2 year phd programs uk

Choose start date: Start date: September 2025 Duration: Five to six years Deadline: 2 December 2024 Fee: Fully funded Location: London, UK Admissions Funding and scholarships

A fully-funded PhD for aspiring scholars seeking an academic career 

We believe that rigorous academic analysis can provide practical solutions to complex problems in society. Our fully-funded PhD programme provides students with the opportunity to conduct their own research in a world-leading university, finding solutions to key challenges in modern business. As a Business School, we rank first in the UK for research environment and second for management and business students, while Imperial College London ranks first in the UK overall for research (REF 2021). 

Starting with a one or two-year Master’s in Research (MRes), depending on your chosen research area, you will gain a strong theoretical grounding and thorough research training to prepare you for the PhD. As a doctoral student you will have the benefit of supervision from leading world scholars. You will develop the expertise and research skills necessary to pursue a career in academia with previous Imperial doctoral graduates finding success in other leading universities such as Copenhagen Business School, Tsinghua University, University of Amsterdam, University College London, and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

97% world-leading or internationally excellent research (REF 2021) #1 in the UK for research (Imperial College London, REF 2021) 1% top one per cent of business schools worldwide to have achieved triple accreditation 6 research areas Explore the programme

Advance your academic success at a world class research institution

2nd in the world (Imperial College London, QS World University Rankings 2025)

3rd in Europe (Imperial College London, Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024)

#1 city for students (London, QS Best Student City Rankings 2024)

Build your career with our global reputation

With particular expertise in finance, entrepreneurship, health, and sustainable business, the Business School is recognised as leading the field. Benefit from strong industry partnerships and a diverse alumni network. 

A fully-funded programme

Every student on our Doctoral programme is offered full funding, including a full tuition fee waiver (Home/EU or Overseas fees) plus a living stipend for up to five years. Funding for a 6th year can be considered on a case-by-case basis, with the potential to undertake a teaching or research assistant studentship with one of the Business Schools research centres.  

World-class faculty

Our internationally admired faculty are leaders in their respective fields, bringing a wealth of experience and academic distinction. They are deeply invested in developing the research interests of our PhD students, fostering an environment of intellectual growth and innovation. 

Impact on industry

Working closely with businesses and governments, we drive policy and practice through inspiring collaboration and research excellence, giving you the opportunity to observe the impact of research on business and society. 

Inspiring intellectual community

Engage with a diverse cohort of fellow PhD students and researchers, creating an inspiring and collaborative environment that encourages intellectual development and professional connections. 

Programme content

The Business School Master’s in Research (MRes) is an integral part of the PhD, introducing theory and research methods in Finance, Economics and Management, providing you with a solid foundation for your doctoral studies. Depending on the research area you choose to specialise in, you will embark on a one or two-year MRes programme as shown below. 

*Please note programme content is subject to change. The modules mentioned below are just a sample of what is available in the programme.

Systematic Reviews

When starting new research, the first step is usually a literature review: scanning what is already known about a given topic and figuring out where the gaps are. However, novice researchers tend to be anything but systematic in their literature review: they have no method for scanning the literature, and they usually have little idea of what is relevant and what is not. The Systematic Review method opens a way to create research syntheses that add real value and novel insight – in a way that is potentially publishable in its own right.

Data Analysis Tools

This module covers: Probability: Inequalities and Entropy, Laws of Large Numbers, Normal Distribution, MGFs and Characteristic Functions, CLT, linear regression and least squares; Linear Algebra: Eigenvalues/Eigenvectors, PCA; Optimal Control: Value Functions and the Bellman Equation, Cross- Equation Restrictions.

Elective modules

After your required introductory modules, you will choose elective modules. In addition to the electives offered within the Business School as part of the MRes programme, you may elect to take a module from another department within Imperial, or at one of our partner institutions, subject to availability.

Advanced Topics in Organisational Behaviour

Applied Microeconometrics 1

Applied Microeconometrics 2

Asset Pricing Theory

Corporate Finance

Corporate Sustainability

Consumer Behaviour

Decision Making Under Uncertainty

Digital Marketing Analytics

Econometrics 1

Econometrics 2

Empirical Asset Pricing

Empirical Corporate Finance

Entrepreneurship

Financial Economics of Climate and Sustainability

Healthcare & Medical Analytics

Industrial Organisation

Innovation Management

Interdisciplinary Research

Logistics & Supply Chain Analytics

Machine Learning for Analytics

Machine Learning in Economic Analysis

Macroeconomics

Macro-Finance

Micro Development Economics

Microeconomics 2

Microeconomics 1

Optimisation

Optimisation & Decision Models

Organisational Behaviour

Organisational Theory

Qualitative Methods 1

Qualitative Methods 2

Quantitative Methods 1

Readings in Digital Business 

Readings in Social Networks: Social Capital

Retail & Marketing Analytics

Social Data Science

Social Network Analysis

Special Topics in Organisational Theory and Strategy

Stochastic Processes

Sustainable Behaviour

Topics in Empirical Banking

*These modules are available subject to capacity and timetabling constraints in other faculties and are differently weighted to the MRes Business electives

Research Project

You will develop your own research project, which is assessed via submission of a written thesis and an oral examination.

Year one compulsory modules for Economics and Public Policy pathway

Applied Microeconometrics  - This module will provide an introduction to the practice of applied microeconometrics. Students will learn the standard empirical methods in current use by applied researchers and be exposed to a handful of frontier approaches. The focus will be on implementation beyond simply estimating a parameter of interest: getting the standard errors right, validation and conducting appropriate robustness exercises, and adapting methods to fit new contexts.

Econometrics I  - The module has the objective to provide the students with econometric tools necessary to conduct their empirical research and discuss fundamentals of econometric theory behind them. Students will learn how to conduct - and how to critique - empirical studies in finance, economics and related fields.

Empirical Industrial Organisation - This module enables you to answer counterfactual economic questions based on structural modeling and estimation. 

Macroeconomics I -  The course will focus on building a strong foundation in macroeconomic theory, particularly in analysing dynamic optimization problems. These techniques will be applied to a wide range of models to deepen students' understanding of topics like business cycles, long run growth, unemployment, and inequality. 

Macroeconomics II  - This course covers research issues that arise in the intersection of macroeconomics and finance. Topics include portfolio choice, general equilibrium models with heterogeneous agents and dynamic asset pricing models.

Microeconomics I  - The module covers the main tools of microeconomic theory and focuses on preferences, consumer theory, choice under uncertainty, producer theory, and game theory. Time permitting, it introduces general equilibrium in competitive markets. The emphasis is on economic intuition as well as techniques. The fundamental concepts of microeconomic theory are discussed.

Microeconomics II  -   This module covers competitive equilibrium, markets with imperfect, competition and asymmetric information, general equilibrium, Social choice and mechanism design

Research Experience  – This module is intended to give students practical experience of research preparation for their dissertation the following year.  They will undertake research tasks under the supervision of a faculty member on a topic chosen by the faculty member.  Students can select those projects that fit their research interests.

Year one compulsory modules for Finance pathway

Applied Microeconometrics   - This module will provide an introduction to the practice of applied microeconometrics. Students will learn the standard empirical methods in current use by applied researchers and be exposed to a handful of frontier approaches. The focus will be on implementation beyond simply estimating a parameter of interest: getting the standard errors right, validation and conducting appropriate robustness exercises, and adapting methods to fit new contexts.

Econometrics I  - The module has the objective to provide the students with econometric tools necessary to conduct their empirical research and discuss fundamentals of econometric theory behind them. Students will learn how to conduct - and how to critique - empirical studies in finance, economics and related fields.

Macroeconomics I - The course will focus on building a strong foundation in macroeconomic theory, particularly in analysing dynamic optimization problems. These techniques will be applied to a wide range of models to deepen students' understanding of topics like business cycles, long run growth, unemployment, and inequality. 

Macroeconomics   II  - This course covers research issues that arise in the intersection of macroeconomics and finance. Topics include portfolio choice, general equilibrium models with heterogeneous agents and dynamic asset pricing models.

Microeconomics I  - The module covers the main tools of microeconomic theory and focuses on preferences, consumer theory, choice under uncertainty, producer theory, and game theory. Time permitting, it introduces general equilibrium in competitive markets. The emphasis is on economic intuition as well as techniques. The fundamental concepts of microeconomic theory are discussed.

Corporate Finance  - This module is taught in two parts, starting with a historical background, and then considering the theory of investment decisions, capital structure, financial innovation, and corporate governance.

Asset Pricing Theory  - The first part of this module deals with representative investors, portfolio choice and dynamic securities markets in discrete time before covering portfolio choice in continuous time and option pricing. The second part starts from the asset pricing implications of a general equilibrium Lucas-tree economy. Then, it discusses the main asset pricing puzzles implied by these economies. Finally, we will explore optimal portfolio choice, multiple trees economies and some of the latest attempts in the asset pricing literature to solve some of these puzzles.

Research Experience  - This module is intended to give students practical experience of research preparation for their dissertation the following year.  They will undertake research tasks under the supervision of a faculty member on a topic chosen by the faculty member.  Students can select those projects that fit their research interests.

Year one compulsory modules for Management and Entrepreneurship pathway

Introduction to the Practice of Research  - This module will introduce you to the craft of research. You will develop the skills and knowledge you need to effectively produce research questions and hypotheses, ensuring consistency between theory, research design, methods and measures, and developing a clear and compelling argument.

Qualitative Methods I  - This module covers research methods required in qualitative research. You will develop skills in all aspects of the research process, including research design, data collection, data analysis, theory building, writing up as well as reviewing papers and responding to referees. The module is essential for those who wish to author qualitative research but will also be useful for quantitative researchers.

Quantitative Methods I  - This module provides an overview of the primary quantitative methods employed in management research. It will enable you to develop the ability to interpret the results of your own research as well as to critically assess the findings presented in other studies. The emphasis will be on the practical application of different estimation models using STATA rather than on the econometrics and mathematical specification.

Organisational Behaviour  - In this module you will be introduced to a selection of most seminal papers in organisational behaviour with a particular focus on classic and contemporary theories, ongoing controversies, and ground-breaking empirical studies. The emphasis is on providing a foundational overview of the field.

Organisational Theory  - This module will expose you to the major theoretical perspectives and issues studied in organisation theory research. You will also be exposed to a set of approaches to understanding how and why organisations form, survive and grow.

Strategy  - In this module you will develop the fundamentals of strategy including the theories of competitive advantage, industry analysis, understanding of resource based view/knowledge based view, and corporate strategy.

Innovation Management  - This module will offer a thorough theoretical understanding of the key themes of innovation research, combined with practical insights into the challenges of innovation management in organisations. You will address topics ranging from technological change, creativity, the role of networks in innovation, and appropriability/value capture from innovation.

Entrepreneurship  - This module introduces students to the major theoretical threads and debates in the field of entrepreneurship. Students will learn to make connections between theory and empirical research, practice critiquing and identifying insight in research, engage with fundamental debates in the field and formulate directions how the field may be further advanced.

Elective modules for Economics and Public Policy pathway

Corporate Sustainability 

Machine Learning for Analytics, Marketing and Operations

Machine Learning in Economics Analysis

Qualitative Methods I

Qualitative Methods II

Stochastic Processes 

Topics in Environmental and Resource Economics

Topics in Health Economics

Topics in Household Finance

Elective modules for Finance pathway

Advanced Financial Statistics

Asset Allocation and Investment Strategies

Big Data in Finance I

Big Data in Finance II

Empirical Industrial Organisation

Innovation Management 

Macroeconomics 

Microeconomics I

Microeconomics II

Quantitative Methods I

Topics in Environmental and Resource Economics 

Elective modules for Management and Entrepreneurship pathway

Macroeconomics 1

Macroeconomics 2

Readings in Digital Business

Text Mining for Economics and Finance

During the second year, you will work on your MRes project which is formally assessed through project submission and an oral examination, and counts towards the overall MRes mark. You will submit your proposed Research Project title and a brief outline in early October of your second year followed by a progress report in early March, outlining your progress to date with the thesis. During the Summer term, students will submit their MRes dissertation. This will be followed by an oral exam.

Further specialist training

It is expected that you will undertake further training where you will delve deeper into your chosen field. Under the guidance of your supervisor, you will develop a training plan to identify which courses may be the most suitable for your training, whether at Imperial or externally. You will have the opportunity to give seminars on your research for constructive feedback and development.

Research plan 

When you begin the PhD you will choose a primary and secondary supervisor, based on your research interests. The supervisor-student relationship is the foundation for a successful doctoral thesis as your supervisor will help you develop your research question, identify research and teaching opportunities and support you through your studies and the academic job application process.

Early Stage Assessment 

The Early Stage Assessment (ESA) takes place in year one of the PhD and is assessed by a panel of faculty. The ESA outlines the research question, the work you have done to date and the future research activities to be carried out to complete the project. It comprises a written paper and a presentation to which all Doctoral students and research department faculty are invited. The purpose of the ESA is not only to assess your personal progress but it also gives you the opportunity to discuss your work at its early stages and get feedback and ideas from faculty to improve your research.

Armed with feedback from the Early Stage Assessment, you will work intensely on your thesis, focusing on the collection and analysis of empirical data and developing theoretical frameworks. Under the guidance of your supervisors, the thesis gives you the opportunity to conduct a substantial piece of original research. 

Seminars and conferences

Being part of the School’s inspirational research community is a crucial aspect of the doctoral experience – as is gaining familiarity with cutting-edge research from world-leading academics. Each department runs seminars where internal and external academics discuss their latest work. As well as providing insight into yet-to-be-published research, the seminars offer networking opportunities and visiting academics often lead special topic workshops for research students. The Doctoral programme also supports the participation of research students in international conferences where you can present your own research and participate in doctoral consortia.

Late stage review

The Late Stage Review takes place in year two of the PhD and follows the same principle as the Early Stage Assessment, in that its purpose is to assess your progress and provide you with feedback and advice on the direction and scope of your research.

Academic Job Market

You will also work on developing and polishing your Job Market Paper. You will have the opportunity to participate in workshops alongside support from your supervisors and faculty to help you be internationally competitive.

Our research areas

What our students say

“The programme structure is different from many other business schools because during the first year at Imperial we study the Master’s of Research (MRes), which is focused on developing strong foundations before continuing to the PhD programme. This also gives us additional time to discover opportunities and find the right paths for our research.”

Class profile 2023

75 students

48% female students

20 nationalities represented

Funding and scholarships

Request a brochure, career impact.

In recent years, our PhD students have joined leading universities, research centres and institutions such as Tsinghua University, University College London, Copenhagen Business School, the Bank of England, the University of Bath, King’s College London, National Chengchi University, the University of Sussex and Renmin University in China. Others have sought top positions in industry or founded successful start-ups.

The doctoral programme has been re-structured in recent years to focus more on academic development and it is anticipated that over the coming years placements will focus more on academia than industry.

Find out more about career outcomes

Meet your faculty

Our PhD programme provides close collaboration between leading Analytics & Operations faculty and doctoral students, developing your research interests and providing continuous support and guidance throughout the programme.  

Alexander Michaelides

Kalyan Talluri

Wolfram Wiesemann

Edward Anderson

Martin Haugh

Xiaocheng Li

Reza Skandari

Jiankun Sun

Carol Propper

Franco Sassi

Jonathan Haskel

Marisa Miraldo

Richard Green

Pedro Rosa Dias

Esther Bøler

Franklin Allen

Patrick Bolton

Ramana Nanda

Lara Cathcart

Enrico Biffis

Christopher Hansman

Clara Martinez-Toledano

Alan Hughes

Celia Moore

Markus Perkmann

Christopher Tucci

James Barlow

Ileana Stigliani

Mark Kennedy

James Eteen

Eduardo B. Andrade

Andreas Eisingerich

Rajesh Bhargave

Sven Mikolon

Michelle Rogan

Frequently asked questions, how long does it take to complete the doctoral programme.

The Doctoral programme is structured to take between four to six years full-time. In the first year, all students undertake a one or two year MRes programme depending on their chosen research area specialism. Subject to satisfactory academic progress, students then progress to the PhD which takes between 3-4 years.

When does the academic year start?

The Doctoral programme has one intake each year in September and is spread over four to six years.

Do you offer any distance learning or part-time research programmes?

It is not possible to enrol on the Doctoral programme on a part-time or distance learning basis. Students must be in attendance throughout the full period of study.

Can I transfer from my current Doctoral programme to Imperial College Business School's Doctoral programme?

It is not usually possible to transfer onto the Doctoral programme as it is unlikely that previous studies would perfectly overlap with the School’s expertise.

Can I come to Imperial College Business School as a visiting student?

Please visit Imperial College London's visiting students page .

Can I have a part-time job whilst enrolled in the programme?

The Doctoral programme is full time. Students are able to undertake part-time work if this does not break any relevant visa and/or scholarship conditions, however the programme offers a living stipend to support students during their studies.

How many students do you accept onto the Doctoral programme every year?

Admission onto the Doctoral programme is highly competitive as we accept around 15 students each year, from a total of approximately 200 applications.

Is there a workspace assigned to Doctoral students?

There is a designated workspace which includes a computer and relevant software assigned to all enrolled Doctoral students. You will share working space with other PhD students in your cohort.

How do I apply and what documents do I need to submit with my application?

All applications to the Doctoral programme are made via our online platform. You will either need to select 'Business (MRes 1YFT)' or 'Business (MRes 2YFT)' based on your research area of interest. Further information can be found on our  Doctoral programme page.

Please refer to the  How to apply page  to see application deadlines, what documents you are required to submit with your application and to view the selection process.

When is the application deadline?

To find out more about application deadlines for our Doctoral programme please  visit the How to apply page .

What do I need to include in my statement of purpose?

One of the most important parts of our application form is the ‘statement of purpose’ section. It should be no more than one or two A4 pages and should cover the following points:

Your motivation for undertaking the programme

A discussion of possible research areas that you might pursue and how these are a good fit for Imperial College Business School

What interests you most about your chosen field of study

Relevant past study, industry, or research projects

Long-term career goals

I haven't decided what area I want to specialise in for my PhD, what should I do?

You should browse the description of the different research groups in the Business School and the webpages of faculty members. This will give an overview of their research interests and current projects. The MRes gives you an opportunity to pursue potential interests through courses and a project prior to committing to the PhD

Do I need a willing supervisor prior to application?

No, although in your application you should list a member of  faculty  you have identified as a potential supervisor. You can demonstrate in your statement of purpose how your research interests are aligned to a potential supervisor and the Business School.

Checking the research profiles of faculty members and Business School projects will give you an indication of whether the Business School is a good fit for you. If no faculty are working in your area of interest it is unlikely that you would be shortlisted, as we may not be able to provide supervisory support during your PhD.

During the MRes year, you will become part of the research community at Imperial College Business School and interact with faculty and other PhD students during taught courses and at seminars, which we hope will influence and help shape your research ideas for the PhD.

Are all applicants interviewed?

Not all applications progress to the interview stage of the selection process, however we interview all shortlisted candidates before making an offer. In the case of overseas candidates we will arrange an interview by telephone or via Skype.

Is GMAT/GRE a compulsory requirement?

Yes. A GMAT/GRE score must be submitted before we will consider an application. Any applications submitted without a GMAT/GRE score will be considered incomplete until we receive a score. Please note that we do not make offers on the condition that a candidate achieves a satisfactory GMAT/GRE score. To see the GMAT/GRE scores we look for, please refer to the  Entry Requirements page .

Do you offer Doctoral funding and stipend?

We offer a fully funded Doctoral programme at Imperial College Business School – this includes a tuition fee waiver and a stipend for up to five years. The 2024-25 rate of the Graduate Teaching Assistant scholarship stipend is £25,000. Rates are reviewed annually and are expected to increase for 2025-26 in line with Research Council UK rates. Stipends are tax-free and the continuation of the stipend will depend on your satisfactory progress on the programme.

What living costs should I allow for in London?

Living costs vary considerably depending on the area of London you choose to live in and your choice of accommodation.

Read more about  estimated London living costs  and  accommodation for postgraduates .

Do you offer Doctoral scholarships?

Within Imperial, we also have funding opportunities from various external studentships, including EPSRC, ESRC, and the Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarships .

Students who are eligible for other PhD  funding opportunities  that may be available to them are expected to apply for them.

Explore more

Sign up to our newsletter.

Keep up to date about news, events, and application deadlines for our PhD programme by joining our mailing list.

Attend an event

Wherever you are in the world, our Recruitment team holds events where you can meet staff and students, and get your questions answered. 

Start your journey

Study your doctoral programme at a global top 10 university offering world-class faculty, leadership coaching, global business experience, industry connections, specialist careers support and an exciting London location. 

• Postgraduate
• PhDs and doctorates

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Find a course
• Accessibility

Postgraduate course

A PhD is your research, your questions and your passion. Immerse yourself in your chosen specialism and conduct high quality academic research, on campus or by distance learning.

Our PhD course lets you plan, design, and conduct research in an area that interests you. Your supervisory team will support you as you evaluate the latest research findings and produce your own thesis. If you know the area you want to specialise in, this course can help you become an expert in the field. A PhD will improve your career prospects and allow you to continue the pursuit of your intellectual interests.

Course location York campus, London campus or by distance learning

• Duration – 2 to 4 years full time, 3 to 7 years part time
• Start date – February 2025, June 2025, October 2024

Minimum entry requirements

2:1 degree in a related subject

Master's qualification

Tuition fees

UK 2024-25 £4,786 full time --> full time

International 2024-25 £14,000 full time --> full time

Please note that we are currently at capacity for processing international applications for postgraduate research courses. Applications are currently closed for our October 2025 intake. Please check this page again soon for further updates.

Course overview

Your PhD will be challenging, rewarding and will lead you to the highest educational qualification. Your research will be an original contribution to knowledge and have the potential to alter current policies, approaches or practices in the subject area.

You will collaborate with a supervisory team that has been carefully selected for you and be part of an exceptional research community of postgraduate researchers.

When you choose to study with us, you will gain plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional skills. These could include:

• Gaining teaching experience
• Presenting your research at conferences and events
• Engaging with further training
• Working with the community

Professional development and training

During your PhD, you will discuss additional training needs with your supervisory team. Your supervisors will help you identify your strengths and highlight areas for development.

The university delivers a blended training programme that will help you to develop your research and professional skills, enhance your CV and your employability.

Distance learning

Our PhD is also available by distance learning. Studying by distance learning will enable candidates to work remotely and engage with their supervisor through online meetings.

The PhD by distance learning is available to study full time or part time. Fees, assessment requirements and milestones are the same as PhDs on campus, and so are the expectations of time commitment and supervisory meetings.

Course structure

How you will study.

Your PhD will consist of 3 stages where you will:

• Produce a literature review of current research in your field
• Pose a set of novel questions that advance knowledge in your area
• Conduct your research and analyse your results
• Produce and submit your thesis
• Attend a viva voce (oral examination)

At this stage you will conduct the research. You will be expected to obtain ethical approval, collect your data and analyse your results, organising your work into coherent chapters for your thesis. You can present your research at conferences during this time and submit your work for publication. You will have a formal annual review to ensure your project is progressing.

At this stage you will be expected to collect your data and analyse your results, organising your work into coherent chapters for your thesis. You can present your research at conferences during this time and submit your work for publication. You will have a formal annual review to ensure your project is progressing.

Your final stage is where you will focus on writing and completing your thesis. You will have a final formal review alongside your regular supervisor meetings. At the end of your final phase, you will submit your thesis and undertake your viva voce. During this oral examination you will discuss and critically defend your thesis. An independent chair and examiners will be present to assess your research and findings.

Distance learning supervision

Supervision for a PhD by distance learning should take place regularly through online methods, for example Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

The commitment statement agreed when you apply for the PhD by distance learning should set out expectations for the frequency and mode of contact for supervision. The statement will also detail any face to face contact expectations and arrangements for written research reports.

Distance learning attendance and resources

When studying a PhD by distance learning, you will not normally be required to attend the University in person, except induction and oral examinations where attendance is expected. Exceptions to attending in person may be requested if you are not able to do so. 

During the PhD you will be expected to demonstrate attendance through participating in designated academic engagements, including supervisory sessions.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications.

2:1 degree in a related subject See full entry requirements including GCSEs

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.5 (with no skill below 6.0) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

Applying for PhD by distance learning

Alongside the standard PhD entry requirements, you will also need to demonstrate that you can study successfully remotely. This includes:

• Showing that you can conduct your research with the resources available at your study site.
• Showing that you have access to appropriate IT facilities.
• Showing that you have the time, commitment and attitude to study successfully off-campus.
• Showing that you have access to support for study-related disabilities, if appropriate.

You will need to agree a commitment statement to confirm these requirements before you enrol.

Fees and funding

Uk 2024 - 2025.

The tuition fee for this PhD in the 2024 academic year course is £4,786 for full time UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

For UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man candidates studying part time, the tuition fee for this PhD course in the 2024 - 2025 academic year is £2,393 per year.

The total, capped amount for completing your PhD is £14,358.

Doctoral loans are available to help you pay for your course. Find out more about UK Government Doctoral loans .

More information about funding your PhD is available on our Funding your research degree page.

International 2024 - 2025

The tuition fee for this PhD course is £14,000 per year in the 2024 academic year for full time international candidates.

For international candidates on a part time course, the tuition fee for this PhD course in the 2024 - 2025 academic year is £7,000 per year.

More information about funding your PhD is available on our International Fees and Funding page.

International Visa and Immigration

UK 2024-25 £4,786 full time --> full time

Additional costs

Depending upon the nature of your research project, a bench fee might be applied as a separate cost to your tuition fee. Bench fees are normally incurred for laboratory consumables and other significant project costs and any goods will remain under the property of the University.

If you have any queries regarding bench fees, please speak to your potential supervisor during the application process.

Any bench fees will be included in your offer letter and if you accept, the charge will be in addition to your tuition fees.

Contact us to discuss your research proposal

If you know what subject you want to research or you just want to find out more, contacting a School Postgraduate Research Leads is a great first step.

Our School Postgraduate Research Leads are the right people to talk to if you want to study a research degree. They can put you in contact with an academic who is researching a similar subject, and who could be your research supervisor during your course.

School Postgraduate Research Leads

School Postgraduate Research Lead : Claire Hind - [email protected]

Contact Claire if you are interested in subjects relating to:

• Drama and theatre
• Music performance and production
• Fine art, illustration and photography
• Media production
• Visual communication

School Postgraduate Research Lead: Dr Scott Cole -  [email protected]

Contact Scott if you are interested in subjects relating to:

• Language and linguistics
• Children, young people and families
• Teaching and education
• Psychology and mental health

School Postgraduate Research Lead:  Robert Edgar -  [email protected]  

Contact Robert if you are interested in subjects relating to:

• History and American studies
• Politics and international relations
• Religion, theology, philosophy and ethics
• English literature and media studies

School Postgraduate Research Lead:  Adam Odell -  [email protected]  

Contact Adam if you are interested in subjects relating to:

• Maths and data science
• Computer science
• Biomedical science
• Sport and exercise science
• Health sciences

School Postgraduate Research Lead: Rosie Binfield-Smith - [email protected]

Contact Rosie if you are interested in subjects relating to:

• Business and management
• Sociology, criminology and policing
• Accounting, economics and finance
• Tourism, hospitality and events

School Postgraduate Research Lead:

Ghulam Mujtaba - [email protected]

Contact Ghulam if you are interested in subjects relating to:

• Management, Business Management and International Business
• Management Studies Research
• Public Health and Global Healthcare Management
• Digital Marketing
• Project Management
• Computer and Data Science

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Doctor of Philosophy

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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 masters 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 (see Part-time study).

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 masters 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 completion of your research within the normal time limit and to address any structural problems that have arisen during the first year. The progress examination/assessment at the end of year one is a substantial academic hurdle and continuation to the PhD is not automatic.

During your PhD, your effort will be focused on writing a dissertation of up to 80,000 words. 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. Many Cambridge dissertations go on to form the basis of significant publications.

Although you will spend long hours working independently, your department and college will support you in different ways. You are also able to attend regular seminars in your subject area, might be involved in teaching, perhaps giving seminars or supervising, and can play an integral part in the social life of your department and College.

Courses offering a Doctor of Philosophy

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PhD by Distance

Our PhD by Distance programme allows you to benefit from our world-class support and the expertise of a Reading-based supervisor, while conducting your research in a location that suits your circumstances. 

The programme is available to candidates who need to study for most of their registration period at another site, whether in the UK, or worldwide. Acceptance for PhD by Distance is subject to the approval of the supervisors and the relevant school or department.

There are several reasons why you may wish to base yourself away from the University of Reading while undertaking your PhD:

• You have an extensive fieldwork element to your research
• You have responsibilities (e.g. caring or employment) that prevent you from attending on campus
• You are already based and/or employed in an environment that is relevant and conducive to their research
• You do not reside within travelling distance of the University
• You are based in a UK research organisation/institution with a collaborative agreement with the University of Reading in place  

What the programme offers

On the PhD by Distance programme, you will benefit from:

• the opportunity to study on  either a part-time (4-6 years duration) or full-time basis (3-4 years duration)
• supervision from one or more leading University of Reading academics, working at the forefront of their field
• access to a range of high-quality training, delivered on campus or online (see section below on Training)
• access to extensive online Library resources
• a PhD qualification which is delivered and examined at the same high academic standard as a campus-based PhD and a standard PhD degree certificate which does not state the mode of study on it.

Training for PhD by Distance students

The doctoral and researcher college provides a suite of generic researcher training open to all doctoral researchers at reading; this complements subject-specific training available via schools. the specific content of the programme changes from year to year but broadly includes the following: .

• Live online training (available off-campus) – A selection of our training sessions in the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP) are delivered live online each year. UK time zone applies
• Recorded tutorials (available off-campus) – A small but growing selection of recorded tutorials on key topics such as managing data, academic English and research funding 
• Face-to-face training (available on campus only) - Other RRDP training sessions and selected longer programmes are offered face-to-face only. Students registered By Distance have access to face-to-face training when physically present on campus.     

By Distance study entails reduced access to training opportunities and on-campus experience. By Distance candidates are encouraged to discuss and mutually agree overall training plans with their supervisor and seek supplementary training external to Reading (e.g. via an employer or nearby institution) as appropriate.

Induction and physical attendance

A University-wide induction event is held by the Doctoral and Researcher College near the start of each term for all new doctoral researchers. PhD by Distance students studying at Reading in the first term are expected to attend. Where it is not possible for PhD by Distance students to attend in person (i.e. they are not on campus), a recording of the induction will be made available on the virtual learning environment.

Students registered By Distance will benefit from being physically present on campus for periods of time, for instance to attend induction and selected training, to meet their supervisor and peers, and to attend at key points such as Confirmation of Registration. It is strongly recommended that the first month of their programme be spent on campus. 

Eligibility

You must meet the following criteria:

• Satisfy the academic and English language entry requirements for PhD study
• The candidate has a research project which can be undertaken successfully by distance; regular access to campus should not be essential for successful completion of the research
• The candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have the time to undertake a PhD on the selected mode (full-time or part-time). Part-time doctoral study at Reading typically equates to between 50% and 60% of full-time
• The candidate has independent access to the resources needed to successfully complete their research; this will vary between candidates and projects but may include access to archives, facilities, data collection, digital infrastructure or space in their off-campus location
• The candidate is well motivated to work alone; they understand that By Distance registration is not an online learning programme and has reduced access to campus training
• The candidate and School/Department have discussed the suitability of their research project and personal circumstances for study by distance
• The candidate, where appropriate, has access to support from a local supervisor or mentor with experience in the academic field and also of supporting students or equivalent researchers. Advisors/mentors may be appointed to provide a regular point of contact, and are normally in a position to act as an ‘advocate’ and provide pastoral care if needed.
• Will study at least two-thirds of your minimum registration period off campus   

If you are intending to study in the Henley Business School, then please check with the  relevant Department within the Business School  about whether PhD by Distance is available before you apply.

A PhD by Distance is not suitable for all candidates. In offering a PhD By Distance programme specific consideration is given to the suitability of the research project, and whether it can be completed successfully without regular access to campus. Further consideration is given to areas of supervision, support, transferable and subject-specific skills training, research environment , progression milestones and the examination process in order to ensure off campus research students receive a comparable (although, not similar) experience to on campus students registered on ‘standard’ PhD programmes.

Fees for PhD by Distance programmes can be found on the fees webpage

• How to apply

Before starting your application, you are strongly advised to  navigate to the PhD webpages of your chosen school or department  to read the specific guidance on how to apply, as the requirements can vary. Once you have read the guidance, you will need to make a formal application through the University's  online application system , highlighting that you wish to study for a PhD by Distance (full or part-time). If you have questions about PhD by Distance in a specific school or department, then please contact the relevant School/Department PGR Administrator in the  School PGR Support Team . 

Immigration considerations for international students

PhD by Distance students must ensure that when visiting the University that they obtain the correct visa. The correct type of visa depends upon the period of time which a student intends to spend physically at the University.

PhD by Distance students can visit the University for up to six months within each academic year with a maximum of eighteen months in total for the duration of their programme. Students must discuss their intentions with the Doctoral Research Office (DRO) well in advance of any planned visit to the University. The DRO is well-placed to provide information on a range of immigration-related matters related to Postgraduate Research Programmes [email protected]

Examination

The normal expectation is that the viva of a PhD by Distance student will take place in Reading. Where this is not feasible, online examinations will be arranged.

Further information

Further information on PhD by Distance study can be found in the University's guidance on PhD by Distance .

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Course type

Qualification, university name.

• Distance learning PhD

278 degrees at 23 universities in the UK.

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Related subjects:

• PhD Agriculture, Animal Care, and Veterinary Science
• PhD Archaeology
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• PhD Biology and Life Sciences
• PhD Building, Planning and Construction Management
• PhD Communications and Media
• PhD Computer Science and Information Technology
• PhD Creative Arts and Design and Illustration
• PhD Economics
• PhD Education
• PhD Electronic and Electrical Engineering
• PhD Engineering
• PhD English Literature
• PhD Environmental Health and Safety, Protection and Conservation
• PhD Financial Management and Accounting
• PhD Food Science and Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics
• PhD Gallery, Conservation and Museum Studies and Museology
• PhD Geography and Earth Sciences
• PhD Health Care Management and Health Studies
• PhD History
• PhD Humanities and Social Sciences
• PhD Industry, Logistics, Manufacturing and Production
• PhD Journalism and Publishing
• PhD Languages
• PhD Law and Legal studies
• PhD Leisure, Hospitality Management and Event Management
• PhD Linguistic Studies
• PhD Literature
• PhD Management, Business and HR
• PhD Marketing and PR
• PhD Mathematics
• PhD Music Technology and Production and Sound Engineering
• PhD Nursing and Midwifery
• PhD Other Sciences and Research
• PhD Performing and Dramatic Arts, Acting and Music Studies
• PhD Philosophy
• PhD Physics
• PhD Physiotherapy and other Therapies
• PhD Psychology
• PhD Religious Studies and Theology
• PhD Social Work, Community Work and Counselling Skills
• PhD Sports and Recreation
• PhD Surgery, Medicine and Dentistry
• PhD Teaching and Training
• PhD Transport Services and Aviation

• Course title (A-Z)
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• Price: low - high

Museum Studies PhD - Museums: Experience and Affect

University of leicester.

Museum Studies at Leicester offers supervision for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time This degree is available to study Read more...

• 6 years Distance without attendance degree: £6,300 per year (UK)
• 3 years Full time degree: £6,300 per year (UK)

Applied Linguistics with English Language Teaching PhD

University of nottingham.

Applied linguistics offers a fascinating opportunity to study the interaction between language and the real world. You will be supervised Read more...

• 48 months Distance without attendance degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
• 96 months Distance without attendance degree
• 48 months Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
• 96 months Part time degree

Architecture PhD

London south bank university.

Research in the area of architecture is carried out by specialist centres. The majority of academic staff belong to one or more of these Read more...

• 6 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,820 per year (UK)
• 3 years Full time degree: £4,820 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,892 per year (UK)

Economics, Accounting or Finance PhD

Oxford brookes university.

Economics is a broad discipline that helps us understand historical trends by studying the past, interpret today’s major challenges and Read more...

• 3 years Distance without attendance degree
• 4 years Distance without attendance degree
• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD Computing and Mathematics

University of wolverhampton.

PhD students at the School of Mathematics and Computer Science are supervised by academics who are leading experts in their particular Read more...

• 4 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 4 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 8 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Operational Research & Logistics PhDs and MPhils (Distance Learning)

University of portsmouth.

If you're ready to take your existing qualifications and expertise in Operational Research and Logistics into a postgraduate research Read more...

• 6 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,393 per year (UK)
• 3 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

PhD in Film Media and Screen Studies

Manchester metropolitan university.

Discover your research degree study options, including areas of expertise for our academic supervisors. Our research degrees will help you Read more...

• 6 years Distance without attendance degree
• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree

PhD English Language and Applied Linguistics (Distance Learning)

University of birmingham.

Carry out your research with one of the UK’s leading English Language departments, renowned for its expertise in Corpus Research, Cognitive Read more...

• 4 years Distance without attendance degree: £12,330 per year (UK)

Applied Linguistics, PhD / PhD Distance Learning

Swansea university.

A PhD or MPhil in Applied Linguistics enables you to undertake a substantial project led by your own passions and interests. The PhD Read more...

• 7 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,356 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Museum Studies PhD - Cultural Heritage and Cultural Practice

Religious studies (distance learning) phd.

Our PhD gives you the time and support to explore your religious studies interests while maintaining your existing commitments. We have Read more...

• 3 years Distance without attendance degree: £5,100 per year (UK)

Education PhD

As a research student you'll become part of our thriving academic community. Explore the staff, facilities and more at the Centre for Read more...

Business and Management PhD

Business and Management is a broad disciplinary cluster which includes sub-disciplines such as Organisational Behaviour, Leadership, Read more...

• 3 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 4 years Distance without attendance degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD Postgraduate research in Media and Communications

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a research degree with the Faculty of Arts. We will be delighted to discuss your area of interest Read more...

• 4 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,786 per year (UK)

Dental, Health and Care Professions PhD (Distance Learning)

If you're looking to take your skills into postgraduate research, our research degree programmes can help you achieve your ambitions. Our Read more...

PhD in Art, Design and Architecture

Film studies phd (on-campus or by distance learning).

Research degrees in Film Studies at Birmingham are supervised by faculty in the Department of Film and Creative Writing and in the Read more...

Civil Engineering - Distance Learning, PhD

The PhD Civil Engineering - Distance Learning is subject to the same University regulations as the standard PhD programme, except that all Read more...

• 1 year Distance without attendance degree: £4,800 per year (UK)

Museum Studies PhD - Art and Its Institutions: Histories and Practices

Theology (distance learning) phd.

Our distance learning PhD gives you the time and support to explore your theological interests while maintaining your existing Read more...

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• University of Sunderland
• Birmingham City University
• University of York
• Institute of English Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
• Birmingham School of Acting
• University of London Worldwide
• Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
• University of Bristol
• Institute of Historical Research, School of Advanced Study, University of London

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Professional doctorates

Transform your professional practice into a research degree

Find out how you could study for a Professional Doctorate – also known as a 'while-you-work doctorate' – at Portsmouth 

What is a professional doctorate?

Sometimes known as a 'while-you-work doctorate', Professional Doctorates are internationally-recognised qualifications, designed for working professionals in the private and public sectors with an active interest in work-based research.

Unlike a PhD, a professional doctorate is not a pathway towards a career in academia, but an opportunity to combine your professional practice with a research degree. That means you'll complete your doctorate – conducting research relating to your current organisation, and gaining the highest level of skills and knowledge – while continuing your career.

Professional Doctorates involve both text-based study and action research. They're assessed through coursework and a final assessment in the form of a doctoral level, research-based thesis, which also includes a viva voce (oral defence).

See our professional doctorates

Explore our full list of available professional doctorates here.

• Doctorate in Biomedical Science (DBMS)
• Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctorate in Criminal Justice Studies (DCrimJ)
• Doctorate in Education (EdD)
• Doctorate in Health Science (DHealthSci)
• Doctorate in Medical Imaging (DMedImg)
• Doctorate in Nursing (DNursing)
• Doctorate in Pharmacy (DPharm)
• Doctorate in Security Risk Management (DSyRM)
• Doctorate in Social Work (DSW)
• Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology

Fees and funding

The cost of our professional doctorates can be found on the individual doctorate pages – click the course you'd like to study from the list above to see the full-time and part-time costs, for UK, EU and international students.

And to explore the ways in which you can fund your professional doctorate, visit our page on funding your research degree .

How to apply

Before you contact us about any of our professional doctorate courses, you'll need to have the following documentation ready:

• A personal statement
• An outline of the research topic
• Proof of your first degree and grades (officially certified and translated copies if not in English)
• Details of 2 referees or 2 references on official headed paper, one of which should be an academic reference
• Proof of your English language proficiency (if English is not your first language)
• An up-to-date copy of your CV

You can then apply for our Professional Doctorates directly from their respective course pages – choose the relevant course from the list above to start.

History PhD / MA

Ranking 8th in UK in REF 2021 for History Ranking details

Delivery format In person, Online

Start date Flexible – September or January encouraged

Duration Full time: PhD – 3 years, MA by Research – 1 year

Award Doctorate / Master of Arts

Entry requirements Merit in a Masters degree Full requirements

Fees £4,921 (full-time), £2,461 (part-time) Fee details

Page contents

Course overview.

Delve into British, European and world history from c.500 to the present day. Shape the future of historical research when you join our Department of History.

When you're ready, return to this page and begin your application by clicking APPLY NOW

Career opportunities

The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits [The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report].

Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.

Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.

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Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Student experience

At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

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• Postgraduate research degrees
• Funding and studentships
• Funded PhD programmes 2024 UK

Funded PhD research programmes 2025 UK

The University of Brighton invites applicants for PhD study across all its disciplines, and highlights regular opportunities to develop applications for full-funding or partial funding.

These opportunities allow motivated, high-calibre applicants for research degrees to join our thriving academic community and contribute to our rich and innovative research environment. 

Our funding pages publicise any funding offered directly from the university, partnership funds to which we can help students apply, and other financial help that can allow students to study at doctoral level. Our processes often allow us to support promising candidates for applications to external funders and, if unsuccessful, we welcome self-funded applicants to programmes .

Please visit our PhD funding advice page  for current offers or see below for further general advice about applying for a funded PhD in the UK. 

Visit our PhD disciplinary programme lists

Current funding opportunities for study at the University of Brighton, UK

The University of Brighton is proud to be a partner in five Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTP) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT), and  funding opportunities are currently available through two of them for doctoral, PhD degree study starting in autumn 2025. 

South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership

The ESRC-funded DTP aims to develop the next generation of research leaders in social science in academia, government, business and civil society.

Techne Doctoral Training Partnership

This AHRC-funded DTP draws together traditional scholarship, history, theory and practice across seven universities, with collaboration from world-leading partners.

University of Brighton funding opportunities

On this page we post all funding opportunities available through the University of Brighton, its partners and networks. 

Applying for PhD study

Depending on the discipline area, applicants for postgraduate research study may be:

• applying to work on specific, defined research projects
• applying to work with an academic department or individual with specific interests
• or applying with a self-identified research topic proposal.

When available, studentships are open to home and international students and will be given to candidates who best fulfil the promise outlined by these academic departments.

When funding schemes are open, the application will usually involve: 

• approaching and securing the assistance of a relevant member of the University of Brighton's academic staff
• submitting a full application through the university's PhD application portal; you will upload your research proposal as part of this process.
• The submission will typically require two references, academic qualifications, a proposed project approach and a personal statement.

Please note, funding schemes are only open at specific times of year. Applications for funding outside of these timeframes will not be considered. See our  PhD funding opportunities page  for details of any current funding calls.

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can watch the video on YouTube .

Can you be a researcher? Professor Bhavik Patel reassures applicants of all backgrounds that they can study for a PhD and aim for a research career. 

What does PhD funding include?

The funding for the PhD usually covers the full fee and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus an allowance of £1,500 per year for researcher training for three years (or part-time equivalent). 

Successful candidates benefit from expert supervisory teams, a programme of postgraduate researcher development workshops and membership of specialist, interdisciplinary research centres and groups. There will be introductions to a network of relevant researchers, careers advice and opportunities for interaction within and beyond the university. Through this, our PhD students have the best start possible towards ambitious careers that make use of their research degrees.

The University of Brighton fosters research careers and will provide doctoral training, attentive and expert supervision and access to world-class laboratories and equipment. 

We are renowned as a leading applied university, with pioneer academics in disciplines from sport science to design history and applied science research that translates efficiently to the global challenge of worldwide health and wellbeing. Our strategy of 'practical wisdom' leads to real-world partnerships and beneficiaries across all disciplines while the development of community-university partnership practices have placed us among the best universities for many aspects of co-produced research and innovation.

We pride ourselves on the ways we work in partnership with those outside higher education, across the European Union and internationally. Through our research collaborations we work with a wide range of universities, both internationally and with universities in the UK. We are also founding members of two UKRI Doctoral Training Partnerships which, this year, are dealt with outside our University of Brighton studentship offer. We learn constantly from our involvement in these, and our rich resources are offered across all doctoral research programmes.

Recently the University of Brighton celebrated its performance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) and the Knowledge and Exchange Framework (KEF2023). Over 87 per cent of our submitted impact case studies in REF2021 were rated as having 'outstanding' or 'very considerable' impact beyond academia. We are dedicated to developing this quality work with new students. Read more about the review of our research and knowledge exchange performance in REF2021 . Also, read more about our KEF2023 results, which placed Brighton in the top tier for economic and social benefits .

How will you build a relationship with your supervisor? Professor Annebella Pollen and Dr Tom Ainsworth are among those offering advice. This film was made by the University of Brighton for UKRI and also features academics from other institutions.

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

You must be able to show your suitability for a UK research degree if you wish to apply for fully-funded studentships.

This includes evidence either of a relevant and successful academic background or equivalent relevant professional/expert background in the applied subject area. Applicants from overseas will also have to fulfil any English language and visa requirements.

This will be true for studentships in the UK across most of the UK universities. It is usual for applicants either to have completed (or be about to complete) a masters degree, have an exceptional undergraduate record and references, or demonstrate the equivalent scholarly potential.  

Supervisory staff and research students at the University of Brighton consider how important diverse thinking and inclusive practice are to their doctoral studies.

Can I get PhD funding at the University of Brighton?

We have a long-standing annual programme of funded PhD opportunities across all our disciplines, including several rooted in research council (UKRI) partnerships .

The initiatives allow postgraduate study for UK-based students as well as study in the UK for international students (depending on the PhD programme). 

We are also keen to encourage students who might be able to self-fund their doctoral studies. Studying part-time, for example, is likely to prove more affordable and more easily balanced with professional life than you'd imagine. 

We are dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere and structure for your studies. Show us your own qualities and your suitability for programmes as they become available and we will look forward to receiving your application. 

Please visit our  PhD funding advice page  for current offers or see below for further general advice about applying for a funded PhD in the UK. 

Insitutions and funding bodies for PhD study

On the Funding pages of our website we post advice as to the regular and specific funding opportunities available through the University of Brighton, its partners and networks. 

These include  Doctoral Training Partnership  and University of Brighton PhD studentship calls,  individual studentship projects , University of Brighton  international research scholarships  and our  alumni scholarships  for current and past students. 

We also include below some of the major funding options for international students wanting to do a PhD with us, each of which may support all or part of your studies.

Worldwide international funding schemes for PhD research

The british council.

The British Council offers a search engine for UK courses, institutions (including the University of Brighton) and scholarships.

Find out more about scholarships and funding through The British Council.

The Gen Foundation

The Gen Foundation considers applicants living in all countries. It is a charitable trust which principally provides grants to students/researchers in natural sciences, in particular food sciences/technology.

Find out more about grants to students and researchers from The Gen Foundation .

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender. Our multifaceted development approach aims to help communities and individuals become self-reliant.

Find out more about research funding through the Aga Khan development network .

The Open Society Foundations

The Open Society Foundations are active in more than 120 countries around the world, using grant-giving, research, advocacy, impact investment, and strategic litigation to support the growth of inclusive and vibrant democracies. The four main themes of the Open Society Foundations are climate justice, equity, expression, and justice and they will award grants and fellowships throughout the year to organisations and individuals who share those values. The Open Society Foundations look for grantees who have a vision and whose efforts will lead to lasting social change.

Find out more about postgraduate funding through The Open Society Foundations .

International Education and Financial Aid

The International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA) provides students from all over the world comprehensive information on financial aid for studying abroad. Using the IEFA website, you can easily search the IEFA database for scholarships, grants, loan programs, and other options available to help finance your international education.

Find out more about international PhD research funding through the IEFA .

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds 

The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) awards PhD fellowships of two to three-and-a-half years to outstanding junior scientists worldwide who wish to pursue an ambitious PhD project in basic biomedical research in an internationally leading laboratory.

Find out more about the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds fellowships .

Resource sites for international PhD research funding

Internationalstudent.com.

InternationalStudent.com is a leading online resource for international students around the world providing advice pages for studying in the USA, UK and Australia for international students, plus a dedicated study abroad center for US students who want to travel abroad.

Find out more about international study through InternationalStudent.com .

ScholarshipTab

ScholarshipTab is an online portal that connects international students to available scholarship opportunities round the world.

Find out more about the Scholarship Tab resource .

International Education and Financial Aid (IEFA)

The IEFA provides students from all over the world comprehensive information on financial aid for studying abroad. Search the IEFA database for scholarships, grants, loan programs, and other options available to help finance your international education.

Find out more from the International Education and Financial Aid website .

The European Funding Guide 

Scholarships and grants for students from the European Union

Find out more through the European Funding Guide  

The Americas: Postgraduate doctorate funding from institutions and bodies to study in the UK

• Marshall Scholarship:  Provides for United States students to study abroad.
• Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship provides for United States students to study abroad.
• American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
• Global Affairs Canada International Scholarships Program
• Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund
• Canada's Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
• The Bolsas Lideres Estudar Program provides for Brazilian students studying in the UK .

Asia: Postgraduate doctorate funding from Asian institutions and bodies to study in the UK

The Charles Wallace Bangladesh Trust

The Charles Wallace Burma Trust

China and Hong Kong

Great Britain – China Educational Trust is a charity that promotes mutual understanding between the UK and China and aims to build long-term connections between the two countries. It delivers awards contributing towards university tuition fees and living expenses for Chinese nationality students studying for a PhD in any subject at a UK university.

Great Britain China Centre Chinese Student Awards  offers scholarships of up to £3,000 for citizens of China and Hong Kong studying for a PhD in any subject at a UK university

The Hong Kong People Association (HKPA)  aims to provide financial aids for further university education to students from Hong Kong who are not able to afford international tuition fees. 

The Charles Wallace India Trust  offers PhD funding for study in the arts, heritage conservation or the humanities.

The Inlaks India Foundation

The JN Tata Endowment award funds 90 to 100 scholars across disciplines ranging from the sciences to management, law and commerce and the fine arts.

The KC Mahindra Education Trust

The Persia Educational Foundation Abdolreza Ansari Scholarship   is designed to support the education of students of Iranian descent enrolled in a Master or Doctorate programme in human rights or public service in the UK.

Momeni Iranian Financial Assistance Scholarships  offer partial funding scholarships for international students of Iranian descent towards a PhD in any subject.

The Kenneth Lindsay Scholarship Trust

The Anglo-Jewish Association (AJA)  provides funding for Jewish students to study a Masters or PhD in the UK.

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies  funds students of macroeconomics with a view to them working at the International Monetary Fund.

The Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan . The HEC offers government scholarships for Pakistani students to study abroad in various countries, including the UK.

Saudi Arabia

The Cultural Bureau of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (SACB)  offers scope for full tuition fees and supporting fees for PhD level study.

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

The Thai Office of Educational Affairs 

Europe: Postgraduate doctorate funding from European institutions and bodies to study in the UK

The European Funding Guide  - Scholarships and grants in the EU.

France -  Entente Cordiale scholarships for postgraduate studies  provide funding to help students enrolling for a Masters or a PhD qualification in the UK or in France.

Italy -  Il Circolo Italian Cultural Association is a UK-registered charity based in London with the mission to support deserving students with awards and scholarships.

Norway - Lanekassen  - The Norwegian student loans and grants awarding body supports Norwegian students studying overseas.

Scandinavia - Fundraising.how  - article database offering funding advice for Scandinavian students.

Sweden - CSN -  loans and grants for Swedish students studying overseas.

Australia: funding for PhD study in the UK

The Australia Day Foundation  offers grants to young Australians for fees and course materials.

Africa: funding for PhD study in the UK

Sudan -  The Gordon Memorial College Trust Fund (GMCTF)

Studentships and doctoral training

Get a studentship to fund your doctorate.

UKRI studentships offer funding for doctoral research. They also offer you access to training, networking and development opportunities to help you build a research and innovation career.

Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You could get:

• a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments
• support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)

The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back. Some research organisations may offer more if you study in London, or they or one of their collaborators might decide to top up the payment. This will be outlined in the studentship advert from the research organisation.

We normally pay the support for tuition fees directly to your research organisation.

The levels given here are for the academic year 2024 to 2025. UKRI’s approach to doctoral stipend and fee levels will be reviewed through the  new deal for postgraduate research .

Additional support for your doctoral studies

As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you may be able to access additional funding to cover the cost of other related training and development opportunities.

This could include:

• conference attendance
• language training
• overseas research visits
• internships or placements with a non-academic partner

The availability of support will depend on the research organisation and the training grants they have on offer. You should contact the research organisation you are interested in applying to, to find out what you could get.

Extra support if you have a disability

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

You should speak to your research organisation’s disability advisor to assess your needs. They can help put the right support in place, including a DSA application if necessary. You cannot claim DSA directly from UKRI.

DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

The allowance covers:

• non-medical personal assistance
• specialist equipment
• extra travel costs
• general expenses

Find out more about DSA in our framework .

If you are a research organisation you can download claim forms and guidance for DSA .

Who can apply

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award, both the stipend to support living costs, and home-level fees at the UK research organisation rate.

How to find opportunities

Many UK research organisations offer some form of studentship funding from UKRI. These opportunities will depend on the subject you want to study and will normally be advertised by the research organisations.

Research organisations may have additional opportunities that do not involve UKRI. UKRI supports around 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You should speak to the research organisation you are interested in to find out what studentships are available.

You could also consider using a specialist website like   FindaPhD  to look for opportunities.

When to apply

Research organisations set their own deadlines for applications.

Many open for applications early in the academic year and close in January or February. This is not a hard and fast rule. It is important that you check the deadlines for the research organisation where you want to study.

How to apply

You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship. You must contact the research organisation you are interested in studying with and use their application process.

For doctoral students who are already studying with a studentship, there are opportunities to get additional funding to support placements that are separate from your doctorate. Get training and development to support your doctorate .

Last updated: 29 October 2024

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

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Professional Doctorates (EdD/DHSC)

• Are you an experienced professional in education or health and/or social care seeking to develop themselves personally and professionally?
• Are you already qualified to masters level and looking for the next challenge?

Our Professional Doctorate programme could be the opportunity and challenge you seek.

What is a Professional Doctorate EdD/DHSC?

A Professional Doctorate is the highest degree qualification it is possible to achieve. It has been developed to meet the needs and interests of those working in education or health and social care with a thirst for professional excellence and knowledge. It supports original research that will have an impact on professional practice and/or policy, as well as theory.

Professional Doctorates are studied part-time and designed to enable committed professionals to study and develop their own practice-based research in a structured and supported environment. They offer you the chance to enhance your career at doctoral level, enabling you to make a unique contribution to your profession or area of practice while continuing to work and progress in your field.

Successful completion of a Professional Doctorate (Doctorate in Education or Doctorate in Health and Social Care) confers the use of the title ‘Dr’.

What Professional Doctorates can I study at The OU?

Doctorate in education (edd).

This is an innovative programme of part-time study designed for professionals working in the field of education and related areas who want to extend and deepen their knowledge and understanding of contemporary educational practice. It is for professionals in education, including school leaders, teachers and trainers, but also other professionals working in any educational context in formal and non-formal settings including the public, voluntary and private sectors.

The EdD programme not only draws on existing research expertise across the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS), but it also draws on the wide educational research expertise across the University.

We welcome research proposals that fall into one of the following areas of study:

• Childhood, Youth and Sport
• Education, Learning and Development
• Applied Linguistics
• Learning Analytics and Learning Design
• Professional and Digital Learning

Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC)

The Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC) is an innovative programme of part-time study designed predominantly for health and social care professionals, including registered nurses and social workers, but also other professionals working across health and social care including the public, voluntary and private sectors. The degree will also be open to people working as carers, whose role involves them working with the health and social care sector. Informal carers, ‘experts by experience’ advocates and ‘expert patients’ may also make an application to the programme. Applicants whose field of practice is through an informal, rather than paid, role, will need to carefully describe their field of practice and what access arrangements would be needed.

The Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC) programme is located within the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) and therefore draws on existing research expertise specifically from within the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care (HWSC).

• Health, wellbeing and healthcare practice
• Social work and social care

What will I get from a Professional Doctorate at the OU?

The OU has a successful track record of delivering innovative and highly flexible education, and of supporting students to combine study alongside professional and personal commitments. The Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, in which the EdD/DHSC are located, has a world-class reputation for pioneering participatory and inclusive research, and has a history of engaging with communities of practice and policy-makers to generate critical, impactful and solution-orientated research. The OU has a long history of Professional Doctorate programmes, having delivered a well-established Doctorate in Education (EdD) for over 25 years.

Studying with students on both the EdD and DHSC you will have access to professional researchers across a broad range of education, health and social care fields of practice. This means your study and research will be able to reflect the increasingly multidisciplinary and multi-agency culture of these areas of practice. You will acquire skills in research and enquiry and be able to use these to carry out research that will contribute to professional knowledge and practice. Our doctoral training programme will help you develop transferrable skills that will be invaluable throughout your career.

International recognition

The UK Professional Doctorate is an internationally recognised and respected academic qualification and many of our Professional Doctorate graduates come from outside of the UK. Employers across the world recognise and value the quality of a UK university education; however, before you apply to study a Professional Doctorate, you should ensure that potential employers (within the country in which you wish to work) recognise the Professional Doctorate qualification. You may need to obtain equivalency certification at your own expense in order for your degree to be recognised within the country you wish to work.

How does it work?

The OU does not offer research degrees by distance learning or correspondence. The Professional doctorates are blended-learning part-time research degrees (rather than a distance learning degree or a taught course).

Professional doctorates have a dedicated website for interaction and access to resources.

4–8 years

Participation and supervision

You will study together with students enrolled in other Professional Doctorates.

You will be required to maintain regular email contact with your UK-based supervisors and travel to the UK at your own expense to attend residential weekends and for your viva examination.

You will be allocated two supervisors – your main one in year 1 and a co-supervisor from year 2 – and will have regular supervision sessions with them via a variety of options including telephone, online conferencing or face-to-face.

Pattern of study

These are structured part-time programmes of study in two stages: Stage 1 (2 years structured) and Stage 2 (2–6 years supervised research component).  You may take more time with Stage 2 if necessary.

Stage 1 of the programme aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge to support your engagement with the research and the practice field in which your project is located. This phase will involve you studying self-taught online modules on topics including:

• the context of education or health and social care research
• literature reviewing
• the principles of research design
• research ethics
• methodology
• approaches to data collection and analysis.

Stage 2 forms the ‘research’ component of the programme. During this time, you will carry out your study and work towards completing your thesis. In both stages (1 and 2) you will be supported through online seminar discussions and annual residential weekends at the OU’s campus in Milton Keynes.

Residential weekends

There is an annual residential weekend which is compulsory for all students to attend. The Year 1 residential weekend will provide an initial induction to the professional doctorate and will consist of supported discussions, seminars and workshops providing a great opportunity to meet up with your peers, supervisors and the programme team.

• Year 1 residential weekends normally take place in October each year.

As well as supported self-taught modules there is a programme of online seminars on subjects such as:

• Developing as a Researching Professional
• Connecting research and practice
• Getting your research published (peer-review).

While the programme is structured to meet the needs of those learning at a distance, there are plenty of opportunities to work alongside a community of other doctoral researchers.

You will complete two formative assessments in both Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme and will receive feedback from your main supervisor. In addition, there is a summative assessment at the end of Year 1 and Year 2. The Year 2 summative assignment will be the end of the first stage of your studies. You must pass each summative assessment before you can progress to the next stage of your studies.

The assessment in Years 1 and 2 will focus on developing your literature review, refining your research questions and extended proposal for research, preparing you for Stage 2 of the programme. Stage 2 has a structured schedule of submission of formative assignments which will pace your through ‘work in progress’ pieces that work towards your thesis chapters and provide regular opportunities for feedback.

At the end of your research you must complete a 65,000-word thesis which you then defend to the satisfaction of the examiners via an oral examination. Your thesis must meet the expectations specified in the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications .

The thesis must demonstrate the relationship between theory and practice in education (EdD) or health and social care (DHSC), and the ability to select and apply appropriate research methods.

Entry requirements

Am i eligible.

You can register for a Professional Doctorate from anywhere in the world.

Applicants should normally hold, or be expecting to obtain before the start of the degree in October, a Masters Degree in Education or in Health/Social Care, or a related discipline from a UK/EU university or another recognised degree-awarding body. Applicants should also have at least two years of relevant professional experience or, on the DHSC, informal expertise as a carer, expert patient or advocate.

In exceptional circumstances, we may accept applications from candidates without a masters degree, if they are able to demonstrate suitability for postgraduate research. This requires evidence of publications, written reports or previous research relevant to the nature and scope of the proposed work.

English language proficiency

To study with us, you will need to have a good command of English. If your first language is not English, you will need to verify your competence in the English Language in all four elements (reading, writing, listening and speaking). The University requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any of the four categories (or approved equivalent). If you are an overseas student, you must have your level of proficiency certified through a provider approved by UK Visas and Immigration and provide your certificate and grade with your application.

If you need to prepare for an IELTS test, you may want to consider doing the free course Inside IELTS: Preparing for the Test with the Experts .

Find out how to apply .

Introducing our innovative Doctorate in Education (EdD).

By the end of the first year of my EdD, I felt confident enough to call myself a doctoral researcher. The more I study and discuss my research with my supervisor, the more I feel that I am poised to make a significant impact into the world of Higher Education. My supervisor is totally invested in the development of my investigations, and I look forward to our sessions as I always leave them inspired and energised.

I have really enjoyed the first two years of my DHSC. It’s been a long time since I had such a good opportunity to stop and think, which does feel like a luxury at times. The Covid-19 pandemic was a particular challenge to studying. However, the flexibility of OU study really came into its own, and the support of supervisors and the DHSC Team made it possible to get this far.

Your questions

For advice about applying for a research degree, or sponsoring a research student, email the Graduate School or call +44 (0)1908 653806.

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Over 4,700 newly funded post-graduate places in UK universities to create new generation of engineers and scientists

Thousands of post-graduate students will be backed by Government to study biological, engineering and environmental sciences at 45 universities across the UK.

£500 million to fund over 4,700 new post-graduate places in UK universities

• New funding will support thousands of students and universities to reap the benefits of talent and expertise for UK’s people and economy
• Past funding has led to discoveries working to change lives for the better and multi-million-pound spinout companies
• Package will support the next generation of world-class researchers in biological, engineering and physical sciences and more

Thousands of postgraduate students will study cutting-edge science at universities across the UK as part of a £500m skills drive announced today (Wednesday 13 November) by the Science Secretary Peter Kyle.

This backing of our higher education sector will unearth new discoveries and bring through the expert workforce that can grow our economy and improve lives for years to come.

Support will be targeted to areas of study where universities are particularly strong, with over 4,700 talented students and 45 of our world-class higher education institutions unlocking the next generation of transformative discoveries, from pursuing the next lifesaving drug to investigating the clean energy of the future, and beyond.

The Doctoral Landscape and Doctoral Focal Awards, provided by UKRI and announced on National Engineering Day, will open doors to bright students to study projects in biological, engineering and physical, and natural and environmental sciences. The funding has been made available to universities and prospective students will apply in the coming months ahead of beginning their studies next year. 

It supports our world-leading universities by creating opportunities to commercialise discoveries which could in time bring in millions of pounds to institutions, reflecting the key role they play in getting ambitious projects off the ground. These successes also enhance the reputation of our great universities, signalling them as centres of excellence in their subjects, which can attract more of the brightest researchers to study there and funding to support further research in their areas of expertise. 

Similar funding packages supported former University of Leicester PhD student, Dr Roland Leigh, to create a tool now available to millions around the world to reduce the harm of air pollution by monitoring its levels. His work as Chief Technical Officer at UK-firm Earthsense continues to tackle its impact – with bases in six continents – as the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK, linked to shorter lifespans and chronic diseases like asthma.

It also led to the foundation of Wild Bio by former University of Oxford student Ross Hendron – a spinout launched with £12m of seed capital, the largest ever seed fundraise in plant science in Europe. The project is working to make crops such as wheat and maize grow faster by integrating expertise in plant biology with computer algorithms to analyse crop genetics, to tackle the challenges of global food security and climate change. 

Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said: 

Backing the next generation of great scientific minds to fulfil their potential is crucial to unlocking the discoveries which improve our lives and keep our economy growing over the long term through highly skilled jobs.  This £500m investment will support our vitally important higher education sector while supporting more bright students to pursue their talents and in turn deliver the life-saving drugs and clean energy alternatives of the future, that benefit all of our lives.

The aim of this funding is to support the next generation of researchers in further groundbreaking work across the breadth of scientific discovery, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in health, physics, engineering and more, and driving the economic growth we need in the UK.

Other past recipients of similar funding packages include Dr Jennifer Olsen, who was named among the Women in Engineering Society’s ‘WE50 Engineering Heroes’ for her PhD work at Newcastle University to improve the function and comfort of prosthetic limbs, with her research continuing into improving the safety of prosthetic sockets. 

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:

Our universities are vital engines of growth, and this government is backing them to cement this status by building a pipeline of skills that will drive the country’s economic recovery. We have also been clear that we want to work with the higher education sector on a wider programme of reform, with Skills England helping ensure young people and adults have the training they need to access real opportunities in tomorrow’s economy, particularly those essential to advancing our clean energy goals and achieving a sustainable future.

UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said:

UKRI’s investments in Doctoral Training are pivotal for the UK’s research and innovation endeavour. The awards provide funding for Universities across the UK to nurture a cadre of creative, talented people to develop their skills and knowledge, to build partnerships and networks, and to pursue the discoveries that will transform tomorrow, with diverse benefits for society and economic growth.

Dr John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

We warmly welcome this announcement on National Engineering Day, which celebrates the transformative power of engineering to shape the world around us and improve our lives. UK engineering research has a strong global reputation and today’s support from government is an investment in our future economy. Research advances in engineering and science provide the foundation for new products and services that generate jobs and benefit society. Engineering traverses the modern economy and engineers are involved in almost every economic sector, including many ‘non-engineering’ industries like financial services and the media.

Notes to editors:

More than £564 million of funding announced will be allocated through three of UKRI’s research councils: 

• Jointly, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Natural Environment Research Council Doctoral Landscape Awards will invest £293 million in more than 2,300 studentships across five cohorts.  
• The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council will invest £279 million in doctoral landscape awards, supporting 2,400 studentships at 40 universities. 
• The Natural Environment Research Council will invest a further £11.4M to support around 90 studentships through 4 focal awards.

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UKRI announces £564 million for revamped PhD studentships

New doctoral training schemes will simplify and harmonise the support offered to funded phd students, says uk research and innovation.

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Thousands of doctoral candidates will be funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under two new schemes that seek to standardise studentship support.

Announcing its first major investments since launching its doctoral framework in January, the UK’s main research funder said £564 million would be allocated through three of its nine research councils to support about 4,800 students over the next three years.

These doctoral students will be funded via either doctoral landscape awards or doctoral focal awards, which replace nine different schemes previously used by UKRI to fund students.

The changes are part of wider reform to how UKRI spends its PhD studentship and early career fellowship budgets – known as collective talent funding and  worth £726 million in 2024-25  – which, from January 2024, are being brought together at UKRI-wide level rather than allocated to individual research councils.

The reforms are designed to  “simplify and harmonise” the support offered to early career researchers, UKRI has said.

Under the first awards of doctoral landscape and focal awards, which were announced on 13 November, the joint Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Natural Environment Research Council Doctoral Landscape Awards will invest £293 million in more than 2,300 studentships at 21 universities across five cohorts.

Meanwhile, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council will invest £279 million in university doctoral landscape awards, which it will use to support around 2,400 studentships at 40 universities over three annual intakes.

The Natural Environment Research Council will invest a further £11.4 million to support about 90 studentships through four doctoral focal awards across three cohorts.

At least 25 per cent of studentships will be delivered in collaboration with non-academic partners, UKRI said.

Welcoming the new awards, science secretary Peter Kyle said the investments would “back our vitally important higher education sector while supporting more bright students to pursue their talents and in turn deliver the life-saving drugs and clean energy alternatives of the future, that benefit all of our lives”.

“Backing the next generation of great scientific minds to fulfil their potential is crucial to unlocking the discoveries which improve our lives and which keep our economy growing over the long term through highly skilled jobs,” Mr Kyle said.

Dame Ottoline Leyser, chief executive of UKRI, said the investments would help universities “nurture a cadre of creative, talented people to develop their skills and knowledge, to build partnerships and networks, and to pursue the discoveries that will transform tomorrow, with diverse benefits for society and economic growth”.

The awards follow the launch of the  UKRI Doctoral Investment Framework  in 2023, which structures doctoral support around doctoral landscape awards – which include greater scope for engagement with industry – and doctoral focal awards, which provide funding for research training in specific, tightly focused themes or challenges.

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