoral research around work or other commitments, completing a PhD can take six to seven years. Thesis deadline extensions can be granted for up to four years; however, this will always be at the university’s discretion. 

Whether you want to complete your PhD in the UK full-time or part-time; it is a big commitment, which shouldn’t be taken lightly. The gratification may not be immediate, but the rewards can be lifelong when considering the professional careers that are more accessible for PhD holders, the increased earning potential and the sense of satisfaction that comes with creating unique knowledge and gaining a title only a minute fraction of the global population will only acquire.

How Long Is a PhD UK?

In addition to the average durations for part-time and full-time PhD study, there are additional time limits on how long students can be enrolled on a PhD program; this applies to students who have self-proposed their research idea and students who have been selected for a PhD program with pre-defined aims and objectives.

Full-Time and Part-Time PhDs in the UK

Typically, from start to finish, a full-time PhD in the UK will take 3 – 4 years to complete. Most full-time PhD students will spend the first three years undertaking independent research with the support of PhD supervisors, designing research methodology, collating data and analysing it. Most students will then take an additional academic year to write their thesis and sit their oral examination.

Of course, these timelines will vary with every PhD candidate. Some PhD students start their doctoral research with a solid idea of how they will approach their methodology and thesis, while others will need to go through more of a process of trial and error. Some PhD students get to the writing up stage quicker than others, writing a thesis should never be a race to the finish; doctoral research is a valuable and vital contribution to academic knowledge.

More often than not, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dedicate your time and energy to research. Although, it isn’t unheard of for people to have multiple PhDs.

For part-time PhD students, researching, collecting data and outlining it concisely in your thesis typically takes twice as long. This timeframe is based on the assumption that part-time PhD students will dedicate 20 hours weekly to their doctoral research, while full-time students will, on average, spend 40 hours a week on their PhD. 

Of course, there is no clocking in or out when you are a PhD student. The vast majority of your time will be spent partaking in independent research, and there will always be periods that are busier than others. Many PhD students find that the writing-up stage is the busiest. 

How Long is a PhD for Distance Learners in the UK?

Completing a PhD by distance learning is similar to being a part-time PhD student. Many distance-learning doctoral students need six to seven years on average to finish their research, thesis, and viva. This timeframe typically boils down to how much time PhD candidates need to spend commuting to universities, which usually restricts the ability for full-time learning. 

The duration for distance learners is also highly dependent on the research in question. For example, PhD students digging into STEM research will take longer to complete their doctoral degrees – compared to those conducting research into non-STEM disciplines, such as the arts, humanities and social sciences. For non-STEM disciplines, students can conduct the majority of their research remotely, whereas STEM students will need access to labs or other equipment to carry out their experimental work. 

Does Funding Affect PhD Duration in the UK?

In an ideal world, funding wouldn’t affect how much time a PhD student can dedicate to their research and thesis. Unfortunately, for many full-time, part-time, and distance-learning PhD students, funding is a primary factor in the duration of their studying.

Typically, funding and studentships will only cover PhD students for three and a half years for full-time students, while part-time students can expect funding for seven years at a rate of half the stipend. However, this depends on the program you have applied for, and who is providing the PhD funding. 

For example, if you are a physical sciences or engineering student and your funding is being paid by the EPSRC, you will need to follow the timescale which is indicated on their length of PhD Studentship guidelines. Due to this timeframe, most students funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council aim to complete their PhD within 3.5 years. Failing to complete the PhD within the 3.5-year timeframe could incur additional fees, which need to be independently covered. 

Furthermore, several funded PhD positions and programs have additional components attached to the eligibility requirements that require PhD students to undertake duties such as undergraduate teaching, laboratory session hosting or attendance at conferences and presentations. Even though these additional conditions shouldn’t prolong the duration of your PhD to an excessive degree, they can marginally add to the time it takes to complete a PhD program. For PhD candidates with these kinds of studentships and funding agreements, it is vital to have exceptional time management skills. 

Finally, self-funded PhD students can also feel constricted by their financial situations and feel the pressure to complete a PhD quicker than students who enjoy the security of attached funding. In addition to annual tuition fees, there are other associated costs and living expenses to account for. However, this isn’t always the case; some self-funded PhD students feel free to take their time to ensure their research is as valuable as possible.

PhD Deadlines in the UK

Each university in the UK has its way of setting deadlines. However, typically, the PhD deadline for full-time and part-time students is the date by which you need to submit your final thesis. 

For most UK universities, the deadline date is four years on from the start of your doctoral degree for full-time students and seven years for part-time PhD students. The start date will be when you were registered for the PhD program. Some UK universities also opt to set a minimum period of years or adjust the timeframe around relevant integrated studies.

Can PhDs Be Completed Faster Than the Average Timeframes?

While full-time students can complete their PhDs within two years or even 12 months from enrolling on their program, it certainly isn’t something that you should realistically aim for. Completing a PhD in under three years is a significant achievement, so much so that it is rarely heard of in the UK. 

The only students who have managed to complete their PhD thesis and pass their viva are students who enrolled on a program with extensive pre-existing experience and knowledge.

It is marginally more common for part-time students to complete their PhD in under six years. This largely depends on existing experience and knowledge and which commitments you are studying around. If you are a PhD student with part-time employment, it is highly unlikely that you will have the time to complete your PhD a year sooner; attempting such an achievement could leave you at risk of burnout. Alternatively, if you are a freelancer and your workflow often permits you to dedicate more time to your PhD, it can be possible for you to allocate more time to your research and writing.

Other Factors in the Rate of Progression for PhD Students

Many international students who choose a UK university to complete their doctoral research wonder if it will take longer to complete their PhD compared to domestic students. The good news is, as an international student in the UK, there is no indicative data to dictate that your period of study will be longer. 

Similarly, students who chose direct entry into a PhD program from a bachelor’s degree instead of studying a master’s degree beforehand are often anxious that they will find it hard to keep pace with their master’s degree-holding counterparts. Again, no evidence only holding an undergraduate degree will limit the rate of progression. A PhD differs from a bachelor’s and most master’s degrees due to its independent research focus; there are no right answers or curriculums to follow. With that being said, studying a Master’s degree before a PhD could help you to get more acquainted with a speciality topic, which was only briefly introduced to you in your bachelor’s degree.

EU & US vs UK PhD Durations

UK PhD programs follow the same structure and timeframes as European PhD programs. However, there is a slight difference compared to US PhD programs, which take longer to complete, based on a 2017 study. The study revealed that it takes 5.8 years on average to complete a PhD in the US.

The average timeframe is even longer when looking at arts and humanities PhDs in the US; they typically take 7.1 years to obtain. The primary reason for this is the additional directed study requirements imposed on US PhD candidates.

Is a PhD worth it?

So, you might be asking yourself, is a PhD worth it ? Well, that’s subjective. career prospects for students upon finishing their PhD will be influenced by the nature of their research as well as their prior experiences and skills. While we can’t outline all potential job opportunities, it’s important to recognise that numerous diverse paths and organisations typically seek individuals with specialised expertise and advanced educational qualifications.

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• PhD Salary in UK – Explained
• Funding a PhD

What Are PhD Salaries?

The average cost of undertaking a PhD in the UK is approximately £20,000 per academic year for UK students and £40,000 for international students. To help offset the cost of this, many students question whether undertaking a doctorate comes with a PhD salary.

The salary of a PhD student is governed by three factors: whether they’re assisting in undergraduate teaching, assisting in research, or have secured a PhD with a stipend. Depending on which of the three categories a student falls within, they will receive an income during their studies, however, the amount will differ by a substantial amount.

To help show you how you can fund your postgraduate degree and how much you can expect to earn whilst doing so, carry on reading below.

Types of PhD Salaries

There are three types of PhD degree salaries:

• Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) . In exchange for a salary, you’ll be required to assist in the delivery of one or more courses over a number of years. This includes, but is not limited to, marking student tutorials, supervising lab experiments and providing support to undergraduates during office hours. Besides this, you may have to teach a small section of the course itself. You can discover more about GTAs on King’s College London’s website.
• Research Assistantships (RAs) . In exchange for a salary, you assist a departmental professor with their research. In the ideal scenario, the professor you work with should also be your PhD supervisor and the research you’re asked to support with relates to your own doctoral project.
• Stipend via Studentship: A stipend is a non-repayable grant provided to doctoral students to help support their studies. A studentship covers a student’s tuition fees whilst a stipend covers a PhD student’s living costs. This includes outgoings such as rent, food, bills and basic travel. Unlike Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships, stipends rarely have duties attached to them. The only expectation of receiving a stipend will be that you maintain continuous progress within your degree.

It’s worth noting these earning opportunities can be also be combined. For example, it’s possible to be a research assistant whilst also committing time to teach undergraduate students.

Average PhD Salary in UK

The average PhD student salary for teaching assistantships will vary depending on the level of responsibility you’re taking. However, to provide figures, past doctoral students have reported receiving approx. £10/hr for marking tutorials, £15/hr for leading laboratory sessions and up to £20/hr for leading undergraduate classes and tutorials.

The actual amount you can earn from teaching assistance will depend on the rate your department offers and the hours you can realistically take on. If you’re on a Graduate Teaching Assistantship programme, they will require you to dedicate a set number of hours per week. If you’re not on a GTA but would still like to earn an income through this scheme, you will likely need to commit several hours per week consistently. Although this can be a great way to earn whilst you study, you need to make sure you manage your time effectively as to not become overwhelmed by taking on an additional commitment.

The average salary for research assistantships will vary depending on the field of the doctoral degree you are enrolled in. Usually, these positions pay between £25,000 to £30,000 per year, however, it’s possible to come across positions which sit slightly outside of this. As a general rule of thumb, STEM assistors are paid more than non-STEM assistors.

In the UK, PhD students can receive a stipend which varies between £15,000 and £18,000 per annum. As part of the studentship your stipend is provided under, your tuition fees will also be paid for. UK tuition fees will vary between universities but are approximately £4,500 per year for doctoral courses starting in 2021/22 as per the UKRI recommendations .

Although £15,000 to £18,000 per year is the typical range for a stipend, some can be far greater than this. For example, Wellcome Trust , a research-charity based in London, offers an annual stipend of up to £23,300 and £26,000 for doctoral students located outside and within London, respectively.

Are PhD Salaries Taxed?

PhD stipends are tax free. Therefore, you don’t need to pay any income tax nor do you need to make any national insurance contributions. This means you’ll keep all the money you receive from an annual stipend. However, this is not the case for Research Assistants.

In the UK, Research Assistants are employed as university staff members and are paid a direct salary as opposed to a stipend. As a result, it will require you to pay tax on your earnings and make national insurance contributions.

To put this into perspective, for the 2019/20 UK tax year, you’re required to pay a 20% tax on any income above £12,500 but less than £50,000. You’re also required to make national insurance contributions of 12% of your weekly earnings over £166 but less than £962. This means that an annual Research Assistantship salary of £30,000 will equate to a take-home salary of £23,938 per year.

How to Get a PhD Stipend

To find research positions which offer stipends, we recommend you search our PhD database and filter by ‘funded’ positions.

Besides this, you can also secure a studentship from UK Research Councils or directly from your university as a scholarship. Independent organisations, such as charities and research trusts, and innovative firms within your industry also offer funding. You can read our PhD studentship guide to see how these work or our Where to find a PhD guide for further ideas.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How to Get a Research Assistantship PhD

Unfortunately, research assistantships opportunities aren’t as common to come across compared to PhD stipends. Besides this, when they are available, they’re predominantly in STEM subjects such as computer science and engineering. The reason for this is these subjects usually have access to greater research grants and have a greater volume of practical work available.

To find a research assistantship, we recommend that you contact the university departments who host the courses you’re interested in directly. This is because research assistantships help professors with their research, and while they may require help, they may not be openly advertising for it. They may, therefore, be able to create a role for you within their department or put you into contact with one of their colleagues who already has an open position.

International Students

It’s worth noting that international students will have a harder time securing a funded PhD position than UK ‘home’ students will. This is largely because there are usually fewer funding opportunities available to international students, which as a result also attract significant competition.

Besides this, if you’re an international student studying in the UK you will most likely than not be on a Tier 4 visa. Although a Tier 4 visa will allow you to work to earn an additional income alongside any studentship you may have, there will be certain restrictions on what you can and can’t do. For example, during term-time, you won’t be allowed to work more than 20 hours per week. For a full list of restrictions, please refer to the government website.

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Higher Doctorates in the UK

Tina Barnes

Dr Tina Barnes is a Senior Research Fellow with WMG (formerly Warwick Manufacturing Group) at the University of Warwick

Higher doctorate awards are offered by many UK HEIs and yet have received very little attention with respect to comparing procedure, standards and practice, or indeed what purpose they serve and the benefits that flow from them (for the awarding HEI and the academics concerned)

A higher doctorate is an award that is at a level above the PhD (or equivalent professional doctorate in the discipline), and that is typically gained not through a defined programme of study but rather by submission of a substantial body of research-based work.  p.6

This report on higher doctorates suggests that the range and number of awards being made in between 2003–2013, and predicted for the future, is largely static. The small numbers of awards being made seem to reflect the lack of a strategic role for higher doctorates within HEIs, and the fact that such an award is not an essential step in an academic’s promotional path. Arguably, there is little logic in creating a strategic role for higher doctorates since a HEI’s ambitions to achieve ever better research standing (and to motivate its academics in that regard) can be achieved in other ways. But equally, there is little incentive to scale back or terminate these awards, despite inherent problems with the examination process.

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PhDs: is doctoral education in trouble in the UK?

While overseas students still flock to the uk for phds, concerns are growing over weakening domestic demand, a decline in ukri-funded starters and whether universities can afford to train the next generation of researchers.

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With a  near-record 113,000 postgraduate research students  based in the UK, including 46,350 foreign PhD candidates, Britain’s doctoral education landscape would seem to be thriving. Buoyed by an extra £109 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to support PhD and mid-career researchers in 2023-24, and Horizon Europe membership secured, there might appear little cause for concern.

But there are signs that things are not as rosy in UK doctoral education as some imagine. In November, the Student Loans Company  noted  the “first potential yet small decline in the take-up of postgraduate doctoral student loans”, with sums borrowed in 2022-23 down by 12.3 per cent.

There are also indications that funded PhD studentships will not be as plentiful over the next few years. The biggest single funder of PhDs – the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), which sponsored nearly half of the 4,900 UKRI-backed doctoral students who began their studies in 2022-23 –  announced  last year that the number of its Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) would fall from 75 to “about 40” from 2024, leading to about 1,750 fewer funded places over the next five years. In addition, the Arts and Humanities Research Council is reducing its PhD studentships by nearly a third , from 425 to 300 per year by the end of the decade, and the Wellcome Trust is severely reducing its support for PhD students under its  new strategy  to focus on longer grants for early- and mid-career scientists.

Things could get a lot worse in the next few years, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies  warning  that tax cuts announced in chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement  would lead to budget reductions of about 3.4 per cent a year in “unprotected departments”, of which one might be the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

“It’s going to be tough going with an election and a spending review, whichever party wins,” predicted Rory Duncan, UKRI’s former director of talent and skills, who is now pro vice-chancellor (research and innovation) at Sheffield Hallam University .

If universities were forced to tighten research spending, support for PhD students could be an early casualty because doctoral researchers – while sometimes seen as a source of cheap labour – are big loss-makers for institutions, explained Professor Duncan. “If you look at Trac [Transparent Approach to Costing] data, the cost recovery for doctoral students is very low – the lowest for any type of research activity,” he said, pointing to data that showed UK universities incurred  losses of £1.4 billion educating PhD students in 2021-22 , claiming back just 46.6 per cent of the cost of training researchers.

In the money: P hD funding

Thanks to UK universities’ success in attracting higher paying international students, the sector has been able to cover such losses – which amount  to £5 billion a year for research  overall – but that balancing act is “becoming much more challenging due to government rhetoric” over foreign students, continued Professor Duncan. “There is huge pressure on the research sector and it’s becoming harder and harder to do research – which includes supporting PhD students,” he said.

That will be bad news for the UK’s “science superpower” ambitions as the country’s innovation model had leaned heavily on having high PhD numbers, continued Professor Duncan. “For many years the UK has been a leader for investing in PhD training – it’s always been a top-three nation, alongside Germany and the US, for PhDs. Others, like Japan, have taken different routes and changed their support to focus on mid-career scientists, which has a very detrimental impact on research quality,” he added.

But the level of the UK’s investment in PhD training seems to be waning – at least, if judged on the numbers of doctoral students trained in recent years. A recent Freedom of Information request by  Times Higher Education  found the overall numbers of doctoral students starting UKRI-funded training  fell from 6,835 in 2018-19 to 5,580 in 2021-22  – an 18 per cent drop – with reported figures for 2022-23 lower still at 4,900, though UKRI said this tally could increase as universities continued to submit data for that year. The decline in UK student numbers was even sharper, falling from 4,815 new candidates in 2018-19 to 3,420 in 2021-22 – down by 29 per cent – and to 2,840 in 2022-23.

Wrong numbers:  falling PhD figures

For Douglas Kell, a former executive chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, such reductions are distinctly at odds with the government’s desire to attract an extra 150,000 researchers into the workforce by 2030.

“Cutting funded PhD numbers under any circumstances, especially in a knowledge economy, is simply short-termist and absolute madness,” said Professor Kell, now based at the University of Liverpool , who observed that these “further cuts extend those that have already been going under this administration for more than a decade. We need massive increases in those who are technically and intellectually qualified, not cuts.”

However, UKRI’s collective talent funding – which supports both PhD studentships and mid-career fellowships – is due to increase by only 5 per cent in 2024-25, so funded places could “go down in the absence of additional investment”, warned Professor Duncan, citing the continued need to increase tax-free doctoral stipends in line with inflation .

Group interests: talent funding

The hefty increases to UKRI’s stipend – £18,622 in 2023-24, up by 20 per cent from 2021-22 – might still not be enough to fix a bigger issue facing doctoral education, according to Robert Insall, professor of computational cell biology at UCL. “A lower proportion of the most brilliant students are doing PhDs – those who are really ambitious and who might become future leaders in their field,” said Professor Insall. “Even if you increased the stipend by 10 per cent again, it might not be enough to make it acceptable. Its level was acceptable a few years ago but now it just isn’t.”

The gloom hanging over UK higher education and research might explain why “the attractiveness of a PhD has gone downhill” for high-flyers who might have previously considered a research career in academia, continued Professor Insall. “The government is not selling British academia and the media is painting it as a very troubled place, so students and potential PhDs see that,” he said.

For its part, UKRI seems alert to the challenge of keeping the PhD attractive, with plans for a new “core offer” around professional and career development set to be unveiled this year. According to chief executive Dame Ottoline Leyser, this would “provide  consistent talent offers  that are still responsive to the needs of individuals and disciplines” and “strengthen the crucial link between career diversity and excellent research and innovation, better enabling people to follow their ideas across disciplines and sectors”.

Concerns over the direction of travel remain, but the fact that the UK is still a key destination for postgraduate students, behind only the US, suggests its doctoral model is far from broken, said Giulio Marini, visiting professor of education at the University of Hong Kong , whose research has focused on how PhD graduates fare in global job markets. “The UK is highly attractive, and it seems it will remain so – Brexit was not helpful, but now that the UK is back into European funding schemes I would not worry too much,” he said.

However, its international popularity among foreign PhD students might serve UK universities but not the UK economy in the long run if restrictive immigration rules push them to leave after a few years, warned Dr Marini. “If PhDs do not continue to live in the UK, their economic contribution will be limited. In that situation, UK universities are really ‘making brains for other countries’, which is not good policy.”

Is there a doctor in the house?: P hD population

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