Loans and grants for postgraduate researchers

About the project

The UK government offers loans and financial support for eligible students joining postgraduate research degrees. This is designed to help with course fees and living costs while you study.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loan

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study.

You could receive up to £31,122 if you’re joining a PhD or Professional Doctorate during the academic year 2026/27.

The loan will be divided equally across each year of your course.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan, you’ll need to meet all the following criteria:

You can apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan in any year of your course. However, if you apply after your first year, you might not get the maximum amount.

You won’t be eligible for a doctoral loan if you receive any Research Council funding, or you already have a doctoral degree (or equivalent). You also won’t be eligible if you’ve received a doctoral loan before, unless you left your course due to illness, bereavement or another serious personal reason.

The loan is:

• You’re a UK national, Irish citizen or have settled status in the UK
• You normally live in England
• You’ve been living in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years in a row before the first day of the first academic year of your course
• You’ll be under 60 years of age on the first day of the first academic year of your course
• You’re joining a full standalone postgraduate doctoral course, full-time or part-time.
• Not means tested
• Issued directly to you in three instalments per academic year
• Repayable when you’re earning above the income threshold and will be calculated at 6% of income.

How to apply

Applications are made online to Student Finance England . Alternatively, you can call the Student Finance England customer helpline on 0300 100 0031 . Please note, you must apply for your postgraduate research degree before you can apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty, you may be eligible for support tailored to your individual needs.

You can apply for help with the cost of specialist equipment, such as computer software, extra travel costs due to a disability, or other support necessary to study on your programme.

Find out more about DSA

Research areas