PHD Study in UK 2022: Eligibility, Cost, Top Colleges & Admission Process

The United Kingdom undoubtedly offers a range of excellent opportunities for students from all across the globe. One such opportunity is by allowing students to pursue a PhD in the UK, which is, by the way, the highest level of degree obtainable. It lasts typically three to four years when done full-time. However, it usually takes up to six years if it’s done part-time. The study is built around a significant independent research project on a topic of academic interest. It often extends up to 100,000 words in length and is published as a thesis, sometimes known as a dissertation. It is then defended in front of a panel of experts in an oral examination. The student completes the thesis under the supervision of a university faculty member. Furthermore, doing a PhD in the UK opens up many doors for budding professionals, making them great prospective employees and scientists of the future.

Why do a PhD in UK?

Students from all over the world, including UK residents, opt to pursue a Ph.D. in the United Kingdom because of its high international reputation and quality research. It prepares students to work as excellent researchers. The United Kingdom is well-known for its wide and diverse research resources, allowing PhD students to conduct any study they choose without any limitations. Participation in research is encouraged in the United Kingdom, and this itself improves a student’s interpersonal skills and develops one’s talents, allowing one to grow as a confident individual. Besides, you can also receive an annual stipend during your doctorate program, anywhere between £15,000 to £17,000. A PhD scholar in the United Kingdom can work as a researcher, scientist, or a professor in academia and garner as many skills they want.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD in UK

While the eligibility criteria may slightly differ across colleges, below is a list of common criteria seen across most UK universities:

• You must have been accepted to study at a university in the UK and have received confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS).
• A PhD applicant will need to demonstrate good performance throughout their undergraduate degree in most circumstances. An upper second class honours degree is required for admittance to the PhD programme. This must be in a field that is related to the PhD programme.
• International students may also be required to submit a research proposal describing their study goals and methods.
• Your course must be a full-time or a part-time PhD.
• You must have the essential English language skills. A band of 7 in IELTS is the minimum requirement. Other exams like TOEFL and PTE are also accepted with a score of 90 and 60, respectively.
• You must be financially equipped to pay your fees, or you should get your PhD funding approved to cover your tuition and living expenses in the UK.

Cost of doing a PhD in UK for Indian students

The cost of doing a PhD in the UK revolves around three important areas of expenses:

Cost of application, language proficiency tests and flight expenses

• Application fee – Rs. 6,000
• IELTS – Rs. 15,012
• TOEFL – Rs. 14,011
• Flight tickets – Rs. 42,500-Rs. 70,000
• Student visa cost – Rs. 30,000-35,000

Tuition fee

The tuition fee is less for EU students, that is, those belonging to the European Union’s countries. It is higher for students coming from overseas. The tuition fee largely depends upon the university and the stream. However, it can range anywhere between INR 9 and 46 lakhs INR for full-time PhD courses. The tuition fee for part-time doctorate programs will be less, mostly 50% that of full-time doctorate programs.

Cost of living in UK

According to a 2019 poll of nearly 3,000 university students, the average monthly living expense, including rent, bills, food, and entertainment, was £809. This works out to £9,708 a year. When translated to Indian currency, this comes out to be roughly around Rs. 80,964 per month, translating to Rs. 9,71,576 for a year. Now, this is just an average estimate. Your actual cost of living will vary depending upon where you live. For example, if you live in a fast-paced city like London, the cost of living will be significantly higher compared to living in a rural city or town. To paint a clearer picture for you, we’ve mentioned the costs of living in London below to get an idea.

Cost of living in London

According to the survey mentioned earlier, the annual cost of living of £9,708 in the UK is based on a monthly rent of £431 (Rs. 43,134). However, when we talk about living in London, this average rises to £600 (Rs. 60,048) a month. If residing in university halls or private student housing, it can exceed £1,000. According to Campus College London (UCL), if you live in private accommodation near their university, you should expect to pay an average rent of around £1,028 (Rs. 102,882) per month. Studying for a PhD in UK will definitely cost you a sizable amount of money. It is one of the most important factors in making a decision on pursuing your higher education abroad. While some people can easily invest in their higher education, it is difficult for many, creating a barrier between them and their dreams. However, this dream can now be achieved, thanks to several scholarship programs and funding options. You can easily apply for a scholarship program for completing your education if you are a bright student with excellent performance and calibre.

Top Colleges for PhD in UK

Here are the top 10 colleges for doing PhD in the UK according to the QS World University Rankings 2022:

University of Oxford

• Ranking: 2
• Courses offered: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Medical Science, Engineering Science
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 27.84L – 39.01L

University of Cambridge

• Ranking: 3
• Courses offered: Clinical Neuroscience, Chemical Engineering, and Biotechnology, Engineering
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 27.9L – 61.8L

University of Edinburgh

• Ranking: 16
• Courses offered: Medicine, Engineering, Geosciences, Informatics, Mathematics
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 22L – 35.01L

University of Manchester

• Ranking: 27
• Courses offered: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Material Science, Mathematics
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 22.7L – 32.3L

University of Warwick

• Ranking: 61
• Courses offered: Law, Economics, Finance, Chemistry
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 18.8L – 24L

University of Bristol

• Ranking: 62
• Courses offered: Medical Science, Biochemistry, Physiology, Biological Science
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 20L – 30L

University of Glasgow

• Ranking: 73
• Courses offered: Accounting, Engineering, Law
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 13.5L – 29.6L

University of Birmingham

• Ranking: 90
• Courses offered: Medical, Engineering, Chemistry, Management, Law
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 9.9L – 24.7L

University of Leeds

• Ranking: 92
• Courses offered: Medical, Engineering, Law, Management, Finance
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 14.5L – 35.4L

Lancaster University 

• Ranking: 132
• Courses offered: Accounting and Finance, Economics, Health Economics, Management, Management Science
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 9.9L – 35.4L

Imperial College London

• Ranking: 7
• Courses offered: Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Sciences
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 22.2L – 33.2L

University College London

• Ranking: 8
• Courses offered: Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Material Science
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 22.2L – 33.2L

King’s College London

• Ranking: 35
• Courses offered: Pharmaceutical Science, Medical Science, Life Science
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 22.2L – 33.2L

London School of Economics and Political Science

• Ranking: 49
• Courses offered: Communication, Social Science, Law, Journalism
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 19.3L – 25.7L

Queen Mary University of London

• Ranking: 117
• Courses offered: Computer Science, Research Degree in Law, Economics and Finance, Electronic Engineering, Chemistry
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 19.2L – 49.4L

SOAS University of London

• Ranking: 391
• Courses offered: Economics, Politics, Finance and Management, Law
• Average annual tuition fee: Rs. 23.4L – 24.6L

PhD in the UK Admission Process

There is no centralised application platform for PhD applicants. As a result, students must independently submit their applications to their preferred university’s application portal. In the UK, a master’s degree or, in some situations, a four-year bachelor’s degree is the minimum qualification requirement for getting admission into a doctorate programme. As part of the application, international students may be required to submit a research proposal explaining their research interests and technique. They’re also required to submit proof of proficiency in the English language with IELTS/ TOEFL score sheets. Personal statements, Letters of Recommendation (LORs), and past academic records must be submitted to most universities via email. Here’s a list of prerequisites that you need to take care of before applying to a PhD program in UK:

• Master’s degree or 4-year Bachelor’s degree
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Past academic records: Minimum 70% in Masters and Bachelor’s
• Research proposal
• Personal statement
• References and LORs

Conclusion

Programs for PhD in the UK attract a lot of graduates from all over the world. A professional doctorate program is probably the best choice you will ever make to enhance your career and future. If you need further guidance on the fees or courses to opt for, reach out to our counselling team, who’d be happy to guide you through every step of your journey.

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