Explore other funding options.
If you’re unable to secure a place on a fully funded programme or receive a fully funded scholarship for your postgraduate research, it's worth exploring other options to fund your research.
External funding
Explore external sources of funding.
Discuss external funding sources with your supervisor and identify other funding opportunities from research councils, industry, charities, or government-sponsored programmes.
Explore some of these externally funded schemes below:
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Alopecia UK PhD Bursaries
Develop your research career in dermatological sciences with a fully funded PhD supported by Alopecia UK. Explore the causes, mechanisms and treatments of alopecia to help improve outcomes for people with hair loss conditions.
Visit Alopecia UK to find out more
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Alzheimer's Research UK Doctoral Clinical Fellowships
Advance your career as a clinician–scientist through a fully funded PhD fellowship supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK. Conduct cutting-edge research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Visit Alzheimer's Research UK to find out more
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British Heart Foundation PhD 3-Year Studentships
Undertake a fully funded PhD in cardiovascular sciences with support from the British Heart Foundation. Join the next generation of researchers tackling heart and circulatory conditions through pioneering basic, clinical or translational research.
Visit British Heart Foundation to find out more
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British Skin Foundation Studentship Award
Explore the biology, pathology and treatment of skin disease through a fully funded PhD in dermatological sciences. Supported by the British Skin Foundation, this studentship enables research that improves the lives of people affected by skin conditions.
Visit British Skin Foundation to find out more
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Diabetes UK Sir George Alberti Research Training Fellowship
Train as a clinical academic with a fully funded PhD focused on diabetes and metabolic health, supported by Diabetes UK. Investigate the causes and complications of diabetes to help drive improvements in care, prevention and understanding.
Visit Diabetes UK to find out more
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Fight For Sight PhD Studentships
Launch a research career in vision science through a fully funded four-year PhD with Fight for Sight. Explore the causes of sight loss and help develop new treatments in fields such as optometry, ophthalmology and visual neuroscience.
Visit Fight For Sight to find out more
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Heart Research UK Heart Research UK PhD Studentship
Conduct innovative research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease with a fully funded PhD supported by Heart Research UK. Help improve cardiovascular health through basic or translational research.
Visit Heart Research UK to find out more
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Kidney Research UK Clinical Training Fellowships
Train as a clinician–scientist in renal medicine with a fully funded PhD supported by Kidney Research UK. Develop research that advances understanding and treatment of kidney disease, preparing you for a future academic or clinical research career.
Visit Kidney Research UK to find out more
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MRC Predoctoral Clinical Research Training Fellowship
Begin your path to a clinical academic career with a fully funded PhD supported by the Medical Research Council. Undertake multidisciplinary research while receiving tailored clinical research training and mentorship.
Visit MRC to find out more
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NIHR Doctoral Award
Pursue a fully funded PhD that combines academic excellence with patient-focused research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Develop the skills to become a future leader in health and care research, tackling key challenges across disciplines.
Visit NIHR to find out more
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North West Cancer Research PhD Studentship Award
Join the fight against cancer through a fully funded 3.5-year PhD with North West Cancer Research. Focus your research on the causes, diagnosis or treatment of cancer and contribute to better outcomes for patients across the region and beyond.
Visit North West Cancer Research to find out more
Other funding sources
The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
Discover charities, trusts and foundations in the UK with potential funding available, and learn how to identify, approach and successfully apply to them for funding via The Alternative Guide Online.
Other ways to fund your PhD
Postgraduate loan
Available to applicants from the UK or Ireland to cover part of the cost of your postgraduate research, the postgraduate loan is paid directly to you and is a non-means tested.
The loan is repayable once you start work and you’ll pay once your income is above the relevant threshold.
Self-funding
You may want to consider self-funding your postgraduate research. If you are considering this option, you should familiarise yourself with tuition fees for your project and ensure you also have adequate funds to cover living expenses throughout the duration of your research.
