how much phd students get paid in uk

• PhD Salary in UK – Explained
• Funding a PhD

What Are PhD Salaries?

The average cost of undertaking a PhD in the UK is approximately £20,000 per academic year for UK students and £40,000 for international students. To help offset the cost of this, many students question whether undertaking a doctorate comes with a PhD salary.

The salary of a PhD student is governed by three factors: whether they’re assisting in undergraduate teaching, assisting in research, or have secured a PhD with a stipend. Depending on which of the three categories a student falls within, they will receive an income during their studies, however, the amount will differ by a substantial amount.

To help show you how you can fund your postgraduate degree and how much you can expect to earn whilst doing so, carry on reading below.

Types of PhD Salaries

There are three types of PhD degree salaries:

• Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) . In exchange for a salary, you’ll be required to assist in the delivery of one or more courses over a number of years. This includes, but is not limited to, marking student tutorials, supervising lab experiments and providing support to undergraduates during office hours. Besides this, you may have to teach a small section of the course itself. You can discover more about GTAs on King’s College London’s website.
• Research Assistantships (RAs) . In exchange for a salary, you assist a departmental professor with their research. In the ideal scenario, the professor you work with should also be your PhD supervisor and the research you’re asked to support with relates to your own doctoral project.
• Stipend via Studentship: A stipend is a non-repayable grant provided to doctoral students to help support their studies. A studentship covers a student’s tuition fees whilst a stipend covers a PhD student’s living costs. This includes outgoings such as rent, food, bills and basic travel. Unlike Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships, stipends rarely have duties attached to them. The only expectation of receiving a stipend will be that you maintain continuous progress within your degree.

It’s worth noting these earning opportunities can be also be combined. For example, it’s possible to be a research assistant whilst also committing time to teach undergraduate students.

Average PhD Salary in UK

The average PhD student salary for teaching assistantships will vary depending on the level of responsibility you’re taking. However, to provide figures, past doctoral students have reported receiving approx. £10/hr for marking tutorials, £15/hr for leading laboratory sessions and up to £20/hr for leading undergraduate classes and tutorials.

The actual amount you can earn from teaching assistance will depend on the rate your department offers and the hours you can realistically take on. If you’re on a Graduate Teaching Assistantship programme, they will require you to dedicate a set number of hours per week. If you’re not on a GTA but would still like to earn an income through this scheme, you will likely need to commit several hours per week consistently. Although this can be a great way to earn whilst you study, you need to make sure you manage your time effectively as to not become overwhelmed by taking on an additional commitment.

The average salary for research assistantships will vary depending on the field of the doctoral degree you are enrolled in. Usually, these positions pay between £25,000 to £30,000 per year, however, it’s possible to come across positions which sit slightly outside of this. As a general rule of thumb, STEM assistors are paid more than non-STEM assistors.

In the UK, PhD students can receive a stipend which varies between £15,000 and £18,000 per annum. As part of the studentship your stipend is provided under, your tuition fees will also be paid for. UK tuition fees will vary between universities but are approximately £4,500 per year for doctoral courses starting in 2021/22 as per the UKRI recommendations .

Although £15,000 to £18,000 per year is the typical range for a stipend, some can be far greater than this. For example, Wellcome Trust , a research-charity based in London, offers an annual stipend of up to £23,300 and £26,000 for doctoral students located outside and within London, respectively.

Are PhD Salaries Taxed?

PhD stipends are tax free. Therefore, you don’t need to pay any income tax nor do you need to make any national insurance contributions. This means you’ll keep all the money you receive from an annual stipend. However, this is not the case for Research Assistants.

In the UK, Research Assistants are employed as university staff members and are paid a direct salary as opposed to a stipend. As a result, it will require you to pay tax on your earnings and make national insurance contributions.

To put this into perspective, for the 2019/20 UK tax year, you’re required to pay a 20% tax on any income above £12,500 but less than £50,000. You’re also required to make national insurance contributions of 12% of your weekly earnings over £166 but less than £962. This means that an annual Research Assistantship salary of £30,000 will equate to a take-home salary of £23,938 per year.

How to Get a PhD Stipend

To find research positions which offer stipends, we recommend you search our PhD database and filter by ‘funded’ positions.

Besides this, you can also secure a studentship from UK Research Councils or directly from your university as a scholarship. Independent organisations, such as charities and research trusts, and innovative firms within your industry also offer funding. You can read our PhD studentship guide to see how these work or our Where to find a PhD guide for further ideas.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How to Get a Research Assistantship PhD

Unfortunately, research assistantships opportunities aren’t as common to come across compared to PhD stipends. Besides this, when they are available, they’re predominantly in STEM subjects such as computer science and engineering. The reason for this is these subjects usually have access to greater research grants and have a greater volume of practical work available.

To find a research assistantship, we recommend that you contact the university departments who host the courses you’re interested in directly. This is because research assistantships help professors with their research, and while they may require help, they may not be openly advertising for it. They may, therefore, be able to create a role for you within their department or put you into contact with one of their colleagues who already has an open position.

International Students

It’s worth noting that international students will have a harder time securing a funded PhD position than UK ‘home’ students will. This is largely because there are usually fewer funding opportunities available to international students, which as a result also attract significant competition.

Besides this, if you’re an international student studying in the UK you will most likely than not be on a Tier 4 visa. Although a Tier 4 visa will allow you to work to earn an additional income alongside any studentship you may have, there will be certain restrictions on what you can and can’t do. For example, during term-time, you won’t be allowed to work more than 20 hours per week. For a full list of restrictions, please refer to the government website.

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The employment of PhD graduates in the UK: what do we know?

• 17 February 2020
• By Sally Hancock

This blog was kindly contributed by Dr Sally Hancock, Lecturer in Education at the University of York. This blog features some of her research supported by a Society for Higher Education Newer Researcher Award (reference: NR201609). The dataset was prepared for analysis by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

In recent decades, the number of PhDs awarded by universities has steadily and in some countries rapidly increased. Across the world, governments have invested in PhD education as part of a broader strategy to develop knowledge-based economies. This agenda, supported by organisations such as the OECD and World Bank, states that future national prosperity requires both the creation, application and dissemination of knowledge, and a supply of highly skilled workers.

In the UK, PhD holders are similarly valued for their ‘ vital contribution to British industrial performance and improved economic productivity ’. There has been considerable investment both in skills training to prepare PhDs for employment outside of academia and more recently, through the introduction of loans to attract more individuals to doctoral study. If the government is to achieve its ambition of increasing expenditure on research and development to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027, it is estimated that a further 25,000 PhD students will need to be recruited.

The expansion in doctoral education has not been viewed positively by all. Some question whether there are already too many PhDs and ask whether there are sufficient employment opportunities outside of the academic sector. Several studies suggest that many PhD students continue to prefer academic employment , leading to harsh competition in the academic sector and frustrated ambitions. The mismatch between PhDs’ career expectations and realities has been cited as one of the factors underpinning the relatively poor mental health and wellbeing of this group.

The existing evidence on PhD employment is, however, relatively limited, as PhDs have historically received far less attention than undergraduates. Research suggests that PhD graduates enjoy both higher earnings and higher rates of skilled employment, but this varies significantly by field of study and national context. Developing a reliable evidence base for the UK context is therefore particularly important amid plans for further investment and growth. Over the last decade, reports by Vitae have demonstrated that a diminishing proportion of PhD graduates will secure academic employment. Nonetheless, there is a wealth of qualitative data which suggest the enduring preference of academic careers among PhDs, together with a reluctance to consider ‘alternative’ careers.

In an effort to better understand the outcomes of PhDs, and especially what happens to those who leave the academic sector, this new study made use of the best available data on PhD employment in the UK. These data are collected through the Destinations of Leavers of Higher Education Longitudinal Survey (Long DLHE) which records activity three-and-a-half years after graduation. While HESA does not regularly publish findings on PhD employment, DLHE data have been analysed for this purpose before, most notably by Vitae.

The dataset analysed for this study, however, was different in that it incorporated additional information on PhD holders’ academic and demographic characteristics, linked from the Student Record. Put simply, this allows PhD employment outcomes to be examined in relation to factors such as PhD subject and institution, prior qualifications, age, gender and ethnicity. In total, the dataset includes just under 5,000 UK PhD holders, who graduated in 2008/9 or 2010/11 (a response rate of 39.5 per cent)

Considering first the promises of the knowledge economy, the Long DLHE offers some optimistic indicators. PhD holders’ report higher average earnings than those with a first degree or Master’s only. However, there are notable variations in earnings by the subject, with Arts and Humanities PhD holders earning significantly less than all other subject areas. PhD graduates also report higher rates of skilled employment, though we should note that definitions of ‘skilled work’, and what counts as PhD-level skilled work in particular are highly contested.

Employment outcomes by sector

Turning to consider employment outcomes by sector, figure 1 demonstrates that the vast majority of UK PhD holders (70.1 per cent) have left the academic sector three-and-a-half years after graduation. Of those who remain in academia, one-third are undertaking research, while two-thirds occupy the role ‘higher education teaching professional’. This distinction is admittedly problematic in that it conflates those employed with teaching-only contracts with those in more conventional academic positions (combining teaching, research and administrative duties). Unfortunately, the Long DLHE data cannot generate a more detailed insight into the roles PhD holders are undertaking in academia.

Of those who have left academia, just over half (53.8 per cent) report that they are still engaged in research, with the rest (46.2 per cent) stating that they no longer undertake or work with research. Logistic regressions conducted to predict which PhD holders secure research roles outside academia suggest that PhDs from Russell Group institutions, scientific subject areas (biological sciences; biomedical sciences; physical sciences and engineering), and male PhD holders are significantly more likely to secure research employment. This suggests that while there is evidence of a science-focused knowledge economy in the UK, the recognition of Arts and Humanities and Social Science PhDs – and their research skills – across non-academic sectors is less clear. These findings also suggest that gender and institutional prestige are associated with forging a research career outside of the academy.

While the Long DLHE affords broad insights into the employment destinations of PhD holders, it ultimately provokes more questions than it can answer. Critically, the Long DLHE imparts very little on decision-making or other circumstantial factors that may explain why a particular career pathway unfolds as it does. Perhaps the observation that PhD graduates who are no longer employed in research, whether in academia or beyond, report significantly lower career satisfaction is evidence enough that withdrawing from research is not the intention for many.

If doctoral expansion and the policy promises underpinning this continues, it is vital for the UK to develop better methods to capture the contributions of PhD holders. Following the initiatives of other nations , stakeholders of the UK doctorate ought to prioritise longitudinal methods of data collection, which are rich on demographic and decision-making information.

Appreciate the initiative and the mental wellbeing of the researchers.

This seems to be valuable as well as interesting research.

Does it imply that fewer people doing PhD’s in Arts subjects would be a good thing?

To be honest, if you look at the UK, having a PhD – unless you have one in the hard sciences – does not lead to higher earning potential. Experience counts the most and to give an example, my friends who did not always have degrees own houses etc. What is not factored in is the loss of 5 years earning potential at Masters to PhD level when other people are gaining experience. You have to be in a fairly decent position to get a house or have a partner earning a good salary (which you didn’t have to have in the past). Young academics are in their 30s, yet degree holders have had a decade to get promoted by the same point.

Although I left the country for a few years, my PhD was respected abroad (Social Sciences) but if you look at the data, a hell of a lot go into teaching. I find the Social PhD is so specialised, that not enough of the skills acquired are transferable. Also, the cost has to be factored in and I would say unless you are funded, it is not worth undertaking a PhD for any kind of financial gain. But I went in knowing this to some extent.

Work is being done to make PhD holders employable but depending on where you live, the jobs market may not cope with higher qualifications. I feel that unlike other countries, we do not celebrate the PhD because if it is not matched by a higher salary, your family will not respect you anymore so for having one.

Having worked with doctoral level students for some years in enterprise, they have tremendous potential but are typically located in highly academic environments where this is often not recognised. Add to this the very nature of a PhD, they often miss the opportunities to build and grow a business, or contribute to the growth of a small business. Entrepreneurial people, for example, have to make pressured decisions with incomplete evidence.

Thus joining the dots of a researcher’s competencies and aligning them to the interdisciplinary environments where team working is essential, has thus far demonstrated significant interest.

Sadly, I can count on one hand the people I know who are capable of doing this well.

I’m about to finish my PhD in STEM. As an international student and not having a good reason to stay in the UK like family, the only reason to stay here would be to find a decent research job. Is there any in the UK? Not the traditional tenure track role, but only doing research. Looking at the research job market in Germany for example, MPI or other research institutes offer so much that the UK has nothing to offer compared to them. I like staying but it look like the UK doesn’t have much to offer!

I’m from a working-class background born in the North West of England. I joined the British Army aged 16 without any school qualifications. During my active service career in the Parachute Regiment [serving two intense tours of Northern Ireland], I started taking photographs and began working as a unit photographer. After six years of military service, I left the British army to further my education and enrolled at the University of Brighton getting a 2:1 in editorial photography. Since graduating in the mid-1990s, I worked continually as a freelance photographer, working for national newspapers and magazines, at home and abroad In 2015, I took on a Ph.D. scholarship to better my life and yes, I did expect to get work or at least get on the ladder within an academic institution. I’ve applied for many posts since obtaining my Doctorate and have not got a single interview. The more rejections I get, the more it impacts my mental health and wellbeing. Only recently I applied for an associate lecturers position, at a London university where I have exhibited my photographs, even given lectures on my “professional practice” as a photographer in the past, and know many of the staff working at this university [of which I have contributed my photographs for there book publications]. What is most peculiar, is that I was given a job back in 2018 [when I was finishing my Ph.D. with minor corrections] as an associate lecturer at this very London university. They informed me months later that I was to be placed in the “talent pool”. Although after what seemed like treading water in this imaginary London university “talent pool” for months on end, I was not even called in for a lecture to students. But having a mostly stoic attitude to life, I, therefore, applied again for the same job as an “associate lecture” position at the very same London university. The most recent time I have been rejected, which was less than a few weeks ago [3 November 2021] weeks ago, the person whom I know at the photography department at this very London university kindly emailed me back [as I was slightly disgruntled from not even being asked in for an interview (yet again), but also given any feedback as to why I was not even given an interview despite having my all-singing Doctorate. This was their response: “We had almost 100 applications, all of which go to each of the six Course Leaders to shortlist, and that shortlist is dependent upon applicant’s skills but also have to marry to the Course needs for that year. I am not involved at that stage as it is at Course Level. When they have selected their shortlist according to their needs I do a quick check to make sure there are no conflict of interest or any anomalies – there were not – and then the interview processes begin. As you can see, it isn’t wholly on best qualified in general, rather who on that list is appropriately qualified and who directly fits the Course need. We only feedback in detail to those that were shortlisted – I know that is tricky for all other applicants – but that is the norm and with nigh on 100 applicants, you can see why. In terms of your own trajectory, the Ph.D. when shortlisting for established, rather than hourly-paid staff, is the gold standard. So it is worthwhile and I am sure worthwhile beyond the wholly instrumental. But I get the pragmatics and the frustrations. I do think being hourly-paid brings its own frustrations too… there are no hours guarantee and that can also lead to people understandably feeling undervalued. Some of our hourly paid will do only 15-20 hours across an entire year – that can be tough.”

In all honesty, I have to ask myself tirelessly, was six years of my life working on a Ph.D. to better my life, really worth it? Obviously, it’s marvelous that you can use “Dr” before your name, although many ignorant people [and there are many in the world] who unless you are a clinical Doctor, being a Doctor of Philosophy means nada. Which is a great shame and is a reflection of British society [I work for a veterans charity in the UK, who are clearly confused by all Doctors of Philosophy, and indeed philosophy in general terms, dare I even put it before my name, is a general feeling here].

Therefore I conclude: was doing a Ph.D. really worth it? Fineanchly no. My “scholarship” was 15 K a year. I don’t know why I put my own family through such heartache and pain. I even had to leave my home in England and move to Northern Ireland for the first year, which really impacted my young family. And to think that after all this heartache and struggling, I am struggling even more. I have to be both mindful & truthful here: the Jury is still out…

As a former Merchant Navy Officer and 12 years as a Bomber Command Navigator. I then worked as a Professional Navigator for Irish, and South African Airways. I finally Matriculated as a mature student at Oxford University in September 1979 and obtained a PHD in Astrophysics from Oxford in 1984. I then worked at the University of London Observatory at Mill Hill where I wrote the software for the Tycho project carried on the Hipparchos satellite of the European Space Agency. I also spent some time in industry as Principal Engineer in the advanced system study group at Racal Avionics, returning to lecture in aeronautics at London Guildhall University. As a Professional Navigator both at sea and in the air I am now a Member of The Royal Institute of Navigation. Publications: D Phil Thesis. (Including various astronomical papers.)

‘Some Aspects of Extra-Galactic Astrophysics’ Oxford University. 1983. Brasenose College.

The Numinous Legacy. Modern Cosmology and Religion. 2002. (see Amazon Books.)

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• Postgraduate Research

PhD fees and costs

To study a PhD, you'll need to pay the cost of tuition fees, research support fees (such as materials used in a laboratory) and be able to cover your living expenses

A funded PhD studentship may meet all or part of these costs or you may be able to find funding for your self-funded PhD or research project.  The fees below are for the academic year 2023/24.

The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.

^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.

Paying fees

The University requires payment of tuition fees at registration for the whole of the coming academic session or for the duration of a programme that is to be completed in less than a year. However, arrangements can be made for self-supporting students to pay their tuition fees in installments.

All instalments must be arranged with the Student Administration and Support Division. If you hold a scholarship or studentship, the awarding body should provide the Student Fees section of the Student Administration and Support Division with an acceptable guarantee of payment.

If you expect to be sponsored please ensure that your sponsors understand fully their responsibilities for your fees and maintenance and that they are prepared to honour them for the duration of your studies in Liverpool.

If your sponsor does not provide an acceptable guarantee of payment, or defaults on their guarantee, you will become responsible for the payment of fees yourself. Unfortunately, the University is not able to provide financial aid or waive fees for students whose arrangements for financial support fail during the period of their studies.

Transfering funds from abroad

International students will need to ensure that they can bring sufficient funds with them for living expenses, as well as for payment of fees, or have sufficient funds sent to them in instalments throughout the year. Students from countries which operate strict foreign exchange controls should make sure that permission can be obtained for the transmission of adequate funds.

Other costs

Research support fees.

Research support fees, also known as 'bench fees', cover the cost of consumable materials used in your study. Some MPhil/PhD and taught programme projects use up large amounts of materials or ‘consumables’. In these cases you may be charged an annual Research Support Fee to help cover the cost of this. Programmes which might incur a Research Support Fee are likely to be those which are laboratory-based. You will be notified of any fee which applies in your offer letter. Research Support Fees are the same for UK, EU and International students.

Study costs

We want to try and help you prepare for the day-to-day costs of studying. These might include things like photocopying in the library, buying textbooks and specialist equipment or going on field classes. We have put together tables of additional costs for guidance, for each subject area, including where departments make contributions towards these costs.

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Countries offering the highest PhD stipends

As inflation in the UK hits an all-time high in four decades, postgraduate students are searching for institutions with the highest PhD stipend.  The Guardian  reported that the increased cost of living has pushed stipends below the living wage, resulting in some struggling to pay rent and forcing them to work part-time jobs.

In June 2022,  UK Research and Innovation  (UKRI), the UK’s largest single funder, which supports about 105,000 postgraduate research students through seven research councils, announced that the minimum stipend for UKRI-supported students is due to increase by 2.9% for  the 2022-23 academic year .

Students are saying this isn’t enough. In an open letter to UKRI , they request doctoral stipends to be raised with current inflation levels.

At the time of writing, the  Bank of England  reports that the current inflation rate in the UK is at 10.1%, according to the Consumer Price Index. Meanwhile, inflation in Canada has hit an  all-time high  in three decades.

You might be considering whether it is worth pursuing a PhD in the current economic climate. If you are struggling financially, Muhammad Mohsin Ijaz, author of “Is PhD for me”, pens down a few countries that are affordable for postgraduate students to pursue their PhD, using Numbeo to check the living wage of a country. Here are his top recommendations:

The cost of living in a specific country can make or break your decision to pursue a PhD. Source: Thomas Padilla/Cointreau

Four countries with the highest PhD stipend

Average PhD stipend (per annum): US54,935 US dollars

Average living cost, including rent (per annum): US$32,520

Pursuing your PhD in a country regularly ranked with the  best quality of life in the world can be a fulfilling experience. Plus, there are no tuition fees in the Norwegian higher education system  since you are an employee of the university — earning a doctoral salary and associated worker’s rights.

Norway is also strategically located between  Europe and the Arctic , allowing for  specialised research opportunities  like  marine research ,  energy and climate ,  medicine and health ,  food , and many more. There are four types of universities in Norway to pursue your PhD: universities, specialised universities, university colleges, and private specialised universities, as stated by FindAPhd .

Average PhD stipend (per annum):  US$54,636

Average living cost, including rent (per annum):  US$33,960

While students from the European Union or European Economic Area can pursue their PhD at public universities in Denmark for free, this country is also suitable for international postgraduate students. T uition fees for PhD students reportedly range between 6,000 and 16,000 euros per year — which is more affordable than studying in the US, Canada, or Australia.

Furthermore, Denmark’s universities are  top-ranked . This means they are well-equipped and can provide excellent research opportunities for PhD students. Some of these universities include the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University and the Technical University of Denmark.

Switzerland is home to multiple QS-ranked universities, such as the University of Geneva and the University of Zurich. Source: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

3. Switzerland

Average PhD stipend (per annum):  US$53,434

Average living cost, including rent (per annum):  US$37,656

When you think about Switzerland, the first thought might be the famous Matterhorn or Lake Geneva — but did you know that 50% of PhD students in Switzerland are international students? There are good reasons for this. Every year, the Swiss Confederation  and  Swiss National Science Foundation  award scholarships to international postgraduate researchers who desire to pursue their PhD in Switzerland.

Pair this with the fact that there are four national languages in Switzerland (French, German, Italian, and Romansch) and you will experience a diverse learning environment.

Average PhD stipend (per annum): US$35,388

Average living cost, including rent (per annum): US$26,148

Like Denmark, Finland charges a tuition fee for international students who enrol at a public university. Fees range from 5,000 to 15,000 euros per year, with the University of Helsinki being the most expensive institution, according to Studyportals .

Alongside a solid infrastructure,   Business Finland reports that the nation has the world’s most advanced 5G test network. The entire country is linked by a comprehensive bus and rail network — making it easy for students to commute daily to classes or explore the city.

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The Savvy Scientist

Experiences of a London PhD student and beyond

How to Find PhD Funding in the UK

So you’ve decided to pursue a PhD, found a potential supervisor and perhaps even been offered a place. Now you’re likely tasked with what can be the most elusive stage: securing PhD funding. Thankfully there are several routes available for PhD funding in the UK and I’ll walk you through the considerations for each.

Note – This post focusses on fully funding a PhD for the duration of your time at university – living expenses and all. If you’re looking to self-fund a PhD be sure to check out some flexible ways of making money I’ve found whilst pursuing a PhD.

Simply looking for an idea of how much you could get paid as a PhD student? Skip straight down to the bottom of this post .

A High Level View of PhD Funding in the UK

In the UK PhD funding falls into several main categories:

Once you’ve found a project, the best starting point is to discuss funding with your potential supervisor. They’ll be able to advise you of the best funding opportunities specific to your situation. It might be that they even have funding already arranged!

It is worth being aware that there are often differing funding opportunities for home, EU and non-EU students. Additionally, be sure to check that any funding includes your tuition fees.

As of 2022/23, home students fees are often around £4600 per year and rise to about £20,000 for overseas students! The project advert should state what the funding covers and includes any restrictions.

Project Specific PhD Funding

The simplest route, and the one that many prospective students may assume to be the norm, is for your supervisor to have funding in place for a specific project. Funding of this sort almost always has been sourced by successful grant applications to external organisations. Find a project you like the look of and get on well with your potential supervisor? You could be on track for a very simple application!

How to Find Fully Funded PhD Programs in the UK

How do you find fully funded PhD projects? They’re advertised in places such as findaphd.com  and on your potential host department’s website.

PhD Funding From Research Councils & Charities

There are seven Research Councils in the UK, annually funding over £3bn of research .  If you’re in discussions with an academic, there will be a research council that covers your field. The UKRI Research Council’s UK website lists all seven councils and their areas of research :

• Arts & Humanities
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences (BBSRC)
• Economic and Social (ESRC)
• Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPSRC)
• Medical (MRC)
• Natural Environment (NERC)
• Science and Technology Facilities (STFC)

Each council puts out calls for the work they are most eager to fund, here is the EPSRC’s current call .

Charities also provide an additional potential funding avenue. Many well known charities provide PhD funding such as Marie Curie  and Cancer Research UK . Plus ones you won’t find on the high-street like the  Wellcome Trust  and  Leverhulme Trust .

Most of the PhD funding via both routes comes in the form of large research grants, regularly upwards of £1 million. These are managed by senior academics who will act as the “PI” (principal investigator) ensuring that the money is spent appropriately. It is not usually appropriate for potential PhD candidates to apply directly to these funding sources, though this is possible: speak to your supervisor to check.

Academics often include PhD studentships in their grant applications so funding through these routes is common. In these instances the money has to be spent by a certain date so supervisors are motivated to fill spaces for the right candidate!

There is also EU-wide funding, such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) . As well as nice training and exchange opportunities it pays a staggering stipend of £35,000 – £40,000. I personally wish I’d known about it earlier!

PhD Funding Through Industry Collaboration

Academics regularly collaborate with industry and they may provide PhD project funding. Something to bear in mind is that a company will often be keen to focus the research around a particular product they wish to develop.

As such this may limit opportunities to alter the course of your project if you find other parts of your research more interesting. The upside is that collaboration with industry looks great on your CV. It could also offer job opportunities after you’ve completed the project.

You may now be wondering what happens if you find a supervisor you are keen to work with but they have no funded-projects available. Or if you are not interested in the ones that they have secured funding for. In this instance institution funding will be your best bet.

Student Specific PhD Funding

Universities often offer PhD funding to ambitious students giving you freedom to tailor a project to your own interests. Though of course you do still need a supervisor! Funding can be found at a variety of levels: university-wide scholarships generously donated by alumni, departmental provisions and, for universities running a collegiate system, colleges.

Most universities have a search tool where you can find all of the funding sources available. For example here is The University of Bristol’s .

Departmental Studentships

Many departments offer a small number of fully-funded studentships each year. These are usually widely advertised on their website. Your supervisor will be able to advise you on any internal PhD funding routes they know of and may be responsible for submitting any additionally required documents.

Though applying for a studentship may require some extra legwork, a noteworthy benefit is that these offer the most research freedom.

Often these are again funded by a research council but are not linked to a specific research grant. This is because they are often awarded based on academic merit rather than being tied to any one specific project proposal. This allows you to develop your own ideas with scope to explore whichever topics you and your supervisor agree to pursue.

PhD Scholarships

Scholarships are very similar to departmental studentships but are often university-wide and with this comes more money, prestige and competition. This is my funding source and you can read more about my PhD application experience here .

Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs)

CDTs are all funded by one of the UK research councils and often are hosted by more than one university. For example there is this Fusion Energy CDT , involving five partnering universities:

Funding is attached to all offers of admission but as ever check the funding criteria.  There can sometimes be restrictions, especially for overseas students:

Unlike other PhD routes, CDTs are more similar to undergraduate or taught-postgraduate courses in their structure. CDTs begin as a cohort with a year of taught modules and short research projects. It is during this year that that you discuss potential projects with supervisors. Following this are three years of research working towards a PhD.

Read more about CDTs here .

CDTs are great for developing knowledge if you’re carrying out a PhD in an area slightly different to your undergraduate degree. If you’re already pretty set on a certain research topic then some consider the foundation year unnecessary.

Additionally, I have met CDT students stating that sometimes many students in the cohort are aiming for the same project. Since supervisors can only take on a limited number of new students per year (often only one!) you certainly have to be prepared to carry out a PhD on an alternative topic.

Each research council lists the different CDTs available within their remit, for example NERCs are here .

So How Much Will I Get Paid as a PhD Student in the UK?

Ah the crucial question! The bulk of studentships are funded by research councils (including CDTs), charities and departmental funds. UKRI sets out minimum doctoral stipends and it is usually this amount that they award. Most projects are funded for three years and for 2022/23 the UKRI stipend is set at:

Outside London:  £17,668 Inside London: £19,668

PhD funding by industry will often also be at the UKRI levels shown above. Scholarships can pay upwards of £20,000 but this may need to cover your tuition fees.

Before you get put off by the idea of a PhD because the pay is so low, check out my comparison of PhD stipends and grad salaries after accounting for taxes . The difference is much smaller than you might think!

A Word on PhD Stipends

As a funded-PhD candidate your monthly income is called a stipend: which is tax-free. Being a PhD student, you retain your student status. This means that you are exempt from certain  real-world responsibilities such as council tax and student loan repayments. Hence the gap between PhD stipends and grad salaries isn’t quite as large as it first seems.

If you’re interested in learning more about the costs of being a student, you may like to check out my post on affording to live in London as a PhD student . I’ve also written about my favourite ways of making money as a student and how I actually managed to build some savings during my PhD!

Keen to learn how to maximise your chances of securing PhD funding in the UK? You may wish to check out my related posts here:

• How to Write a CV for a PhD Application (with free template!)
• Choosing a PhD Project & Supervisor
• What to expect from a PhD interview

Best of luck with your application!

If you’d like personalised help with your PhD application I am now starting to offer a small number of one-to-one sessions. Please contact me to find out more or click here to book a call.

I hope this has given you a good insight into how it works with PhD Funding in the UK. If you’re interested in learning more about PhDs be sure to subscribe to the mailing list:

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• CAREER NEWS
• 13 July 2022
• Correction 13 July 2022

UK graduate students demand pay rise from nation’s largest research funder

• Chris Woolston 0

Chris Woolston is a freelance journalist in Billings, Montana.

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An open letter to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the country’s largest public funder of research, is calling for immediate increases in stipends for postgraduate researchers, to keep pace with inflation.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-01934-2

Updates & Corrections

Correction 13 July 2022 : PhD student Hannah Franklin works within the Francis Crick Institute in London and is funded by the Medical Research Council. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that she is funded by the Crick and did not say that she works there.

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UKRI publishes stipend and postgraduate research consultation

Increases in the 2023 to 2024 minimum stipend amount confirmed alongside publication of analysis of the call for input on the new deal for postgraduate research.

Minimum stipend for 2023 to 2024

The minimum stipend, which is the tax-free payment most UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded doctoral students receive for living costs, will rise to £18,622 for academic year 2023 to 2024.

The minimum fee that universities can draw from UKRI training grants will also increase, to £4,712.

UKRI’s People and Culture Champion Melanie Welham said:

Postgraduate research training makes a significant contribution to developing the expertise that underpins the UK’s ambitions to be a leading research and innovation nation. Today’s announcement demonstrates UKRI’s on-going commitment to supporting doctoral students. This step is part of our long-term efforts to ensure that the UK remains one of the best places for postgraduate students from all backgrounds to undertake research training.

New deal progress

Alongside the stipend increase, UKRI has published two related reports:

• the analysis of the call for input on the new deal for postgraduate research
• an analysis and literature review of UKRI terms and conditions of training grants from the perspective of equality, diversity and inclusion analysis

This builds on other actions UKRI have taken since the call for input was launched in 2022:

• increase in minimum stipend by 20% in cash terms over two years
• increase in Research England funding for English universities to support doctoral education
• commissioned a review from the UK Council for Graduate Education on supporting excellent supervisory practice across UKRI doctoral training investments, published December 2022
• started work to develop a more consistent offer for UKRI doctoral students as part of our move to collective talent funding
• gathered advice to improve equality diversity and inclusion in student recruitment following a survey of grant holders in 2022, with the Natural Environment Research Council principles for best practice in student recruitment expected to be adopted across UKRI by the end of 2023

UKRI is now drawing on this range of insight and actively working in collaboration with the sector to develop a considered response, expected before the summer.

While the consultation is now closed, we are always keen to hear from you. Please contact us with any questions at: [email protected]

Top image:  Credit: FatCamera, E+ via Getty Images

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PhD studentships

If you're looking to get PhD funding for a specific research project or field of study, Doctoral studentships can provide you with either a partially or fully-funded PhD

Who awards PhD studentships?

PhD studentships are most commonly awarded by the UK's seven Research Councils in the form of Research Council grants , with research funding overseen by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) .

Individual UK universities also offer scholarships and bursaries to PhD students, while many professional bodies fund Doctoral research in collaboration with these academic institutions.

For instance, research awards are offered by the following engineering organisations:

• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) - QUEST scholarships
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
• Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng)

Additionally, CASE studentships (formerly known as Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering) can be part-funded by any non-academic body in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) . These four-year PhDs require the student to work at the organisation for at least three months.

You can also apply for funded PhD opportunities through many charities, foundations and trusts, including:

• Action Medical Research
• Alzheimer's Society
• British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)
• British Heart Foundation (BHF)
• Cancer Research UK
• Diabetes UK
• Rosetrees Trust - PhD Plus
• The Leverhulme Trust
• Wellcome Trust

Before you start applying for a funded PhD, it's always a good idea to discuss this with a prospective supervisor first, as they're often able to provide tips on maximising the likelihood of receiving financial support.

How much can I receive?

Many PhD studentships, including those offered by universities, professional bodies, or charities, foundations and trusts, provide three years' funding paid at a similar rate to the Research Council grant:

• Fees-only studentship - These cover a student's tuition fees, plus any associated project and training costs (a minimum of £4,786 per year in 2024/25).
• Full studentship - These add a non-repayable, tax-free maintenance grant known as a 'stipend'. In 2024/25, this is worth a minimum of £19,237 and it can be used towards living costs - see UKRI - Find studentships and Doctoral training .

For example, a University of Manchester School of Social Sciences PhD studentship includes tuition fees for three-and-a-half years and a maintenance grant of £18,622 (2023/24 rate) per year for living expenses, plus associated research costs - such as fieldwork and attending conferences - from the Research Training Support Grant.

However, you should be aware that some PhD studentship recipients are required to teach undergraduates. While this provides an excellent opportunity to gain vital employability skills, it can also be hugely time-consuming. You must be satisfied that tutoring won't negatively affect the quality of your research before accepting your place.

Is my programme eligible for a PhD studentship?

PhD studentships can start at any time of the year, but most begin in September, October or January.

Certain types of PhD, for example professional Doctorates, may not be eligible for a PhD studentship. The same applies to part-time or distance learning options.

Am I eligible?

PhD studentships typically demand that applicants have a Bachelors degree at 2:1 or above, plus a relevant Masters degree or professional experience at that level of study.

Those who already possess a PhD are often ineligible, while some PhD studentships are limited to students fitting certain criteria - for example, those from a disadvantaged background, from a certain country or of a certain ethnicity.

If you're a European Union (EU) national, you'll need to have settled or pre-settled status under the government's EU Settlement Scheme to be eligible for student finance in this country - and this includes PhD studentships.

How do I apply for a PhD studentship?

The application process can be lengthy, and competition is fierce.

Some PhD students will be automatically considered for financial support once they've been accepted by an institution, but many are required to make separate PhD funding applications. These are usually made directly to the university - even for those studentships from Research Councils, professional bodies, or charities, foundations and trusts.

You'll typically be asked for your PhD application form, a research proposal , a cover letter and your references. After the institution has reviewed your application, you may be invited to interview.

Throughout this process, the university will scrutinise what you'll bring to the institution. Applicants at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), for example, are judged on:

• the quality of their research project and how it connects with research currently being undertaken at the institution
• how appropriate the supervisory team is
• their calibre, academic qualifications and academic/research experience
• whether the research can contribute towards the Research Excellence Framework (REF), meaning that interdisciplinary research will be preferred.

How do I increase my chances of getting a PhD studentship?

You can improve your chances of success by:

• asking a friend or family member to proofread your application
• carefully choosing your referees, ensuring that they'll speak positively of you
• discussing your draft application with a relevant academic
• explaining how your work will be unique and innovative
• following the funding body's guidance regarding word counts and formatting.

What other PhD funding is available?

If you're unsuccessful with your PhD studentship application, you could consider:

• crowdfunding
• employer sponsorship
• PhD loans .

Find out more

• Explore 5 routes to getting a Doctorate .
• Read about 5 challenges faced by PhD students .
• Consider what to do next after completing a PhD .

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PhD Fees in the UK for International Students

• Maisie Dadswell
• September 6, 2023

PhD fees in the UK for international students vary based on several factors, including your field of study, the university you are doing your doctorate research with and which city the university is in. The cost of a PhD in the UK is generally anywhere from £15,000 to £35,000 for annual PhD tuition fees. To help you budget, this article will cover all the variable factors before covering several potential finance options which can help you to fund your studying in the UK. 

Even if the fees seem steep at first, don’t get disheartened; there are plenty of funding sources for international students – there is a reason why UK universities, including UWS London, are such popular academic destinations for PhD students beyond our high academic standards.

It is also worth bearing in mind that PhD tuition fees tend to increase each year in line with inflation. Always ensure you are budgeting with the most up-to-date PhD tuition fees, and take into account that for self-funded students, tuition fees may be marginally higher in the second and third years. The good news is that whatever your field of study and preferred university, PhDs will be vastly cheaper than undertaking a taught undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the UK as an international student. Along with covering the typical cost of PhD fees, we have also outlined additional expenses and living costs you may have to budget for. Luckily, as a full-time, student you’ll never have to worry about paying council tax.

PhD fees in the UK for international students

For domestic students in the UK, the average cost of PhD tuition fees is around £4,500. However, this can rise to £20,0000 – depending on the subject. The main reason there are vast differences in the price of PhD tuition fees is the resources that research students will require; typically, STEM students pay the highest tuition fees due to resources such as tech support, servicing, and equipment. The PhD students who can expect to pay minimum fees are students looking for a doctorate title in the arts, social sciences or humanities.

Part-Time PhD Fees

If you want to study part-time, you can expect to pay 50% of the full-time fees. However, this can vary, and not all PhDs are available on a part-time basis. If you are looking to be a part-time PhD student around your work or any other responsibilities, always check with the institution where you want to study if this is viable. You will also need to check if your visa restricts part-time PhD study.

Research Support Fees

Research support fees don’t apply to every international PhD student in the UK. However, you may need to pay research support fees, which will go towards covering the cost of any specialist materials you use during your research. For students carrying out their research in a laboratory setting, these support fees are also referred to as bench fees and cover the cost of any consumables used in addition to the facilities where any research and experiments are carried out. 

Some universities will include bench and research fees in the tuition fee, while other institutions will quote them separately. Even if the PhD tuition fees aren’t all-inclusive, universities will always be 100% transparent and upfront about the costs. As the additional tuition fees can vary significantly due to the nature of the research that you are undertaking, bench fees and support fees will usually be discussed during the application process. Other universities prefer to make them available on request. Typically, where applicable, bench fees range between £1,000 – £10,000. You will only pay the higher bench fees if you are using expensive equipment and consumables; most UK universities keep the rates the same for domestic and international students.

How to Enquire about PhD Fees in the UK for International Students

To ensure that you are working with the correct figures when you’re budgeting or applying for funding for your PhD fees and living expenses, always be proactive in your search for accurate information by contacting the UK universities you are keen to study with. 

When you are getting in touch with the university, state if you are an international or EU student, and pose these questions:

• How much are the fees for the programme, and what is included/excluded in the fees?
• Are there any extra-departmental research fees, printing costs or administration fees?
• Does fieldwork incur additional costs?
• Are the bench/research support fees the same for international students?
• Are there any bursaries or scholarships available that I may be eligible for?

PhD Funding for International Students Studying in the UK

International students are eligible for many PhD scholarships in the UK; these scholarships and other funded projects are open to international students of all nationalities. Scholarships and grants can be provided by universities, government bodies and charities.

Funded PhDs for International Students

There are ample options to explore based on your field of research; to make your search for funding easier, many PhDs in the UK are advertised to domestic and international students with funding options attached. This is incredibly common for Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine (STEM) subjects, but it isn’t unheard of for the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities to offer the same funding options. Applying for a PhD with attached funding options isn’t worlds apart from applying for a job. If you are accepted as a candidate, you will receive a ‘salary’ in the form of tuition fees, research expenses and a grant which will go towards your living costs. If funding isn’t attached to a PhD project, you can use platforms such as FindAPhD to browse all the current projects offering funding to international students. To broaden your search, you can also use the search bar to sift through your different options. At the time of writing, FindAPhD has over 4,000 PhD projects and scholarships in the UK.

Research Council Studentships

Research Council Studentships are also frequently made available to international students in the UK looking for PhD funding. The more than generous financial support comes from UK Research and Innovation. If you receive funding from UK Research and Innovation, you will receive a monthly stipend to cover your living costs and a fee waiver. The waiver will allow you to pay the drastically reduced domestic rate instead of the PhD fees in the UK for international students. Whichever university funding you apply for, bear in mind that most funding is either provided in a bid to support widening participation or based on academic merit.

Government PhD Loans

If you aren’t eligible for a scholarship, grant, or funding from UK Research and Innovation, Government PhD loans are also available to some international students. Usually, to qualify, you will either need to be able to prove you have a settled status in the UK, be an Irish national or be part of the EU settlement scheme. These loans will cover your tuition fees and living expenses; you only need to repay the loan when you earn over the threshold amount.

Living Costs in the UK for PhD Students 

The living costs for international students in the UK will vary greatly depending on your circumstances, lifestyle and where you live. The most expensive city for living costs, excluding rent, is £894 for London, while the cheapest is £577 for Bradford – based on 2022 figures. With rent included in London, it can cost £1,309 per month if you are living off campus, or £1,237 if you are living on campus. 

How Much Does it Cost for a PhD in London?

London is renowned for its vibrant culture, history, and world-class education, making it a top choice for students pursuing higher degrees. However, it’s essential to note that London is also the most expensive city in the UK. The cost of living in the capital can be higher than in other parts of the country. While pursuing a Ph.D. in London offers incredible opportunities and access to prestigious institutions, potential students should be prepared for higher living expenses.

Additional Costs for International Students 

Your PhD fees, rent and living costs will be your greatest expenses as an international PhD student. However, there are additional expenses which you may need to account for:

• Visa Processing Fees – to apply for a visa outside of the UK, it will cost £363. If you are extending your visa or switching to a student visa, the processing fee is £490. 
• University Application Fees – these fees aren’t especially common in the UK; however, they aren’t unheard of.
• Language Tests – if you are studying your PhD in a second language, you will need proof that you possess sufficient language skills. In some instances, you will be required to sit a language test and achieve a certain score.

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Do You Get Paid for a PhD? For many students who don’t have the luxury of never worrying about money, one of the main considerations

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Where Can a PhD in Finance Take Me? In the dynamic world of finance, a PhD is not just an academic accolade; it’s a launchpad

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​​Should I Do a PhD in London? Embarking on a PhD journey is a significant decision, one that shapes your academic and professional future. Once

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PhD fee structure

How fees are charged for full-time and part-time PhD programmes, as well as PhDs by publication.

Full-time study

For full-time study, you will pay a total of three or four full-time annual fees (as appropriate) for the period of prescribed study under supervision.

Part-time study

For part-time study, you will pay a total of  six or eight part-time annual fees (as appropriate) for the period of prescribed study under supervision. 

Part-time tuition fees are 50% of the full-time fee applicable for the programme of study in each academic session. 

Submitting your thesis early

If you submit your thesis early, you must pay the remaining years’ fees on submission.

PhD by publication

If you submit for a  PhD  by publication, you will need to pay an examination fee on submission.

PhD programme fees

PhD programme fees for each year of study can be found on our postgraduate research fees page.

Postgraduate research fees

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UK Graduate visa holders – who are they and what do they earn?

Indian nationals account for 42% of all graduate visas issued, as data reveals who is using the Graduate Route, and how they are using it.

On the same day as the Migration Advisory Committee has published the findings of its review into the UK Graduate Route, the Home Office released data analysing the journey of those using it.

The data reveals details of those entering and leaving the route – which was introduced in July 2021 – including where they come from, what they do after their visa expires and early insights into earnings.

However, the Home Office said “it is too early to say whether the behaviours of the early adopters of the scheme will be indicative of the behaviours of later cohorts”.

The proportion of students granted further leave to remain in the UK following their studies more than tripled between 2019 and 2023, from 18% to 56%.

Over half of students – 56% – whose studies concluded in 2023 had further leave to remain in the UK. Most of these students – 32% – used the Graduate Route and 18% went through other work routes.

Some 213,250 main applicants and 45,836 dependants were granted graduate visas between the route’s launch in July 2021 and the end of 2023.

Source: UK Home Office

Analysing the origin countries of main applicants, data found that the top five nationalities account for almost three-quarters (74%) of graduate visas issued, with Indian nationals accounting for 42% of graduate visa grants in 2023.

“Indian students were proportionally more likely to switch to the graduate route, accounting for 42% of graduate visa grants but only 23% of Student visa expiries between 2021 and 2023,” the report read.

Meanwhile, Chinese students were proportionally less likely to switch to the route, accounting for only 10% of graduate visa grants – a total of 22,191 – but 30% of student visa expiries.

Nigeria made up 11% of all graduate visas with a total of 23,648 and those from Pakistan made up 7%, with 14,337 graduate visas issued.

Completing the top five, those from the US made up 4%, with 7,493 graduate visa holders.

Painting a picture of those entering the Graduate Route by age, the Home Office said that visa holders of the route tend to be in their mid-to-late 20s with more than half – some 58% – between the ages of 24 and 29.

As for what individuals do once their Graduate Route visa ends, 63% of the 25,469 individuals whose graduate visas had expired by the end of 2023 had switched to another route, the data showed.

Some 46% had switched to a work route, with 33% extending into a Skilled Worker visa, 9% into a Skilled Worker – Health and Care visa, and 4% into other work routes.

Only 7% returned to study, 6% switched to a family visa, and 5% switched to other routes.

An additional 17,080 individuals had switched out of the Graduate Route, despite still holding valid leave at the end of 2023. The majority – 12,549 – switched to work routes, including 8,485 into Skilled Worker visas and 3,245 into Skilled Worker – Health and Care visas.

Brian Bell, chair of MAC, pointed out an expectation of fewer students using the graduate route from 2024 since banning dependents from January 2024 had “mechanically reduced” the number of graduate visa holders, “as around 30,000 dependants joined the route in 2023”.

The Home Office data also provided early insights on earnings and employment by linking Home Office visa records to HMRC earnings data.

“Of all graduate visa holders in scope to earn across the whole financial year ending 2023, who were in employment at some point in the financial year, 62% of graduate visa holders were earning in the first month following their visa being granted,” the report read.

“It is too early to say whether the behaviours of the early adopters of the scheme will be indicative of the behaviours of later cohorts”

Meanwhile, 10% started earning in the second month following their visa being granted. This proportion continues to decrease over subsequent months, the Home Office data highlighted.

Since the Graduate Route’s launch in 2021, the median monthly pay gradually rose from £1,227 to £1,937 in 2023.

Analysing how much graduate visa holders earned in the financial year ending 2023, the median annual earning for the 73% of graduate visa holders who were in employment for at least one month was £17,815.

Notably, for the 27% who were in employment across the entire year, the figure was higher at £26,460. Some 46% of those in employment across the entire year earned between £20,000 and £29,999, the data highlighted.

Meanwhile, 41% who earned in at least one month in financial year ending 2023 earned less than £15,000, and some 9% of those who earned for the full year earned less than £15,000.

Of the top given nationalities granted graduate visas, those from the US who worked at least one month had a noticeably higher median annual earning during financial year ending 2023 – a figure sitting at £21,135.

At the other side of the spectrum, those from Pakistan had a much lower median annual earning – £14,402 – a figure not far off those from China – £15,762.

The data also analysed which sectors attracted those on the route, with administrative and support services sector being the most popular with 25% of graduate visa holders.

Meanwhile, 16% went in to the health and social work sectors, followed by 14% to scientific and technical activities.

Graduate visa holders were least likely to be employed in real estate, as well as transportation and storage sectors – each field attracted just 1%.

Those working in finance and insurance earned the most, with this being the sector with the highest annual earning for the financial year ending 2023. The median earning in the field sat at £34,846 for those who earned for the entire year and a lower median amount of £27,879 for those who earned in at least one month.

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