PhD Funding

PhD loans have been confirmed by the UK government for individuals starting an eligible level 8 qualification on or after 1st August 2023. The loan is intended to be a contribution to the cost of the qualification, whether on tuition, maintenance, or any other costs associated with study.

The key terms are as follows:

• Eligible individuals will be able to borrow up to £28,673 from Student Finance England for 2023/24 for the purpose of completing an eligible postgraduate doctoral qualification.
• We are waiting for confirmation from Student Finance Wales but individuals were able to borrow up to £27,880 in 2022/23.
• The loan will be available if you are a UK national ordinarily resident in England who wishes to study in the UK.
• Individuals will only be eligible for the loan if they are aged 59 or under on the first day of the first academic year of their course.
• Individual eligibility will not be based on a means test.
• Individuals already holding an equivalent level qualification will not be eligible for the loan.
• There will be no restrictions on subjects, disciplines, research areas or topics.
• Students will only be eligible for the loan if the programme of study lasts a minimum of three years (for a full-time course) and a maximum of eight years (for a part-time course).
• Loans can be combined with funding from your University or other sources, but not with Research Council funding, NHS funding or other direct Government funding.
• Repayment terms apply.
• The loan interest will be calculated and interest will accrue from the date of the first loan instalment.
• The loan will be added to the master's loan if the borrower has also previously taken this loan out. These repayments will occur alongside any outstanding undergraduate student loan repayments.
• Any outstanding doctoral loan balance will be written off in line with the repayment terms and conditions.