Funding your research degree

Understanding how your research degree will be funded is a key step in the application process. Depending on the type of project you want to apply for, there are different routes to fund your fees.

We offer:

• fully funded projects that cover the costs of your tuition fees and an allowance (stipend)
• projects that fund your tuition fees only
• opportunities to explore your own research proposal where you’ll need to source your own funding 

It’s important to know where your funding will come from before applying for a project.

For projects advertised as 'fully funded' or 'competition funded', your university fees will be paid and you will not need to apply for additional funding.

Competition funded projects will go ahead if the funding is awarded by the funding body. You can talk with the main supervisor to find out more. 

Funding may also be available within the relevant school or faculty. Learn more in the fees and funding section of your chosen PhD topic areas.

See our current research degree projects

Fees paid plus a living allowance

A funded project will cover your tuition fees.

Some projects come with an additional sum of money to cover things like accommodation, travel and maintenance expenses. This is called a stipend and is tax free.

Fees paid with no living allowance

Some project funding will only cover your university fees. You will need to cover your living expenses yourself. 

If you need help to cover your living costs, UK students can apply for a doctoral loan through Student Finance England. International students can check if they are eligible to receive a scholarship or bursary.

Some advertised projects do not have funding secured yet. The main supervisor will usually source funding once they have found a suitable PhD candidate. 

Contact the main supervisor to find out about the specific funding options if there’s a project you’re interested in.

Our doctoral training programmes are sponsored by one of the UKRI research councils and partners across government, industry, the NHS and charities.

These types of programmes include:

• Doctoral Focal Awards
• Doctoral Landscape Awards
• Doctoral Training Partnerships
• Centres for Doctoral Training

You can also check the details in the advertised project or specific doctoral training programme for how to apply.

You can speak to the supervisor you wish you work with or contact the Doctoral College by email:

Doctoral-College@soton.ac.uk