Funding for postgraduate research
Our Department is committed to providing a range of funding opportunities to our postgraduate research students.
There are several funding streams that you can take advantage of when you come to study a PhD with us, including bursaries, scholarships and the University's flagship funding scheme for outstanding doctoral candidates.
Explore your options below.
Doctoral Loans
The UK government has confirmed that new doctoral loans will be available for those studying PhDs (and equivalent doctoral programmes) from 2018/19.
The loan will be for a maximum of £25,000 over the duration of the course.
UK nationals, who are ordinarily resident in England, aged 59 or under, who are not already receiving funding via a UK Research Council, will be eligible. The government is currently considering making EU students eligible.
The loans will be available for all types of doctoral study (eg PhD, as well as all professional doctorates such as DBA, EdD), at all UK universities.
Additional information will be published to this page once further information has been confirmed by the UK government.
- A summary of the main features of the loan is available on FindaPhD.com.
Faculty PhD Studentships
The Faculty of Science and Engineering has historically made up to a further ten PhD studentships (also known as Dean's Awards) in previous years, although this is not normally announced until around February time.
These awards are open to all nationalities and research areas within the Faculty. The awards have been allocated to outstanding applicants seeking PhD training opportunities, based on the academic track record of applicants and evidence of research potential.
Global Challenges Research Fund
The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is a £1.5 billion fund announced by the government to support cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries.
GCRF forms part of the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment. ODA-funded activity focuses on outcomes that promote the long-term sustainable growth of countries on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list.
The University of Manchester is offering fully funded four year PhD studentships with an integrated teaching certificate. For a list of available projects and further details about the funding please see the University website.
Global Doctoral Research Network Partnerships
The University of Manchester has collaborations with a number of international partners. As an extension of this joint research, we are developing dual-award PhD programmes to allow postgraduate research students access to world-class facilities, expertise and field environments. Visit the University website for more information about the Dual-awards via the Global Doctoral Research Network.
Postgraduate loans (PGL) for taught and research master’s students
Postgraduate loans were introduced by the Department of Education and the first cohort commenced in September 2016. The loans support up to £10,000 per student for the purpose of master's study. A PGL for master's study will be a contribution towards the cost of studies ie it will be at the student's discretion to use the loan towards tuition fees, maintenance cost or other costs. It is non-means tested and is paid directly to the student.
- Further information can be found on the Student Finance England website.
President's Doctoral Scholar Award
The University of Manchester offers more than 100 studentships every year through the President’s Doctoral Scholar Award scheme, launched by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell. These awards allocate full funding for doctoral study, as well as a £1,000 enhancement.
PDS Award holders will also be invited to attend a series of exclusive events where they will have the opportunity to meet the President and Vice-Chancellor, interact closely with the University’s academic community, and network with other PDS Award students. In addition, each PDS Award holder will receive a President’s Doctoral Scholar medal at graduation.