These fees are for all research degree programmes on this page. For courses lasting more than one year, small annual increases may apply. For more information, please visit the fees and funding page.
The standard length of a full-time PhD programme is three years, or five years part-time, plus 'writing-up'.
For full-time students, writing up typically takes about three months but may be extended to one year without further paperwork. For part-time students, writing up typically takes one year, but may be extended to two years without further paperwork.
If you need to move into the writing up period of your research degree, you will be liable to pay a continuation fee if you don’t submit within the first three months after the end of your research period (full-time) or six months (part-time). Whilst you can take up to 12 months (full-time) and 20 months (part-time) to write-up your thesis, the expectation is that you submit within 3 months (full-time) and 6 months (part-time).
The fees for the writing up period are:
0-3 months into writing up period - £0
0-6 months (part-time) into writing up period - £0
Full time study - £240 every three months thereafter
Part time study - £240 every six months thereafter
The writing up fees will increase by inflation each year.
Doctoral Loan
UK students who haven’t secured a scholarship can take out a Doctoral Loan to help with tuition fees and living costs. They provide up to £26,445 for full-time and part-time PhDs in all subject areas.
EU students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get student finance. Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Additional costs
There are some extra costs that you may have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary:
- Student visas (international students).
- Books (you’ll have access to many books through the University library, but you may want to buy your own copies).
- Optional conference/field/archive/library trips (Faculties support some travel and conference attendance financially. Details vary. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
- Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want to buy your own).
- Printing and photocopying (There is a printing allowance in place for all students, currently £20 a year. Some Faculties grant PGR students access to printing and photocopying as staff. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
- Professional-body membership.
- Graduation (gown hire and photography).
Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few.
Some postgraduate research students may be asked to pay a bench fee in addition to the tuition fee to cover additional costs of their research project. If such a fee is levied for additional project-specific costs, not included in the tuition fee, you will receive further information during the application process.