UK Raises Minimum PhD Stipend to £21,805 from October

The United Kingdom will raise the minimum stipend for PhD students to £21,805 per year starting October 1, 2026, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced on Thursday.

The increase marks a nearly 5% rise from the current £20,780 and aims to help doctoral students better cope with the rising cost of living. The new stipend applies to students across the UK, while those studying in London will receive around £23,805, reflecting higher living expenses in the capital. The stipend is paid tax-free and is intended to cover living costs for full-time research students. In addition to the stipend hike, UKRI has raised the minimum student fees paid to universities from £5,006 to £5,238, enabling institutions to provide better support for doctoral training. The move comes in response to growing concerns over financial pressures faced by PhD students. Student unions, particularly in London, have long campaigned for higher stipends to ensure that doctoral studies remain accessible, not just to students from wealthier backgrounds. UKRI funds around 24,000 PhD students nationally, and its stipend rates often set a benchmark for other funding bodies and universities. Officials said the above-inflation increase is part of a broader effort to align doctoral support with living costs and ensure that research careers remain financially viable. While the stipend covers living expenses, it does not include tuition fees, which UKRI pays directly to universities at the home rate. International students may face additional charges. UKRI reviews stipend rates annually, meaning further increases are possible in the coming years.