PhD in UK for Indian Students (2024)

The UK is currently the fourth most popular study-abroad country for Indian students worldwide and has long been a hotspot for foreign students! It ranks among the universities with the highest concentration of research. A successful PhD in the United Kingdom depends on a strong research infrastructure as well as productive and high-quality research results. Leading universities are also widely recognized for offering abroad students fully funded PhD in UK, which is to say a PhD that is entirely funded by a grant or scholarship.

In the UK, a PhD, often known as a doctorate, takes 3-5 years to complete full-time and 5–6 years to complete part-time. The top specialities for PhD study in the UK include, among others, sociology, law, and computer science.

Why study PhD in UK?

• According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, the employability of PhD graduates from UK institutions is good, with 82% finding work or continuing their education six months after graduation.

• The UK is home to some of the top universities in the world, and many of them are well-known for their PhD programs. The UK has five institutions in the top 20 for graduate employability and four universities in the top 10, according to the QS World University Rankings 2023.

• Opportunities are many after attending UK institutions. After graduation, over 87% of PhD students begin their careers and make an average salary of 40,000–60,000 GBP annually.

• The best infrastructure and facilities for overseas students to learn about diverse cultures are offered by PhD programs in the UK.

PhD in UK: Course Highlight

PhD. Duration in the UK	3-4 years
Average Tuition Fee	£15,000 to £20,000/ year
Mode of study	Full-time or part-time
Eligibility Criteria	A first-class or high upper-second-class undergraduate degree with honors in an applicable subject.
Popular PhD Courses in the UK	Paramedic Sciences, Law, Social Science, Architecture,  Computer Science, Engineering and Technology etc
English Proficiency Requirements	IELTS: 7.0 or above TOEFL: 100+
The best Universities	University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and The London School of Economics and Political Science, Imperial College London.

What are the different types of PhD courses offered in UK?

Universities in the UK typically provide five different forms of PhDs: Standard, Integrated, Professional, Distance Learning, and PhD by Publication. The following are briefly discussed below:

• Standard PhD:

It is a three-part, 3-year full-time on-campus degree. Students discuss research suggestions with supervisors and develop a strategy throughout the first year. Data collection and research are part of the second and third-year curriculums. Finally, in the final year, students compose their thesis and submit it for viva.

• Integrated PhD: 

It combines a one-year Master in Research (MRes) program with a 3-year PhD program in the United Kingdom, which is offered by over 30 universities. The major goal is to connect the program’s taught component with independent research. This enables students to understand different concepts. 

• Professional PhD: 

This sort of PhD is typically used in vocational fields such as medicine, engineering, and teaching. The program’s goal is to prepare students for future work. As a result, it consists of fewer research theses and more projects centred on real-world companies’ concerns. Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Engineering, and other titles are common.

• Distance Learning PhD:

  International students with employment or family responsibilities select this form of PhD to study in the UK. It is also a recommended alternative when the chosen topic demands the researcher’s presence in a certain region. Every year, students communicate with their supervisor by phone, email, or Skype and attend university for one or two weeks. It takes between 5 – 6 years to finish.

• PhD by Publication:

This PhD, usually referred to as a Higher Doctorate, is given to students who have previously published original work in the form of book chapters, journal articles, or novels. On the other hand, the majority of UK universities exclusively accept their graduates for PhDs by Publication. A written supporting statement of between 5,000 and 20,000 words must be submitted by the student along with five to eight published works.

What are Eligibility Criteria for PhD in UK?

Admission criteria for a PhD in the United Kingdom vary based on the university and the field of study. However, most colleges will have the following general entrance criteria for applicants:

• Academic Degree-A first-class or strong upper-second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a related field of study.
• ​Minimum GPA- 3.7 on a scale of 4.0
• English Proficiency Test Score- IELTS: 7.0 or above; TOEFL: 100+.
• Statement of Purpose(SOP)-Applicants are often expected to submit a 5000-word personal statement detailing their academic and professional history, reasons for applying to the program, and career goals.
• Letters of Recommendation (LOR)- Applicants are generally expected to offer at least 2 – 3 academic or professional references.
• Research Proposal-A 3000 word research proposal in the field of research you are applying for is required.

What are the Academic Requirements for PhD. in UK?

The table below displays the general entrance criteria for PhD programs in UK institutions, as well as their academic requirements and extra document requirements, such as 

Universities’	Academic Requirements	IELTS Score	Additional Required Documents
The University of Oxford	A first-class or strong upper-second-class undergraduate degree in a related field of study with honours.	7.5 or above	SOP (maximum 1,000 words)3 LOR (all academic) Resume Transcript(s)
Imperial College London	A 4-year Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with a grade point average of 70% or above may be accepted for admission to Master’s or Research.	7.0 or above	SOP2 LOR (minimum 1 academic) Resume Transcript(s)
University of Cambridge	Professional Bachelor’s degree in a professional topic of at least 4 years from a well-known school with an overall grade point average of 75% or CGPA of 8.0+.	7.0 or above	SOP2 LOR (minimum 1 academic)Resume Transcript(s) Research Proposal
University of Manchester	A 3-year degree with a First Class from a prominent institution, or a 3-year degree with a First Class and a master’s degree from a reputable university, both with a minimum grade of 70%.	7.0 or above	SOP2 LOR (all academic)Resume Transcript(s)3000 words Research Proposal
The University of Edinburgh	A master’s degree in the same or related field, as well as a research proposal	7.0 or above	SOP 2 LOR (all academic) Resume Transcript(s) Research Proposal

Popular PhD Courses in UK

The table below lists some of these popular degrees, as well as the universities that offer them:

Program	Universities	Fees per Annum (GBP)
PhD in Computer Science	University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, KCL, University of Cambridge	22,200-33,250
PhD in Medical Science	University of Oxford, University College London,  University of Manchester, University of Cambridge, Newcastle University	24,000- 32,352
PhD in Engineering	University of Cambridge, University of Southampton, University of Oxford, University College London, University of Manchester	22,704- 32,352
PhD in the Law	University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL, LSE, KCL	18,740-25,758
PhD in Sociology	University of Oxford, University of Cambridge,  University of Manchester, University of Warwick, LSE	19,338-24,450

How to Apply for PhD in UK

In the United Kingdom, the application process for PhD admission is simple. Here’s a quick breakdown of everything you’ll need to do:

• Choose a discipline and a university in the United Kingdom to begin your research.
• Submit the application form as well as the application fee.
• Submit the required documents and specifications mentioned by the university.
• Create a study proposal to be submitted with the required documentation. 
• Find a supervisor to assist you in starting your PhD studies. Admissify helps you to make your process of getting admission and accommodation a lot simpler with the help of their exceptional team
• Apply for any scholarships or financial aid offered by your selected university. With the help of Admissify, you will be able to figure out the same and they will be able to fulfil all your requirements for the same.
• Wait for an admissions decision.

What is the cost of studying in UK?

The cost of studying for a PhD in the UK for an Indian student ranges from 18 to 36 lakh INR per year; however, this is primarily a worry for PhD students who are self-funded and pay all expenditures. PhD students from other countries will have to pay considerably more. PhD students can get support from the UK Research Council in the form of a tuition fee grant and a living stipend of roughly £15,000 (INR 14,95,380).

Tuition fee in UK

A PhD in the United Kingdom lasts 3-5 years full-time, depending on the university and the field of study. The following table summarises the annual fees for PhD studies at UK universities:

University	Total Tuition Fees (GBP)	Fee for Indian Students (INR)
University of Cambridge	25,000 – 55,000	25-55 Lakh
Imperial College London	20,000 – 40,000	20-40 Lakh
University of Oxford	25,000 – 30,000	25-30 Lakh
University of Edinburgh	24,800- 29,700	24-29 Lakh
University of Manchester	21,000	21 Lakh

Cost of living in UK 

The cost of living in the UK covers things like accommodation, food, transportation, healthcare, and personal costs. The average annual cost of living in the UK is roughly 14,000 GBP (14 lakhs INR).

Expense Type	Average Annual Expense (GBP)	Cost for Indian Students (INR)
Accommodation	7,200	7.20 Lakh
Meals	2,400	2.40 Lakh
Personal Expenses	1,500	1.50 Lakh
Utilities	2,220	2.22 Lakh
Transportation	780	78 Thousand

Scholarships for PhD in UK

If you are preparing for a PhD in the United Kingdom, you should be aware that it can be costly. As a result, UK colleges provide various scholarships in the UK to overseas students to lighten their financial load. The following are some of the scholarships available to international students pursuing a PhD in the United Kingdom.

The Universities	Scholarship Awarded	Eligibility
The University of Oxford	Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities	Enrollment in a full-time humanities program.
University College London	UCL Overseas Research Scholarship	Enrolled in an MPhil or PhD programme (Non-EU students only)
The University of Cambridge	Gates Cambridge	Enrolled in the full-time postgraduate program(Non-EU students only)
Imperial College London	President’s PhD Scholarship	Academic achievement at the undergraduate and master’s levels.

There is a long list of the above-mentioned credentials. Admisiify helps you to find the best scholarship related to your interest which fulfils your requirements and is supported by your dream university. 

Read Also:

Part Time Jobs in UK for Indian Students

Part-Time Job Rules for International Students in the UK

What are different job opportunities in the UK after a PhD

The expense of a PhD in the United Kingdom is relatively high, but so are the returns. PhD graduates from the United Kingdom have been spotted performing commercial research in education, science, technology, medicine, and other fields after graduation. Students are regularly observed working in the business sector, conducting research for corporate organisations, in addition to working in academia or pursuing higher education.

Here are several industries in the UK where PhD graduates could find work, as well as the number of PhD graduates working in each:

• Higher Education – 37%
• Business and Industry: 23%
• Government- 16%
• Non-profit Organisations- 10%
• Health and Social Care
• Self-Employed- 5%
• Other Sectors- 4%

Conclusion

If you desire a bright future, the United Kingdom should be at the top of your list! If you require any more assistance with your study abroad experience, please contact our Admissify counsellors!

We also represent world-class colleges and educational institutions and offer complete counselling and application management services to students interested in studying abroad in exotic locations such as the United States, Canada and others. 

Apart from the UK, the  USA and Canada are some preferred study-abroad locations where students look to accomplish their PhD

FAQs

How do I get a fully funded PhD in the UK?

You can also apply for supported PhD opportunities through a variety of organisations, foundations, and trusts, such as

• British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)
• Rosetrees Trust – PhD Plus.
• Action Medical Research.

And many more, Admissify helps to find these foundations to support you at every step.

Do PhD students in the UK get paid?

PhD students in the United Kingdom might get a stipend ranging from £15,000 to £18,000 per year. Tuition expenses will be covered as part of your stipend as part of the studentship.

Can I work in the UK after my PhD?

PhD grads can qualify for a three-year stay. This is an excellent chance for overseas students who desire to advance their careers in the UK.

Which PhD is most in demand in the UK?

Both business and management are at the top of the list of PhD subjects. This is due to several factors. First and foremost, they are divided into various sub-areas and provide numerous chances for employment, additional training, and specialisation.