Funding your Postgraduate
Research Degree
Everything you need to know about funding your studies.
Tuition fees for postgraduate research study
Tuition fees for postgraduate research study are detailed on our course pages.
Fees will vary depending on the nature of your research topic, and the associated resource requirements - for example specialist equipment or laboratory and workshop access.
They will also depend on your fee status, whether you are a UK student, an EU/EEA or Swiss national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or an international student.
View our page on funding your studies for our latest guidance and key information about dates, how to pay, and tuition fee discounts.
Options for funding your postgraduate research study
If you’re thinking about a postgraduate research degree, but feel unsure about funding, don’t worry. There are a number of different routes you can take to finance your studies.
Full vs partial funding
There are a range of sources of funding, which it’s helpful to understand.
Full funding is typically offered through PhD studentships. For home students this will cover tuition fees and living expenses. This can differ for international students, so make sure to check the individual studentship advert for the details.
Partial funding may come as loans, scholarships, or bursaries. This type of support might cover fees only or maintenance only, or may just contribute to one of these. If you're awarded partial funding, the funding body may ask how you intend to cover the rest of your costs.
Portfolio funding
If you are not fully funded, you may need to try a portfolio funding approach. This is where you bring together different sources of partial funding.
Portfolio funding may include personal savings, an academic school bursary, tuition fee discounts, charity funding and part-time work.
Our Careers Service advertises work opportunities on campus and throughout the city, supporting you in finding part-time work so you can earn while you study. You will also be building your CV in the process. There may also be opportunities for you to supplement your income with demonstration and seminar work with undergraduate students.
Funding from research councils
There are seven research councils which offer funding to support PhD study, and sometimes master’s study. These are part of UKRI (UK Research and Innovation), the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK.
Research council funding is often delivered via Doctoral Training Partnerships, Doctoral Training Colleges, or Centres for Doctoral Training. Funding is in the form of PhD studentships.
Studentships are often a collaboration between universities or schools. They come together to provide research training, conferences and supervision. You’ll benefit from combined expertise, cross-disciplinary knowledge, and meeting students from different research backgrounds and subject areas.
Postgraduate Doctoral loans
Students of doctoral degrees in all disciplines may be eligible for this loan. The loan depends on your nationality or residency status, as well as your age and other eligibility criteria.
This type of loan can help with course fees and living costs. You can see recent figures on Gov.uk.
Full-time, part-time and distance learning courses are all covered.
This loan is not means tested, but you will not be eligible if you receive:
- Research Council or UKRI funding
- NHS bursaries
- student finance for other courses that you intend to study at the same time
Read more about Doctoral Loans, including further information about the application process.
Master’s loan
A Master's loan covers MRes, MLitt and standalone MPhil degrees. It is designed to support eligible students with a contribution towards tuition fees and living costs.
The loan is paid directly to you in instalments across the course duration.
Whether you qualify will depend on your course, age, and nationality or residency status, as well as a number of other factors connected to your existing funding and qualifications.
Because of this scholarship I just got this once in a lifetime opportunity to study in such a fantastic environment.
Adwyait, India
Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship
When to apply for postgraduate funding
Start your search early
Remember, applying for funding takes time - especially if you're applying for multiple funding sources. It's a good idea to be organised with your funding search. Opportunities are very limited during the summer before you intend to commence your studies.
Opportunities are available throughout the year, but are more common between November and March.
Some funding bodies require you to have an offer of a place on your academic course before you can apply. You'll need to factor this into your planning.
How much does it cost to study in Newcastle?
If you’re considering Newcastle for your postgraduate study, the good news is that the North of England is generally cheaper than the South. In Newcastle, rent is 61% lower than in London, and groceries cost 8.3% less.*
Newcastle is a vibrant place to live, study and work. We're ranked among the Top 5 most affordable UK cities (QS Best Student Cities 2026), with a great range of restaurants, shops, bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues.
Our Financial Advisers can provide professional and impartial advice to current and prospective students.
* Numbeo Sept 2025
Where can I get more information?
Don’t be shy when it comes to money matters. There are lots of ways to get additional information about the latest opportunities:
- attend a university open day or postgraduate study fair to hear presentations on finding and applying for funding
- make an appointment with your university finance team
- speak to your academic team/tutor
- read our blog post: Finding postgraduate funding – top tips on searching and applying
