How to find funding

Applying for research funding is always a competitive process and your likelihood of success will depend on your qualifications, experience and research aspirations.

Investigating potential funding sources and preparing postgraduate research applications is a lengthy process, so you should allow plenty of time. You may choose to start looking as early as one year before your proposed start date.

You can usually only apply for funding once you have made an application or have an endorsement from the University.

Funded projects or studentships

We provide a list of fully funded PhD projects available at the University. These projects tend to be in STEM subject areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), but you may also find some projects in areas of arts, humanities and social sciences.

You should be prepared to spend some time researching your options and checking the details of any project you are interested in.

Browse PhD research projects

These projects are often funded by the UK research councils and usually have an early deadline (around January and February) to tie in with the allocation of research council funding from the UK Government.

PhD projects may also be listed on individual school and department websites. These lists often include:

  • projects that already have confirmed funding
  • projects that may have funding available but it is not guaranteed
  • projects that do not have a funding source automatically available, where you would be expected to source your own funding

Browse schools and departments

Funding bodies

In the UK, one of the main sources of funding is the UK research councils. You can look at the relevant research council in your field and see if they have any opportunities available:

Funding bodies support PhD students in different ways. Some will pay tuition fees only; some will include a stipend (maintenance/living costs) or travel expenses; while others will simply be a one-off award to ease the financial burden of further study.

Similarly, each funding body will have its own criteria for eligibility, including how long you have been a resident in the UK. At PhD level, funding will tend to be awarded on academic merit; however there are some awards that take into account financial background and other criteria such as gender (such as in the case of the British Federation of Women Graduates).

Other sources of funding

The University of Edinburgh offers scholarships and other student funding opportunities. You will usually need to have applied to study with us first, before you can apply for a scholarship or funding. 

If you are a UK resident, you may also be eligible for a postgraduate loan from the UK government.

Other options for funding your studies may include using income from work or employer sponsorship.

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Institutional access to external funding resources

If you are currently studying at a university, you may have access to these funding resources through your university’s IT network:

  • Vitae - An organisation that aims to help researchers with their professional development and can offer advice on finding sources of academic funding
  • The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding - A popular resource helping all postgraduates, regardless of subject or nationality, to find funding for PhD, Masters, and PGCE study

Income from part-time work

If you are planning to work part-time while you study, you should make sure you are eligible to work in the UK. Check the conditions associated with any offer of study, any loans or scholarships you plan to take, and your visa (if you are an international student).

Working in the UK with a student visa

The University sometimes offers part-time employment to full-time postgraduate research students, but the hours of work are limited to an average of nine hours each week across the academic year. We recommend you apply this limit to any employment outside your studies, in order to ensure you still have enough time to focus on your research.

Careers Service: Information and advice for postgraduate research students

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