There are two main costs for postgraduate students: fees and living expenses.
Tuition fee details for postgraduate research degrees can be found at the following webpage: PhD tuition fees
The cost of living in London will depend on your lifestyle but, typically, postgraduates need at least £12,000 to cover food, accommodation, travel, books for a full year (i.e. 52 weeks).
Whether you are self-funding or are applying for funding, you should ensure that you have a realistic plan to secure sufficient funding to complete the research and writing-up process within the normal time period. This is usually three to four years for full-time programmes, and six to seven years for part-time programmes.
Check our PhD projects page for details of our PhD projects for each Center. The main sources of PhD studentship funding opportunities:
S&E Doctoral Research Studentships for Underrepresented Groups 2025/26: The Queen Mary Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Doctoral College is inviting applications for Doctoral Research Studentships from UK candidates from underrepresented groups (e.g., Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) in research in the UK.
Up to 6 PhD studentships will be awarded on the basis of the excellence of the applicant. Awards are tenable for up to 3.5 years, and cover tuition fees and a maintenance stipend at the UKRI London rate (c.£21,237 p.a. full-time, £10,619 part-time; 2025/26 rates tbc).
You must be a UK permanent resident from an underrepresented group in research, e.g., Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic, with the priority for this round given to those from Black origin, and eligible to pay home student fees. Further details can be found here: S&E UnderRep studentships 2025/26 [PDF 374KB]S&E UnderRep studentships 2025/26 [PDF 374KB]. Expected start date: 01 September 2025. Deadline for applying is 29th January 2025.
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) studentships 2025/26: Studentships include the waiver of Home tuition fees only and tax-free stipend at the UKRI London rate (c..£21,237 p.a. full-time, £10,619 part-time; 2025/26 rates tbc) for 3.5 years. These studentships are open to those with Home and International fee status; however, the number of students with International fee status which can be recruited is capped according to the EPSRC terms and conditions so competition for International places is particularly strong. Applicants who successfully obtain funding to cover Home fees and are classified under International fee status will required to cover the difference between Overseas and Home fees, estimated at approximately £20,000 per year. Please contact potential supervisor to discuss potential project. Expected start date: 01 September 2025. Deadline for applying is 29th January 2025.
Science and Engineering PhD Studentships (Principal): Applications are welcome Studentships include the waiver of Home only tuition fees and tax-free stipend at the UKRI London rate (c.£21,237 p.a. full-time, £10,619 part-time; 2025/26 rates tbc) for 3 years. Students of all nationalities are welcome to apply; however please note that successful students with Overseas fees status are expected to cover the difference between Oversees and Home fees (approx. £20K per year). Expected start date: 01 May 2025. Deadline for applying is 29th January 2025.
You may wish to explore alternative funding sources, e.g. in the form of grants from charities.
Please see the International PhD scholarships database for full details of Queen Mary’s international funding partners, including other schemes not listed here.
Applications from candidates intending to self-fund their PhD are also accepted. Self-funding students must ensure they are able to cover the costs of a PhD outlined above.
UK or EU nationals may also apply for a doctoral loan to contribute towards the cost of their PhD.
Self-funding applicants should follow the guidelines outlined in our usual application process to identify a potential supervisor and secure their agreement to consider your application further before formally applying online.
Our Advice and Counselling Service have produced a detailed online funding guide for postgraduate research students.