Don’t Apply for a PhD in UK Before Reading THIS Article!

Last Updated on January 14, 2025

The Big Question: Thinking of a PhD in UK? STOP! Save Big and Earn More—Here’s How! Don’t dive in without knowing the insider tips—your wallet will thank you!

But first, What is a PhD degree?

Well, A PhD is the highest degree you can earn at a UK university. It is all about exploring a topic you are passionate about through in-depth research. You’ll write your findings in a thesis (up to 100,000 words!) and present it in an oral exam to a panel of experts.

Don’t worry; you won’t do this alone—you’ll have a supervisor to guide you every step of the way. How Long Will It Take? Full-time PhDs take 3–4 years, while part-time options stretch up to 6 years. Costs range from £18,000–£35,000 per year (₹18–36.2 Lakh INR)—yes, it’s a hefty tag, but hang on for money-saving tips! 

Note: Got a Master’s with 70% or a 4-year Honors degree? You’re already halfway there! Plus, PhD with scholarship in the UK can help lighten the load, and the average post-grad salary of £42,220/year (₹43.7 Lakh INR) isn’t too shabby either!

So, What Does a UK PhD Look Like?

It’s not just research—it’s a whole experience! Phd in UK are famously shorter than their US counterparts, saving you both time and money (bonus points for efficiency!). Wondering which PhD in UK is your perfect match? We are about to break it all down for you!

1. Standard PhD: 3–4 years, on-campus research & thesis.
2. Integrated PhD: 1-year MRes + 3-year Ph.D. for research methods.
3. Professional PhD: Focus on real-world projects, not theses.
4. Distance PhD: Remote supervision, minimal campus visits.
5. PhD by Publication: Based on pre-published work.

Other Types of Research Degrees

MPhil (Master of Philosophy)

An MPhil is a standalone research degree or a stepping stone to a PhD, typically lasting one year full-time or two years part-time. It focuses on independent research, culminating in a thesis of up to 60,000 words. Students often choose an MPhil when their research scope is smaller than a full PhD.

MRes (Master of Research)

The MRes is a research-focused postgraduate degree in arts, humanities, and social sciences. Often required before a PhD, it involves completing a 40,000-word dissertation, providing advanced research skills.

Now that you know the different types of Phds in the UK and research based degrees, here comes the BIG Question: Do You Qualify for a Phd In UK? Here’s What You Need to Know!

Admission & Eligibility Requirements

• A Master’s degree or a 4-year Bachelor’s Honors degree (or equivalent).
• A minimum of 70% in your previous academic qualifications.
• A detailed research proposal outlining your interests and methodology.

Application Process:

There’s no central application portal—you’ll need to apply directly through each university’s website. Alongside your application, you’ll need:

• Proof of English Proficiency: IELTS (7.0), TOEFL iBT (90), or PTE (60).
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs).
• Statement of Purpose (SOP): Required by some universities.
• Research Proposal.

Top Universities and Fields: 

There is essential information students should know; the PhD programs in the UK may vary and the details provided here may alter in the future. Therefore, the best sources of such information would be the official websites of these universities or the university admission offices.

Rank (QS Rankings 2025)	Institution Name	Location	Popular PhD courses
2	Imperial College London	England, UK	PhD in Engineering, PhD in Medicine, PhD in Natural Sciences
3	University of Oxford	England	DPhil in Computer Science, DPhil in Medical Sciences, DPhil in Humanities
5	University of Cambridge	England	PhD in Computer Science, PhD in Biological Sciences, PhD in Economics
9	University College London (UCL)	England	PhD in Management, PhD in Architecture, PhD in Neuroscience
27	The University of Edinburgh	Scotland, UK	PhD in Informatics, PhD in Medicine, PhD in Social Sciences
34	The University of Manchester	England, UK	PhD in Life Sciences, PhD in Materials Science, PhD in Business and Management
40	King’s College London	England	PhD in Law, PhD in Psychiatry, PhD in Biomedical Sciences
50	The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	England	PhD in Economics, PhD in Political Science, PhD in Sociology
54	University of Bristol	Bristol, England	PhD in Engineering, PhD in Biological Sciences, PhD in Mathematics
69	The University of Warwick	Coventry, England	PhD in Education, PhD in Management, PhD in Economics
78	University of Glasgow	Scotland	PhD in Veterinary Medicine, PhD in Engineering, PhD in History
80	University of Birmingham	England	PhD in Psychology, PhD in Chemistry, PhD in Theology
80	University of Southampton	Southampton, England	PhD in Oceanography, PhD in Electronics and Computer Science, PhD in Medicine
82	University of Leeds	Leeds, England	PhD in Business, PhD in Geography, PhD in Mechanical Engineering
89	Durham University	Durham, England	PhD in Archaeology, PhD in Theology, PhD in Physics
104	University of St Andrews	St Andrews, Scotland	PhD in Philosophy, PhD in International Relations, PhD in Biology
105	The University of Sheffield	Sheffield, England	PhD in Architecture, PhD in Mechanical Engineering, PhD in English Literature
108	University of Nottingham	Nottingham, England	PhD in Pharmacy, PhD in Education, PhD in Chemical Engineering
120	Queen Mary University of London	United Kingdom	PhD in Dentistry, PhD in Law, PhD in Computer Science
129	Newcastle University	England	PhD in Marine Technology, PhD in Ageing and Health, PhD in Architecture

But hey, face facts here – a full scholarship that pays for your entire study in the UK is few and in between. But here’s the thing: it’s not impossible if you know how to go about it. So, if the goal is to study a PhD with scholarship in the UK, then preparation is the name of the game. 

Well, how does one increase one’s chances for scholarships for PhD in UK?

Step 1: Start with focused research. 

Search for the institutions and programs that best suit your profile and those which are well known to award scholarships for doctoral programs in the UK. This is especially so if you are eyeing on scholarships for PhD in UK as some of the universities fund specific fields more than others.

Step 2: If you are planning for a PhD in UK with scholarship, do not underestimate the top scholarships such as the Commonwealth Scholarship, Chevening Scholarship, or the Research Council Funding.  It is recommended that you apply across a wide spread of PhD scholarships because the fact is that there is a high probability of getting one of them.

Oh yes, do not wait until the last minute to find out that your documents are missing! Recommendation letters, academic records and even proof of finances are documents that take some time to prepare. These are crucial as far as undergraduate scholarship and scholarship for PhD in UK are concerned.

Securing PhD in UK with scholarship is not about luck—it’s about being prepared. And we have got the results to prove it: 90% of students we’ve worked with have secured scholarships, from partial funding to full coverage.

But here is the final question:

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