UK to raise minimum stipend for PhD students to N40m

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced an increase in the minimum stipend for PhD students for the next academic year, offering another above-inflation rise from October 1, 2026.

The move will raise the minimum annual stipend to £21,805 (approximately N40m), up from £20,780, benefiting thousands of doctoral candidates across universities and research institutions in the United Kingdom.

For PhD students based in London, where living costs are significantly higher, the minimum stipend will also rise from £22,780, ensuring additional financial support for researchers in the capital.

The London allowance is designed to help cover higher housing, transport, and living expenses compared with other regions.

The increase forms part of UKRI’s annual review of doctoral funding, which aims to ensure that postgraduate researchers are not disproportionately affected by inflation and rising living costs.

In recent years, students and academic unions have repeatedly raised concerns about the financial pressures faced by PhD candidates, many of whom struggle with rent, utilities, and research-related expenses.

UKRI’s stipend rates are widely used as a benchmark across UK universities, even for students funded by institutions, charities, and external sponsors. As a result, the new rates are expected to influence funding levels across a broad range of doctoral programmes.

The move has been welcomed by many in the academic community, though some student groups argue that stipends still lag behind the real cost of living, particularly in major cities such as London, Oxford, Cambridge, and Manchester. They have continued to campaign for more substantial increases and additional benefits, including paid parental leave, mental health support, and improved working conditions.

Despite these concerns, the latest increase represents one of the strongest annual rises in recent years and signals UKRI’s ongoing commitment to supporting early-career researchers.

Culled from vanguard