The United Kingdom has some of the world’s greatest research centers. Students desiring to pursue a PhD in UK can enroll in study programs that lead to internationally recognized degrees. The United Kingdom has a lot to offer international students in terms of preparing them for future employment in large worldwide corporations. The country, being one of the most popular studies abroad destinations among foreign students, allows students to develop culturally as well as intellectually. If you want to get your PhD in the UK, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know.
Why Study in UK?
Following are the important factors which makes UK a best destination to study:

Types of PhD in UK
Let’s first walk you all through the different types of PhD programs that are available in the UK for aspirants:
Standard PhD
It is a three-part full-time on-campus degree that lasts 3 to 4 years. Students discuss research suggestions with supervisors and develop a strategy throughout their first year. The second and third years of the program include data collection and study. Finally, students compose their thesis in the last year and submit it for viva.
Integrated PhD
This type of PhD combines a one-year Masters in Research (MRes) with a three-year PhD and is offered by over 30 universities in the United Kingdom. The fundamental goal is to integrate the program’s taught component with independent research. This aids pupils in their understanding of various techniques.
Professional PhD
This type of PhD is typically used in fields such as medicine, engineering, and education. The curriculum focuses on preparing students for future jobs. As a result, there are fewer research theses and more initiatives centered on real-world corporate concerns. Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Education, and other titles are common.
Know if Doing A PhD After MBA is the right option or not!
Distance Learning PhD
This form of PhD in the UK is chosen by international students who have employment or family responsibilities. It’s also a good choice when a topic necessitates the researcher’s presence at a certain spot. Students communicate with their supervisor by phone, email, or Skype, and they attend university for one or two weeks each year. It takes about 5 to 6 years to finish.
PhD by Publication
This PhD, also known as a Higher Doctorate, is awarded to students who have previously produced original work in the form of book chapters, journal articles, or novels. However, most UK universities only accept PhD by Publication applications from their graduates. Students must submit five to eight published works as well as a 5,000 to 20,000 word written supporting statement.
Popular Specializations for PhD in UK
Here is a list of top trending and popular specializations for aspirants to pursue their PhD in the UK:
- Management
- Finance
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Engineering
- English
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Architecture
- Medicine and Healthcare
- Law
- Sociology
Other Types of Research Degree
Following are the another types of research degrees which you can pursue.
MPhil (Master of Philosophy)
If you want to pursue a PhD, you may need to first do an MPhil and then switch to a PhD program after 12-18 months. An MPhil is a degree in its own right, usually requiring only a thesis and lasting one year full-time or two years part-time. The thesis must be a maximum of 60,000 words and present the findings of a study and research. If the suggested research does not have enough scope for a complete PhD, students choose to pursue an MPhil.
MRes (Master of Research)
An MRes (Master of Research) is a postgraduate research degree in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Some PhD programs demand an MRes before starting a PhD program, and students must write a 40,000-word dissertation.
An MRes is a fantastic way to discover if you love researching without committing to and paying a full PhD program.
Professional Doctorate
Professional doctorates are comparable to PhDs, except they are focused on improving professional practice rather than academic aptitude. Law, education, business, engineering, and medicine are some of the most common professional doctorates.
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Popular Intakes in UK
The table given below highlights the popular intakes in the UK for international students to pursue their higher education and course like PhD in the UK:
Intake | Starting Months | Application Deadlines |
Fall/ Primary Intake | September | June- July |
Winter/Secondary Intake | January/February | August-September |
Summer/Least Intake | April/May | October-January |
Requirements for PhD in UK
Before proceeding to find out the popular universities for aspirants to study PhD in UK, let’s quickly go through some of the major requirements to study in the UK which one needs to ensure:
- A degree equivalent to Masters in the UK or a 4-year bachelors (Hons) degree is a must
- Minimum 70% in your masters and bachelors
- Scorecard of English proficiency tests like TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Advanced
Tests | Minimum Score Required |
IELTS | 7.0 |
TOEFL (IBT) | 90 |
PTE | 60 |
- Research proposal for your PhD
- Sample of written/published work
- Submission essays
- GMAT/GRE scores
- Academic Transcripts
- Letter of Recommendations (LOR)
- Portfolio (for specific courses)
- A CV (if applicable)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Copy of a valid passport
- UK student visa
Know everything about the UK Visa Application Process, Fee & Requirements
Know about the list of Documents Required for Applying to UK Universities
Top Universities Offering PhD in UK
Here is a list of some of the most renowned universities in the United Kingdom that are offering aspirants with world-class PhD programs to pursue:
- Imperial College London
- University College London
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
- King’s College London
- University of Southampton
- Newcastle University
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- University of Bristol
- University of Sussex
- Queen Mary University of London
- University of Nottingham
- University of Warwick
- University of Leeds
- University of Birmingham
Students can shortlist courses and universities through AI-Course Finder and generate a list of universities where they are most likely to get through and plan their application process.
Here are the Best Cheapest Universities in UK for Indian Students!
How to Apply for PhD in UK?
Let’s look at how you can apply to the above-mentioned universities after becoming familiar with the list of prominent universities that offers PhD in UK. There is a predetermined standard of documentation and a specific protocol for completing the application process for students to study in any university in the UK. Here’s a step-by-step guide to completing the admissions process to study PhD in UK:

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Cost of Studying PhD in UK
For an Indian student, the cost of studying for a PhD in UK ranges from 18 to 36 lakh INR each year, however, this is only a worry for those PhD students who are self-funded and pay all fees. PhD students from other countries will have to pay much more. PhD students can get support from the UK Research Councils in the form of a grant to pay tuition fees and a stipend of roughly £15,000 (INR 14,95,380) to cover living expenses. A considerable number of PhD students are self-funded, and additional funding sources include government initiatives, both British and foreign governments, business, and the institution itself.
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Cost of Living in UK
In the United Kingdom, the yearly cost of living, including transport and lodging, is estimated to be roughly 15,000 GBP. The following is a breakdown of monthly expenditures for the international students:
Expenses | Cost in GBP and INR |
Fees for Visa Application | £348 (INR 35,834) |
Housing | £500 (INR 51,486) monthly |
Transportation | £150 – £200 (INR 15,445 to INR 19,844) monthly |
Food | £150 – £200 (INR 14,883 to INR 20,594) monthly |
Clothing and Leisure | £50 (INR 5,148) monthly |
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Scholarships and Fundings
The majority of UK institutions and universities offer research postgraduate students with different scholarships, fellowships and grants. These prizes are generally supported by the department, college, or an external entity and pay tuition expenses plus a stipend. Some studentships also pay for students seeking PhD in UK to attend seminars and workshops related to their research pursuits. Applicants for such prizes are chosen based on their academic performance in master’s and bachelor’s degrees. Here are a few prominent scholarships for aspirants to pursue their PhD degrees:
- Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Countries
- Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships
- Carnegie PhD Scholarships
- Newton Bhabha Fund
- Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships
UK Visa Requirements for International Students
International students can start the visa process up to three months before the start of their course. Students are required to submit the following documents for UK student visa filing:
- Passport
- CAS request form
- CAS number (issued by the university)
- Acceptance Letter
- Copy of deposit payment confirmation
- Academic transcripts
- Financial support proof
- Consent form parent or guardian
- Scores of English language proficiency
- Proof of relationship with parents (for those below the age of 18)
- Tuberculosis test results
Scope of PhD in UK
In the United Kingdom, a PhD graduate makes roughly 40,000 GBP (INR 38 Lakhs) per year on average or more. The majority of them seek academic positions, particularly in the teaching and education fields. According to Prospects UK, almost half of PhD holders in the UK are either educators or scientists working in the pharmaceutical and scientific industries. One explanation for this might be that, in recent years, private sector organizations have grown more research-oriented and are looking for more researchers. Mentioned below are some of the other most frequent employment opportunities or job prospects with salary package for PhD graduates:
Job Role | Average Annual Salary (in GBP) | ||
Data Scientist | 43,000 (INR 41 Lakhs) | ||
Principal Scientist | 51,000 (INR 48 Lakhs) | ||
Senior Software Engineer | 71,000 (INR 67 Lakhs) | ||
Postdoctoral Research Associate | 31,000 (INR 29 Lakhs) | ||
Research Scientist | 39,000 (INR 37 Lakhs) | ||
Senior Research Scientist | 43,000 (INR 41 Lakhs) |
Student Life in UK
Students from all over the globe come to the United Kingdom to study and enjoy the distinctive student life. Unique world heritage sites, inexpensive transportation, fantastic cuisine options, recreation facilities, and an innovative and technologically sophisticated cultural life are all available in the royal land. Studying in the United Kingdom is an interesting experience that includes visiting famous attractions such as Big Ben and the National Museums, as well as experiencing the country’s everlasting countryside and going to surrounding European countries. To promote a positive student experience, the UK government enables overseas students to work part-time during the academic year and full-time during vacations.
Post Study Work Permit in UK
The Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) is a temporary visa that gives overseas students the chance to live, study, and work in any post or career path once they finish school. This post-study work visa route in the UK is open to anybody, including students of Indian descent with valid immigration status in the UK. All students studying in a UK Higher Education Provider-approved institution are eligible for the Graduate Route.
This action is being done in response to the UK’s desire to retain the best students from all over the world and to assist them in discovering job prospects in the country. International students can now stay in the UK for 2 years after graduation and 3 years after completing their PhD program after the new work permit. International students who want to study in the UK can work for up to 20 hours/week. However, one can even work full-time during vacations. Further, If you want to work after graduation, you can apply for a UK post-study work visa!
Leverage Edu’s Study in UK Success Stories
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Do you know: The UK government is all set to spend around 300 million GBP through the World Class Labs financing initiative to upgrade scientific infrastructure. To attract worldwide scientists, researchers, and innovators, new offices will be constructed. As a result, people who pursue a PhD in UK will have access to a plethora of new prospects.
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