This guidance is for UKRI-funded postgraduate research students. We give training grants to providers who use them to offer studentships.
Students cannot apply directly to UKRI. You will need to apply to the provider offering the studentship. Providers include universities, institutes and other research organisations.
You can find the latest opportunities, including funding for PhDs, at FindAPhD.
Where our training grants fund studentships there are expectations on the providers and they must meet our terms and conditions.
Financial support for students
UKRI has set the minimum stipend levels for students funded through our training grants.
These figures are for full-time students. Part-time students will get a pro-rated amount.
Table 1: Stipend amounts
| Type of funding | Amount 2024 to September 2025 (£) | Amount from 1 October 2025 (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum stipend | 19,237 | 20,780 |
| Stipend with London weighting | 21,237 | 22,780 |
If you make changes to your studentship it may affect your stipend level. Check with your provider to discuss potential changes.
As a UKRI-funded student your provider is given funding to cover your tuition fees. If you are an international student, you may have to make a contribution to your fees. Your provider will tell you how much.
We give additional funding to your provider to contribute to research training activities, such as conferences.
Your entitlements as a student
As a UKRI-funded student you can:
- take leave
- request to study part-time
- get support if you have a long-term health condition or disability
- raise an issue or make a complaint
You may also be able to do a small amount of paid work even if you are studying full-time. Paid work is always separate from your studentship.
Types of leave
The different types of leave you are entitled to are:
- annual leave for a minimum of 30 days, including bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time students)
- medical leave, for up to 28 weeks in a 12 month rolling period (pro-rated for part-time students and capped at 52 weeks across your studentship) when you are ill or require time off due to medical reasons
- family leave, for example if you or your partner is pregnant or are adopting a child
- additional leave, such as for a bereavement, jury service
You continue receiving a stipend while on leave. Speak to your provider about how to take leave or when it leads to an extension to your studentship.
You must not study or research if you are on leave, but you should still have access to key facilities, such as your student email account, student support services or libraries.
Returning to study
If you have been on leave you can request a phased return to study. This applies if you have been off for medical reasons, family leave or other leave such as a bereavement.
You receive your normal stipend while on a phased return, but the time you are not studying is taken as leave.
Changing mode of study
If you want to change between part-time and full-time, you can request a change in mode of study at any time.
We do not limit how many times you can request a change in mode of study, but your university or provider does not have to accept your request.
Long-term health conditions and disability
If you have a disability or long-term health condition which has a substantial impact on your ability to do day to day activities, you can ask for reasonable adjustments. This includes physical and mental health conditions.
Ask your provider to organise an impartial needs assessment. Following the assessment your provider will make any changes that are required.
UKRI-funded students are not eligible for the national disabled students’ allowances schemes that you may have used if you were an undergraduate from the UK. Our disabled students’ allowance framework has more information on what costs your provider can claim from us.
Speak to your provider for advice on leave and extensions if:
- delays in putting reasonable adjustments in place mean you cannot study, then we will fund up to one month in additional leave
- your health condition means you need frequent medical leave
International students
The type of visa you have will affect what you are entitled to. For example, if you need an extended period of time off then you may have to return to your home country. Check your visa requirements and discuss it with your provider.
The UK Council for International Students Affairs can also provide advice.
UKRI funding does not pay for visas or the immigration health surcharge (IHS) for students.
What to expect from your provider
Your provider must:
- give you clear and transparent information
- treat you fairly
- agree start and finish dates with you at the start of your project
- provide appropriate training and guidance to develop your research skills
- provide career guidance
- provide a discrimination and harassment-free environment
- put in place reasonable adjustments for students with a disability or long-term health condition
Your provider cannot:
- ask you to do work that is not part of your studentship in return for your stipend
- use funds from our training grant to employ you
- make you do extra work, even if it is paid separately
- charge you any additional tuition fees during your UKRI funded period (other than some international fees)
- treat you differently because you have made a complaint
Raising an issue or making a complaint
To raise an issue or make a complaint speak to your supervisor, adviser or another nominated contact. If the issue isn’t resolved informally, follow your provider’s formal complaints procedure.
If you’re not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint, you can take your complaint to an independent public body (the ombudsman). You normally have to do this within 12 months of the end of your provider’s process.
Which ombudsman you use depends on where you are studying:
- in England and Wales, the Office for the Independent Adjudicator in Higher Education
- in Scotland, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
- in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman
In some cases, you might decide to receive legal advice or to take legal action.
You can find more information from:
- The Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) which provides help with discrimination issues in England, Scotland and Wales
- student or academic unions
- university support services
Last updated: 5 November 2025