phd extra funding

6 Ways to Earn Additional Income as a PhD Student

By ProFellow Founder Dr. Vicki Johnson

Getting a PhD often means sacrificing a full salary for several years as you study. Even if you are fully funded and receive a full-tuition scholarship and annual living stipend, graduate student stipends are usually just enough to help you get by. Many students will want – or need – to supplement their student income to be able to live in areas with a high cost of living, pay for childcare, contribute to retirement, and travel while they are finishing their degree. The good news is, full-time graduate students, especially those in the dissertation stage of their degree, have quite a bit of autonomy to be able to work part-time and make more income (even if outside, part-time work is discouraged by the university – my advice is, do what you need to do!).

While I was a full-time PhD student–and international student at that–I was able to increase my income in several ways over the course of my studies. Here are six practical ways that you can earn additional income as a PhD student.

1. Fellowships

There are a wide variety of academic and professional fellowships that offer funding that can increase your income as a graduate student. Some fellowships can be used on top of your existing funding or student Assistantship income. To find fellowships, you can search our database of more than 1,300 fellowships programs here ! Here are a few of your options.

Research Fellowships: These fellowships can provide funding for your dissertation or thesis research, or research you may be doing as an extracurricular activity while you are a student. The funding typically supports you directly and often will provide funding to cover materials, travel expenses and professional development. Check out:

• 20 Research Fellowships in Europe for Current Doctoral Students
• 12 Multi-Country Research Fellowships
• 17 Fellowships in Asia For Early Doctoral Students
• 30 Dissertation Research Fellowships for Doctoral Students
• 26 STEM Graduate Fellowships for Minorities and Women
• 10 Short-Term Fellowships for Research Abroad

Language Study Fellowships: If you are studying a language or would benefit from foreign language immersion to complete your dissertation research, there is funding for this goal! Check out:

• 9 Language Study Fellowships for Undergraduates and Graduates
• 30 Alternatives to the 2021-2022 Fulbright US Scholar Grant

Summer Fellowships: These 2-week to 3-month long fellowships can help you gain valuable research or professional experience while you are a student during your summers. Do NOT miss an opportunity to pursue summer fellowships while you are a student (especially if your funding package does not offer summer funding!). Check out:

• Top 10 Summer Fellowships of 2021
• 7 Summer Social Justice Fellowships
• 32 Summer Fellowships in Europe for U.S. Citizens

Project-Based Fellowships : There are also a wide range of project-based fellowships that would fund you to execute a project that aligns with the funding bodies’ mission. One of these awards might be in alignment, or directly fund, some element of your dissertation research!

• 10 Fellowships for Independent Scholars Around the World
• 24 Fellowships in the UK for Graduates and Researchers
• 19 Fellowships for a Self-Designed Project Abroad

2. On-campus jobs

Most universities offer part-time jobs on campus which might have the benefit of some tuition remission that, in turn, increases your overall income. For graduate students, there are often research or teaching assistantship options that fit in with your degree really well. If those opportunities are not available, there are likely administrative roles that need to be filled.

Many schools have websites that list their job openings, but you can also speak with your advisor or other students to learn about the possibilities of taking on a part-time job on campus.

3. Cash-based part-time jobs

Simple cash-based part-time jobs like tutoring and babysitting can be an easy way to supplement your income without having a set time commitment or a lot of extra responsibilities. I did a little night-time babysitting as a graduate student, and often I was able to study while the children slept! Likewise, a friend of mine who was studying Music would play piano at weddings and other events and give piano lessons to supplement her income. I’ve also seen fellow graduate students check in on the elderly, paint houses, help organize events, and more – see where there is a need and get creative with your time!

4. Freelance work

While I was a PhD student, I was able to land a number of paid projects and gigs online as a freelancer. Upwork and Fiverr are freelance platforms with a vast number of one-off and recurring online gigs for academic writers and copy-editors – roles where you can flex your skills in your free time! If you have other highly sought-after skills like graphic design, coding, marketing, or sales, even more opportunities are available to you.

Freelancing can help you make a higher wage than you would at another type of work because you are providing a more niche service, and Upwork allows you to freelance without the burden of getting an independent business license, hounding clients to pay, and creating complex legal documents or contracts. While it can take a few clients to find your footing, it can be a lucrative way to pass your free time and even lead to full-time job opportunities down the road.

5. Consulting work

Because I had a robust professional network from my 15 years of work experience, while I was a PhD student, I was able to reach out to my network and land several paid consulting opportunities with nonprofits and government agencies. If you have a strong network too, don’t miss this opportunity to let your former colleagues know you are in the market for consulting gigs. Depending on your level of work and research experience, you can command an hourly rate of $50 to more than $200/per hour (make sure you research what your competitive rate can be before starting on this process). Keep in mind that taxes and other expenses may be taken out of your income and prepare accordingly. 

6. Help faculty prepare grant applications

While I was a PhD student, I also contributed to large research grant applications spearheaded by my PhD supervisor. When he landed some of those grants, he was able to subcontract me for work that supported the execution of the grant, such as the data collection, coding of the data, and the write-up. Ask your PhD supervisor if there are opportunities for you to help them prepare a large grant application, with the end goal of helping you achieve more funding. 

Increasing your income as a graduate student often begins with being fully-funded in the first place! Many graduate schools fully funded all or most of their PhD students, and ProFellow lists over 1,000+ fully funded programs in more than 60 disciplines in our free Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards . Get your copy today!

© Victoria Johnson / ProFellow, LLC 2021, all rights reserved

Related Posts:

• Fully Funded PhD Programs in Spanish and Portuguese
• Fully Funded PhD Programs in English
• Fully Funded PhD Programs in History
• Fully Funded PhD Programs in Philosophy
• Fully Funded PhD Programs in Cinema and Media Studies

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Scholarships & Grants for Doctoral Students

A doctorate is a significant investment, but it’s within reach thanks to thousands of scholarships and grants available. Find dozens of opportunities right here, and learn how to apply for the money you need.

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Earning your doctorate is a major investment. In addition to time and energy, you need to pay for tuition, fees, and a host of other expenses that go along with it. Yet with thousands of funding options out there, the commitment doesn’t have to put your bank account to the test. Scholarships and grants can defray many of the grad school costs, and put that PhD or professional doctorate within reach. Use this guide to take your first step with funding.

Explore Doctoral Scholarships and Grants by Student Group

• Black Students
• Latino and Hispanic Students
• Minority Students

PhD and Doctorate Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are financial aid recipients don’t need to pay back. In general, grants are need-based while scholarships are based on character or merit.

For graduate students, particularly PhD and doctoral candidates, scholarships are often career specific. In contrast, undergraduate scholarships are usually open-ended and merit based. PhD scholarships sometimes include teaching requirements, and some ask for recent GMAT or other graduate-level test scores.

Scholarship donors set the criteria for recipient selection. The list below, while not exhaustive, offers a glimpse of doctorate-level scholarships available.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

August 1 st

Eligibility

Be a citizen or U.S. national and hold a bachelor’s degree. Meet language requirements of application country and declare any other scholarships or grants. Cannot have previously lived or studied in the application country, except for undergraduate study abroad.

Description

Funds a year of study, research, and culture-sharing abroad. Can support studies in various countries around the world that focus on areas such as teaching, business, public health, journalism and communications, arts, sciences, and humanities.

AMA’s Valuing Diversity PhD Scholarship

$1,000 to $2,500

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and member of an underrepresented population (e.g. African American, Hispanic, or Native American). Completed at least one year of doctoral study in marketing or advertising.

Represents an effort to uplift unheard voices and bring diverse perspectives into the industry. Awards several scholarships yearly for marketing or advertising PhD candidates representing underserved populations. Previous applicants not selected can apply again.

The Beinecke Scholarship Program

$4,000 immediately + $30,000 while attending graduate school

2 nd  Wednesday of February

College juniors planning graduate studies in arts, humanities, or social sciences. Be a citizen or US national and received need-based financial aid as an undergraduate. Students planning to pursue advanced degrees in neuroscience, law, business, public health, public policy, or social work should not apply.

Supports highly motivated college juniors pursuing graduate and doctoral degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Purposes to motivate younger students to strategize a further future.

William (Bill) Ezzell Scholarship for CPAs

Be a CPA and hold an undergraduate or master’s degree in accounting. Have a GMAT score of 650 or higher (or GRE equivalent), intend to teach accounting after graduation, and be enrolled in an accounting PhD program.

A career-based scholarship aimed at supporting the passionate pursuit of a profession and giving back to the industry and community of accounting.

Irzyk Veteran Scholarship

August 31 st

Be a U.S. citizen and a veteran enrolled in an accredited university. Emphasis is on students with distinctions for combat and honorable service.

Named for Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk who led tanks in WWII. One example of a broad category of scholarships available for veterans by veterans.

ALA Century Scholarship

$2,500 annually

For library sciences students with documented medical disabilities. Must exhibit financial need and be a U.S. or Canadian citizen.

An annual scholarship sponsored by the American Library Association to provide accommodations for students with disabilities pursuing graduate degrees in library science.

PhD and Doctorate Grants

Grants are financial aid packages aimed at helping professionals deepen their involvement and impact within their fields. They’re often awarded to recipients whose work benefits the broader community, especially if the work helps underserved people.

Federal and state grants are also available to qualifying applicants. These public grants frequently connect demonstrated financial need with public service requirements. Private grants also may come with stipulations set by the institutions funding them. Many PhD programs also have their own grants in different specialties, often founded by former recipients or alumni.

Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grant

$1,000 to $50,000

Available to psychologists and scholars working with gifted and talented children. Must be affiliated with an educational institution and hold a doctoral degree or be enrolled as a graduate student.

A post-doctoral research grant focused on supporting and advancing innovation in the studies of gifted and talented children and adolescents. Best suited for practicing psychologists or active researchers.

Berkman Charitable Fund Marketing Research Grant

Tenured or tenure-track faculty in marketing departments.

This grant drives efforts for science-based solutions to modern marketing disciplines and business administration. It supports marketing PhDs and faculty in developing research projects and encourages knowledge creation.

Wenner-Gren Foundation Anthropology Grants

Up to $20,000

Anthropology doctoral students and researchers. For students of all nationalities, though some awards require a master’s degree.

Seeks to further the understanding of our collective past through fieldwork, research, and educational support. Offers multiple grants for different pursuits in anthropology.

Mariam K Chamberlain Award

$8,500 to the graduate student; $1,500 to their advisor

October 20 th

First-generation doctoral students, including immigrant scholars, and their advisor. Dissertations must relate to Re:Gender’s mission.

A partnership scholarship for first-generation doctoral students working on a dissertation related to social justice, women’s rights, and/or gender studies. Designed to support mentorship and cooperation in keeping with the values of Mariam K. Chamberlain’s foundational institution, Re:Gender.

Hannah Beiter Graduate Student Research Grants

$500 to $1,500

February 1 st

Membership in the Children’s Literature Association (ChLA). Must have a research proposal and be a graduate student at any level.

Established to support research advancements within children’s literature. Recipients must publish and/or present their findings at a conference and acknowledge ChLA’s supporting role.

PhD and Doctorate Fellowships

Even more than doctoral grants and scholarships, fellowships are career- and research-oriented and aimed at furthering the interests not only of the fellow but also of the community, the institution, and the industry itself. Fellowships are generally awarded to PhDs and researchers already established in their fields.

Fellowships often include teaching, speaking, and/or research requirements as well as terms of residency. Some fellowship programs also require community-building projects and local collaboration. Fellowships also tend to confer prestige and enhanced networking with past fellows, which can lead to future career opportunities.

Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship

$4,000 to $6,500

March 11 th

Social work PhD candidates studying welfare policy. Must have a National Association of Social Work (NASW) membership.

The NASW offers this annual fellowship to advance the field of social work, particularly as it relates to diversity and welfare policy. In addition to relevant dissertation work, recipients must participate in community events and the annual NASW National Leadership Conference.

IAF’s Grassroots Development Program

$6,000 initially + $1,500 monthly

See website

U.S. doctoral candidates in various fields. Research must be related to grassroots development. There are also language requirements, and a collaboration proposal is required.

The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) supports grassroots development in Latin America and the Caribbean in fields impacting lives and building community. Awarded to PhD candidates in fields like sustainable agriculture, economics, education, healthcare and public policy, and small-enterprise development.

Marie Tharp Visiting Fellowship

January 16 th

Women scientists in the natural sciences and engineering. Must hold a PhD.

Visiting fellowships fund experts in a particular field who take temporary residence for teaching and researching at the university. The Marie Tharp Visiting Fellowship is a 3-month program at Columbia University for women in natural sciences and engineering.

Guggenheim Fellowships

September 17 th

Citizens of North, Central, and South American countries. Must submit samples of work.

Supports scholarship and creativity across various artistic fields. About 175 Guggenheim fellowships are awarded each year. Applicants are evaluated by experts in their field or medium and then selected by former Guggenheim fellows.

American Association of University Women Fellowship

$6,000 to $30,000

November 1 st

U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Women scholars in any field of study.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers this annual doctoral fellowship in three separate categories: dissertation support, long-term postdoctoral research, and short-term publication support. The foundation’s goal is to increase the number of women in tenure-track faculty positions around the country.

Woodrow Wilson MBA Fellowship in Educational Leadership

Stipend for tuition and expenses

Nominations due February 22 nd

Leaders with passion, dedication, and unorthodox approaches to education. Nomination by a local educator (i.e., no self-nomination). Commitment to three years in approved school/district leadership position.

Aims to produce leaders in education who are ready to address the myriad problems facing 21st-century educators, both from a policy perspective and human interest and social justice standpoints. The fellowship supports innovation and creativity in educational leadership.

Fully Funded Doctoral Programs

Many universities offer opportunities for fully funded doctoral study and often include tuition and living expenses as well as research and material support for the four to six years it usually takes to complete a PhD. Fully funded PhDs often come with teaching or research requirements and require participation in the department’s conferences and events. Depending on the field, candidates may also be required to publish papers.

Some schools fully fund all their doctoral candidates, while others offer packages based on financial need, community commitments, or other stipulations. This is true across most fields, so it’s worth your time and effort to research the options. Below are details of some fully funded doctoral programs in several different concentrations.

At Rice University , business school PhD candidates are fully funded in exchange for 20 hours per week of research or teaching assistant work. Tuition is waived, and business doctoral candidates receive a stipend of $40,000 per year for living expenses. Candidates also get their own workspace and technology support as well as additional funding for specific research projects conducted with faculty oversight. The school offers this support throughout the field, including business administration, marketing, accounting, and so forth.

Communications

Fully funded doctorates in communications can lead to a broad field of career choices, from media to academia. Syracuse University’s doctorate in Mass Communications, for example, is funded for the three years it takes to complete the coursework and dissertation. Candidates participate in interdisciplinary studies in communications, taking classes in other departments before specializing with the help of a faculty advisor who also typically forms part of the dissertation committee.

Computer Science

For graduate students hoping to study computer sciences or engineering, George Washington University in St Louis offers a fully-funded PhD that includes tuition, a stipend, and a high-end Apple laptop. Students work with renowned faculty and visiting fellows to solve real-world problems through research and practical applications. Candidates can also apply for additional fellowship support through the school, which sometimes means representing the program through residencies at other universities.

University of California, Irvine’s education PhD is fully funded for up to five years and includes tuition and living expenses. Candidates learn about education theory and practices through research and fieldwork. Some specializations require classroom observation and other practical studies depending on whether the candidate focuses on policy, human development, or teaching strategy. Candidates may teach undergraduate education classes or assist with research.

Research opportunities abound in the humanities. For a field like political science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) fully funds all PhD students for five years as long as they meet certain academic requirements. MIT’s political science department also supports candidates doing fieldwork abroad or researching an array of fields from international relations to American politics. Candidates engage with interdisciplinary teams to solve modeling problems and expand their understanding of human behavior and interaction.

All PhD candidates in Emory’s School of Nursing get a tuition waiver as well as $31,000 per year for living expenses. For the four years of their program, candidates teach and do research. Candidates learn the theories and practices of nursing and go on to research policy, systems, recruiting, education, and other elements of the field. They work closely with advisors to develop their dissertations.

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Boston College offers a five-year, fully funded doctoral program focused on research. Beginning with coursework and research development, candidates build their original research projects through one-on-one mentorship with faculty for whom they work as teaching assistants. In addition to direct research, candidates also participate in academic conferences, publish papers, and apply for research grants to prepare them for a career in research.

Social Sciences

The University of Michigan School of Social Work  fully funds most doctoral candidates through their five-year joint program in social work and social science. Through fellowship awards, research assistant positions, and classroom instruction, candidates cover their costs and give back to the university community. They combine coursework and research with fieldwork and community outreach to deepen their sense of the micro and macro elements of sociocultural policy and practice.

Timeline for Financing Your Doctorate

The timeline below can help you keep track of steps in the process of financing your doctorate. Use it to mark your calendar with specific deadlines for all your applications.

Start researching your options. If you’re already in a PhD program, look for scholarships and grants aimed at candidates already deep into doctoral study. Organize your research in a spreadsheet that includes the amount, deadline, type of award, application requirements, and any other important information.

Make sure your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is updated so loans remain an option if needed. Then, set weekly application goals based on specific deadlines. Strategize the process for a steady stream of applications, and approach anyone who might write a letter of recommendation. These individuals are also good to ask about other funding opportunities.

Follow up on recommendation letter requests, and continue checking off your application schedule. Revisit your mission statement to make sure it represents who you are and how you want to improve people’s lives. If you’re in a doctoral program and have time off for the summer, use it to write papers about different elements of your interests and how they’re relevant to people or communities.

July-August

As the academic year approaches and doctoral work takes up most of your time, having a strategy ahead of time can help in keeping up with your funding search. Take time to sharpen your pitch about the importance of your research, so you can explain why institutions should support your efforts.

Keep going!

Repeat the process. A PhD’s quest for funding never stops. Pay attention to rolling deadlines and be persistent. Most financial awards allow for yearly application.

How to Stand Out on Your Doctorate Scholarship and Grant Applications

Applying for doctoral scholarships, grants, and fellowships may seem daunting, but it just takes a little persistence and organized research. Be methodical. Use this page as a launching point, and keep track of opportunities relevant to your goals. Apply one by one until you’re done, keeping in mind the following list of dos and don’ts to help you stand out.

Be thorough in your research. Read the detailed eligibility requirements. Check out the faculty and the work of current candidates. Make a spreadsheet of all your parameters and options.

Contact program advisors with questions. Browse the school’s website first and note any questions you want to ask.

Fill out your application materials with a positive mindset about the value you’ll bring to the university, the award, and the field itself.

Read about previous recipients’ work, not to compare yourself but to better understand the award’s focus. Many scholarships and grants have narrow specifications and reviewing previous work may help you home in on them.

Avoid applying for opportunities that don’t fit. Whatever your niche, there’s probably another way to fund it.

Hesitate to apply for out-of-reach opportunities. Instead, think about what sets you apart and what unique experiences or perspectives you bring to the table and focus on opportunities that fit.

Don’t beg for funding in your application. Instead, structure your pitch to demonstrate how you’ll use the award to empower those around you and improve the field itself.

Don’t give up. Apply for everything that appears to be a fit. Don’t stop after a couple of months of trying since many awards have application deadlines throughout the year.

Related Pages

Financing Your PhD: Scholarships & Resources for Black Students

| April 17, 2023

Funding Your PhD: Scholarships and Resources for Latino and Hispanic PhD Students

| May 02, 2023

Most Affordable Online Doctoral and PhD Programs in 2024

| July 30, 2023

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How to politely negotiate PhD funding offer?

I have been fortunate enough to get accepted with 5 years guaranteed funding to my 2nd choice graduate school. While the guarantee is great, the funding is only for 9/months out of the year. Would it be rude to ask them to guarantee summer funding to me for the first year until I can write a grant to get on a RAship? I know I should be more appreciative, since not everyone gets funding, but just an increase of about ~3k a year would make living there so much better and I do not want to accept an offer at a lesser institution just because of money.

What would be the most polite way of doing this?

I want to make it clear that I am not trying to get more money for the sake of getting more money, moreover that I am just not comfortable with so little money and such a high living cost in that area.

Thank you for your time.

• graduate-admissions
• negotiation

3 Answers 3

You can always ask, and the polite way to do it is simply to ask politely, while indicating that you have a strong interest in enrolling in the program. The best circumstance is that you have a financially superior offer from another program which is of equal or slightly better quality. Then the graduate program in question may see a small amount of additional funding as a reasonable expense to ensure your enrollment. (If the other program is more than a little bit better, then everyone will be expecting you to go to the better program...unless you have personal reasons to want to go to the less good program, in which case you do not need a financial incentive.)

user45756 "guaranteed" that such a request would not lead to summer funding. Of course no one person could possibly make such a guarantee, and I have very occasionally seen additional funding given to graduate students to help attract them to a program or keep them in a program. But user45756's answer is still accurate in spirit: in the overwhelming majority of cases you get what you get.

However the expression The squeaky wheel gets the grease is very applicable to academia: people who ask for a little bit more* tend to get a little bit more. Your request for summer funding is unlikely to magically result in a higher starting salary, but it may well result in your being placed higher on lists for various summer funding opportunities. I think it is a good idea to say something like "I understand that additional funding may not be possible, and I very much appreciate your offer. However, I am sincerely concerned about quality-of-life issues while enrolled as a graduate student, and I would very much appreciate being told of any other funding, scholarship or teaching opportunities that are or may become available."

*: It is true though that people who don't know the culture well enough sometimes ask for a lot more when they think they are asking for a little bit more, and that often causes them to be taken less seriously or ends negotiations. (Imagine if you had an assistant professor job interview at a public American university and, after shaking hands with the department chair, told them that you were holding firm at a $100K starting salary. It is more than likely that you've just talked yourself out of any possibility of a job offer.) There is a real art to asking for something in a way which makes clear that you will be grateful for any response that you get, not that you feel absolutely entitled to getting your precise demands. A graduate student asking for extra funding should make extra clear that they are "just asking" and will be grateful for any response they will get. I remember one long-ago friend who was hoping that the MIT mathematics department would "get into a bidding war" with some other department of comparable quality. Of course that didn't happen, and though he did start a PhD program somewhere quite good, I could tell from this behavior (I was a first year graduate student at the time) that he didn't quite get the academic culture. I believe he dropped out within a year. (And then I lost touch with him, but I am willing to guess that he now makes much more money than I do...)

• Thanks for the response; I am quite grateful for their offer after all. It's a bit of a tricky situation; the higher ranked school (top 15) is a public university so it cant offer the same funding package as the lower ranked school (top 30). The funding package from the weaker school is double, and is in an area where cost of living is considerably lower. –  Neo Commented Feb 14, 2014 at 5:38
• 1 @Neo: If you have a better offer from another school, you should include that information in your request. However, since the university in question is both public and more highly ranked, in my opinion that means that they are very likely to tell you that you have to decide between short-term quality of life and the long term well-being of your career. (And I would advise you to take the pay cut and go to the better school.) Still, as I said, asking nicely may help you get to the front of the queue on future funding. Good luck. –  Pete L. Clark Commented Feb 14, 2014 at 5:45
• I think your right, probably the better thing to do is devise a plan (and a grant) with my would be advisor and hope for the best. So thanks for answering my questions/advice. –  Neo Commented Feb 14, 2014 at 5:51
• I'd like to add that they guaranteed me 21 months of straight funding. so... plenty of time to work on a grant. –  Neo Commented Feb 24, 2014 at 22:34

First off, congrats! That is very good news.

I can commiserate with you on the expensive living in grad school (I'm in NYC...). Maybe in other fields it is more common, but I haven't seen very much negotiation in Economics. It seems that there is sometimes a little talk between the student and school to make sure that they even get the funding, but the funding packages we receive seem relatively fixed. I do know that we can get more funding by working as research assistants or teaching assistants. If your funding is a fellowship (basically no catches, you get the money without being required to do anything extra) then you should ask about getting funding by working as an RA or TA. Also, have you received your funding letter? A lot of the schools that I have friends at only have a month or two that you don't actually receive funding. Your best bet is to check with the secretaries or PhD coordinators at your school.

All that being said, probably the best way to find out more is to email some of the other grad students at that school and ask what they have done to stay alive during the summer months when there isn't funding.

I have never heard of graduate students negotiating salary. Where you go to graduate school matters a lot in your career; I have seen many sub-par people from top graduate schools obtain pretty good positions afterwards just on the merit of the fact that they go to a great school; so, another student on your school's waitlist would be just as good as you would be in the future, if they were admitted in your place, assuming that you are not exceptional (which I am assuming, since you said that you are thinking of going to your 2nd choice school). That is, the institution holds all the cards.

At postdoc or tenure-track level, negotiation happens because you have expertise that no one else can replace. But right now, you are quite replaceable, so it doesn't make sense to negotiate.

You could ask, but I can guarantee right now that negotiation will not happen.

• 4 "You could ask, but I can guarantee right now that negotiation will not happen." Come on, you can't guarantee it. Many graduate programs offer different levels of funding to different students and make various other efforts to recruit students of one kind or another. And the OP is not asking for a higher salary per se but rather for one year of summer funding. If someone who was accepted to the department of mathematics at UGA made such a request, then it is possible that it would be granted, especially if the applicant had a better offer from an equal or better program. –  Pete L. Clark Commented Feb 14, 2014 at 5:08
• @PeteL.Clark Fair enough. I suppose it depends on the field and the level of school. Personally, if a student made such a request to me, I wouldn't see it in such a positive light, but depending on the circumstances, I could also see myself trying to secure some funding for the student. –  user45756 Commented Feb 14, 2014 at 5:39
• Based on the additional information provided by the OP about his/her situation: in my opinion, it turns out that you are almost certainly right. –  Pete L. Clark Commented Feb 14, 2014 at 5:48

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May 29, 2022

The Myth of the Fully-Funded PhD: Using Scholarships to Mitigate the Financial Realities of Research Degrees

When you decide to go to graduate school of any kind, you are making a financial decision that will dramatically affect your earning capacity for the duration of the program and throughout your life. While the caliber of school, available mentorship opportunities, and research resources are important factors to consider when making a decision about which university to attend, students often forget to carefully assess the financial realities associated with each opportunity.

The financial decision surrounding attending graduate school

Unlike students in professional graduate programs, most PhD students do not plan to pursue high-paying careers, and they depend on the fact that doctoral programs automatically include “full funding” to offset the cost of long-term research degrees. Though many graduate students receive admissions offers that are referred to as “fully-funded,” such funding packages require PhD students to teach multiple years in exchange for tuition waivers and teaching stipends. Once students start to work for the university and balance their many responsibilities, they quickly realize that “full-funding” isn’t exactly the same as a “scholarship” or a “full-ride. ”

Common misconceptions about what it means to be “fully-funded”

Depending on the university and its location, the value of one’s teaching stipend in relationship to workload and cost of living can vary greatly. In reality, graduate student teaching stipends for students who live in large United States cities are not enough to cover basic necessities. As a result, most graduate students go into additional debt to complete their programs.

Since tenure-track jobs have become increasingly elusive in the United States university system, today’s doctoral students must also satisfy a growing list of requirements to be considered for well-paying and stable teaching positions upon graduation. The added responsibilities associated with producing early publications, progressing through the degree quickly, regularly attending conferences, and pursuing ongoing professionalization or certification opportunities all require significant time commitments.

However, since doctoral students must work for the university in order to waive tuition and fees, they cannot devote all of their time to academic and professional progress. To avoid burnout and set aside more time for completing research, I suggest that prospective and current graduate students continuously apply for extramural funding, research fellowships, and community-based scholarships throughout their degrees.

Accepted’s clients received over $3.5 million dollars in scholarship offers in the last application cycle.  Explore our scholarship essay services   to find out how we can help you!

How the academic culture deemphasizes the financial aspects of the work

The common phrase “no one goes into a PhD to make money” is thrown around frequently in academic settings, and seems to suggest that pursuits related to funding are selfish and “anti-intellectual.” Especially in the humanities and social sciences, there is significant cultural importance placed on the fact that academia is not about money, and that academic careers are shaped by intellectual merit, not an individual’s financial capacity to stay in school.

Historically, however, the option to waive tuition in return for a few years of university teaching was an affordable way to enable individuals to pursue intellectual projects in the not-for-profit environment of the public university. One generation ago, doctoral students transitioned into tenure-track jobs with much more ease than those currently on the market. They also entered public institutions carrying far less student debt, and upon employment, they received guaranteed state pensions and salaries commensurate with the cost of living.

In today’s public university, the labor commitments of teaching assistants have grown significantly while the pay has not caught up with the steep rise in the cost of living for most university hubs. For example, throughout my graduate program at UCLA, I received between $15,000 and $22,000 in annual pay as a teaching or staff stipend. Given that my Los Angeles rent was upwards of $1,200 per month and rising, I was unable to continue my degree without applying for extramural grants and taking on work outside of the university.

Furthermore, the number of tenure track positions is diminishing so it is unlikely that I will ever make the stable and generous income to which my advisors have access. So the cultural norms of the intellectual community, which eschew any discussion of financial wellness, are no longer sustainable for most graduate students.

Though most graduate programs do not emphasize the financial aspects of navigating life as a student researcher and university employee, I have found that the pursuit of additional funding is neither a greedy nor an “anti-intellectual” use of my time in graduate school. Rather it is a great way to empower myself to set aside more time for conducting critical research and preparing for a successful career.

Strategies for applying for funding throughout your doctoral degree

In addition to my own efforts to build funding applications into my graduate studies, as a Student Affairs Advisor at the UCLA Scholarship Resource Center, I have worked with graduate students to generate strategies for incorporating annual cycles of grant writing into their studies.

Here are some of the most important takeaways from that work:

Most applicants are so anxious about whether or not they will be accepted to their desired PhD program that they don’t think about funding until after they’ve found out where they have gotten in. But there are a number of organizations, like the Ford Foundation , the Paul & Daisy Soros Foundation , the Stanford-Knight Hennessey Scholars Program , the National Science Foundation, and the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation , that offer funding for prospective graduate students.Like university admission applications, these also run on an annual cycle that requires students to apply one year before they plan to enroll in school. So, if you are planning to spend this fall putting together applications for graduate school, it is well worth it to add a number of fellowship applications to your list as well. Even if you aren’t successful with your first round of applications you will be well prepared to add scholarship applications to your graduate school routine. This is an activity that you should engage in throughout your entire degree, and you have to start somewhere!

Below are some questions that you should be able to answer by carefully analyzing your letter of admission. If you can’t answer them, try to find out the answers before you make your decision.• How many years of teaching assistantship does the university commit to you? How many students are you responsible for teaching, assessing, and holding office hours with for each term?• Are there stipulations related to your progress through the degree that may create limitations on your access to university funding or campus work opportunities?

• Does your status as university student or staff come with health benefits?

• Does your university have a union for teaching assistants? If so, what employee rights do you have through your union membership? Pay close attention to issues of pay related to maternity leave, medical leave, absence in the case of the death of a family member, and access to childcare.

• Is there an employee handbook for student staff and teaching assistants?

• What is the pay scale associated with the teaching positions that the university has offered you?

Before you decide where to go to school, do the research about your housing options. How much does university housing cost? Are there other options?Some universities offer annual budgets on their websites that include the cost of housing, but you have to analyze these carefully to understand how these budgets translate to your degree. For instance, UCLA’s estimated cost of attendance for graduate students only lists the annual budget for the academic year, which consists of 8 months. So you’d have to add four months of summer expenses in order to get a true sense of the living costs associated with each calendar year.

Once you’ve chosen a university, I would suggest that you map out the various phases of the program, the skillsets that you wish to build, and the accomplishments that you will achieve as you progress through the degree. There are different types of funding for every step of progress that you make, and if you are intentional about identifying related funding you can apply for specific opportunities throughout.Here are some examples of different achievements or degree phases associated with specific funding opportunities:• 2-3 years of coursework

• Conference travel

• Master’s exam period

• Master’s thesis writing year

• Language study

• Building a technical or quantitative analytical methodology

• Preliminary fieldwork or archival research

• Prospectus development

• Qualifying exam period

• Preliminary dissertation research

• Primary fieldwork or archival research

• Dissertation writing year

Most research-related funding opportunities do not pay out until a full academic year after the application submission period. This means that you should plan out your goals an entire year in advance, and apply for funding in the year before you carry out the projects and goals that you propose in your application materials. If you can continuously conceptualize your degree in the long-term, you will be able to anticipate the types of funding that will support your progress.

Whether you work for the institution or not, it will likely be up to you to cover the cost of your summers during graduate school. Rather than wait until summer starts to figure out how you’re going to pay the bills, start making plans the preceding fall. You may find paid opportunities to conduct research, fieldwork, or language study during your summer. But you also have the option to take on paid internships in a number of research fields in both the public and private sectors.

Do you need help with your PhD admissions or PhD funding applications? Our expert advisors are here to walk you through the PhD application process, from strategy-building to final send-off. Check out our Graduate School Admissions Consulting & Editing Services for more information on how we can help you GET ACCEPTED…with funding!

Student Affairs Advisor and scholarship expert, Rebecca has six years experience reviewing and editing large grant applications, research-based proposals, statements of purpose, personal statements and fellowship materials. Want Rebecca to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Grad School Statement of Purpose , a free guide
• How to Write About Your Research Interests
• The Personal Statement That Got Me a Large Scholarship to Cambridge

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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

• About Graduate Funding

PhD Student Funding FAQs

General funding, what are the current stipend and tuition rates.

The current stipend rate can be found  on the About Graduate Funding pag e , and current tuition rates can be found on the Student Finance website . The stipend rate is set by the dean of The Graduate School (TGS) and the budget office, and approved by the provost. This rate is typically announced during the winter quarter for the following year. Tuition rates are set by the provost’s office and approved by the Board of Trustees each spring. These rates are typically announced during the spring quarter.

Who determines a student’s funding sources (e.g., whether a student will be paid on a fellowship or graduate assistantship)?

Each program determines on a quarterly basis whether or not students will be funded using TGS funds or other sources (e.g., grants). When TGS funds are used, the program determines if this will be through a fellowship or graduate assistantship for each student. Students should refer to their admissions offer letter or program staff regarding their individual funding.

Are PhD students responsible for paying any fees out-of-pocket?

A PhD student's funding covers tuition, stipend, health services fees and the annual health insurance premium.  Any other fees, such as the activity fee, are paid by the student.

How is a PhD student’s funding affected when registered for TGS 512 (Continuous Registration)?

Students do not receive funding (stipend or tuition scholarship) when registered for TGS 512 and are not eligible for the health insurance subsidy. In addition, they do not pay the activity fee and are not eligible for U-Pass. The current tuition charge for TGS 512 is $100/quarter.

Is PhD funding different for international students?

In general, international students are funded the same as domestic students.  However, international students must pass  TGS's English Proficiency Requirement  before they can be funded as a graduate assistant/TA. 

What other funding opportunities are available?

Additional funding opportunities may be available based on eligibility through  The Office of Fellowships , the  Evanston Office of Graduate Financial Aid  (loans),  Interdisciplinary Graduate Assistantships (GAships) , or  TGS Internal Fellowships/Grants . It is the student’s responsibility to obtain approval from their program and coordinate other funding opportunities.

How do external fellowships affect my funding?

Your Northwestern funding package will be adjusted when you obtain external funding. You do not receive external fellowships on top of your full Northwestern funding.

Are financial resources available for relocation/moving expenses?

What is the process when a phd student’s tuition/fees are financially supported by direct billing to a 3rd party sponsor.

If a 3 rd party sponsor, such as an employer or scholarship sponsor, pays for a student’s tuition/fees upfront and without any stipulations, then it may fall under third party billing in which case the Student Finance department can set up a third party billing plan and invoice the sponsor directly; however, before they can do this, the student would need to provide them with an official sponsorship letter. The letter needs to be on company/sponsor letterhead and it needs to include the following information:

• Type of charges that will be covered (tuition, activity fee, student health plan, etc.)
• Coverage period (for example: Fall 2021 or 2021-2022 academic year)
• Address/email address where invoice should be sent
• Address where any refund/overpayment should be returned

Funding timeline

How many quarters of funding does a phd student receive  .

PhD students in the Humanities and Social Sciences receive 20 quarters (5 full years) of funding. In most programs additional quarters may be banked through the fifth year and used in the sixth year (see banked quarters section below). PhD students in the Sciences and Engineering are typically funded for at least five years through a combination of funding by The Graduate School (TGS) and adviser/program funding. Graduate student funding is a shared responsibility. While financial commitments are made to PhD students for a set number of years, it is important to understand that the overall graduate funding budget is dependent on a significant number of PhD students obtaining external funding.

During what months/quarters are PhD stipends paid?

PhD students are paid year round including over the breaks while they are registered full-time (excluding TGS 512). Please note that the  funding quarters do not exactly match the academic quarters . For example, the first stipend payment for new students is for the period of 9/1 – 9/30 even though classes do not start until late September. Conversely, a student who graduates in the Spring quarter (completes in May) is paid through 5/31 even though classes run a couple of weeks into June. Students receive 3 months of stipend for each quarter although the timing does not exactly match the academic schedule. Below are the funding quarters:

• Fall: September – November
• Winter: December – February
• Spring: March – May
• Summer: June- August

Is the funding for each program customized based on average time to degree?

No. The University’s funding commitment is standard across all PhD programs. It is not tied to time to degree in order to maximize the funding available to as many students as possible.

What funding from The Graduate School is limited to a PhD student’s first five years?

Any TGS quarters of funding, outside of eligible banked quarters, such as interdisciplinary GAships, cluster quarters, and competitively-awarded fellowships, such as the Nicholson Fellowship, TGS Buffet Fellowship, Ryan Fellowship etc., are limited to a PhD student’s first five years.

What funding options are available to a PhD student after their fifth year?

At the home school’s discretion, eligible banked quarters may be used through a PhD student’s sixth year in the Humanities and Social Sciences. In addition, there is no limitation on funding from outside of The Graduate School, external funding from outside of the University, or scholarships related to external funding. In addition, TGS continues to provide research assistant scholarships (RAS), health subsidies, and tuition scholarships for PhD students with external funding beyond 5 years across disciplines.

When a PhD student graduates, when does their stipend end?

A PhD student will receive a stipend payout through the end of the month in which they complete/submit all degree requirements.

Banked quarters (humanities and social sciences PhD students)

Can phd students bank some of their funding to be used later .

At the home school’s discretion, most Humanities and Social Sciences PhD students may use up to 4 banked quarters to extend their funding through their sixth year. Banked quarters are earned in years 1-5 when a student is funded on quarters outside of their 20 allocated quarters from TGS, such as through interdisciplinary GAships, external fellowships, grant funding, etc. Please check with your program staff or dean’s office to determine if your program participates in banked quarters.

Are banking policies consistent between schools?

The Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences (WCAS) has a formal banking policy that is consistent across most programs. Currently, it is standard in most programs for WCAS Humanities and Social Sciences PhD students to use banked quarters through their sixth year. Please check with your program staff or dean’s office to determine if your program participates in banked quarters.

Additional income (e.g., Permission to Work)

In addition to their stipend, can a phd student perform additional work for pay.

In order for a student to perform additional work for pay, A Permission to Work form must be submitted before the work begins if any of the following thresholds are exceeded:

• Student will work more than 10 hours/week
• Time period of service is more than one month
• Compensation is $600 or more

PhD and MFA students may work no more than 20 hours per week from all sources, including assistantships. Students are responsible for verifying that additional work for pay is permitted based on their funding source (e.g., NSF GRFP, etc.).

Payroll and Taxes

Where can i find out information about payroll, i-9 forms, fnis, direct deposit, w-4s etc.,, why can’t federal taxes be automatically withheld from graduate student fellowships.

Even though graduate student fellowships are considered taxable income, federal law does not require taxes to be withheld, and the amount to withhold varies by individual. To help avoid a significant tax payment at the end of the year, students are encouraged to  complete a W-4 Form  and indicate an amount they would like Payroll to withhold from each stipend payment. Learn more in the  Taxes section .

Where can I receive assistance with filing my taxes?

Why can’t the student activity fee be automatically deducted from stipend payments.

There is not currently a mechanism in place across the multiple University systems to automatically deduct the student activity fee. If a student activity fee is not paid on time, a registration hold may be placed on the account and a late fee may be charged. Please be sure to check your student account in CAESAR every month.

Undocumented/DACA funding 

How are undocumented or daca students funded.

Undocumented students who are not authorized to work in the U.S. must be funded on fellowships for their entire tenure in the program. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a.k.a. Dreamers) students who have work authorization may be funded on assistantships or fellowships.

Healthcare subsidy 

Who is eligible for the health care subsidy.

All TGS PhD students who are registered full-time (3-4 units), except for TGS 512, during the fall quarter are eligible for the healthcare subsidy for the full academic year (Sep 1-Aug 31). The subsidy is automatically applied during the fall quarter as long as the student is enrolled in the Northwestern health insurance plan.

More Assistance

Who should i contact with questions or issues related to my funding, who should i contact with questions or issues related to my student account in caesar.

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•       Financial Aid       PhD Scholarships and Financial Aid

PAYING FOR YOUR PHD Expert Tips, Scholarships Opportunities and Resources for Financing an Advanced Degree

The average yearly tuition for a PhD program is slightly above $16,000, which means students will invest about $80,000 in tuition fees alone for a five-year program. Add in fees, cost-of-living, travel expenses and the figure can easily surpass six figures. Yet, it is possible to fund a PhD program without breaking the bank and going into debt.

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PHD COST BREAKDOWN

The value of a college education should not be understated, but neither should its actual cost. Earning a doctoral degree can be an expensive proposition. According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition and fees for a graduate program of study was $16,435 in 2012-2013. The table below outlines the 2012-2013 graduate tuition and fees by academic institution.

• All Institutions $16,435
• Public $10,408
• Private Non-Profit $23,698
• Private For-Profit $14,418

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

A rough calculation of the number of years it takes to complete a doctoral program, multiplied by the average 2012-2013 tuition and fees from the NCES, reveals the following total cost figures by academic field of study.

A five- to six-figure education is something to take seriously as there are debt implications after leaving finishing a PhD program. Graduating doctoral students in 2013 left school with an average debt of just over $15,000, according to the National Science Foundation. By field, students in the Social Sciences, Education and Humanities graduate with the highest levels of student debt:

• Education: $26,566
• Social Sciences: $26,222
• Humanities: $21,485

Conversely, the science and technology fields graduate students with the lowest debt figures:

• Physical Sciences: $6,342
• Engineering: $7,031
• Life Sciences: $11,905
• Physical Sciences 78.2%
• Engineering 75.1%
• Life Sciences 67.2%
• Humanities 48.4%
• Social Sciences 46.5%
• Education 44.1%

Source: National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2013

While these figures may seem alarming, a deeper dive into survey data from the National Science Foundation actually paints a more positive picture. Overall, more than 62 percent of all doctoral recipients graduate from school without a single dollar of debt.

Prospective students can use the table below to get a better sense of the percentage of students who take on debt at incremental levels in each field of academic study. A majority of students graduate with $10,000 or less in debt after finishing their doctoral degree.

PhD Cost Factors

The total cost of earning a doctoral degree is variable because of the sheer number of different factors involved. Tuition is not the only cost to consider when thinking about applying to a PhD program.

Typically, students pay full tuition rates during their first three years of doctoral study and receive reduced tuition rates for the remainder of the program. However, the actual cost of tuition does vary and may be dependent on the student’s actual degree program.

Graduate students pay a range of fees, with the most common including:

• Health Services (access to health facilities on campus)
• Health Insurance (personal health insurance)
• Student Activity (subsidizes athletics and other clubs)
• Student Recreation (access to recreational facilities on campus)

Some programs estimate students should be prepared to pay between $3,000 and $4,500 per academic year in student fees and health insurance costs.

Students with a master’s degree or coursework in a similar graduate program may be able to transfer credits into their doctoral program. That can lower the total number of credits required to graduate, which can lower the total cost of the degree. However, some institutions do limit the amount of tuition credits that can be applied for graduate work done in a related field at other institutions.

Whether or not the student has an assistantship does not affect the cost of textbooks and other academic materials. Books are a revolving charge, one a student should plan upon each semester or quarter.

Housing, utilities and food are considered indirect expenses students incur during their education. PhD students should plan on anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000 and up for living expenses each year. Again, this figure is highly variable based on the location of the university and the cost-of-living in that area.

Owning a car means additional budgeting for insurance, car payments and gas. Additionally, students may need to travel for conferences and research. Without funding from a graduate student association or grant program, the student will have to cover these costs individually.

PhD students with children may have to account for childcare costs. Purchasing a new computer and other supplies may also be required. This type of budgeting will vary from individual to individual, program to program.

Most PhD programs allow students to progress at their own pace, requiring them to complete and defend their dissertation within a certain time period (e.g. six years). However, the time it takes to complete a dissertation depends on the student, area of study, research, etc. This can impact cost of attending a doctoral program.

Example Cost of Attendance

A student’s budget should include the total cost of attendance—that is both direct (tuition and fees) and indirect costs (e.g. housing). This budget is the starting point for determining the student’s financial need, how much financial aid they require, and if they can afford to attend a doctoral program. Below is a sample five-year total cost of attendance chart based on an in-state tuition program, with a budget that assumes fixed costs for fees and indirect costs, such as housing. It also does not take into account assistantships and tuition waivers for assistants.

Based on a figure that’s slightly below the 2012-2013 average graduate tuition cost, the total cost of attendance can still produce sticker shock. An average student in a program that charges $12,000 per year in tuition could have to pay between $30,000 and $45,000 year in total costs.

PhD FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS

Prospective PhD candidates have an abundance of financial aid options to help fund their graduate studies. Typically, students are fully funded by a combination of sources, including scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or student loans.

It is important for students to note that most sources of aid are awarded by individual academic programs, so they should follow-up with their department for up-to-date information.

Below is a high-level overview of the common types of graduate financial aid.

Prospective PhD candidates can turn to a variety of funding sources, including scholarships, grants, and fellowships to support their education financially. As discussed, most students use a combination of one or more of these funding sources to finance their degree program and research.

PhD students can apply for a variety of scholarships that award students with funds that can be used to help cover the cost of tuition, books and other fees.

Grants are similar to scholarships and are academic-based awards that can be used to augment other sources of financial aid.

Fellowships are a different type of funding that may encompass a scholarship or grant and can be used to fund research, study and teaching in the US and internationally. Many fellowships provide full tuition and a yearly stipend to students.

A PhD should never be an end in itself but rather a means to an end. The path to a PhD is an arduous one and should never be undertaken without serious thought to what it will bring the student. That said, there is money available for graduate study in most fields, and a student in the humanities should be very careful to apply to appropriate programs which fund their grad students.

• Engineering
• Physical Sciences

The SMART program is designed to support graduate students studying in STEM disciplines and offers a range of other benefits, including supplies and health insurance allowances and employment placement services with the DoD after graduation.

The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship is a three-year graduate fellowship that is designed to support doctoral students across fifteen engineering disciplines.

This three-year fellowship program supports the research efforts of doctoral students in STEM-related fields of study and allows them to pursue their work at any accredited graduate program in the country.

Renewable award for graduate students enrolled in a full-time APA-accredited doctoral program of study in psychology. Underrepresented, minority students are encouraged to apply.

This fellowship is open to female scholars and is designed to help offset the doctoral student’s living expenses during her final year of working on a dissertation.

This fellowship is a single-year of funding that is designed to support the doctoral research of a student working in child psychology.

The Javits Fellowship is provided on a needs- and competitive-basis to graduate students pursing graduate degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts.

Two fellowships are awarded to support doctoral students who plan to study at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece for a year.

The Richard M. Weaver Scholarship is open to graduate student members of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and supports the academic work of scholars pursuing teaching careers at the college level.

The AICPA fellowship is designed for minority students pursuing or planning to pursue a doctorate in accounting.

Five scholarships are available to provide financial assistance to graduate students pursuing studies in accounting and plan on earning CPA licensure.

This fellowship provides financial support to female scholars conducting research and economic analysis into natural resource, food, or agricultural issues.

This renewable, four-year fellowship is designed to support a scholar’s work in the field of stewardship science: nuclear science, high density physics, and materials under extreme conditions and hydrodynamics.

This multi-year fellowship supports doctoral research in several fields, ranging from chemistry to geology, materials science to physics and connects fellows with NPSC employer partners.

The NWRI fellowship program is open to full-time doctoral students conducting water-based research in areas such as water quality, water treatment and technologies, water supplies and water resources.

Really think about your reasons for getting a PhD. Critically exam the support systems you have in place to get you through the journey: 50 percent of doctoral students suffer from depression. Utilize services like the counseling center on your college/university campuses to help you respond to the stressors that may occur with the transition.

ASSISTANTSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS AND LOANS

Graduate assistantships.

Graduate assistantships are a form of academic appointment and are provided by individual departments. Competitive in nature, they are typically awarded on the basis of the student’s academic accomplishments and potential in the graduate program of study. Most programs provide appointments for one year at time and students receive a tuition credit or waiver and monthly stipend. There are three types of assistantships: Teaching Assistantships, Assistant Lecturers, and Research Assistants.

Teaching assistants perform a range of support duties for faculty members at a university, including grading papers and teaching classes.

Lecturers may serve as instructors in the academic department where they are studying.

Research assistants conduct and assist faculty members with research projects in the student’s area of interest.

Fellowships

Fellowships are short-term funding opportunities (typically 9- to 12 months) provided to students in the form of tuition credits and/or stipends. They support a student’s graduate study in their field of choice, may assist them in their research, or gain professional training in an area of interest. Fellowships are competitive and are available in two types: University-based and External.

Individual schools, colleges, and departments at a university (e.g. College of Science, Department of English) may have endowed fellowships. Students are either nominated for an award by their department or may be open to an application process.

External fellowships are funded by foundations, government agencies and other groups and provide opportunities to study both in the US and abroad. For example, the Department of Defense offers the National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship to engineering students studying in one of sixteen engineering specialties.

Corporations

Many companies and businesses have created scholarship, fellowship, and tuition reimbursement programs for their employees. Depending on the company, there may be a possibility it supports the graduate school efforts of its employees. Speak to the Human Resources department to learn more about the potential funding avenues available.

Graduate students may borrow funds from the federal government under two loan programs: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program.

Private financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, offer unsecured educational loans to graduate students. These loans must be repaid with interest. The interest rates, loan amount, and repayment terms are based on the credit worthiness of the borrower.

Federal work study provides students with demonstrated financial need part-time job opportunities that allow them to earn income while they are in graduate school. The program focuses on placing students in community service situations related to the student’s academic course of study. A majority of jobs are on-campus, but some schools may have some off-campus jobs with nonprofit agencies and other groups. It is important to note that some universities may not allow students to use their federal work study for tuition, but other related expenses (e.g. books, fees).

EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: Lawrence Burns, PhD

What should a future phd student consider when selecting a program of   study .

Speaking in the humanities, a student is best advised, I think, to select the faculty member with whom he or she wishes to study rather than simply a program. This faculty member becomes the student’s mentor, a relationship that lasts well beyond graduate school years. Because the mentor becomes the student’s primary reference, his or her standing in the field can and does have an impact on pre- and post-doctoral grants a student might win as well as on the student’s success on the academic job market.

It is a delicate balance though, because one must also look at programs that have standing in a particular field and at institutions that can afford to fund their PhD students throughout their graduate years.

Much is made about the saturation of PhD graduates and not enough   positions — both in academic and the private sector. Should that dissuade   a student from pursuing a PhD?

Yes, of course. Again, a PhD is not something that comes easily, and it should not be pursued without a reason for it. On the other hand, for students who are committed to their fields, and for whom that field is a career choice, the PhD is still the only way into the university job market. 

There is a catch-22 in the world of post-graduate education. Research universities need to turn out research, and researchers often depend on their grad students to assist them–in all fields–and departments on their PhD candidates to teach many undergraduate courses. PhD students are thus recruited regardless of the job market for the PhD holders.

The challenges in funding the PhD for me were less about how am I going to pay for this degree, but making the adjustment from being a full-time salaried employee to now, taking a significant pay cut to serve as a graduate assistant.

EARNING OUTLOOK FOR PHD STUDENTS

Potential career earnings should be a significant part of the discussion when considering whether or not to pursue a doctoral degree. Completing an advanced program of study could increase an individual’s earning potential with their current or future employers.

Research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a direct correlation between educational attainment and career success—both in employment opportunities and annual salaries. Doctoral degree holders are some of the highest paid professionals in the country. The table below outlines the difference in earnings by degree level in 2014.

source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Earnings and Unemployment by Educational Attainment

• Industry or Business $97,700
• Government $82,000
• Nonprofit Organizations $72,500
• Other $70,000
• Academia $60,000

Source: National Science Foundation, Survey of Earned Doctorates

In turn, prospective students should consider how their sacrifice of time and money will pay off when they embark in their careers. Some professional fields have a higher return on investment than others. A majority of PhD candidates endeavor to become tenured-track faculty members, but they should realize that academia is one of the lowest paying sectors for individuals with a doctoral degree.

A review of National Science Foundation survey information shows that the best paying professional areas for PhD graduates include Industry and Business—with an average salary of $97,700. At the bottom of the list? Academia.

MOST LUCRATIVE PHD CAREERS

So, which PhD degrees pay the best?

According to the NSF, business, economics, and engineering are consistently among the best earning academic fields regardless of industry. The following tables outline the highest paying academic fields by professional area of work after graduation.

• Business Management and Administration $110,000
• Economics $82,000
• Engineering $79,000
• Health Sciences $70,000
• Education $60,000
• Business Management and Administration $135,000
• Economics $115,000
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $115,000
• Geosciences $110,000
• Engineering $98,000
• Economics $112,500
• Business Management and Administration $96,590
• Engineering $96,500
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $95,300
• Health Sciences $94,000
• Business Management and Administration $105,000
• Economics $100,000
• Mathematics and Computer Information Sciences $100,000
• Health Sciences $98,000

At the occupational level, 2012 employment research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed the best paying doctoral career was Physicist ($109,600), followed by Astronomers ($105,410), and Engineering Professors ($94,130).

Overall, the top 10 most lucrative PhD careers include the following:

• 1 Physicists $109,600
• 2 Astronomers $105,410
• 3 Engineering Professors $94,130
• 4 Economics Professors $90,870
• 5 Health Specialties Professors: $90,210
• 6 Agricultural Sciences Professors $86,260
• 7 Biochemists and Biophysicists $84,940
• 8 Forestry and Conservation Science Professors $84,090
• 9 Physics Professors $80,720
• 10 Medical Scientists $79,930

EXPERT SPOTLIGHT: Darren Pierre, PhD

How has earning a phd impacted you personally and professionally.

Personally, the PhD was an incredibly introspective process. I believe for many, they go into the PhD thinking one thing, and come out transformed by the experience. I learned and grew personally in how I harness my self-worth, I grew professionally in my ability to humble myself and authentically listen to the feedback given about my work.

Professionally, I move with a greater level of confidence, I have more insight into my own potential in ways I could have never imagined, and all of that propelled me to write my book, The Invitation to Love.

Through your own experience, what are the biggest mistakes   prospective PhD students make when choosing and/or funding their PhD?

The biggest mistake that perspective students make is doing the degree for the wrong reason. If you are doing the degree for any other reason that self-motivated factors, you will falter. Doing the PhD to cover areas of insecurity, or low self-worth; doing the PhD for the prestige or title sake, those reasons will have you floundering and faltering when the psychological stressors being to weigh heavy.

Did you create a roadmap--financially or academically--to stay on track to   completing your PhD?

Absolutely, you have to have a plan and work that plan. Each Sunday, I would develop the week's action plan, I would carve out everything from when I was doing assignments/research to when I would work out, everything was on a schedule so that even when the fog of the process set in, I had headlights (my schedule) that allowed me to drive consistently when the road ahead was hard to see.

PHD: BY THE NUMBERS

Doctoral education in the U.S. is a varied and broad system, one that has been growing in popularity. In the 2013-2014 academic year, more than 178,000 doctoral degrees were conferred to students nationally, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

• Doctoral Education Continues to Grow
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Dominate
• STEM Fields are the Most Popular
• Only Half of Students Earn a PhD in the Same Academic Field as their Master’s Degree
• Doctoral Degrees are an Investment in Time
• Primary Source of Funding Varies by Program

In its survey of earned doctorates, the National Science Foundation learned the number of doctoral recipients increased by nearly 30 percent between 2003 and 2013.

The most popular academic areas of study were Engineering and the Physical Sciences.

• Engineering 69.80%
• Physical Sciences 59.30%
• Health Sciences 53.60%
• Life Sciences 44.60%
• Other 38.90%
• Social Sciences 19.90%
• Humanities 9.10%
• Education -25.70%

Within the engineering and physical sciences disciplines, multiple sub-fields have been experiencing explosive interest and enrollments, with some programs (e.g. physics, materials science engineering) growing by more than 70 percent between 2003 and 2013.

• Other engineering 127.5%
• Materials science engineering 86.5%
• Aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering 74.5%
• Mechanical engineering 70.5%
• Electrical, electronics, and communication engineering 53.6%
• Chemical engineering 46.0%
• Computer and information sciences 119.1%
• Mathematics 83.0%
• Physics and astronomy 76.7%
• Geosciences 28.8%
• Chemistry 22.0%

According to NSF, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields are the most popular doctoral areas of study.

• Life Sciences 23.3%
• Physical Sciences 17.6%
• Engineering 17.0%
• Social Sciences 15.9%
• Humanities 10.7%
• Education 9.4%

Interestingly, slightly more than 56 percent of graduate students continue into a doctoral program in the same field as their master’s degree. Rates are highest in the humanities, engineering, and social sciences fields.

• Humanities 67.6%
• Engineering 65.7%
• Social Sciences 65.6%
• Education 61.5%
• All Fields 56.1%
• Physical Sciences 53.4%
• Life Sciences 35.5%

It requires approximately 7.5 years of study for the average graduate student to complete a doctoral degree after enrolling in graduate school. Education takes the longest — more than 11 years, while the physical sciences and engineering fields only require 6.5 to 6.6 years of study to complete.

• Education 11.7
• Humanities 9.2
• Social Sciences 7.7
• All Fields 7.5
• Life Sciences 6.9
• Engineering 6.6
• Physical Sciences 6.5

According to the NSF, the most common source of funding for doctoral students are teaching and research assistantships. The table below details the primary source of funding for students by academic area of study.

• Life Sciences Fellowships/ Grants
• Physical Sciences Research Assistantships
• Social Sciences Teaching Assistantships
• Engineering Research Assistantships
• Education Own Resources
• Humanities Teaching Assistantships
• All Fields Research Assistantships

The following table includes a breakout of the primary funding source by major field of study, according the National Science Foundation.

Source: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/sed/2013/data-tables.cfm

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES

The ultimate financial goal of any PhD student should be to complete their program successfully and move into a professional career with as little debt as possible. The resources below are available to help students locate scholarships and other funding sources that can help make that goal a reality.

Unigo offers a selection of financial assistance resources for graduate students, including a scholarship directory, a scholarship match tool, educational information on student loans and funding options, and more.

Scholarships.com is a website that provides a selection of financial aid information, including a searchable scholarship directory, insights into funding trends, financial aid calculators, and information about grants and fellowships.

Peterson’s is an educational resource site that includes a searchable scholarship database, articles and advice columns, and a catalog of graduate school profiles.

FinAid.org is an educational resource site that focuses on financial aid and offers information about student loans, federal financial aid, financing a doctoral education, and includes a scholarship search option.

An office of the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid is the country’s largest provider of financial aid. Graduate students can learn about and pally for loans, grants, and work-study funds to pay for their doctoral education.

FastWeb is a financial aid-focused website that offers a searchable scholarship directory that allows students to focus their search to their major area of study, work experience, and personal and professional activities.

Chegg is an online educational portal that not only offers used textbooks, but a scholarship database as well.

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6 Ways You Can Fund Your PhD

Stephanie Lukins

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Table of contents

• Introduction

Research council grant

Postgraduate loan, employer sponsorship, studentship, crowdfunding, discover more studentships on offer at lse.

Sponsored by LSE

Studying a PhD is an exciting and extremely rewarding venture. Whether it’s for personal development, professional development, or both, a PhD can have a life-changing impact, but it also comes with its own challenges. However, thinking of ways to fund it, shouldn’t be one of them.

Some PhD students consider taking on part-time work, but after dedicating 40 hours a week to studies, you’ll want to relax, socialize and have some time away from the library and books to clear your mind, instead. Even though there’s no right or wrong way to go about funding a PhD, it does pay to be realistic and well-informed, so make sure you do your research first to find the best way for you.

Crowdfunding, employer funding and postgraduate loans are just some of the popular ways to help fund PhD studies, in addition to studentships and research council grants , which, in the world of academia, are sometimes considered ‘the golden ticket’. Read on to discover more ways you can fund a PhD.

Research council grants should be your first port of call when seeking any form of PhD funding if you’re from the UK or EU. They’re non-repayable, and normally cover your three or four years of studying. Depending on the study program, and academic performance, the ESRC DTP Studentships offered at LSE can cover either three or four years of your five or six-year PhD program.

The PhD Academy based in LSE’s library building, is a dedicated innovative hub space for PhD students to socialize and study. It’s also home to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) where PhD students at LSE are offered additional academic professional development and training.

Recently introduced for the 2018-19 academic year for UK nationals, and EU national students who reside in the UK, the PhD postgraduate loan is worth up to £25,000 (~US$32,467). Much like a master’s loan, you can borrow any amount up to £25,000, regardless of your financial background.

If you’re able to show your employer that studying a PhD will not just benefit you, but them and the company as well, they may offer you some form of employer sponsorship. To help make your case as strong as possible, you should outline what you plan to study, how long for, the cost, and above all else, exactly why you want to study a PhD and the impact it will have on your employer. This demonstrates your commitment and understanding of what you’re asking your employer to do for you, as well as what you’ll be doing for them. 

A studentship is the name most commonly used for PhD scholarships. They’re a popular form of funding for PhD students across the world, supporting students from any country, with many universities offering a number of studentships to help ease the financial pressure.

Traditionally, studentships are more common in science, technology, engineering and medicine subjects (STEM). However, PhD students at London School of Economics (LSE), have the chance to be awarded one of around 100 studentships, from its LSE PhD Studentships and LSE ESRC DTP Studentships .

For some students, receiving a PhD Studentship is the difference between being able to pursue a PhD, or not. Katherine Furman, a current MPhil/PhD Philosophy student at LSE was awarded the LSE PhD Studentship. She told us: "I received an LSE PhD Studentship, which covers both my tuition and living expenses. It was a huge honor to receive funding from such a prestigious institution and without this support it would have been impossible for me to pursue my PhD."

Tamlyn Monson, a Sociology PhD graduate at LSE, told us of how a studentship helped her: “The LSE PhD Scholarship gave me the freedom to fully concentrate on the demanding final stage of my graduate study.”

The PhD Studentships offered at LSE, cover full fees, with an annual stipend of £18,000.

Asking your family and friends, and even strangers to help support your PhD studies may feel a little extreme, but you shouldn’t rule it out. You’ll need to be able to market yourself well, and explain why people should part with their money to help fund something that benefits you.  

If you know where to look, certain charities may help provide funding for your PhD. Although these organizations are unlikely to be able to cover everything, you can combine multiple sources of funds from charities, and incorporate it into what’s known as ‘portfolio funding’. Students at LSE can access the ‘ Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online ’ database for free, which helps source alternative funding opportunities (especially from charities).

As well as PhD Studentships and LSE ESRC DTP Studentships, there’s also department-specific funding available at LSE. Eligibility and application processes can vary widely, so it’s best to check with each individual program to be sure.

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As the former Head of Sponsored Content for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, Stephanie created and published a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. She attended the University of Portsmouth where she earned a BA in English Language and an MA in Communication and Applied Linguistics.

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Funding Your Ph.D. Education

At the I School, all our Ph.D. students receive funding packages with a minimum of six years of financial support through a combination of fellowships, research positions, and academic student employment. Details of individual funding packages may vary; in order to take full advantage of offered funding, students need to remain in good academic standing and advance to doctoral candidacy in normative time to degree, and may need to meet other funding conditions of specific fellowships or positions.

In the first year, I School Ph.D. students receive fellowship support to cover all tuition and fees, including Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition and the Student Health Insurance Fee, and a stipend for living expenses. For the academic year 2023–2024, the minimum first-year I School Ph.D. student 12-month stipend is $40,000.

After the first year, Ph.D. students are typically funded through graduate student academic appointments or research positions for up to four years (eight semesters). In addition to an hourly wage, students receive fee remission that offsets a portion or all of their tuition and fees. For more information, see Graduate Student Academic Appointments and Fee Remission .

Some students continue their research positions during the summer. The I School also offers limited summer grant opportunities for Ph.D. students who have no other summer funding sources secured.

After Ph.D. students pass their qualifying exam and advance to doctoral candidacy, the Berkeley Doctoral Completion Fellowship (DCF) provides eligible students with one year (two semesters) of tuition remission and a stipend for living expenses. Students are expected to make every effort to meet DCF eligibility conditions in order to take advantage of this funding opportunity.

The University also awards through competition a limited number of merit- and need-based fellowships each year. See University Fellowships for further details.

Tuition and fees listed reflect currently approved amounts; these figures may not be final. Actual tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change. Students should expect fees to increase moderately each fall term.

* Students may opt out of the UCGPC fee .

** Students have the option to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) if they have other major medical health insurance that meet the SHIP waiver criteria and don't wish to have dual coverage. For waiver qualifications, instructions, forms, and FAQs, please see Waiving SHIP .

*** The Document Management Fee is a one-time fee charged in the first term of enrollment.

For additional information on the cost of attendance, please visit: Financial Aid and Scholarships Office Cost of Attendance .

California residents, for purposes of registration, are those who have been legal residents of California for at least one year immediately before the opening day of the semester for which they register. Legal residence is a combination of physical presence and the intention of making the state one’s permanent home, coupled with the relinquishment of legal residence in any other state.

Eligible Ph.D. students are expected to establish California residency for tuition purposes by their second year of the program.

International students with F-1 visas cannot be classified as California residents for tuition purposes.

More Information:

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Financial Aid

Graduate students may apply for need-based loans and work-study through the Financial Aid Office. The programs are based on demonstrated financial need and require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens (those holding permanent resident cards) may apply for funds administered by the Financial Aid Office. Financial aid can include work-study, loans, the Native American Opportunity Plan , and other sources of financial aid.

• More information

If you are employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or not-for-profit organization, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Learn more  here .

Additional Fellowships

In addition to the first-year fellowship and academic student employment, Ph.D. students may supplement their funding by applying for additional internal and external fellowships. Some university restrictions on combining funding opportunities apply; students are encouraged to consult our admissions staff with questions about specific conjunctions of funding.

Fellowships for I School Students

All admitted Ph.D. applicants will automatically be considered for the Hal Varian endowment .

The I School awards a variety of fellowships to I School students.

List of I School fellowship opportunities

External Fellowships

Students are encouraged to apply for external fellowship opportunities as relevant. Below are several examples of external fellowships that our I School Ph.D. students have successfully obtained:

• Facebook Fellowship
• Fulbright Study/Research Award
• Hertz Fellowship
• Marcus Foster Fellowship
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
• Peter Lyman Fellowship for New Media
• Soros Fellowships for New Americans
• UC Berkeley Mentored Research Award

Our Ph.D. students have also received grants from the following organizations and centers:

• MIMS Program
• 5th Year MIDS Program
• MIDS Program
• MICS Program
• Graduate Certificates

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PhD Funding – A Checklist of Possible Sources

There are probably more funding opportunities for your PhD than you think. It is worth making sure you have investigated them all.

Funding bodies support PhD students in different ways. Some pay course fees only, some include a stipend (maintenance costs) or travel expenses, and others offer a one-off award to ease the financial burden of academic study.

Each funding body will have its own criteria for eligibility. At PhD level full funding will tend to be awarded on academic merit, but there are also some that take into account financial background and other criteria such as gender (such as in the case of the British Federation of Women Graduates).

Research Councils

The seven Research Councils invest in the region of £380 million into doctorate research every year. However, funding is made available through the participating universities rather than the research councils themselves. Universities set up Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) or Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) in order to receive funding.

It is then up to the universities to decide who to award studentships to – usually based on academic merit following a competitive application process.

Eligibility criteria and award amounts are standardised and you will find many other funded PhDs referring to research council rates when defining their own. Research council studentships include fees and a minimum stipend per annum which is paid tax-free.

The seven Research Councils include:

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

The above organisations have been grouped together with Innovate UK and Research England in 2018, and the umbrella organisation is called UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) .

UKRI’s key objectives include providing funding for the training of new researchers.

Academic institutions

Universities, colleges and research institutes also fund their own studentships, and these are typically listed on the institution’s own website alongside its research council-funded studentships. Some will offer fees only, while others may offer a stipend as well. Amounts may vary although many use the research council rates as a benchmark.

Commercial and charitable organisations

A number of non-academic organisations help fund research at PhD level in collaboration with the university hosting the study. CASE (Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering) studentships are for four-year PhDs. These are part-funded by a non-academic ‘co-operating body’ such as a UK industrial firm, public sector organisation or charity. Students spend at least three months of the PhD working in-situ at the co-operating body which makes a financial contribution to both the student and the project. Students often find these to be good avenues for finding full-time work at the end of their placement, and will have gained valuable hands-on work experience. There are also CASE-Plus studentships where students spend a further year working full-time on the premises of the co-operating body as an employee following the PhD.

A number of charitable organisations, foundations and trusts can help fund PhDs:

The Wellcome Trust

Cancer Research UK

The British Academy

The British Federation of Women Graduates

The Institution of Civil Engineers

Institution of Engineering & Technology

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Royal Geographical Society

Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland

Leverhulme Trust

Action Medical Research

The Grundy Educational Trust .

Self-funding

If you are having difficulty in getting funding from the above sources, you may be able to fund your own way through a PhD. You may be eligible for Professional and Career development loans. It is wise to review the specific application criteria to ensure that you are eligible.

A further option is to study part-time while working. This could however place additional demands on your time and financial situation. Be aware that if you have managed to access some funding elsewhere, you may be prohibited from working during your PhD as part of the stipulations of the award.

The jobs.ac.uk website lists some excellent PhD opportunities as well as a wide range of jobs – do take a look at them!

For more PhD tips:

Your PhD Journey – Top Tips 

What Can You Do With a PhD?

PhD Application Tips

What is a PhD and Why Should YOU do one?

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Henrietta Nagy

Henrietta Nagy is a seasoned portfolio worker with over 10 years’ experience in the UK education sector. Henrietta writes educational content, designs academic courses, delivers university lectures, mentors entrepreneurs, and provides career development coaching. One of Henrietta's recent organisational clients is the Oxford University where she has facilitated over 100 hours of learning events. With 9 years of higher education studies internationally (including an MBA), she has worked with CEOs, academics, scholars, managers, women entrepreneurs, academic administrators and other consultants.

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10th October 2019 at 12:12 pm

I am a PHD Scholar at Wollegga University, Ethiopia.I need a Research Grant. Would you please help me?

3rd December 2019 at 9:21 am

I am conflict management PhD candidate in South Africa I need funding. My area of focus is Terrorism in Nigeria. Any advice

4th September 2020 at 8:57 pm

I was offered PhD opportunities at Universities of Cape Town, Queen Margaret and Winchester but could not find funding. My area of specialization is health systems management planning and poli

11th September 2020 at 3:25 pm

I am DBA scholar at University of Northampton researching on industrial actions. I need a research grant. Please assist.

4th December 2020 at 5:11 pm

I am looking for an admission to study PhD Medical Imaging or PhD Nuclear Medicine Technology with finding or grants. Kindly specifically help.

6th August 2022 at 6:45 am

I am a PhD scholar in one of the Federal Universities of Technology in Nigeria. I seriously need a funding to allow me carry out a thorough research on Microplastics pollution in coastal areas of Southwestern part of Nigeria. Thanking you for your timely response. Olanipekun Oluwafunmilayo (Mrs)

5th January 2021 at 9:00 am

I am South African and I have been admitted for a PhD programme at the University of Worcester, UK. However, I am struggling to get funding. Please assist where you can.

18th October 2021 at 12:03 pm

I am due to go into my final year of my Professional doctorate in education, and need funding just for this one year. My research is into COVID and the impact upon young children. Please, can anyone guide me towards any potential sources of funding for this one year?

27th January 2022 at 1:42 pm

I have been admitted for a PhD programme at the University College London in 2022 fall, but I find it difficult to get funding as a non-European international student. Any advice! Many thanks in advance.

5th March 2022 at 1:32 pm

Hello, I am a Chinese student. If I am admitted to a PhD programme of Newcastle University in 2022 fall, but I have not applied for CSC, and the program I applied for is not a full prize program, what other subsidies can I apply for?Any advice! Thank you very much in advance!

10th June 2022 at 6:13 am

I am interested in fully funded PhD, I am a master student in de Montfort university presently.

22nd June 2022 at 5:13 pm

My name is Esther, a Nigerian. I am looking for a PHD in Gender studies and Food Economics, please i will appreciate your kind assistance.

31st January 2023 at 2:57 am

I am a Nigerian and will be taking a Ph. D in UK or any European country soon. Please can you share useful information on how to get external funding for my Ph. D in Urban and Regional Planning with specialty in Landscaping and Transportation. Your impactful feedbacks will be highly appreciated.

7th October 2023 at 4:31 pm

My name is Jingrong, a Chinese student. I am a PhD student in the University of Bristol presently, my research is based on the remanufacturing operations. I am interested in some related funding.

13th August 2022 at 5:50 pm

My name is Bulea Christopher, I am seeking to do PhD in Organizational leadership and management. I shall be grateful.

19th October 2022 at 1:31 pm

I am Nigeria and will be taking a Ph. D in UK soon. Please can you share useful information on how to get external funding for my Ph. D in renewable energy system of technology. Your impactful feedbacks will be highly appreciated. Thanks

31st October 2022 at 8:58 am

My name is Nkomo Dalubuhle from Zimbabwe lm looking for a PHD in curriculum studies in education

18th November 2022 at 3:51 am

I am from Pakistan and want to apply for PhD programme at the University of Staffordshire UK. However, I am struggling to get funding. Please assist where you can.

21st October 2023 at 3:56 pm

I am master’s in special education from pakistan.i required fully funded uni of this field.

14th March 2024 at 8:01 am

I’m a Tunisian student who has been accepted into a PhD program at Newcastle University for 2024, specializing in Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as a master’s degree program at the University of East Anglia, focusing on Rural Development. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to secure funding for either program. Do you have any advice on what steps I can take or where I can apply for funding? Thank you in advance!

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Financing Your Graduate School Education

Tips from a financial aid professional

How much will it cost, example 1: mfa degree, examples 2: law (jd) degree, questions to consider, what does it mean, how can i pay, school-based aid, phd specifics, outside funding, fellowships and scholarships, additional online resources.

Everyone will specific questions regarding their financial situation and how it impacts the entire application and funding process. This resource provides information to help you project costs and possible methods of funding including loans, school-based aid, PhD specifics, outside funding, fellowships, and scholarships.

Everyone will have specific questions regarding their situation and how it impacts the entire application and funding process. Be sure to look over all available information to make any calls to the financial aid office just a little easier on you. And remember:

• If you are unsure who or how to ask stop by Career Education and we can figure it out together!
• Your record is your record. Parents, partners, spouses, etc. must be granted access to your academic and financial accounts (generally including payment history, balances, etc.). Requirements for granting access can vary by institution be sure to read their financial aid website.
• Read your funding documents. Be sure to read documentation carefully and thoroughly, you don’t want any surprises.  This applies to ALL types of funding not just loans
• You can always review information related to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ). Don’t forget to review some of the recent changes to FAFSA filing.

The College Affordability Guide also has some great information on financing graduate education.

Questions to ask:

• Is a graduate/professional degree the right next step for me, and will it help me to do the work I want to do afterwards? Do I need this degree?
• How might I cover those costs?
• Is this a reasonable investment?

This will vary by type of institution (public or private), type of program (clinical, research), and degree type (MEd, PhD, MD, etc.) Below are some examples and definitions to help make sense of the numbers. The total cost of graduate and professional school begins before you even apply.

• Standardized tests & application fees - many programs require at least one standardized test score (GRE, MCAT, LSAT, etc.) in addition to the application fee. Be sure to calculate this into your total cost. Waivers may be available.
• Deposit: A non refundable payment required to hold your place in a program to which you have been accepted.
• PhD funding: duration of funding
• Tuition & fees
• Cost of living comparison and related questions
• Estimate costs of living
• How does in state work?

Scenario: Lucia Delgato wants to pursue an MFA in fine arts. She is from California and is considering the University of California system, but she is also interested in comparing top private and state programs across the country. All of the costs below are approximations, and are based off of a 2-year MFA program (some are 2.5 or 3 years). Make sure you know how long your program will take when calculating costs. Housing and transportation costs are averages of estimates from schools in the hypothetical regions and should be taken as reference points, not exact costs. Books and supplies are slightly higher than would be estimated for other Masters programs because of the costliness of art supplies.

Discussion: Comparing the options, in-state tuition is considerably less expensive for Lucia, but the cost of living in California, especially in LA or the Bay Area — where she would prefer to be — is very high. Even though out of state tuition is much higher, the lower cost of living in the Midwest means this option is not prohibitively more expensive than the in-state options. However, private tuition, combined with the higher cost of living in Northeastern cities makes, the Private MFA option considerably more expensive than the two public options.

Scenario: Jenny Paik plans to go to law school. She is from Wisconsin and is considering the University of Wisconsin's law program to be close to family and save money, but she is also looking at other top programs in the Midwest. Tuition and fee costs are approximations and are for 3-year programs, which is the industry standard. Housing and transportation costs are averages of estimates from universities in the midwest region and should be taken as reference points, not exact costs.

Discussion: In-state tuition would make law school — which is simply expensive — considerably less costly than the out of state and private options. Additionally, Madison, WI is comparatively more affordable than other Midwest cities such as Minneapolis or Chicago, and Jenny could conceivably lower her cost of living even more if she was able to live with family while in school. Both out of state and private tuition are considerably more expensive than the in-state option. When the considerably higher tuition costs of the private law school is combined with the higher cost of living in Chicago, this option ends up being more than double the price of the in-state option. Jenny would likely want to research the possibility of securing merit grants or scholarships to make this option more affordable.

When considering these hypothetical scenarios, it becomes clear that the cost of attending graduate school is much more complicated the price tag of tuition alone. Instead, it is crucial that you dig deeper into the associated and even hidden costs by asking yourself questions such as:

• How are you accounting for the cost of living? Can you reduce costs by living with roommates or in campus housing? What are the tradeoffs of living farther away from campus (where housing may be more affordable) but needed to pay more for transportation?
• What types of aid do these programs offer? How would this aid alter the cost equation?
• Some schools allow students to pay in-state tuition rates after a year of residency. Is this a possibility at any of the out of state schools you are considering? If so, how would this alter the cost equation?
• Health insurance costs can vary widely by program. Some programs even cover the cost of health insurance entirely. Also, remember that if you are an American citizen under 26 years old, you can stay on your parents’ health insurance and waive the program insurance fee.

Below are some of the costs to consider and what they mean.

• Tuition: This is the charge you pay to cover the cost of teaching and instruction. Tuition is usually calculated differently depending on whether you are enrolled full time or part time. Example 1 is a medical school so full time is the only option. If a program offers a part time options you are usually charged at the per-credit rate. (Example 2?)
• Fees: In the US, these are cost for other services not covered by tuition, such as: labs, student activity, technology, health, athletics, etc. Most clinical programs have clinical fees and/or lab fees associated with clinical and lab courses. In some countries, “fees” are what in the US would be called “tuition.”
• Room and board: general living expenses such as the cost of lodging and food. The exact cost can vary greatly by location and whether or not you live on campus.
• Books/Supplies: This can vary greatly by the type of programs. Clinical programs will have a higher cost in this area if specialized equipment (stethoscope, gait belt, blood pressure cuff, etc.)  is required for your training.
• Transportation: This will vary by program and location. Public transportation is sometimes included in your student fees.
• Misc.: other costs not covered in the categories above.
• Cost of Attendance: In the US and some other countries, this is calculated each academic year by every institution and provided to the department of education. Important Note: If you receive any US federal funding this will act as the ceiling for total funding that can be received each academic year from all sources.
• For more about EFC see StudentAid.ed.gov
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): this is required for almost all federal funding, some campuses may require submission of a FAFSA to receive certain aid. For more information: https://studentaid.ed.gov

Be sure to research all of the options available to you for the schools and programs you plan to attend. A great detailed overview can be found HERE . Below are some of the options available to you. Check in with Fellowships and Scholarships and a Career Community Advisor to talk about specific opportunities.

A brief overview of common US loan types is below be sure to check the Department of Education website for up to date information on direct and graduate plus loans.  You can also find helpful resources on US student loans from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau here .

Direct — Unsubsidized

• Subsidized is no longer an option for graduate students
• Fixed interest rate
• Non-need based
• Must be enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours) in degree program
• Repayment and interest begin 60 days after disbursement
• Repayment deferred when enrolled at least half time
• Generally, automatic consideration when applying for campus aid
• Requires Master Promissory Note and entrance counseling
• 1.069% origination fee

Graduate Plus

• May borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other aid
• Repayment may be deferred until after graduation
• Requires FAFSA, Master Promissory Note, and entrance counseling
• Requires credit check
• 4.276% origination fee
• Interest rate varies with loan
• Most likely will need credit worthy co-signer
• Terms vary by lender
• Application process varies by lender
• Generally, must accept or decline other aid first
• Must be in degree seeking program

This category covers a wide variety of funding sources and opportunities. Be sure to check with each campus and program to find opportunities. A few additional notes:

• Generally, this refers to funds that are only available only to those on that campus, sometimes limited to those in specific programs
• These sources may have separate applications and timelines. Be sure to read information and instructions closely. This information may be sent directly to you by a department, school, or program contact. It may also be available on the financial aid website.
• Not all of these sources will be need-based. There may be very specific requirements such as state of residence, high school attended, etc.
• Funding for these may come from any number of sources based on the institution and program.
• Duties of the roles can vary but they are primarily designed to help students learn and practice skills that will be valuable during and after their graduate program.
• Some programs provide GA and RA positions as a part of set funding packages, if this is the case specific language should be easy to find.
• Other programs will post opportunities on a job board and require students to apply and be interviewed, similar to any job.
• There should be guidelines on acceptable, and unacceptable, responsibilities for both positions.

You may have heard that a PhD should be free, or that someone else should be paying for your doctoral degree. While there may have been some truth to this in the past, funding in higher education has changed dramatically over the last 10-15 years--but there is still more funding available for PhDs than for master’s degrees. See below for some important notes related to funding a doctoral education.

• Funding for doctoral education can vary greatly by academic field, institution, full or part time status.
• Research areas of faculty associated with a department and their related grants will also impact packages available to you.
• Funding packages are created with specific time tables for students in mind. Full funding may only be available during the first few years while you are still taking courses, which are the most expensive.
• Graduate assistant and research assistant positions usually require a minimum number of hours per semester or academic year  to earn your stipend.
• Some funding is guaranteed for a set number of years, in other cases it must be renewed year to year. Be sure to read the details for any funding offered.
• Funding beyond your initial aid package may be limited or dependent on your research, publications or other metrics.

These are funds in you have been awarded and can take with you to the institution you attend. The funding is more closely tied to a discipline, degree type, experience or mission rather than a specific institution.

• Military ( Army , Navy , Air Force )
• SMART Scholarship
• National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment , DCBF Loan Repayment Assistance Program , NIH Loan Repayment Programs , California Dental Association
• Employer benefits: depending on the industry, and employer may pay for some or all of your advanced training. There are usually waiting periods before using these benefits and there may be restrictions based on need in a given field, years of service, etc. May also be referred to as tuition assistance or professional development funds. Be sure to read the find print and talk to your human resources office and hiring manager. A few examples are below.

There are a wide variety of options across multiple disciplines and for citizens of any country. A few great places to start is the Fellowships & Scholarships  pages on our website. A few examples are below:

• Soros Fellowship
• Commonwealth Scholarship
• Ford Foundation Fellowships
• Wellesley College Graduate Fellowships
• Don’t miss our advice on searching for scholarships and fellowships for graduate and professional degrees ...

General Information:

• Access Group (private, nonprofit lender for individuals pursuing a graduate or professional school degree, special expertise in law school lending)
• FastWeb  (scholarship search engine)
• FinAid (nonprofit site with student aid information)
• Gradschools.com  (see “Financing” tab)
• The admissions and financial aid process for graduate school (parts 1 and 2)  (idealist.org) (video)
• Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
• National Association of International Educators (NAFSA) (for international students seeking funds for study in the U.S.)
• Wellesley tips for searching for funding for graduate/professional degrees
• ProFellow (Fellowship search engine)
• Scholarships, Fellowships, and Loans - Gale Virtual Reference Library
• U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Student Guide
• Government information on loans, grants, work-study, and general application policies.

For law and medical school:

• Paying for Law School (LSAC) (video)
• The Economics of Becoming a Doctor (AAMC) (video)
• Association of American Medical Colleges - Financial Aid Facts Sheets

For the sciences:

• American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS) (funding for training in the sciences—for alumnae)
• Community of Sciences Database (search engine for the sciences; can search by home country, more geared for graduate school)

For study abroad:

• International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search (IEFA) (financial aid, college scholarship, and grant information for U.S. and international students wishing to study abroad)
• Institute of International Education (IIE) Funding for U.S. Study Online (extensive database of scholarships, fellowships and grants)
• The International Scholarship Search (premier financial aid, college scholarship and international scholarship resource for students wishing to study abroad)
• Pathways to Science

For women only:

• American Association of University Women
• Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund
• PEO International Peace Fellowship

For new Americans:

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans

Related resources

Funding a PhD

Find out how you can fund your studies from a range of opportunities, including their monetary value, benefits and eligibility requirements.

Key Resources

Guide to NERC PhD Funding

Key Takeaways NERC’s Role and Impact: The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is a leading UK research council funding body,

Guide to EPSRC PhD Funding

If you’re a prospective PhD student seeking funding for your research, then look no further than the EPSRC. The Engineering

Guide to BBSRC PhD Funding

Introduction to BBSRC PhD funding Step into the world of BBSRC PhD funding, a key component of the UK research

Guide to STFC PhD Funding

Introduction to STFC The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) holds an integral position within the United Kingdom’s research and

PhD Loans – 2023 Guide for Doctoral Students

Get the latest advice about how PhD Loans work in the UK and how you may be eligible for a loan of up to £28,673 to fund your PhD programme.

PhD Studentships

Learn more about how PhD Studentships work in the UK and how you may be eligible for £15,609 towards funding your PhD programme.

How Much Does a PhD Cost in the UK?

The cost of a PhD can be divided into three key areas; tuition fees, living expenses and research expenditures. Learn more about what this can amount to.

Supporting Resources

How To Get A Marie Curie Fellowship – A Complete Guide

Learn more about this funding route, eligibility criteria and application process that will help you understand the grant and submit a successful fellowship application.

Bench Fees: A Short Guide

A bench fee is an additional charge made to PhD students. It covers expenditures related to your research such consumables and travel; learn more here.

PhD Salary in UK – Explained

The salary of a PhD student is governed by 3 key factors: assisting in undergraduate teaching, part-time technician work, or have secured a stipend; learn more here.

Gain valuable insight from our collection of exclusive interviews with both current and past PhD students. Learn from their best advice, personal challenges and career path after completing their doctorate.

• PhD Loans for Doctoral Students – A Guide for 2023

Written by Mark Bennett

A UK PhD loan is worth up to £28,673 from Student Finance England or £28,395 from Student Finance Wales. The money only needs to be paid back when you earn over £21,000 a year.

You can borrow a PhD loan of up to £28,673 from Student Finance England for 2023-24 study or £28,395 from Student Finance Wales. All of the money is paid directly to your bank account . You can use it for PhD fees, research expenses, maintenance or other costs.

Doctoral loans aren't based on household income or means tested, so the amount you can borrow isn't affected by your income or savings.

It's up to you to decide how much you want to borrow (up to the maximum, of course). This amount will then be spread evenly across your PhD, in three instalments per academic year .

Frequently asked questions

Below we've answered a selection of commonly asked questions about PhD loan amounts.

Is the value of the doctoral loan linked to my fees?

No. You can borrow the same amount with a doctoral loan regardless of how much your PhD project or programme costs.

Can I change the amount I borrow?

Yes. You can change your PhD loan amount later by submitting a PhD loan request form (PDF). You can't do this online.

Can I borrow more than the cost of my PhD?

Yes. Any extra loan can be used to help with living costs or other expenses.

Do I have to borrow the full amount?

You can borrow anything between £1 and £28,673/£28,395 (for a 2023-24 PhD). Whatever you request will be divided equally across your PhD , but you can't receive more than £12,167 in any one year.

Are extra loans available for maintenance?

No. You can use some of your doctoral loan for living costs, but there isn't any separate PhD maintenance loan.

Will the loan value increase?

The value of a doctoral loan usually increases slightly with inflation each year. However, this change only applies to new students. The maximum you can borrow with your PhD loan will be capped at the amount available when you began your PhD.

Why can't I borrow more than £12,167 per year?

Capping the annual amount for a PhD loan at £12,167 is designed to match the Masters student loan system : it means that doctoral students and Masters students can borrow the same amount per year.

The timing of your loan payments will be based on your intended submission date . This means that your loan payments may already have finished if your PhD takes longer than you expect, or you spend extra time 'writing up' your thesis. You should bear this in mind as you plan your project and budget for it.

Student eligibility

You can apply for a PhD student loan if you're a UK national and:

• You've lived in the UK for at least three years (not including time abroad for short-term travel or study)
• You are ordinarily resident in England or Wales (you don't just live there to study)
• You will be aged under 60 (59 or under) on the first day of the first academic year of your PhD (usually 1 September for degrees beginning in the autumn)
• You don't already have a PhD or other doctorate
• You won't be receiving UKRI funding for your PhD (and haven't been funded by a Research Council in the past)
• You won't be receiving other UK public funding for your doctorate, such as a Social Work or Educational Psychology bursary
• Your doctorate isn't eligible for NHS funding (if it is, you should apply for this instead)

PhD loans for Scottish and Northern Irish students

UK doctoral loans are currently only offered by Student Finance England and Student Finance Wales. You won't normally be eligible to apply for their support if you are resident in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Student Finance Northern Ireland and Student Awards Agency Scotland may offer doctoral loans in the future. We'll let you know as soon as that happens.

PhD loans for EU students

You can apply for a UK doctoral loan as an EU student if:

• You began your PhD in the 2020-21 academic year or earlier
• You applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021

EU students who are coming to study in the UK from 2021-22 onwards will count as international students (see below).

PhD loans for Irish students

Irish students can still apply for a UK PhD loan to study in either England or Wales. This right is guaranteed by the Common Travel Area and isn't affected by Brexit.

PhD loans for international students

International (non-UK) students aren't normally eligible for UK doctoral loans, but an exception may apply if:

• You have settled status in the UK
• You are an EU national and have applied to the UK's EU Settlement Scheme (see above)
• You are an Irish national (see above)
• You or a family member have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
• You are 18 or over and have lived in the UK for at least 20 years and / or half of your life

If you aren't sure whether you qualify for UK student finance, check advice from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

We've answered several questions about student eligibility for doctoral loans, covering residency criteria and more.

Where can I study?

If you are ordinarily resident in England or Wales before your course, you can use your PhD loan to study any UK PhD .

If you are ordinarily resident outside the UK, you can only use your PhD loan to study in England or Wales.

What if I have moved from England or Wales to another part of the UK for previous study?

You will still count as an English- or Welsh-resident student if you have studied your undergraduate degree or Masters in Scotland or Northern Ireland and want to continue straight on to a PhD. This means you will be able to apply for a doctoral loan.

What counts as being ordinarily resident in England or Wales?

To be eligible for a doctoral loan as a UK student you must be ordinarily resident in England or Wales. This means that you normally live in England or Wales and you haven’t moved there just to go to university.

You will normally count as being ordinarily resident in England or Wales if any or all of the following are true:

• You lived in England or Wales before you went to university for your Bachelors degree
• You received an undergraduate student loan from Student Finance England or Student Finance Wales
• You have lived and worked in England or Wales after graduating from university

Can I combine a PhD loan with a Research Council studentship?

No. Unfortunately you can't apply for a PhD loan if you're also receiving any form of Research Council funding from UKRI – including a 'fees-only' award.

Can I get a PhD loan now and apply for Research Council funding later?

Potentially. Some Research Council awards allow students to apply again for the second year of their PhD. Having had a PhD loan may not stop you doing this, provided you cancel it before receiving your Research Council funding.

Note that this still doesn't work the other way around: you can't apply for a PhD loan once you've been awarded Research Council funding.

Can I combine a doctoral loan with other PhD funding?

You can't combine a PhD loan with other funding from the UK Government, including Research Council studentships or Social Work, Educational Psychology or NHS bursaries. However, you can potentially top up your PhD loan with other PhD funding , including:

• A scholarship or bursary from your university
• A grant from a charity or trust
• One of our own FindAPhD scholarships

Are EU students still eligible for doctoral loans?

EU eligibility for UK student finance has changed following Brexit :

• All EU nationals can still apply for a doctoral loan for a PhD that began in the 2020-21 academic year
• EU nationals who applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before 31 December 2020 can also apply for a loan for a PhD that begins in 2021-22 or later
• EU nationals who are arriving in the UK after 1 January 2021 and beginning a PhD in the 2021-22 academic year will not normally be eligible for a doctoral loan

These criteria also apply to students from the EEA (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland.

Are doctoral loans available for international students?

Non-UK students aren’t normally eligible for UK student loans, unless they are Irish nationals or have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Exceptions may apply if you have lived in the UK legally for a very long time, have been granted humanitarian protection or have refugee status.

For more information on UK fees and finance as a postgraduate student we recommend you check the resources produced by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

And, if you can't get a loan, you might still be eligible for other international PhD funding in the UK .

Are Irish students eligible for PhD loans?

Yes, Irish students are able to apply for UK doctoral loans as part of the Common Travel Area. You will need to be doing your PhD in either England or Wales.

How will my residency be checked?

You’ll be asked to provide at least three years’ address history during your postgraduate loan application. Student Finance England may query any details that might affect your eligibility.

What if I have stayed in another part of the UK to work after university?

Living and working in a different part of the UK means you aren’t just there to go to university. This can change your residency status.

For example:

• You live in Scotland but go to university in England. After graduating you settle and work in England. If you eventually decide to study a PhD, you will now count as being ordinarily resident in England and can apply for a doctoral loan, even though you were once resident in Scotland.

The same would be true for an English student who had lived and worked elsewhere in the UK after graduating – it's possible that this could mean you are no longer classed as English-resident for student loan purposes.

If you aren’t sure about your residency status, check with Student Finance England .

What if I have moved to England or Wales from another part of the UK for previous study?

Because you only moved to England or Wales to study, your residency status won’t have changed. You will still count as being ordinarily resident elsewhere in the UK and, unfortunately, won't currently be able to apply for the PhD loan.

Are PhD loans means-tested?

No. You can borrow the same amount regardless of your income, savings or credit rating.

The only exceptions concern outstanding arrears to the Student Loans Company (for repayments you were eligible to make, but didn't). However, you may be able to apply for a loan if you clear these.

Can I get a doctoral loan if I’ve lived outside the UK in the last three years?

In order to apply for a student loan as a UK citizen you must have lived in the UK for three years prior to your course. You can travel abroad for holidays or other periods of ‘temporary absence’ during this period, but you shouldn’t have become ordinarily resident in another country.

Will a PhD loan affect my benefits?

Potentially, yes. Because the loan is paid directly to you it may be regarded as a form of income by the Department for Work and Pensions. You should check this if you are concerned about your benefit entitlement with a PhD loan.

Can I also apply for Disabled Students' Allowance?

Yes. You can have a PhD loan and receive Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) during your PhD.

Can I have a PhD loan as well as a postgraduate Masters loan?

You can apply for a postgraduate doctoral loan if you've previously had a postgraduate Masters loan . However, you can't be receiving them both at the same time (you'll need to finish your Masters before you begin your PhD).

Course eligibility

The PhD loan is available for all types of research doctorate, in any subject . This includes academic doctorates such as a PhD and DPhil, as well as professional doctorates such as a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) or EdD (Doctor of Education) .

However, you can't get a doctoral loan for a PhD by publication (you must be funding a programme of research and / or study).

UK students can study at any UK university . Eligible students who normally live outside the UK can use the doctoral loan to study at any English or Welsh university.

You can study full time or part time provided your PhD lasts between 3 and 8 years . You will be able to choose from different course lengths when you apply. These will be set by your university based on the intended submission date for your thesis.

Your course must have started on or after August 2018.

Below you can find the answers to a selection of questions about PhD loan course eligibility.

Can I study my PhD part time?

The loans don't actually distinguish between full-time and part-time students. Your PhD can last between 3 and 8 years, however you study.

In practice, most UK universities will regard a 3-4 year PhD as 'full time' and a 6-8 year PhD as 'part time'. You will agree the exact length of your programme with your university.

Can I get a loan for a PhD by publication?

No. You can't apply for a loan if you're submitting a PhD by published work (based on a portfolio of research you've already completed). In this case there would be no new project or programme for the loan to pay for!

Can I get a loan if my doctorate begins as an MPhil?

Yes. You can still apply for a doctoral loan for a programme that initially registers students at MPhil level before upgrading them to PhD candidacy.

However, if you are only enrolling for an MPhil, you should apply for a Masters loan instead.

Can I get a loan for a doctorate by distance learning?

Yes, provided you are living in England or Wales (depending on which loan you are applying for) on the first day of the first academic year of your PhD and living in the UK for the entire course.

You can't get a PhD loan to study by distance learning and live outside the UK.

Can I apply for a loan for a PhD that includes a Masters degree?

Yes. You can still get a loan for a PhD that also awards a Masters degree, including an integrated doctorate or a '1+3' programme. However, you must be registering to graduate with the doctorate, not the Masters.

Can I apply for a loan to 'top up' an existing qualification to PhD level?

No. To be eligible for a loan your project or programme must be a complete doctorate, begun after 1 August 2018. You can't get a loan to extend or 'top up' and existing MPhil or other qualification.

Can I get a loan for a joint doctorate?

Yes, provided the UK university is the lead institution for your PhD and you spend at least 50% of your course in the UK.

Can I study at a private university?

In order to receive a doctoral loan you must be doing your PhD at a university with Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAPs). Most established UK universities have these powers, but your institution should be able to confirm if you aren't sure.

Can I get a loan if I've previously begun a PhD, but not completed it?

Yes, provided you haven't earned a doctoral qualification and you are starting a completely new doctorate (not continuing or resuming your previous programme or project).

However, you can't normally apply for a second doctoral loan, even if your first loan was for an incomplete qualification. Exceptions may apply if you can demonstrate compelling personal reasons for exiting your first doctorate - Student Finance England will consider your case if so.

Can I get a loan to study a doctorate abroad?

You can't get a PhD loan to study your entire doctorate abroad. However, you can spend part of your degree outside the UK, provided this does not exceed 50% of your programme and your UK university is the lead institution awarding your PhD.

Can I get a PhD loan for a professional doctorate?

Yes. All types of doctorate are eligible for PhD loans, provided the qualification is awarded for a programme of work at a UK university.

Applications

PhD loan applications are now open for doctorates beginning in 2023-24 (or earlier).

Make sure you apply to the correct student finance provider. This will be:

• Student Finance England for English-resident students or Irish students coming to study in England
• Student Finance Wales for Welsh-resident students or Irish students coming to study in Wales

If you have an existing student finance account and Customer Reference Number (CRN) you should use this to apply for your PhD loan. The application system will also ask for details about your PhD (or other doctoral degree), residency status and how much you want to borrow.

The application deadline is fairly relaxed – you have to apply within nine months of the first day of the final academic year of your doctorate. Depending on when you start your PhD during the year, there are four possible ‘first days’, which you can see in the table below.

As an example, if you start a three-year PhD on 22 October 2023, you should apply for a doctoral loan before 31 May 2026.

Remember though, that applying later in your PhD could limit the maximum amount you can borrow (you can't receive more than £12,167 in a single academic year).

If you have any further questions about applying for a PhD loan, hopefully the FAQs below will cover them.

When can I apply for a PhD loan?

Applications for 2023-24 PhD loans opened in April 2023. You can apply online or by post (PDF).

Will I receive a loan whilst I'm 'writing up' my PhD?

Only if you are still ahead of your submission date. Your university may allow you extra time to finish writing up your thesis, but you won't receive any extra payments if you've already had your full loan by that point.

When will I receive my first instalment?

You'll receive the first payment for your PhD loan once you start your PhD and your university confirms that you have registered on your project or programme.

When will I stop receiving my loan?

Your payment schedule will be based on the intended submission date for your doctoral thesis, agreed with your university at the start of your degree.

Should I apply at the beginning of my course, or wait?

This is up to you and depends on your funding circumstances.

The PhD loan is meant to be flexible though: you could apply for a loan to help support you throughout your doctorate, or use it to bridge gaps between funding or replace income from a part-time job as you focus on the later stages of your project.

Do I have to reapply in each year of my PhD?

No. You only have to apply for a doctoral loan once.

Can I use an existing student finance account?

Yes. If you have already have an account with Student Finance England you must use it to apply for your doctoral loan.

Do I need to be accepted for a PhD before I apply for a loan?

No. You will need to state which university you intend to research your doctorate at (and how long for) but you don't need to prove you've been accepted before you can apply for a PhD loan. However, you will need to register for your PhD before you receive any actual loan payments (your university should confirm this for you).

Can I apply for a loan for a PhD I've already started?

You can apply after the beginning of a PhD, but it must have started after 1 August 2018.

Doctoral loan repayments are income contingent . You only repay your PhD loan when you are earning over £21,000 a year (£1,750 a month or £404 a week) and you only repay 6% of what you earn over that threshold.

You'll begin repayments in the first April after you leave your course or in the April four years after your PhD starts (whichever is sooner). This means that you can be eligible to start repaying the doctoral loan during your PhD, but only if you're earning enough.

How you repay depends on your employment status:

• If you are employed in the UK HMRC will automatically deduct repayments from your salary on behalf of the Student Loans Company. This will usually happen monthly.
• If you are self-employed you will need to make repayments to HMRC as part of your annual tax return.
• If you are working outside the UK you will need to make repayment arrangements with the Student Loans Company. You should do this before you leave the UK.
• If you are unemployed you won't make repayments. The same applies if you are ever earning less than £21,000 a year.

You may also need to repay other student loans along wth your PhD loan:

• PhD and Masters loan repayments are combined – you will make one repayment of 6% of your income over £21,000 towards a single postgraduate loan debt
• All postgraduate loan repayments are concurrent with those for undergraduate loans – you will repay 6% of your income over £21,000 towards your Masters and / or PhD loan and 9% of your income over £26,575 towards your undergraduate loan

Interest is charged on a PhD loan at the same rate as Masters loans: RPI (the Retail Prices Index) +3%. As of August 2023, the rate is 7.1%, but this changes every year.

Any remaining PhD loan debt (including interest) is cancelled after 30 years from the point at which you begin repayments.

We've answered a few more FAQs about PhD loan repayments below.

When do repayments begin?

You will become eligible to start repaying your doctoral loan on one of the following dates:

• 6 April after your PhD ends
• 6 April four years after you begin your PhD

Note that this is slightly difference to repayments for other student loans, which only ever begin after graduation.

It means you could begin repaying your loan whilst you're still studying for your doctorate (and potentially still receiving loan payments). However, you will only ever make repayments when you're earning over £21,000 a year.

Do repayments still begin after 4 years if I study part time?

Yes, regardless of how you study, you will become eligible to repay a PhD loan (providing you're earning enough) four years after your course begins or in the April after you graduate (whichever is sooner).

Could I have to make PhD loan repayments on my pension?

Potentially, yes. If the money you receive from a pension counts as income you will need to make student loan repayments on it (alongside other potential deductions such as income tax). It's a good idea to check this with your pension plan provider.

Welsh PhD loans

Wales offers its own PhD loan for Welsh-resident UK students. You can borrow up to £28,395 for a degree that begins in 2023-24.

Welsh PhD loans work the same way as English PhD loans. The only difference is that you should apply to Student Finance Wales, not Student Finance England.

Scotland and Northern Ireland don't offer a doctoral loan yet.

Still looking for a PhD?

Head over to our PhD course listings to find the latest opportunities from around the world.

Like hearing about postgraduate funding changes?

So do we it really helps when we're putting together our free weekly newsletter., you may also like....

Our detailed guides and blogs cover everything you need to know about PhD loan eligibility, applications, repayments and much more.

It's time to start applying for postgraduate student finance. Read some tips and advice from the experts at the Student Loans Company.

Have your funding applications been unsuccessful? This blog discusses what it's like to self fund with a UK doctoral loan, and what it might mean for your studies.

PhD loan applications are open! Our handy checklist will help ensure yours is simple and successful.

You can now apply for a PhD loan for 2022! Here are a few things to bear in mind before you start your application.

Don't get lost looking for PhD funding. This simple guide will help you prioritise your search.

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Student Finance

Postgraduate funding 2024

by Jake Butler in Student Finance

Updated by Hannah Williams 29 May 2024

Unsure how to fund your postgraduate studies? Let's take a look at what your options are, from scholarships to employer funding.

Credit: Ulmus Media, ADragan – Shutterstock

If only all things in life were free. Unfortunately, just like your undergraduate degree, a postgraduate degree comes at a price in the form of tuition fees and living costs .

There's no doubt that the financial aspects of further study are likely to be weighing heavily on your mind.

Thankfully though, there are plenty of options out there to help you along the way, whether it's a Postgraduate Loan, help from your university or even sponsorship from a company. But where do you even start when looking for them, and how much can you get? We explore your options here.

How to fund a master's or PhD

These are the best ways to get funding for a postgraduate degree:

Postgraduate Student Loans

The first port of call for your postgraduate funding will likely be Student Loans from the government.

While there are loans for master's students in each part of the UK, PhD loans are only available in England and Wales. But, if you're not eligible for a Student Loan, don't worry – we have plenty more funding options below.

Loans for master's students

Here are the maximum loans available for master's students from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in 2024/25:

• England – £12,471 (for tuition fees and living costs)
• Northern Ireland – £6,500 (for tuition fees only)
• Scotland – £13,900 (£7,000 for tuition fees and £6,900 for living costs)
• Wales – £18,950 (for tuition fees and living costs).

Click the links above to find out more about Master's Loans in your part of the UK.

Loans for PhD students

If you're doing a PhD and you're from England or Wales, it's worth applying for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan .

These are the maximum amounts you could receive as a Doctoral Loan in England, depending on when your course started:

• If your course starts on or after 1st August 2024, you can get up to £29,390
• If your course started on or after 1st August 2023, you can get up to £28,673
• If your course started on or after 1st August 2022 and 31st July 2023, you can get up to £27,892 .

If you're from Wales, the maximum Doctoral Loans are slightly smaller but also dependent on when your course started:

• If your course starts on or after 1st August 2024, you can get up to £28,655
• If your course started on or after 1st August 2023, you can get up to £28,395
• If your course started on or after 1st August 2022 and 31st July 2023, you can get up to £27,880 .

Research grants (studentships)

Research Councils are the main public investors in research in the UK, and provide funding in several different subject areas.

To be eligible for a studentship, you'll usually need to have a 2:1 at undergraduate level, but relevant work experience can sometimes make you the exception. For courses starting in autumn, we recommend searching and applying for research grants around spring.

So, how much can you get? Students who are successful in getting a studentship will have their fees paid for them, and may also be given a living cost grant.

University postgraduate funding

Credit: Ubermensch Matt – Shutterstock

When it comes to university postgraduate funding for courses, the options vary hugely from one institution to the next. There is a wide choice of studentships, scholarships and bursaries (see below) or possibly fee discounts for alumni.

Some universities even offer finances for specific courses in the form of field trip funding or help with research.

Here are some of the most common forms of university funding for master's and doctoral students:

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries and scholarships are usually given out to high-potential students in their respective fields either via the university, learning funds or through Teaching Assistantships (which we'll explain in more detail shortly).

Some areas, such as scientific research, have more opportunities than others, so it's important to do your own research based on the area that you want to go into. Please note that competition is high .

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Some universities offer the opportunity for graduates to teach at the same time as completing their postgraduate course to help with their costs – this is known as a Teaching Assistantship.

The required hours for studentships differ a lot between universities – check the job description of your chosen uni for more info. The role would likely be pretty varied, possibly requiring you to teach seminars and tutorials, as well as mark essays and assignments.

In return for the work, most students with Teaching Assistantships will receive the same type of funding as a studentship in the form of a fee waiver and additional payments to cover living costs.

Teaching vacancies are usually advertised on universities' websites.

Scholarships and awards

If you excel in your field of research, you may be offered a scholarship or award from your university or a funding body.

The funding amount will vary, largely depending on your chosen university and field of study.

Hardship fund

If you're really struggling for money during your course , get in touch with the financial advisors at your uni. They'll have some money set aside to help students in financial hardship, so they may be able to help you out.

Charities, foundations and trusts

There is a growing number of charities, foundations and trusts that help out students who are studying in their field of interest.

A few examples include  Funds for Women Graduates ,  The Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust .

Employer sponsorship

Credit: GaudiLab – Shutterstock

Some graduate schemes and jobs require you to do some postgraduate study, and a lot of the time, this could be funded for you with an employer sponsorship.

This would be the perfect opportunity to further your studies and increase your employability while receiving the funding you need to cover the costs.

If your employer doesn't have a further study scheme in place, you may have to put together a strong business case explaining how it would help you to do your job and add further value to the business.

Part-time jobs

As well as applying for the other funding options in this list, you could also consider working part-time to help with living costs.

But, some courses will involve more hours of study each week than others, so a part-time job might not always be feasible. If you do think you could manage it, though, it would be worth it (and our tips for balancing work and study should help).

Family and savings

If your family is willing and able to help fund your education, then it can really help to receive financial support from them.

As well as this, we also recommend trying to save up a bit of cash before starting your postgraduate degree.

Crowdfund your postgraduate degree

Crowdfunding your degree is by no means easy, but it is possible.

We've heard of plenty of students who have run successful crowdfunding campaigns and managed to secure the funding they need to cover their postgraduate degrees.

Looking to make a bit of extra money alongside your studies? Working as a private tutor could be ideal.

WRITTEN BY Jake Butler

Jake joined Save the Student in 2010 and is the COO. As an expert across student finance, Jake has appeared on The BBC, The Guardian, Which?, ITV, Channel 5 and many other outlets. He particularly enjoys sharing tips on saving money and making extra money with opportunities like paid surveys and part-time jobs. Read more

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Postgraduate Study - PhD and Research Degrees

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PhD funding

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

• Funded centres
• Funding by faculty
• EPSRC Studentships
• Black British Researchers Studentships
• CSC Scholarships
• Exeter Paris-Saclay Studentships
• Alternative funding

How can I fund my PhD?

There are all sorts of ways to fund your research degree, including research council studentships, career development loans, and employer sponsorship. These web pages will help you understand what kinds of funding are available, when it is released and how you can apply for it.

Before you start looking into how to get funding, remember to consider   how much a research degree is likely to cost.

It is always a good idea to contact the Postgraduate Research team in the   Faculty or Academic department  you are interested in studying in for details of their specific funding opportunities.

Funding postgraduate research degrees

University funding for PhDs

Class of 2024 Postgraduate Progression Award

We are pleased to offer graduating University of Exeter students completing their degree this summer and progressing direct to a research degree (eg MPhil/PhD) with us in 2021/22 a scholarship towards the cost of their first year tuition fees. Please note that this award is not recurrent for postgraduate research students.

Please visit our   Class of 2024 Progression Award page   to learn more.

Terms and conditions apply .

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer other University of Exeter alumni beginning a research degree (eg MPhil/PhD) with us in 2024/25 a scholarship towards the cost of their first year tuition fees. Please note that this award is not recurrent for postgraduate research students. The scholarship is available to any University of Exeter graduate who has completed one of the following:

• graduated from an undergraduate or postgraduate degree awarded by the University of Exeter
• completed an inbound Study Abroad semester/year at the University of Exeter
• completed a credit-bearing University of Exeter International Summer School

Please visit our   Alumni Scholarship page   to learn more.

Terms and conditions apply

QUEX Institute Partnership with The University of Queensland

The University of Exeter and The University of Queensland have partnered to establish the QUEX Institute, a multi-million pound partnership designed to bolster their joint global research impact.

The partnership will strengthen a joint commitment to co-produce research of the highest quality, boost industry and business collaboration, and publish high-level policy reports designed to inform and shape key government initiatives across the globe.

Each year, 6 generous, fully-funded studentships are available for the best applicants, 3 offered by the University of Exeter and 3 by the University of Queensland. This select group will have the chance to study in the UK and Australia, and will graduate with a double degree from the University of Exeter and the University of Queensland.

How much?   Full tuition fees, stipend of £15,000 p.a, travel funds of up to £15,000, and RTSG of up to £15,000 are available over the 3 year programme

Who is eligible?  Applicants should be highly motivated and have, or expect to obtain, either a first or upper-second class BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

When is it available?  Applications for 2022/23 entry are now closed. 

For more information about the partnership, please visit the   QUEX pages .

University of Exeter Sanctuary Scholarships

The Sanctuary Scholarship scheme enables individuals seeking asylum and refugees who are not able to access student finance to study at the University of Exeter.  To find out more, check eligibility and apply, please see the  Sanctuary Scholarships  page on our funding database.

Research council PhD studentships

How much?   Full tuition fees and a generous living allowance (approximate total £20,000 per year) 

Who is eligible?  Home and International students with outstanding academic records

When is it available?   Autumn to early spring

Research Council-funded PhD studentships generally pay your tuition fees (usually in the region of £4,500 to £5,000 per year) as well as providing a generous living allowance (approximately £17,668 per year) enabling you to concentrate fully on your research full-time. Because of this, Research Council studentships are very desirable and highly competitive.

There are seven research councils in the UK which distribute government funding for research. They are presided over by   Research Councils UK , and each one faces a different area of research. In alphabetical order, they are:

• Arts and Humanities Research Council   (AHRC)
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council   (BBSRC)
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council   (EPSRC)
• Economic and Social Research Council   (ESRC)
• Medical Research Council   (MRC)
• Natural Environment Research Council   (NERC)
• Science and Technology Facilities Council   (STFC)

Please be aware that the specific subjects covered by each council can and do overlap in some instances, depending on specific topics, for instance, History can fall under both the ESRC and the AHRC depending on the precise topic.

Types of award

Research Council studentships generally come in three kinds: open awards; thematic awards; and project awards. Awards given in the humanities and social sciences are usually open or thematic, meaning they are open to any pitch relevant to the specific funding council, or else are tied to a specific research area within the funding council - for instance the medical humanities.

Awards given in the sciences are usually project-based, and can be highly specific; rather than applying for funding to research your own idea, you are essentially applying for a place working on a pre-defined research project, such as genome sequencing a specific organism.

Who is eligible?

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 fees at the UK research organisation rate.

This is a change in the criteria and will come into force for the start of the 2021 academic year.  Please note up to 30% of full studentships are also available to international students which are defined as EU (excluding Irish nationals), EEA, Swiss and all other non-UK nationals.

If you have any queries about your residency status, you should speak to the appointed contact for the individual studentship before applying.

For the academic criteria, applicants should have a first or 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Equivalence may be demonstrated by qualifications gained outside of the UK or an undergraduate degree plus relevant postgraduate study, or experience in their chosen field.

Where can I find PhD studentships?

Research Council studentships are listed on the relevant  Doctoral Training Partnership  and  research topic  pages. In addition, all our current PhD studentship opportunities are searchable via the search box available on every page of this Postgraduate Research site. You will find them listed in the 'PhD Projects' tab in the search results page.

When are studentships available? 

Research Council studentships are generally open for applications during   autumn and winter , although deadlines vary and some can be as late as April. Because they are competitive and attract the very best-qualified students, it is best to start looking, and be ready to apply, from September. This means you may need to start considering funding for your PhD before teaching for your Masters has even begun, if you wish to progress directly from a taught postgraduate programme to a research degree.

Doctoral Training Partnerships

The vast majority of funding for PhDs that comes from the research councils is via Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). These are consortia of universities who together receive bulk funding for research into specific areas. By sharing resources, expertise, and facilities, Doctoral Training Partnerships can provide outstanding support and training for PhD candidates researching within them. Most Doctoral Training Partnership-funded PhDs work on a joint-supervision basis, where your primary supervisor is from one institution and your secondary supervisor is from another.

The University of Exeter is a partner in numerous  Doctoral Training Partnerships , and is one of very few universities to be part of partnerships facing every research council.

How much?   Up to £27,892 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2022

Who is eligible?   UK nationals and Irish citizens, or those with 'settled status'

How do I pay it back?  Once you are earning over £21,000 a year, you will pay back six percent of your income each year. If you already have a Postgraduate Master’s Loan then you’ll make a combined repayment of six percent covering both postgraduate loans.

Full information can be found at   Gov.uk .

Funding solely for international students

As an international student your first action when looking for PhD funding should be to check grant-awarding bodies in your own country (for instance the Ministry or Department of Education), and your local (or nearest) office of   the British Council . The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you.

As with anyone seeking funding for a PhD, it is also worth contacting the department you with to study within, to find out more about internal funding opportunities available to outstanding candidates.

Funding opportunities for international PhD students are subject to the usual rules regarding   immigration and visas .

All International Students

British Chevening Scholarships

For students wishing to follow full-time taught or research postgraduate-level courses in any subject at UK universities or colleges in the public sector. Most scholarships are mainly for one year, but awards are also occasionally given for shorter vocational courses/research attachments. Awards are given to cover all or part of the cost of the period of study. Contact the British Embassy, British High Commission or British Council Office in your own country.

British Council Fellowship Programmes

Full scholarships for professionals in fields considered by the British Council to be of special importance in the candidate's own country. Grants are for postgraduate study or research and range from short attachments to research leading to a PhD. Grants vary in size – from small grants to fellowships which will cover fees and living expenses. For details, contact the British Council in your own country, or write to: Fellows and Scholars Department, The British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN (tel: 020 7930 8466) or International Student Services Unit, Regional Services Dept, The British Council, Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street, Manchester M1 6BB (tel: 0161 957 7000).

Commonwealth Students

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)   is the world's first and oldest international university network, established in 1913.

A UK-registered charity, the ACU has over 500 member institutions in developed and developing countries across the Commonwealth. The ACU administers scholarships, provides academic research and leadership on issues in the sector, and promotes inter-university cooperation and the sharing of good practice – helping universities serve their communities, now and into the future.

Commonwealth Scholarship Plan

Full scholarships for Commonwealth students to enable them to study in other Commonwealth countries. Grants are for one to three years and usually cover the cost of travel, tuition fees and living expenses. In some cases, additional allowances may be available for help with books and clothes. For details, write to: Commonwealth Awards Division, Association of Commonwealth Universities, John Foster House, 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PF; [email protected]

For Commonwealth students specifically interested in PhD study in the UK and at the University of Exeter, Commonwealth Scholarships for PhD and split-site PhD study are available. These are aimed at talented graduates from selected countries and normally close in June for study commencing the following September. Please see the UK's   Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website   for details. 

DFID Shared Scholarship Scheme

Scholarships for students in developing Commonwealth countries for taught courses at postgraduate (or in certain cases undergraduate) level. Preferred subjects are those relevant to the economic and social development of your own country. For details, contact the British High Commission or British Council in your own country, or write to: Department for International Development, 94 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5JL (tel: 0300 200 3343 / +44 (0) 1355 84 3132)

Canadian students

The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund   is a charity which provides funding for academically exceptional Canadian students already registered on a postgraduate programme in the UK. The programme has to be full-time and last longer than one year. For full details please   visit their website .

Chinese students

China Scholarship Council and   University of Exeter PhD Scholarships    

The Great Britain-China Educational Trust (GBCET)   administers its own awards, and also makes awards with funds contributed by the Sino-British Fellowship Trust, the Universities' China Committee in London, and the Han Suyin Trust. The awards are meant to contribute towards applicants' university tuition fees, and living expenses.

The British Association for Chinese Studies (BACS)   provides a detailed overview of the state of funding available to researchers and students for China-related studies in the UK.

European Students

European Union (EU) citizens can apply and qualify for a full award including fees and stipend for UK research council studentships.  Each consortium of UK research council studentships cannot allocate more than 30% of the total number of awards to International students, including EU citizens. 

The EU provides some grants to promote the exchange of students and academic staff within Europe, such as the SOCRATES and LEONARDO Programmes. The European Commission (EC) also makes some awards to students from developing countries. Contact the EC office in your own country or write to the European Commission, Directorate General III, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium. Further details can also be found on the   Community Research & Development Information Service (CORDIS) web site .

Research collaboration in Europe extends beyond the EU and residents of European countries with organisations affiliated to the European Science Foundation may also be eligible for certain schemes.

Indian Students

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation

The major objective of the Foundation is to identify exceptionally talented young Indian students and support them financially to develop their special skill and talents to the maximum. It achieves this by awarding scholarships to outstanding young students to continue their post-graduate study/research abroad. Over the last three decades, more than 350 scholars have benefited from these scholarships.

Pakistani Students

The   Higher Education Commission   is an excellent site detailing scholarships available to Pakistani students wishing to study abroad.

USA Students

Fulbright Scholarships

Full scholarships for United States graduates to enable them to study in the UK. Write to the Graduate Students Programs, Institute of International Education (IIE), 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017- 3580, USA

British Marshall Scholarships

Full scholarships for United States citizens, who are under 26 and are graduates of United States universities, to enable them to study for a degree in the UK. For details, write to: Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, John Foster House, 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PF; tel: 020 7387 8572;   [email protected] . Application forms are available from United States universities and colleges, British Consulates General in the United States, or British Information Services, 845 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, USA

Charities, trusts, foundations and philanthropy

How much?  Varies: from £10 to £10,000 or more 

Who is eligible?  Varies according to provider

When is it available?   Varies according to provider

If you are not one of the lucky few able to secure a fully-funded studentship, there are still lots of ways to fund your PhD. A 'portfolio funding' approach - using lots of different, small awards and sources of funding rather than relying on one source - can really help you. Applying to educational charities can be an effective way of building up a portfolio of funding.

There are all sorts of philanthropic organisations dedicated to helping people pay for educational pursuits. These vary from major charities with millions of pounds dedicated to specialist research, to small trusts offering modest grants to help pay for books or travel. Some are very niche in their remits (funding just research into specific topics, such as the   Research Society for Victorian Periodicals , or by people from specific places or social groups), and others are much more general. It is worth researching opportunities thoroughly, and writing speculative letters to appropriate bodies who may not have formal application processes.

Finding out about what opportunities are available can be tricky; many bodies have minimal websites that are not updated regularly, and some don't have websites at all. Writing, calling, or following potential funders on social media can help.

When applying, you will need to outline the case for why you deserve funding in much the same way as you would outline your academic case for being able to do a PhD. It is worthwhile mentioning if you have already secured any awards, as this demonstrates that organisations already think you are worth funding.

Print directories of funding bodies

The Grants Register is an annual publication listing charities and other bodies that provide grants, including for education. We have   copies in our libraries . We also have copies of   The Directory of Grant-Making Trusts , a similar publication.

Find out more about charities, foundations, and trusts on   our alternative funding page .

Employer sponsorship and industry funding

How much?  Varies according to sponsor 

Who is eligible?  Varies according to sponsor

When is it available?  Varies according to sponsor

Responsible employers are always keen to develop their employees through training. While a 3-4 year full-time PhD may seem like an extreme example of staff development, it’s not unheard of, especially in technology-driven businesses and the medical and legal professions. Museums and heritage groups, and tech industries working on cultural projects (such as mobile apps), are often open to funding / working with humanities researchers. We also offer specific   professional doctorates , which are studied for alongside work, in   education   and   engineering .

Getting the support of your employer is obviously key, and you’ll need to put together a proposal for your training in much the same way as you’d need to construct a business plan for any new commercial venture.

Likewise companies often approach the University of Exeter with proposals to fund research that can further their business, and often the best way of doing this is via PhD students. Specific opportunities that arise are listed in our   Postgraduate Research search  alongside other studentships, but it may be worth talking to relevant academics in your field to find out about other possibilities that could be created for outstanding candidates.

Working while studying

How much?  Varies 

Who is eligible?  Anyone

When is it available?  All year

Working full or part-time while studying for a research degree can be incredibly demanding, but is a possibility for the many academically-capable PhD candidates who just miss out on the limited funding available. Almost 90% of students funding a PhD in this way are studying part-time, for obvious reasons.

Working while studying can also help give you key work-related skills that might be quite different to those you gain as a researcher, but just as valuable to future employers. It can also, crucially, give you a much-needed break from the intensity of PhD research.

There are several things you will need to consider. For instance, the University has   regulations on how many hours you can work alongside your studies . You will also need to make sure your employer is understanding regarding the demands that your studies will make on your time; while some research degrees allow for great flexibility of time, others will demand your presence at specific times in laboratories or workshops.

There are several opportunities to work here at the University itself while studying for a PhD, such as being a   Residence Life Mentor , or through the   Temporary Staff Bank .

Private loan providers

Some financial institutions offer specialist loans for postgraduate students. An internet search may help you identify any potential schemes, but please be aware of the terms and conditions of the scheme and the annual percentage rate in order to identify the total cost of your loan.

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Engineering and physics PhD numbers to fall despite extra funding

Improved settlement for uk’s ‘biggest-ever’ doctoral training investment will deliver fewer funded phd places than in previous years, ukri confirms.

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Fewer PhD students will be trained by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in coming years despite the announcement of an extra £135 million for doctoral training, it has been confirmed.

As part of what the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) called the UK’s “biggest-ever investment in engineering and physical sciences doctoral skills”, the EPSRC will invest £479 million in 65 centres for doctoral training (CDTs), which will train “over 4,000 talented students across the UK” in the nine years from 2025.

That sum is substantially more than the £324 million for “about 40 CDTs” announced by the EPSRC in December 2022, which raised fears that hundreds of science PhD places were being lost . Previously, 75 CDTs were funded in the 2018 cycle, with each training about 50 PhD students over a five-year cycle, down from 115 four years earlier.

Confirming the new EPSRC settlement, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) said the investment includes an  additional £135 million for CDTs , which will start in 2025.

However, the funding body added that “given cost increases since 2018, the total number of students funded through this round of CDTs is approximately 5 per cent less than the 2018 investment”.

That confirmation is likely to heighten concerns over falling numbers of UKRI-funded PhD places, which dipped by almost 20 per cent between 2018-19 and 2021-22, when the number of UKRI-backed PhD starters fell from 6,835 to 5,580 – as revealed by  Times Higher Education  in November 2023.

The EPSRC – which  sponsored about half of the 4,900 UKRI-funded starters in 2022-23  – is the country’s largest single funder of doctoral students.

Under the new CDT arrangements, UKRI will also invest an additional £16 million in funding for CDTs in quantum technologies, while more than £7 million will come from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), also part of UKRI, to co-fund three CDTs.

With £16 million of Ministry of Defence research funding to support two CDTs, £169 million of co-funding from UK universities and £420 million in “financial and in-kind support from business partners, public sector and charity partners”, the overall investment in CDTs amounted to “more than £1 billion”, according to UKRI and DSIT.

In addition to focusing on government priority areas of artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductors, telecoms and engineering biology, the CDTs will also lead research into emerging areas such as tackling harmful noise and its impact on health, education and other sectors; addressing the challenges facing water systems in the face of climate change and applying mathematical modelling, scientific computing, statistics and machine learning to climate-related problems.

Announcing the new package, science secretary Michelle Donelan said the investments from “government, business and academia…in ambitious UK talent” would provide them with “tools to pioneer new discoveries that benefit all our lives while creating new jobs and growing the economy”.

“By targeting critical technologies including artificial intelligence, and future telecoms, we are supporting world-class universities across the UK to build the skills base we need to unleash the potential of future tech and maintain our country’s reputation as a hub of cutting-edge research and development,” said Ms Donelan.

[email protected]

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find your perfect postgrad program Search our Database of 30,000 Courses

The ultimate postgraduate student funding guide.

Are postgraduate degrees funded?

How do you fund a postgraduate degree?

How do you support yourself financially?

Do postgraduate students get a maintenance loan?

Surviving student life can be a tricky business, which is why it’s crucial to get on the right financial track from the get-go.

Have you been pulling your hair out trying to navigate through the onslaught of funding sources and figure out how the heck you’re going to make this whole postgraduate study thing work?

Fear not! This postgraduate funding guide talks through all the options available to you, providing essential student hacks, tips and tricks, and funding resources that can help make your postgraduate dreams come true.

How much does postgraduate study cost?

The real cost of postgraduate study is different for every student. Tuition fees vary widely from subject to subject, university to university, and whether you’re a home or international student.

The average masters tuition fee for home students in the UK is £8,740 – which is a great investment for your future. Living costs can vary drastically depending on where you go to university, and also on your lifestyle. Fees are normally higher for international students.

It is also useful to consider the additional costs of being a student, such as rent, bills and living expenses. 

Additional costs to consider for EU and International students:

The short answer is yes, postgraduate degrees are funded. There are several ways to get funding help for your postgraduate degree, from government loans, bursaries, scholarships, studentships and more.

Many universities also offer alumni discounts for graduates continuing their studies at the same university. For instance, if you chose to continue studying a masters degree after finishing your bachelors degree, the university might offer the masters course at a reduced rate. 

Maintenance loans are not available to postgraduate students. Masters student finance systems operate differently to the undergraduate loan process, which involves a maintenance loan. Postgraduate government loans are sent directly to you to assist with maintenance and living expenses. 

Types of postgraduate funding 

Uk government student loans.

Student loans are one of the most common ways to fund a university degree. It’s what most undergraduates use to fund their bachelors degree. 

But, can the government fund your masters?

Yes, the UK government provides postgraduate loans to masters students. This is the main source of funding support for most postgraduate students. Masters students are potentially eligible for up to £12,167* in student loans, intended to assist with course fees and living costs.

Masters loans

For masters student loans, the following funding is available to eligible students:

£12,167 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2023

£11,836  for courses starting on or after 1 August 2022

£11,570 for courses starting between 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022

Postgraduate doctoral loans

For doctoral students, the following funding is available to eligible students:

£28,673 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2023

£27,892 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2022

£27,265 for courses starting between 1 August 2021 and 31 July 2022

Research councils

For postgraduates, a good place to start when seeking funding is with an appropriate research council, such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) . The problem is, money’s limited and the chances of actually getting funding from research councils are fading by the day.

Not only are research councils incredibly competitive, the application process, which is carried out through the university, can be very long. It’s wise not to pin all your hopes on winning funding from a research council. That being said, research councils do fund a large number of UK students.

The research councils include:

Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC)

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

District and Local Councils may also offer small awards for local students or those studying a topic relevant to the area.

University bursaries and studentships

These awards however are limited, as they are usually funded through donations or special schemes.

Another fantastic resource worth investigating is PostgraduateStudentships.co.uk . Their site is dedicated to bringing together all the different funding opportunities open to postgraduates, at both taught and research level, across the UK.

Charitable trusts

From the obscure to the ancient, charities that are aimed at funding those wishing to pursue postgraduate study may be just the lifeline you need. Be aware that you will need to dedicate a large amount of time to sifting through the terms and conditions of each funding body. Some trusts will only cover research or equipment and others won’t pay fees.

"Charities are interested in helping young people realise life goals in relation to education and training."

– Luke Blaxhill, Gradfunding.co.uk

Some of the main charities/trusts offering postgraduate funding in the UK include:

The Leverhulme Trust

Wellcome Trust

Funds for Women Graduates

The Royal Society

"From my own experience, the Sir Richard Stapley Trust has been incredibly helpful and generous. But bear in mind that due to the increased need for funding, organizations like this are operating a first come, first served policy."

– Jenna Gorman, postgraduate student at University of Oxford

Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries

If you haven’t heard already, then you’re going to want to check out our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries . We have 5 bursaries for 2024 worth £2,000 each that will go towards your postgraduate studies for the upcoming academic year. The forms are super simple and quick to fill in – taking less than 5 minutes! The postgraduate bursaries are suitable for everyone. No matter what your course, you are still eligible to apply. What are you waiting for?

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

The UK Research and Innovation offer postgraduate funding support for a range of disciplines and areas. They provide funding for researchers and researching bodies – offering support for PhD students undertaking research. Explore their funding finder to find out more about the UKRI’s postgraduate funding opportunities.

Chevening UK Government Scholarships 

Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship program. These scholarships are funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) together with partner organisations and they are intended to help outstanding scholars from around the world who have leadership potential. Chevening Scholarships help these outstanding students study postgraduate courses at UK universities.

Postgraduate Student Loans

Prodigy Finance has been revolutionising student finance since 2007. With many postgraduate students needing help funding their postgrad programs, but traditional banks and other lenders having difficulty assessing cross-border risk, they are often hesitant to lend to international students. 

That's where Prodigy Finance comes in. In their community model, alumni, impact investors and other private qualified entities fund the next generation of postgraduate students. Their assessment takes into consideration multiple factors such as pre-study salary, university acceptance and future income, to ensure individual loan affordability whilst removing the need for guarantors or co-signers.

Prodigy Finance offers loans to international postgraduate students, as well as UK nationals planning to study at UK universities. If you’re interested in learning more about Prodigy Finance and their loans, visit their FAQs for more details or contact them on [email protected] .

Prodigy Finance is one of many potential funding options for international postgraduate students. Other student funding options are available and Postgrad.com advises you to research all your options thoroughly before making such a commitment. Postgrad.com accepts no responsibility for your choice of loan and does not endorse or support Prodigy Finance. Prodigy Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and entered on the Financial Services Register under firm registration number 612713.

Postgraduate funding application advice

Start Early – The earlier you start the better chance you have at finding funding for your postgraduate study. Most funding bodies operate a strict deadline and there is nothing worse than missing a fruitful opportunity because you were a few days late.

Establish Credibility – If you want to establish your credibility then ask your lecturers or tutors to write you a reference in support of your application. Also include a simple statement that highlights the main benefits of your intended research and studies.

Look for advice  - Approach potential supervisors now. Ask for their advice on your proposal, and your funding application This will help straighten out any flaws in your application before it is in your funder's hands. 

Check Aims and Objectives – There is no point wasting your time applying to funding bodies that have specific requirements or specifications that you are unable to meet. Do your homework if you want to have the best chance at winning their attention.

Know How Much They Award – Before sending a plea asking for £1,000, check to make sure exactly how much the individual body is willing to award. You don’t want to be written off without a look-in because you made a silly faux pas!

Have a Clear Plan – Funding bodies are tightening down the hatches when it comes to parting with their cash, which is why you’ll need a sound plan to convince them that their investment won’t be wasted on you. Organisation is key! Differentiate yourself by demonstrating what you need money for, what you’ll do with an award, and your future ambitions.

Self funding

When all else fails your only option is to fund yourself !

Whether you’ve saved up prior to your course, have been given or lent money by a family member, or work/study part time, don’t give up on your postgraduate dreams just yet.

Funding from part-time work

Another way that many postgraduate students fund their studies is by taking up part-time work. 

Depending on your personal circumstances, your tuition fees and student loan eligibility, you might consider getting a part-time job to help fund your postgraduate degree.

Combining paid work with studying can be stressful. Postgraduate study is intensive, a lot more so than your undergraduate degree. If you’re going to avoid falling behind on your studies you’ll have to be constantly on the ball and extremely well organised. It is important to remember that your postgraduate study should always come first.

"You are investing a lot of time, money and personal effort into this qualification, and many graduates are going to have a significant working life ahead of them. Don’t jeopardise that by handing in important assignments late."

– Charlie Ball, Higher Education Careers Service Unit

Ideally, you need to find work that fits with the peaks and troughs of academic life. The long days cramming for presentations. Working around the clock when writing your dissertation . Going on regular field trips.

University student jobs

One potential postgraduate funding option is to work at the university. Whether it’s working in administration, warden, resident assistant, teaching assistant, invigilator, student ambassador or mentor.

There might also be roles in organising conferences and events. The range of in-house university jobs is vast. Plus if you’re lucky you might be able to get a university job that comes with free accommodation.

Nothing up for grabs on your campus? Get savvy and explore the opportunities that may be available in other university departments or even other universities all together.

Where’s the best place to look for student jobs?

Stuck in a rut trying to navigate through the onslaught of job listings?

Skip ‘em and head straight to these sites. If you’ve got a chance at bagging yourself a job these places will be your best bet:

Student Job

Student Gems

Employment 4 Students

Making extra cash on the side

Who said conventional jobs were the only way to make money? You’re a postgraduate now, so it’s time to put your entrepreneurial skills to the test.

Tutor – Talk about something you’re good at with someone who will pay you to be smarter than they are. You are an academic after all.

eBay – You can sell absolutely anything on eBay . If you’ve got a load of unwanted stuff lying around, be it old clothes, phones, or even general bric-a-brac, stick it on eBay and see what you can get for it. Once you’ve rinsed your own personal stash try asking friends or family members if they’ve got anything they no longer want to refill your stock.

Etsy – If you’re the creative type then why not make the most of your artistic skills by starting a shop on Etsy.com ? T-shirts, jewellery, greeting cards and more, Etsy is a vibrant handmade marketplace just waiting to be taken advantage of.

Market Stalls – You might not see yourself as much of a market trader, but getting your hands dirty at the local markets could be one of the quickest ways to bag yourself some additional cash. Buy in bulk from a wholesaler and flog it for cheap!

Freelancing – From graphic design and website creation to blogging and data entry, working online can make you a pretty penny if you’ve got some know-how.

Funding part-time study

Choosing to study part time will give you more time to work and earn the money you need to live. There are plenty of postgraduate courses that offer a part-time study option (over 2-3 years for Masters and 4-6 years for PhDs).

"Speaking as a university academic of many years, the very best option for masters degrees – if you fail to get full funding from a research council or other funding body – is to do the degree part time and work part time to fund it. You get far more time to think, read and develop maturity in your ideas over two years part time than you do over one."

– Ashley Tumson, former grad student

The only stinger is the tuition fees for part time courses are usually more costly than for full time.

Best postgraduate student bank accounts

0% overdraft fees – If you’re anything like the majority of other postgraduate students, you’ll need an overdraft. Whatever bank you choose to go with, just make sure you’re not getting charged for your overdraft.

Beware freebies and gimmicks – Don’t get drawn in by freebies and gimmicks! These short-term offers may seem appealing at first, but you need to be savvy and think about the long-term benefits otherwise you could easily lose out. Banks target students in a hope that they will secure you as a customer for life. Stay on your game and identify the true pros and cons before making a final decision.

Graduate Packages – Find out what preferential terms the bank in question offers graduating students. Also be sure to discover what the repayment terms are, and how they will aid you in paying off any incurred debt.

Top student bank accounts

When it comes to student banking these guys are the biggest players in the market:

Postgrad’s top money saving tips

Looking for tips and tricks to help you save some extra cash each month?

Try giving some of these a whirl:

Buy in bulk

Borrow books from the library or buy them second hand on Amazon

Always ask for a student discount and have your card handy

Shop around to find the most competitive prices

Do your shopping late at night when all the fresh and baked goods have been reduced

Grow your own food - it’s a lot easier than you think

Befriend someone that works in a supermarket

Make the most of loyalty cards

Don’t be influenced by your friends’ spending habits

Only take the amount of cash you can afford to spend when going on a night out

Do your clothes shopping on eBay or wait for the sales

Use coupons

Useful resources 

From postgraduate student funding and finance to health and relationships, we’ve scoured the web and compiled a list of the best student resources available.

Postgrad Blog – Postgrad’s very own blog with lots of new posts added specifically regarding funding and bursaries as well as general postgraduate study advice. Plus we have an incredibly useful ‘ Fees and Funding ’ section that you don’t want to miss!

Student Beans – Providing students with discounts, entertainment and advice on all things student, studentbeans.com speaks directly to over 500,000 UK students every month.

Turn 2 Us – We are a charitable service which helps people access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, grants and other help.

The bottom line: postgraduate study is expensive and getting the funding you need can be a battle but don’t let that deter you from following your dreams and enhancing your prospects.

Hopefully this guide will have given you the inspiration, know-how and tools you need to go out there and secure yourself some cash.

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Funding your doctoral studies

Table of contents.

The most common ways to fund doctoral studies are

• work contract(s) as an employed doctoral researcher in a research project, research group or department, see open positions (availability depends on the School)
• personal grant(s) or scholarship(s) from foundations or funding agencies

Some Aalto schools also offer funded doctoral researcher positions (duration varies). Sometimes doctoral students are employed in a research institute or in an other job where they can contribute the majority of their working hours towards their doctoral thesis. Students permanently living in Finland might also be entitled to student financial aid. The eligibility criteria are available on the webpage of Kela .

Different type of funding agencies and sources for funding

• Association of Finnish Foundations - Supporting Finnish art, research and societal development (saatiotrahastot.fi) and list of national funding calls at Research.fi (previously called Aurora database)
• International foundations providing funding for doctoral studies
• International or national doctoral programmes funded by EU or Finnish government
• Grants given by other governments for their citizens, such as CSC in China
• Grants given by your prior home university to pursue for doctoral degree at abroad
• National and international research projects (Business Finland - previously Tekes, Academy of Finland, EU) lead by a professor at Aalto
• During the academic year 2024-2025, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture is funding 178 new doctoral researcher positions at Aalto University through the Doctoral education pilot .
• Finland Fellowship -  funding opportunity for new doctoral students in 2022-2024. Applicants for Finland Fellowships must be citizens of nation in Africa, Central America or South America. See How to apply for doctoral studies? (aalto.fi) for more information.

List of noteworthy Finnish foundations for doctoral students

• Alfred Kordelin Foundation  (grants to promote science, literature, arts and public education)
• Emil Aaltosen säätiö  (grants for several research fields, for Finnish speaking researchers)
• Finnish Academy of Science and Letters' grants for young scientists
• Finnish Cultural Foundation  (arts, science and various fields of cultural life)
• Finnish Drainage Foundation (MVTT) (research and education in soil and water technology, the improvement of rural water management, the construction of field drainage and as well as addressing the environmental issues concerning agricultural fields in Finland)
• Finnish Natural Resources Research Foundation
• Finnish Work Environment Fund  (development of working-life)
• Fortum and Neste Foundation
• Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology (grants for doctoral theses and research visit for researchers at Aalto Schools CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI and Department of Architecture)
• Foundation for Economic Education  (research on business and economics)
• Foundation for Municipal Development  (research on municipalities)
• Henry Ford Foundation  (in Finnish; motorized traffic and agriculture)
• HSE Support Foundation  (Business research, Economics; for Aalto University School of Business and individuals associated with it)
• Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation  (high-level international research, arts and culture)
• Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation  (science, art, and societal activities)
• KAUTE Foundation  (scientific research in business and technology)
• Kone Foundation  (humanities, social sciences and environmental sciences, artistic research; artistic work in all fields of art, as well as multidisciplinary work combining art and research)
• Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation  (environmental protection)
• OP-Pohjola Group Research Foundation  (economic research, priority on cooperative banking operations)
• Paulo Foundation  (medical and economic research as well as fine arts and music)
• Suomen Arvopaperimarkkinoiden Edistämissäätiö  (only in Finnish)
• Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation  (fields represented by the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries)
• Tekniikan edistämissäätiö, Finnish Foundation for Technology Promotion (TES)  (Research on technology)
• Vilho, Yrjö and Kalle Väisälä Fund (only in Finnish)
• Vuorineuvos Tekn. ja Kauppat. tri h.c. Marcus Wallenbergin Liiketaloudellinen Tutkimussäätiö  (only in Finnish; Business research, company management perspective)
• Yrjö Uitto Foundation (Business research; see info on HSE Support Foundation webpage )

Aalto University’s foundations

School of Arts, Design and Architecture Support Foundation | Aalto University

•Artistic and scientific work and research, doctoral studies as well as international cooperation at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

HSE Support Foundation | Aalto University

•Aalto University School of Business and individuals connected with it

•Application period: February and September

Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology | Aalto University

•Scientific research and teaching at the Aalto University Schools of Technology (CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI) and Department of Architecture (ARTS).

•awards grants for DSc theses on a continuous basis, with the help of industry-donated funds.

Types of grants

• Full-time grants: Grantees are not employees in the frame of the grant, but may have an additional employment contract if allowed by the foundation. 
• Part-time grants: allow for part-time employment by the University
• Grants for mobility or research costs: To cover costs related to conference trips, research visits, research mobility or research costs (equipment, materials etc.), also salaried doctoral researchers can apply
• Encouragement grants: For additional encouragement to doctoral dtudents who are pursuing their doctoral studies, also salaried doctoral researchers can apply to supplement their salary

How to find the right foundations to fund your work

• what their general purpose, mission, goals are
• what kind of activities they want to fund (funding strategy)
• evaluation criteria
• if they have specific focuses / themes
• if they have specific restrictions
• List of grants often available on
• Application forms (in the submission system)
• Project plan template?
• Budget template and rules?

Instructions for finding funding and managing travel costs

Where to find funding.

Check out the grant bulletin boards and funding calls

• Grants and awards
• Grants and awards outside Aalto University
• Research funding calls
• Säätiörahoitus tutkimushankkeisiin
• Vuosittaiset tutkimusrahoitus-koulutukset

Travel-related costs

Students can apply for a travel grant to cover study-related travel expenses.

• Opiskelijoiden matka-apuraha, matkajärjestelyt ja kulukorvaukset
• Matkavakuutus
• Konferenssien rekisteröitymismaksut
• Pikaohje matkustajalle
• Säätiörahoitus tapahtumiin ja matkoihin

School-specific funding information

In Aalto ARTS doctoral students' own activeness in pursuing funding is very important, as the departments can offer a salaried positions only to a minority of their doctoral students.

Some departments are able to offer funding for the last 3-6 months to finalize the manuscript for pre-examination, ask for possibilities from your supervising professor.

Check out a list of foundations that fund artistic research and activities .

Starting your doctoral studies?

Full time doctoral students who are progressing in their studies will receive an after tax salary of approximately 25,000 € (depending on other income and tax deductions) in years 1 and 2 from a combination of salary and grants from foundations. From year 3 onwards the doctoral students are expected to find their own funding, either as a paid researcher or from foundations. The School may also offer some fully paid doctoral researcher positions for best applicants. Normally students manage to find funding for years 3 and 4.

Looking for financing to finalize your studies & research, for congress participation or for a stay at a university abroad?

This section also provides information on ways to finance various costs incurred in postgraduate studies. In addition to support for studying towards the doctoral degree, financial support is available for eg. material costs of dissertation research, participation in scientific conferences and related travel expenses.

FAQ on School of Business doctoral program funding (page requires login to aalto.fi)

Foundations

One way to finance your doctoral studies is to apply for a grant from a trust fund. See the Association of Finnish Foundations website for more information.

Some foundations are presented here in brief.

HSE Foundation – Scholarships and Grants

The funding objectives of the HSE Foundation are: • research projects • research and conference trips • international exchange of researchers and students • master’s theses and doctoral dissertations • teaching and development projects

The application periods for grants take place in February and September. HSE Support Foundation distributes 950 000€ worth of grants every year. Open grants are announced each year in the beginning of February and September on the Foundation’s website. Please check the deadline for applications.

Foundation for Economic Education

Foundation for Economic Education (Liikesivistysrahasto, LSR) primarily supports economic research and economic postgraduate studies.

In principle, only Finnish citizens can receive a grant from the foundation. For applicants with lengthy residency periods in Finland, citizenship is not an absolute necessity. Include in your application an up-to-date research and study plan including your research goals and methods, a one-page project description, and also describe your schedule and financing. When applying for a grant please note that the application forms are and should be completed in Finnish, but the essential project description and all other information is accepted in either English or Swedish.

Especially when applying for financing for the first postgraduate work (licentiate or doctoral thesis) the statement of the supervising professor is important. The statement must be submitted without a separate request either along with the application or within two weeks of the application deadline to the Foundation for Economic Education.

The Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation

The goal of this foundation is to promote Finnish research in economics and medicine and to maintain and support Finnish educational and research facilities. It also supports Finnish research in medical economics, overlapping with both the aforementioned fields.

  Economics, currency and wage theoretic research are given priority, and a secondary emphasis is given to financial and economic-political research. For the research in the field of medicine the work must be theoretically or practically important. In addition to research grants, also the postgraduate studies of those with a academic degree can be financed.

KAUTE- Kaupallisten ja teknillisten tieteiden säätiö

KAUTE economic sciences and technology foundation was founded by Finnish Association of Business School Graduates and Teekkaritoiminnan Edistämisyhdistys in 1956. The purpose of the foundation is to promote economic and technological research and education.

Vuorineuvos tekn. ja kauppat.tri H.C. Marcus Wallenbergin liiketaloudellinen tukisäätiö

The purpose of this foundation is to promote education and research in the area of top management, primarily in Finland but also internationally. This is done by distributing scholarships and paying lecture fees to visiting lecturers and by financing international scientific symposiums in Finland.

Based on the received applications, the foundation distributes grants for postgraduate studies and scientific research every year. Emphasis is also placed on research being focused on top management. The backgrounds of applicants are usually in universities of economy or technology or something similar. Travel scholarships to scientific symposiums abroad are also granted. The foundation may also participate in financing international management seminars in Finland.

The Finnish Cultural Foundation

The Finnish Cultural Foundation (Suomen kulttuurirahasto) is a private, non-profit foundation supporting the advancement of Finnish culture. The aim of the Finnish Cultural Foundation is to promote and develop the cultural and economic life in Finland. To further this aim, the foundation awards grants to individuals and groups for postgraduate and postdoctoral studies in the arts and sciences, for artistic work, and for any other work promoting culture in Finland. Grants can be applied in support of a licentiate thesis and the dissertation process and scientific research conducted subsequently. Research can be done in Finland or abroad. A grant for full-time scientific work requires that one isn’t working elsewhere at the same time. Meeting and lecture trips are only limitedly subsidized.

Heikki and Hilma Honkanen Foundation

The Heikki and Hilma Honkanen Foundation distributes scholarships to young, talented Finns in support of studies and research. In addition to student scholarships, the board may also decide to distribute researcher scholarships for licentiate and dissertation work in selected fields of science. This foundation and its scholarships are only for Finnish nationals.

Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation

The purpose of the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation is to promote and support cultural and economic development in Finland. Scholarships are primarily granted for dissertation work, subsequent research, and towards research groups.

International and national foundations

Many foundations provide funding possibilities for doctoral studies. On the table below you can find a list of some of the prominent Finnish foundations which could provide funding. Please note that the application periods given on the table below are only approximate times and the information is based on previous year's application rounds. Please check the correct times directly from the foundation's pages.

Finalizing funding (2 - 6 months) for completing a doctoral thesis manuscript for the pre-examination

• Only available for the doctoral students of Aalto CHEM
• Application calls are open for two times per year. Finalizing funding for spring 2024 must be applied between 3 October - 6 November 2023, and funding call for autumn 2024 will be open between 3-31 May 2024.
• Please see the more information about the funding from the application form
• The next funding call for spring season 2024 will be open in 3 Oct.- 6 November 2023. Presently applicable funding must start within timeline January – June 2024.

https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/8EFE9A1908C6E263

We do not know when the next call for doctoral student funded positions will be organized. We will inform you about the call by e-mail and as a news item in aalto.fi, when it is time for the next call.

AaltoENG doctoral programme positions: the application period is until 12 September 2024 at 3 pm .

The Dean of the Aalto University School of Engineering has opened the call for applications for funded three-year positions in Doctoral Programme starting in January 2025. The number of open positions is 5, and EUR 33.000 per year has been allocated for each position. 

Funded doctoral student positions are open for students having a study right for doctoral degree in Aalto ENG and for those applying for study in right in the autumn 2024 application period. More information on applying for a study right is presented on the Application instructions web page . When allocating places, priority is given to students who are in the early stages of their doctoral dissertation, whose supervising professor is a non-permanent professor who does not have more than four full-time doctoral students. Only one of each professor's applicants can be admitted for a funded position this year.

The doctoral programmepositions will be filled in parts: 24 months + optional 12 months, based on mid-term evaluation. 

The following admission criteria will be emphasized:

• Study performance (B.Sc. and M.Sc.) – M.Sc. average grade clearly above the general average
• M.Sc. thesis – grade 4 (very good) or higher
• Applicant has been deemed by the supervising professor (in his or her statement) as having true potential for earning the degree within 3-4 years from getting study right (this statement should be e-mailed directly to  [email protected] )
• Research and publication proposal including timetable
• Publications
• Previous funding
• Motivation letter

The applicant is requested to present in the application documents that he/she meets the requirements listed above.

Required application documents:

• Free form application letter 
• Transcript of records
• Research and publication proposal and planned timetable
• CV and list of publications
• Report on previous funding (if granted)
• Statement by the supervising professor. The statement should include an account of all the projects for which additional compensation is paid. Professors who supervise several applicants must rank their applicants in order of preference. This document should be e-mailed by the professor to [email protected] .

Applications for funded doctoral student positions are submitted by e-mail [email protected]

The deadline for applications is on 12 September 2024 at 3 p.m. All the application materials must be submitted in electronic format (pdf).  

For additional information on the application procedure, please contact Planning officer Ritva Viero, [email protected] ,  +358 50-597 0610.

At Aalto School of Science, the full-time doctoral students primarily work for university research projects in school's departments or in other research units. Those applying for a full-time right to pursue a doctoral degree must have funding secured for at least 6 months (e.g. from the employer, or through project funding or a grant). The financing of studies must always be discussed with the supervising professor. The supervising professor can give more information about research projects in the research field.

Taxation of personal grants

A grant or scholarship received for studies, academic research or artistic activity may be tax-exempt income. Grants paid by public authorities (such as State of Finland, Academy of Finland, a municipality, Central Arts Council etc) are entirely exempt from tax regardless of the amount. Grants paid by a private party are exempt from tax up to a specific amount. 

Finnish Tax Administration's instructions for taxation of grants (vero.fi)

Research costs as deductible expenses

Certain costs related to doing doctoral studies and completing the degree can be reported as deductible expenses. The costs can be for example language check services, thesis printing, and book orders. For more information, please contact your tax office at vero.fi/en. Tax office's instructions are available on their website only in Finnish (vero.fi).

Incentive scholarships and awarding thesis work

Aalto University has in place an incentive scholarship scheme rewarding achievement. Scholarships are awareded for articles and doctoral theses that have been completed according to specific criteria. Aalto doctoral thesis awards celebrate the most meritorious theses.

Incentive scholarships for doctoral students

A set of 500e and 2000e incentive scholarships are awarded by application for doctoral students who meet the conditions given.

Aalto doctoral thesis awards

Top ten percent of doctoral theses are awarded annually at Aalto University

• Published: 11.5.2023
• Updated: 18.6.2024

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Dear Colleague Letter: Graduate Research Internships at National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NSF-NIBIB/BETA INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity

April 30, 2024

Dear Colleague:

Fostering the growth of a globally competitive and diverse research workforce and advancing the scientific and innovation skills of the Nation is a strategic objective of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF and Center for Biomedical Engineering Technology Acceleration ( BETA ) housed in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering ( NIBIB ) have entered into a partnership to support the training of graduate students to meet both the NSF's strategic workforce development objectives as well the NIBIB's mission to transform through engineering the understanding of disease and its prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment and NIBIB's support of the next generation of diverse, interdisciplinary researchers across the career continuum.

This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) describes this unique partnership with NIBIB/BETA and is aligned with and conforms with the NSF INTERN opportunity described in the Dear Colleague Letter: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity . This DCL is referred to as the NSF - NIBIB/BETA INTERN DCL.

Recipients submitting an INTERN supplemental funding request are required to have a policy or code of conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault. For more information, read about NSF policies regarding harassment .

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

NSF will consider supplemental funding requests that enable a Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI to request up to six months of additional support for a graduate student supported on an active NSF award with the following goals:

• To provide graduate students with the opportunity to augment their research assistantships or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) fellowships with non-academic research internship activities and training opportunities that will complement their academic research training.
• To allow graduate students to engage in professional development experiences that will enhance their preparation for multiple career pathways after graduation.
• To encourage the participation of the full spectrum of diverse talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

ELIGIBILITY

Recipients with awards that include funding for graduate students, including institutional Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) awards, are eligible to submit a supplemental funding request. The PI for an active GRFP fellowship (not the GRFP fellow) should contact GRFP ( [email protected] ) regarding specific requirements before submitting a supplemental funding request on behalf of a GRFP fellow.

To be supported through an INTERN supplement responding to this DCL, graduate students (including graduate research fellows) being considered must have completed at least one academic year in their graduate programs (master's or doctoral), be in good academic standing and demonstrate satisfactory progress towards their research.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PIs and co-PIs of NSF grants and the research advisor of the GRFP fellows are encouraged to contact Dr. Manu Platt ( [email protected] ) at NIBIB/BETA, to explore suitable opportunities for research traineeships at NIBIB/BETA in Bethesda, Maryland, for the graduate students who are supported on their NSF grants.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

Information about requesting supplemental support is contained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide ( PAPPG ), Chapter VI.E.5. In addition to the PAPPG requirements for supplemental support, the following materials must be included.

• A two-page summary that describes the internship
• A one-page personal statement from the graduate student describing career goals, accomplishments, and how the activity will better prepare the individual to enter the workforce.
• Research summary to include contribution(s) to research discipline
• Institution(s)
• Year of study (1st year, 2nd year, etc.)
• Completed coursework
• Employment and volunteer/outreach history
• Publications (accepted only)
• Other information relevant to the proposed internship
• A letter of collaboration from an authorized official at the host organization that describes the internship opportunity and mentoring the student will experience during the internship.
• An endorsement letter from the PI that confirms that the student meets the eligibility requirements specified in this DCL. The letter must describe how the proposed internship activity will contribute to the student's graduate education experience and how it may impact time to degree.
• A budget and a clear justification for all requested budget costs.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING AMOUNT

The total amount of funding requested must not exceed $55,000 per student for one six-month period. NSF plans to fund about 5-10 supplements per fiscal year, depending on the availability of funds.

PERIOD OF SUPPORT

The supplement funding will provide up to six months of support for an internship. Note: only one supplemental funding request may be submitted for a given student. A PI or co-PI may submit no more than one request per year of their award if there are multiple graduate students supported by the award, with the exception that GRFP will consider requests for internships for more than one GRFP Fellow from a single GRFP award.

Supplemental funding requests may be submitted at any time.

SUBMISSION AND REVIEW

Requests for supplemental funding must be submitted via Research.gov. A PI or Co-PI with an NSF award should contact the program director who manages the award prior to submission. GRFP INTERN supplement requests are submitted by the GRFP PI, not by the GRFP fellow or the fellow's research advisor. Requests for supplemental funding submitted in response to this DCL will be reviewed internally by NSF program directors. All supplements are subject to (a) the availability of funds and (b) merit review of the supplemental funding request.

SPECIAL AWARD CONDITION

Intellectual Property Rights: Internships under this DCL are considered equivalent to traineeships. The National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering claims no rights to any inventions or writings that might result from its traineeship awards. However, trainees should be aware that NSF, another Federal agency, or some private party may acquire such rights through other support for particular research. Also, trainees should note their obligation to include an Acknowledgment and Disclaimer in any publication.

For further information, please contact: Dr. Prakash Balan, [email protected] .

Susan Marqusee, Assistant Director Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO)

Dilma Da Silva, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)

James L. Moore III, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EDU)

Susan Margulies, Assistant Director Directorate for Engineering (ENG)

Alexandra Isern, Assistant Director Directorate for Geosciences (GEO)

C. Denise Caldwell, Acting Assistant Director Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)

Alicia Knoedler, Office Head Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)

Kendra Sharp, Office Head Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE)

Sylvia M. Butterfield, Assistant Director Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)

Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnership (TIP)

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• Education and learning
• Student finance

Doctoral Loan

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD.

There’s different funding if you normally live in Wales . Moving somewhere to study does not count as normally living there.

You can also get extra support if you have a disability .

You will not be eligible for an Adult Dependants’ Grant, a Childcare Grant or Parents’ Learning Allowance from Student Finance if you’re studying a doctoral course.

When you can apply

You can now apply for funding for the 2023 to 2024 academic year.

When you repay your loan

You’ll have to start repaying your loan when your income is over a certain amount (the ‘threshold’ amount).

You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.

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July 2024 Graduate School Bulletin

Graduate students, mark your calendars for important graduation deadlines, funding opportunities, events and professional development workshops

Summer Graduation Deadlines

Doctoral students must complete the PhD dissertation defense or final examination by this date. Notice of the examination must be provided to the Graduate School using the doctoral final examination form two weeks before the exam. 

PhD students must submit the dissertation with Thesis Approval Form to ProQuest by this deadline. The dissertation must be submitted electronically for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day. The single page Thesis Approval Form (TAF) must be uploaded as a supplemental file with the dissertation in order for the submission to be complete. Students whose dissertations are received after this deadline, or those not submitted with the TAF, must apply to graduate at the following semester's commencement. 

PhD and DMA students must fill out the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) online by this deadline. Learn more about the survey on the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics website . 

Master's students must complete the thesis defense or final examination by this date. Notice of the examination must be provided to the Graduate School using the master's final examination form two weeks before the exam. Certain units do not require an exam for non-thesis students. Please contact your department with any questions. 

Preview future summer graduation deadlines on the Graduate School website.

Funding Opportunities

• June 30 : Institute for Humane Studies Academic Mentorship ( external )

Workshops & Events

Navigating perfectionism in grad school.

 June 26, 12 to 1:30 p.m.  CASE E351  

What is perfectionism and what contributes to it? Join Stacy Gerberich, embedded therapist for the Graduate School, to learn more about perfectionism and how it can hinder your productivity as a graduate student. Stacy will also discuss ways to change this type of thinking and improve your academic success and overall wellness. Lunch will be provided to those that RSVP by June 21.  

Register Here

Grad+ Summer Intensive: The Truth Behind Academic Imposter Syndrome

 July 15 to 17, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day   Zoom

This session, led by Leslie Blood, director of graduate community and professional development, won’t be discussing your mother’s imposter syndrome. This workshop will cover the difference between impostor syndrome and self-awareness, how to turn fear into growth, and teach you sustainable strategies to manage doubt in academia.  

Grad+ Summer Intensive – Rebound: Cultivating a Practice of Emotional Resilience (Rescheduled) 

 July 23 to 25, 9 to 11 a.m. each day   Zoom 

What do you do when your best-laid plans fall apart? Far from “just get over it,” cultivating resilience is a holistic practice that can help you adapt to challenging personal and professional setbacks. Join Stacy Gerberich, embedded therapist for the Graduate School, for an interactive, three-day seminar intensive exploring what resilience is, what it isn’t, and engaging real-time practices that can help you keep moving towards your personal and professional goals.

Grad+ Summer Intensive – Secrets to Academic Success

 July 29 to 31, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day   Zoom 

There are many different challenges academics face during and after their graduate careers. This three-day intensive is led by Leslie Blood, director of graduate community and professional development, and will help you discover what it takes to create a sustainable academic career. Topics featured include fool-proof solutions and creative problem-solving strategies for common academic hurdles, improving your advisor/advisee relationship, personalized approaches for improved productivity, and crafting the perfect career.

• Announcements
• Summer 2024

Australia to provide $2 million in extra funding to assist with PNG's landslide recovery

The Australian Government has announced it will provide $2 million in extra funding to assist Papua New Guinea's recovery response to last month's devastating landslide in Enga Province.

The additional support will help restore essential services in the province — including local infrastructure, healthcare and education — after PNG's request for help to restore connectivity of the Highlands Highway, which was impacted by the disaster.

Australia will also provide 1,170 learning packs for children to assist with their education.

"It's always Australia that's the first country to come to our aid, we do not take your friendship for granted," PNG Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph said.

"You have come to see our people mourning, more than 160 are buried [and] many have been moved from tribal lands.

"Ten thousand people have been affected. We are happy but we are sad. But thanks for all you have done for us."

An Australian delegation of ministers — including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minster for International Development Pat Conroy — are in PNG along with other officials to attend the 30th Ministerial Forum.

Yesterday, the group announced a package of initiatives aimed at strengthening PNG's internal security and law and justice priorities under a major bilateral security agreement struck last year.

Australian and PNG ministers agreed to assist with a weapons management program and provide support for the country's legal system to help it investigate and prosecute financial crime and assist with making its correctional facilities safer and more secure.

But Mr Marles acknowledged the event was being held in the shadow of a natural disaster.

Today, he visited the tent city where thousands of displaced people have been living since the landslide.

"Australia's hearts break for the people of Mulitaka," he said.

Many buildings were buried under rock and debris, leaving countless locals homeless and uncertain over where they will live.

“I look around here and I see sadness and I am so sorry for your loss but I also see hope and we will be with you to make that hope real," Senator Wong said.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Australian government initially sent $2.5 million in humanitarian assistance for emergency supplies as well as technical experts to investigate the site and provide advice on the risk of further landslides.

Situation on the ground in PNG remains complex

PNG's Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso thanked Australia and other partners for their support following the disaster.

The remoteness of the Mulitaka district, ongoing tribal conflicts and tensions over the way aid is administered have complicated relief efforts In the wake of the landslide.

Last week supplies were halted after a dispute resulted in landowners cutting a fuel line installed to supply fuel to the nearby town of Porgera, which has been cut off due to the landslide.

CARE International PNG director Justine McMahon said the dispute had been resolved and aid deliveries had resumed, but the situation remained complex.

"There are a number of tensions on the ground," she said.

"In situations like this … particularly in rural communities where people don't have a lot in normal times. And so when they see large amounts of relief supplies coming in, it is to be expected that there's increased tension."

Ms McMahon said she expected aid deliveries would be needed for the next six months, but relocating people to new homes may take much longer.

"People are incredibly traumatised. They've lost everything, all of their goods, all of their belongings," she said.

"They've also lost their identity for many people. So this will be a long process."

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'it reflects who we are to one another': australia announces initiatives to improve png internal security, law and justice.

A remote community slept under a mountain. Overnight it was levelled

Survivors of the PNG landslide say they heard two loud cracks before a mountainside fell on their village

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• Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents
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