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What Can You Do With a PhD?

Why Do a PhD? Benefits and Career Directions

Are you thinking about a PhD as the next stage in your educational and professional development? It’s an exciting road to travel with many potential benefits and opportunities. But you have to earn it first so considering what’s involved is important.

Requirements for a PhD award vary greatly globally and from institution to institution. PhD applicants are expected to have gained at least an Honours degree and sometimes a Master’s degree to be eligible to apply for a PhD programme.

It’s best to find out as much as possible about not only what you can expect during the PhD process but also what will be expected of you. Will the commitments in terms of time, effort and money prove worthwhile? Identifying the pros and cons will help you to weigh up whether this is the right step for you.

The on-going impacts of COVID -19 have to be taken into account. Not only have teaching and learning practices altered in Higher Education but so have ways of working and connecting with each other as technological change advances more rapidly. Sudden shifts and uncertainties mean that flexibility must be factored into any PhD planning, such as supervision or research having to be carried out online.

This article will outline possible career paths and prospects that can follow on from having a PhD as well as the benefits during the process.

First of all ask yourself- Is a PhD right for me?

Do some self-assessment:.

what your educational experiences and achievements are up to now
identify what you liked and disliked
what you were good/skilled at, what you found difficult

Talk to others

Whilst there is no ‘typical’ PhD experience as everyone’s paths differ, it’s helpful to talk to those who have done or are doing a PhD about what is involved. You can make contacts through networks and online forums and find out more about their experience. Read articles and other relevant documents including university publications plus online sources. There is a wide range of websites offering case studies of career stories from what people have done with their PhD.

What parts of doing a PhD appeal to you?

It could be spending time in libraries and archives, fieldwork and interviews, running experiments, analysing data, problem-solving, creative thinking, writing and communicating your findings to others. It’s just as important to ask yourself which parts of it don’t appeal and consider how you would handle those aspects.

Once you’ve done this assessment you can think more about what a PhD might lead to.

Benefits of the PhD experience

The skills you gain and improve during a PhD are transferable and applicable to a wide range of careers. Prospective employers look for those with experience of doing research and a PhD is a research-based degree. What you researched might be directly related to jobs you apply for but it doesn’t need to be: it’s the fact that you have research experience that counts.

Employers also look for those with good written and spoken communication skills (online and face to face) and who can plan and deliver presentations. These could be for team meetings, conferences or sales pitches. Whilst doing a PhD, you will be networking not just within your university but in other areas. In recent years, networking skills have become more important in the work environment. Having networking experience, whether it’s ‘working the room’ at a conference or meeting or attending an online event will boost your potential and help you stand out.

You can develop your networks by attending conferences, talks and other events apart from regular contact with other students and tutors. These may be online given COVID restrictions but opportunities for face- to- face events have increased in the second half of 2021. These contacts can provide useful support and also share work opportunities. There are many online study and research forums that can help you through your PhD and also offer opportunities for finding work whilst you are studying and post-graduation. Some of these online forums may be arranging small-scale physical meet-ups.

Considering Career Possibilities

Whilst a PhD is often seen as professional training for academia, this is just one possibility. In the UK less than half of PhD graduates become academics and this figure can lower in other countries.

As with any career ambitions, assessment of all that is involved. Academics are expected to do much more than research, teach and supervise students.

If this is what you’re aiming for, start preparing by taking up opportunities for part-time teaching that might fit into your schedule. This is valuable work experience even if you later decide not to go into academia.

Outside Academia

There are many options in the professions, business and management, public sector and more. From small and local, to large and global, many companies and institutions seek highly qualified personnel. Think about the types of organisations you could work for: everything from large multinationals, NGOs, charities, local and national government, regulatory bodies and agencies, SMEs (small to medium enterprises with under 250 employees). The vast majority of companies in the UK are SMEs and offer excellent career progression opportunities.

Different employment sectors have their specific features but increasingly overlap as economic, technological and political changes come into play. Whilst we can distinguish the public and private sectors these have shown degrees of convergence in recent years.

The Professions

These typically involve prolonged training and formal qualifications such as accountancy, civil service, law and medicine. Having a PhD is considered to be indicative of professional development but additional training may be required for your chosen area.

Self-employment

This category encompasses all forms of working for yourself, whether setting up a small business by yourself or with others, doing consultancy work or a mix of these.

The self-employed account for around 15% of the labour force in the UK.

There are possibilities of freelance working within academia as well as in other areas, by packaging and selling your expertise and skills. The advantages include being ‘your own boss’, taking on work you choose and being free of the 9 to 5 routine.

There are also challenges, with responsibilities for legal compliance and taxation. There may be long working hours without the ‘cushion’ of secure monthly income and paid holidays.

In the past decade, digital entrepreneurship has rapidly expanded with new start-ups coming online all the time. This trend has increased over the past 18 months as more people lost jobs and decided to set up their own businesses from home.

It’s likely that the gig economy will continue to develop and you may consider if you want to enter this as a sole proprietor or as an employee if self-employment is not your preferred career route.

Not-For-Profit

This includes charities, NGOs and community interest companies. As in other sectors, some are small and local whilst others are global, eg. Oxfam. NGOs might focus on one area or multiple parts of the world but a specific theme such as human rights or the environment. There are openings at different levels and whilst they may rely on volunteers they do have paid positions in fund-raising, advocacy, administration, marketing and management.

The skills and experience gained by a PhD graduate can certainly be applied elsewhere, particularly if you keep an open mind and your eyes on the jobs market from the early days of your doctoral journey . You can upgrade your employability profile by networking and taking advantage of your university’s employability support and opportunities including gaining some work experience. This is always a big bonus and increasingly required by employers.

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Dr. Ruth Cherrington

Ruth Cherrington has a long record as a higher education professional. She has been a lecturer, trainer and employability adviser both in the UK and abroad. Ruth has always been committed to maximizing the professional development of those she works with. Another strand to her career is as a writer, with a wide range of publications to her name. Ruth enjoys travelling to meet former students and colleagues across the world. LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthcherringtonnumber7/

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What to expect from a PhD/ MA by Research

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest level of qualification awarded by universities in the UK, typically aimed at students who have successfully completed a Masters programme.

A PhD is awarded for the outcomes of intensive, independent study that demonstrates an original and significant contribution to knowledge in your chosen subject. You will be assessed at the end of the programme by a thesis of 80,000 words which will need to be deemed suitable for publication, in whole or in part in a learned journal or equivalent by your examiners. You will need to defend your thesis and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of your subject at a viva voce (oral examination) before a panel of expert examiners.

By comparison, an MA by Research is a research-based Masters programme assessed by a thesis of 40,000 words. An oral examination may be held at the discretion of the examiners.

Unlike our postgraduate taught programmes, there are no formal lectures or seminars in a PhD or MA by Research, and your work is not formally examined until after your thesis has been submitted. Instead, our postgraduate research programmes provide you with the opportunity to undertake research under the expert guidance of a primary supervisor, co-supervisor and mentor, supported by complementary research training.

PhD and MA by Research programmes may start at any time of the year, though we strongly encourage students to begin their studies at the start of the UK academic year (September). We also offer flexibility in our programmes so that you can choose the mode of study that works for you - full-time, part-time, or distance learning . It usually takes three years (full-time) or six years (part-time) to complete a PhD, while the standard duration for an MA by Research is either one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).

Distance learning students will receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students, the only difference being that supervisory sessions will take place via audio and visual communication services such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, rather than in person. You will be funded to make one compulsory visit to the University per year of study (or every other year for part-time students), enabling you to meet your supervisory team, undertake intensive research skills training and make a start on your doctoral studies. You may also be invited to attend the University for annual meetings which give you the opportunity to interact with other research students both socially and academically, undertake important progress-review meetings and carry out any necessary training. For those studying a PhD, you will also generally be required to be present on campus for your viva voce (funded for travel and accommodation).

What is involved in a PhD/MA by Research?

Before you start.

One of your main sources of support, inspiration and encouragement throughout your PhD/MA by Research programme will be your supervisory team. Establishing an effective working relationship is important for staying on top of your work and making the most of your research.

If you are planning to apply for a PhD/MA by Research programme, you should first make sure that the relevant department within the College of Arts and Law offers the necessary expertise. We ask that you identify an appropriate supervisor before you submit your application and contact them in the first instance to discuss your research proposal. If you experience any difficulties with the application process and contacting potential supervisors, please email: [email protected]

Your research proposal should be a short written document (approximately 1,000-1,500 words) which sets out the central issues or questions that you intend to address. It should outline the general area of study within which your research falls, referring to the current state of knowledge and any recent debates on the topic, as well as demonstrate the originality of your proposed research. For further advice, please refer to our research proposal guidance pages .

During your studies

Your supervisory team will meet with you at regular intervals throughout your PhD/MA by Research programme in order to offer guidance on how best to approach, implement and report on your research. Supervisory sessions for distance learning students will take place via audio and visual communication services such as Skype or Facetime, rather than on campus.

Although your supervisory team are there to help you to complete your research, postgraduate research students are expected to take full responsibility for their work. Therefore, you will need to develop your own timetable for academic study, planning and managing your research so that you can successfully complete your thesis on time.

The first year (or part-time equivalent) of a PhD usually consists of a literature review specific to your thesis and topic, along with any other relevant work or training that will prepare you for undertaking the bulk of your research in the second year, which is normally then written up in the third year. For an MA by Research, these timescales are condensed into one year (or two years if studying part time).

During the course of your studies your supervisory team may also encourage you to present your research to the wider academic community and to the general public at seminars and conferences, or even submit work for publication in specialist journals. You will also have opportunities for teaching, networking, and playing an active role in the College's vibrant postgraduate research community .

If you wish to proceed and submit an application, please refer to our six-step process for applying for PhD and MA by Research opportunities in Arts subject areas.

Stay in the UK after you graduate

Many options are available for international graduates looking to stay in the UK after graduation. Below, we detail the UK government's Graduate Route visa and the Skilled Worker route specifically.

However, we recommend you do your research on the GOV.UK website to work out which visa best suits your current situation. There are lots of other options available, including short-term and long-term visas, and visas for specific types of employment, such as for healthcare workers.

What is the Graduate Route?

The UK’s Graduate Route welcomes international students to apply to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, upon graduation. International students who have successfully completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can apply to stay in the UK for up to two years after their studies. PhD graduates can apply to stay for up to three years.

This is a fantastic opportunity for international students who want to take their next steps into employment in the UK.

What are the benefits of the Graduate Route?

The Graduate Route is unsponsored, meaning you can use the time after you graduate to work, or look for work, at any skill level. You will have the flexibility to gain work experience, undertake an internship or work as a freelancer in the UK.

There is no minimum salary requirement, and there is no limit on how many international students can have the opportunity to stay in the UK through the Graduate Route. Additionally, you are not tied to a specific job or employer and you can have multiple jobs at any skill level and can switch jobs during the course of the visa.

Once you have found suitable employment in the UK, you’ll have the chance to switch to a skilled work route and remain in the UK after your two or three years have come to an end.

'I decided to apply for the Graduate Route because I didn't need to have an employer sponsor my visa. This meant that although I was offered a job, which was part-time, I was still able to stay and work in the UK without any issues. The Graduate Route enabled me to build up experience in the UK and has acted as a stepping stone for my future success in the actuarial field.'

Lan, from China, studied Applied Actuarial Science at the University of Kent and graduated in 2022. Thanks to the Graduate Route, she lives and works in the UK.

How much does the Graduate Route cost?

Before applying for the Graduate Route visa, you should know the costs up-front. There is a one-off application fee of £822 , and you must also pay the full amount for the Immigration Health Surcharge . As of 6 February 2024, this will cost you £1035 annually.

Learn more about the Graduate Route

Learn more about the Graduate Route on GOV.UK and visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website for additional guidance on the Graduate Route, including where, when and how to apply, requirements and conditions, FAQs and more. Additionally, you can view the UK government's Graduate Route guide for further information.

It is worth being aware that if you impress your employer while working on the Graduate Route visa, your employer can switch you onto the Skilled Worker route if the requirements are met. But note: you cannot switch from a Skilled Worker visa to a Graduate Route visa.

What is the Skilled Worker route?

A Skilled Worker visa allows you to stay in the UK with an approved employer and eligible job. You must fulfil specific requirements to apply for this type of visa - including having a job offer with a minimum salary of at least £20,960, at least £10.75 per hour, or the 'going rate' for the type of work you'll be doing, whatever is higher. Additionally, your job needs to meet the minimum levels of skill requirements. The UK government provides a list of eligible jobs* on their website that meets this requirement.

Visit the UKCISA website for additional guidance on the Skilled Worker route, including where, when and how to apply, requirements and conditions, FAQs and more.

*The list of eligible jobs is in the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations. Table 1 includes most eligible jobs, with separate tables for some jobs in health and education.

How much does the Skilled Worker route cost?

In short, it depends, but employers will always incur costs when hiring a graduate on the Skilled Worker route. The standard fee ranges from £719 to £1,500, depending on your circumstances, for example, where the graduate is applying, the type of visa they are switching from, the employer's size, and whether the employer already has a sponsor license.

It is common for employers, especially larger organisations, to pay the cost of the fee. However, it is not a given, so if you are offered a job and want to go down this route, make sure to discuss this up-front with your employer.

Get more advice on working in the UK after you complete your studies

For advice on working in the UK after you complete your studies, read our 'international students guide to working in the UK after you graduate' and visit the UKCISA website .

Stay and work in the UK on a Graduate Route visa

The Graduate Route means that you can stay in the UK and explore your employment options without needing an employer to sponsor your visa.

Explore other UK visa options

Many options are available for international graduates looking to stay in the UK after they finish their studies. Do your research and work out which visa best suits your current situation.

Hear individual Graduate Route stories

'the graduate route was a fast and simple way for me to stay in the uk after my studies'.

Guy shares how the Graduate Route helped him stay in the UK after completing his postgraduate studies without being sure about what he was going to do next.

'Working in the UK has enabled me to grow my network and skills and gain international work experience'

The Graduate Route allowed Progress to apply what she learned during her studies, grow her network and gain relevant international work experience in the UK.

'The Graduate Route gave me time to explore my employment options without time pressure'

The Graduate Route made it possible for Rodney to explore his employment options and make the decision that was right for him without needing a sponsored visa.

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How to find a job after a PhD

Find out how we can help you explore your career ideas and the pathways available to you.

Academic careers

The most common career route after a PhD is a post-doc position. These are typically fixed term contracts for one to three years. Post-docs complete research related to their PhD to build their academic expertise, as well as writing publications and attending conferences.

As academic careers are extremely competitive, in addition to research and publications you ’ ll need (in the majority of cases) to build up good teaching and administration experience to demonstrate how you ’ ve contributed to your department and institution beyond your research. In some cases, researchers may take a teaching or a research-focused academic career route, though the majority of roles will expect you to do both.

There are many other roles in academia and Higher Education that don ’ t include teaching and research, but instead support the functions and administration of a university.

You can look for jobs using:

Times Higher Education
Find a post-doc
Academic Jobs EU

If you're ready to apply for an academic positions, see our advice about applying for a job and our example of an academic CV .

Research careers outside academia

There are various industries outside academia that allow you to make use of your research experience and skills, such as central government, think tanks, charities and NGOs.

Non-academic careers

There is a wide range of roles and sectors that you can go into with a PhD. For most roles you ’ ll need to de-emphasise the technical content of your research and market the vast amount of transferable skills that you've gained from your PhD. 10 Career Paths for PhDs and Career Planning for PhDs have exercises to help you review your skills.

Outside research roles, you may find that there are not that many roles that specifically ask for a PhD. You may find a small number of specific roles in large corporate firms, such as management consultancies, investment banks and quantitative finance.

You can also find out about starting your own business, going freelance or developing a social enterprise .

You can find opportunities for postgraduate researchers with:

Bank of England
Boston Consulting Group
Cancer Research UK
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew .

If you are ready to apply for a non-academic role, see our advice for applying for a job . You can also see an example of a non-academic CV .

Also see an example of a cover letter for jobs following a PhD – this can be used to apply for academic and non-academic roles.

We run a range of events for postgraduate researchers throughout the year:

View and book NOW

Here are some slides from recent careers briefings (login required):

Standout CVs for PhD researchers
Successful interviewing
Networking and Linkedin
Career destinations

How we can support you

We offer postgraduate researchers one-to-one appointments, which can be used for:

career exploration
CV feedback and application review
applying for work opportunities and further study
interview preparation.

You can make an appointment directly with the careers consultant for your School by emailing them. You don't need to use CareerHub to book.

Find the contact for your school:

University of Sussex Business School – Sarah Coleman
Education and Social Work – Andy Howard
Engineering and Informatics – Kathryn Mountford
Global Studies – Jessica Eustace
IDS – Helen Gorman
Law, Politics and Sociology – Helen Gorman
Life Sciences – Kaz Field
Mathematical and Physical Sciences – Kathryn Mountford
Media, Arts and Humanities – Tim Bradshaw
Psychology – Vicky Raynard
Sussex Centre for Language Studies – Tim Bradshaw

See more from How to find a job after university

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Catherine Reynolds

December 19th, 2017, what to do after a phd.

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Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

So, how do we learn about career development outside academia from LSE PhD graduates?

We want to know about PhD graduates who leave and how they move on so we use statistics and stories. In this Blog, I’ll focus on what we have learnt about moving into roles outside academia after graduating from an LSE PhD.

We collect data on the first destinations of all our students so we learn about the initial step, post PhD. This reveals that every year about 60% of LSE PhD graduates work in higher education in research of teaching roles and the other 40% move into a variety of roles in a wide range of organisations and sectors.

Learning from your peers is an important part of career progression. Every term LSE Careers invites some graduates to talk to current students about their career progression in Career Panel events held in the PhD Academy, usually with a glass of wine to help everyone relax and let the conversation flow. The PhD alumni share their career stories and experiences of finishing up and moving out of academia. A short summary of the panel events we have hosted since Michaelmas 2016 follows.

Working in Policy in Government and other public sectors

Speakers in November all work in various policy areas and are employed in a think tank, an international organisation, research institute and central government. The three panellists graduated from their PhD between 2013 and 2017, and explained the short-term and mid-term career progression after a PhD. We are very grateful to the speakers who this term were:

Julia Himmrich , LSE PhD International Relations 2016 – now a postdoctoral fellow at the Dahrendorf Forum at LSE IDEAS and was previously at the European Leadership Network.

Shuxiu Zhang , LSE PhD International Relations 2013 – Senior Policy Advisor, Department for International Trade, UK Civil Service and previously working in the New Zealand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Angelo Martelli LSE PhD Political Economy in the European Institute 2017. He is currently managing to juggle multiple posts across academia, the policy sector and international organisations. He is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the European Institute working on the political economy of structural reforms and affiliated with the Institute of Global Affairs where he co-leads their migration initiative. In the policy realm he works as a Consultant for the World Bank in their Jobs Group (Jobs Cross-Cutting Solutions Area) and also collaborates with the UK Cabinet-HM Treasury Open Innovation Team.

And 7 things we learnt …

Key themes from these fantastic speakers were about:

‘figuring it out’, meaning taking time and effort to explore and find your niche, not having very firm expectations and then being open to learning from all your experiences.
creating networks and making connections with other people working in policy (perhaps by attending conferences where you can meet policy practitioners) were identified as helpful actions.
the harsh message that ‘no-one cares about your chapter’ sent a small shock around the room.
benefits of describing your project management skills by using your PhD experience in a targeted way, helps to get you through the selection processes. Transferrable skills were discussed and the ability to talk about these in the language of the employer takes practice. Examples of resilience and relationship building were useful in interviews.
having a confident, well prepared pitch also helps you to convince yourself and the recruiters that you are a strong candidate.
graduate entry to some organisations was seen as a good starting position and not undermining; progression can be faster and your ego can survive.
some patience so that you learn from experiences and look after your personal life, as well as your career related achievements, was reassuring for the audience too.

These wise comments, based on the real and recent experience of these three LSE PhD graduates reminded me of an article by H Ibarra in the Harvard Business Review: ‘How to stay stuck in the wrong career’ . She talks about ‘crafting experiments’, ‘shifting connections’ and ‘making sense’ as three steps to career change and has also written a book expanding on the theme ‘ Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for reinventing your career’ . I’m sure looking at these are legitimate displacement activities and will prove to be valuable long term investments.

Working in research in the ‘commercial’ sectors: April 2017, updated June 2019

Earlier in the year speakers at the Panel in April 2017 were using their research skills in a variety of sectors – public, private and education sectors:

Ben Morris , PhD Government 2004. Director, Infrastructure Advisory and Valuations at Mazars and previously Legal Specialist in Home Affairs Select Committee and National Audit Office. Ben is an infrastructure finance specialist, providing financial advisory and valuation services to funds, developers and lenders on transactions across Europe. His current role is at Mazars LLP – a top ten accounting and advisory firm based in nearly 80 countries: previously, he worked at KPMG, the National Audit Office and the House of Commons.

Claudia Mollidor, PhD Social Psychology 2013 – Associate Director in the Social Research Institute at Ipsos MORI. In her current role, Claudia directs large-scale programme and project evaluations in the children’s social care, youth crime and housing policy areas. Her main clients are the Department for Education, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Home Office. Overall, Claudia’s work covers both large-scale longitudinal qualitative and quantitative studies (especially with children and vulnerable people) as well as smaller scale, shorter term projects. Outside of work, Claudia is a trustee of the educational charity TalentEd. Claudia completed her PhD while working part-time in a research consultancy in Melbourne, Australia.

Sasha Jesperson , PhD Government 2014 – co-founder and Director, ITERU, a boutique consultancy delivering locally-relevant and evidence-based solutions on migration, displacement, human trafficking, modern slavery and organised crime. Since completing her PhD, Sasha has moved between think tanks, leading research on organised crime at the Royal United Services Institute, academia, as director of the Centre for the Study of Modern Slavery at St Mary’s University, and practice, leading responses to migration and organised crime at Aktis Strategy. She is also a deployable civilian expert with the UK Stabilisation Unit.

Donna Baillie , PhD Social Psychology 2016. Department for International Trade. Donna is a consultant specialising in user research for the public and third sectors. Her most recent clients include the Ministry of Justice, the Department for International Trade, and the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy. Donna completed her PhD in Social Psychology at LSE in 2016.Her previous degrees were in Social and Political Sciences (BA(hons), Cambridge), and Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology (MSc, Oxford).

The key messages from the speakers are summed up in another Blog post: ‘Finding your way after a PhD’

Working in international organisations and think tanks: February 2017

In February 2017 we focussed on using research skills to work in international organisations and think tanks. The Speakers were:

Cecile McGrath, LSE PhD Government 2010, is a Senior research manager in Ecorys, a leading European public policy consultancy. She specialises in education and social affairs. Cecile is a research affiliate at the University of Maastricht and the University of California Berkeley where she was a postdoctoral student.

Emma De Angelis, LSE PhD International History 2011, is the Editor of the RUSI Journal and the Director of Publications at RUSI, a leading independent think tank on defence and security..

Nahid Kamal, LSE PhD Demography 2009, is now a freelance development consultant based in London. Before this she was a Research Associate with MEASURE Evaluation, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill from 2011 and was seconded to International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research in Bangladesh where she worked on national population surveys and impact evaluation of USAID funded health projects. Prior to joining MEASURE Evaluation, she worked for the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Geneva, Marie Stopes International in London and Population Council in Dhaka.

Again the LSE Careers PhD Blog: Working in research roles summaries their comments and also includes a list of related occupations and organisations.

Entrepreneurship, Autumn 2016

Back in the Autumn 2016 we focussed on entrepreneurship and the panel included:

Alex Green (Chair, PhD LSE, Economic History, ongoing) Alex is studying for a PhD in Economic History at LSE. He maintains a portfolio career combining academia, non-executive directorship, angel investing and mentoring to young entrepreneurs, social enterprises and charities. He is an experienced international business leader with two decades in energy commodities trading. He has a strong strategic, commercial and risk management focus and a successful track record of starting, developing and executing asset based trading, marketing and distribution businesses.

Andrea Rota (PhD LSE, Sociology, 2016) Andrea joined a small team within the Forensic Architecture centre at Goldsmiths in London working on Pattrn , a web application for data mapping and visualisation aimed at humanitarian response, data journalism and research. This is an exciting match for Andrea’s ‘dual’ background as social science researcher and software engineer, especially after having extensively researched issues of ‘computational agency’ related to alternatives to the internet services provided by Google/Facebook/Microsoft/etc. and the Silicon Valley startup political economy. Andrea is also the co-founder of Xelera, a tiny web development and IT infrastructure consulting studio, as well as Web Development and Operations Manager at the LSE Cities research centre.

Asi Sharabi (PhD LSE, Social Psychology, 2005) Following completion of his PhD in which he brought together Israeli and Palestinian children, Asi moved on to build a career in everything digital. He started Lost My Name as a DIY project with some friends. Pretty soon the project changed from being a labour of love and went on to become a funded tech + storytelling startup with the ambition of making millions of kids around the world curious, clever and kind. In three years the company sold over 1.7million copies of their impossibly personal books in 178 counties.

Giulia Pastorella (PhD LSE, European Studies, 2016) Giulia is one of the founders of ACAD Consultancy, which offers personalised consultancy and mentoring for international candidates who wish to apply to top UK universities. She is Italian and obtained a BA from Oxford University and then an MSc and PhD from LSE. She also works in tech in public affairs roles.

Stuart Theobald (PhD LSE, Philosophy, 2017) Stuart is chairman of Intellidex and a director of Leriba Consulting, both of which he co-founded. He has spent many years researching financial markets and institutions in Africa, first as a financial journalist and then analyst. He founded Intellidex eight years ago to fill a gap for research that was media-savvy but driven by excellent data analytics and market research and now has a team in Johannesburg and London. Stuart is in the final year of his PhD in philosophy at LSE, researching the foundations of theoretical finance. He has pursued it part-time whilst building his business.

Over to you

If you’re interested in PhD career stories, please read the profiles of other LSE graduates .

Current or job seeking LSE PhD students, please attend the Panel events next year and continue to follow our PhD Blog, looking back you can read about the other 60% of career paths that involve working in higher education. For example : Do you want to try the academic job market? ; An emerging scholar at 50 odd ; From PhD to permanent role

And for those who would like to have it both ways, how about: Should I go or should I stay ?; In or outside academia, can I have both?

If you are an LSE graduate and want to share your story, please contact Catherine Reynolds . I’d love to talk to you!

About the author

Alternatives to international organisations

November 11th, 2016.

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December 13th, 2016.

The benefits of work shadowing

April 13th, 2017.

How to use social media to get a job

August 20th, 2019.

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Is PhD for me

What should I do after doing a PhD in the UK?

Table of contents, 1. search for an industry job, 2. apply for non-faculty jobs at the university, 2. demonstrate your specialties, 4. apply for post-doctoral opportunities (but consider again), 5. start a high tech business, faqs on what can you do after a phd in the uk.

In short, you can pursue many different paths after your PhD in the UK. As an international student, you are allowed to stay in the UK for a good period of time. You can use this work permit option to find employment opportunities in the UK. Data shows that international PhD graduates in the UK pursue a wide variety of industry jobs, start businesses, work in non-faculty positions on campus and pursue further research projects as post-docs.

In this post, I am going to explain in detail the various things you can do after completing a PhD in the UK. If you are planning to pursue a PhD and are willing to dedicate the next 3-4 years of your life to a PhD project in the UK then not only you should be concerned about funding options in the UK but also the post-PhD work opportunities. There are many benefits of doing a PhD in the UK and these benefits go beyond pursuing a PhD in highly recognized institutions around the world.

Although the end goal of a PhD is still considered a license to work in academia and PhD graduates feel less prepared for the industry . The reason is that you need at least a PhD diploma to be considered for a faculty position in a research university in the UK. However, times are changing and work options for UK PhD recipients are also changing.

As an aspirant who wants to pursue a PhD in the UK, you should seriously think twice about job prospects after graduation . The idea of only pursuing a faculty job after doing a PhD is no longer feasible due to fierce competition in most developed as well as developing countries. More and more PhD students are taking alternative career paths outside of academia.

In my opinion, it is difficult to predict future employment options after PhD in the UK, especially, when basing them on some previous data . However, we can observe the changing trends in post-PhD choices and job market opportunities for PhD graduates. It is quite obvious now that more and more PhD students are opting for an industry career or other paths and leaving their academic dream of tenure track positions.

Also Read: What’s next after a PhD? The new-age blend of research and industry

Industry jobs are becoming more and more lucrative these days for highly specialized workers. Traditionally, hiring managers were biased toward PhD holders. Yet, industry employers’ attitude toward this specialized workforce is changing with the increasing need for research and development in innovative companies. You only need to to prove them that you are someone who can multitask, inspire like a leader, and work under pressing deadlines.

Also Read: Launch Your Non-Academic Job Search: 20 Things PhDs Can Do RIGHT NOW

The class of temporary scientists has escalated since the dawn of the 21st century and the challenges during early post-doctoral years are pushing PhD graduates to choose alternative career paths. You should note that a postdoc is not your only career option , even if you love working on campus.

If you want to stay close to the academic culture without bearing all the hardships of an academic career you can explore non-teaching positions after your PhD. These jobs are usually much more stable and have higher-paying salaries than postdocs and temporary lectureship contracts.

Although non-faculty positions are not easier to grab as presumed generally, they may require an equal amount of effort to get hired. However, pursuing non-faculty jobs does not mean you are closing the faculty option entirely. The benefits of securing non-faculty jobs on campus are many including a higher salary, more stable work contracts, and a recognition of work experience.

Any specialist that is able to offer unique services to the market and does not have an online portfolio is severely limiting his career options. PhD brings out a number of transferable skills to make your name in the consulting arena. However, also note that transferring skills is not easy when transitioning to the corporate environment .

There are two main options you can work on if you intend to demonstrate yourself as an expert in your domain.

A website/blog demonstrating your specialization: A blog provides the opportunity to show your authority on a specific area of study. In fact, it is now common advice for PhD students to establish a website or blog to connect to their intended audience. However, make sure you are adding some value to your readers through your blog. Blogging as a personal hobby and without any effective plan (a) may distract you from your PhD and (b) other important works you can do to polish your profile. You can provide a link to the potential employer to demonstrate your specialization.
A LinkedIn profile: For PhD graduates, LinkedIn networking is the best way to get hired in the industry. A polished LinkedIn profile on this platform can really help you in your job search post-PhD in the UK. You can be active on this platform to connect with prospective hiring managers and other specialists in your field. A good network simply increases your chances of getting hired.

Also Read: The benefits of blogging for PhD students

Although many PhD graduates show that they want to pursue their careers in academia. However, circumstances are already showing a decline in interest in an academic career . Data is showing again and again that most doctoral recipients leave academia after three or four years .

The reasons can be many from precarious employment contracts in academia to low compensation when compared to the workload. Therefore, you should clearly think about the PhD path you want to take. You should be aware of the well-being and mental health issues a research degree and career may place on you.

Having said that, if you are really interested in pursuing a career in research you can still look for postdoctoral opportunities. As a postdoc contract is usually considered normal for any PhD graduate in the UK to pursue a career in academia. Postdocs are intended to provide further research training to young PhD graduates.

Despite the low compensation, a postdoctoral fellowship has marginally higher compensation when compared to a funded PhD stipend in the UK . In addition to this, a postdoc provides you the opportunity to further refine your research skills under the supervision of a senior researcher.

Many PhD students while working on their PhD projects come up with innovative ideas. You may like to turn your idea into an entrepreneurial endeavor. In such a case, you can start your own business after your PhD. The good news is that the UK graduate work visa is valid for 3 years post-PhD and allows you to start your own business .

Starting a Business after your PhD can help you a lot if your business requires extensive R& D and innovation in products and services. Next, securing funds for a startup is much like securing grants. Having said that, you will also find obvious differences between lab meetings and pitching to investors.

Also Read: How Getting A Ph.D. Prepared Me To Run A Startup

Many say that doing a PhD is like running a startup , however, there are arguments against this too. Just like a startup, you may face a high level of uncertainty or pressure during your PhD. A business, on the other hand, may need much more than a PhD project.

First, A PhD project prioritizes precision and provides ample time for you to overcome any inaccuracies but a business is built on mistakes and rewards the best guesses.
Second, a PhD research is focused on finding the solution to the problem or uncovering a truth, however, a startup is oriented toward providing a product/service that has a breadth of implications and practical uses.
Third, there are differences between managing funds for an academic project and starting a business. Unlike PhD, your funds in a startup are closely related to the initial progress of your idea.

Also Read: Deep tech: is PhD the new MBA as a gateway to entrepreneurship?

How can I get a job after PhD in the UK?

If you intend to work in the industry after your PhD in the UK, you can increase your chances of getting hired by (a) first, applying for a graduate work visa after your PhD (valid for 3 years), (b) second, developing your online portfolio and presence to increase your network (c) third, applying for non-faculty jobs on campus, research roles in industry and other diverse opportunities available for PhD graduates in the UK.

Is a PhD useful in the UK?

A PhD is certainly useful if you know what you are trying to accomplish with it. The usefulness of a PhD degree diminishes greatly if you are not clear about where you want to go after graduation. UK job market is in great need of highly specialized workers and researchers. The reason is that employers in the UK want to stay ahead of the competition and a lot of time that happen due to the specialized workforce and ability to do research and development, both crucial for innovation.

How much do you earn after a PhD in the UK?

The average post-PhD salary in the UK industry is £28,000 per year. That said, a post-PhD industry salary may vary depending on the kind of skill set you are bringing to the UK job market. In short, the more demanding the skillset the higher the compensation will be.

Does a PhD guarantee a job in the UK?

PhD is just like any other advanced degree when it comes to industry hiring. An advanced degree in a demanding area of expertise is certainly helpful in convincing the hiring managers that you are the best person for the vacant position. However, you can increase your chances of getting a job after PhD in the UK by (a) getting some industry internship experience and exposure during your PhD years, (b) increasing your network and professional online presence, and (c) contacting related specialists for mentorship opportunities.

Can I settle in the UK after my PhD?

Yes, one among other benefits of doing a PhD in the UK is that you can settle thereafter your PhD. A PhD allows you to stay and look for work opportunities for as long as 3 years. Next, you can find an employer who can sponsor your work visa for 5 more years. After this, you become eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK (a permanent residency option).

How do I get a non-academic job with a PhD?

The most effective way to get hired for a non-academic job after PhD is to develop a skill set that is required for such a position. you can significantly increase your chances of getting hired if (a) you do non-academic internships during your PhD, (b) learn to be active on LinkedIn-a go-to platform for non-academic jobs, (c) and have the ability to convince hiring managers that you are the best person for the required position.

How to apply for a PhD in the UK

Applying for a phd is not quite as daunting as you might think. a postgraduate student recruitment officer from the university of sussex shares his tips for putting together a phd application.

Ben Osborne

There are many different reasons for wanting to pursue a PhD – to move into an academic role at a university, to continue studying a subject you are passionate about or to further your career.

Whatever your motivation, many students are now choosing to pursue a PhD abroad. This guide will help you understand how to apply for a PhD at a UK university and answer any questions you might have around doing PhDs.

How to apply for a PhD

Application rules and methods vary for each university. The number of courses that you can apply for in a year will vary. For example, at the University of Sussex , you can apply for up to three postgraduate courses per year using the postgraduate application system.

If you are applying for more than one degree, you must submit a research proposal/statement specific to each area of study you apply for.

You can also apply to different universities to improve your chances of being accepted to a PhD course of your choosing.

What qualifications do I need?

Each PhD will have specific entry requirements and you will also need to meet a university’s general entry requirements. This may be an upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (2:1) or an equivalent international qualification. For some PhDs you may need a master’s qualification, and you may be asked to attend an interview.

International students may also be required to prove language proficiency. This will vary across institutions so do check what level universities expect before starting your application.

Applicants should always check the specific entry requirements in a university’s online prospectus before making an application.

When should I start applying?

This will depend on when your term start date is. Most research degrees will start in September but some courses offer additional entry points in January or May.

You can apply all year round for research degrees starting in September, January and May, and the deadlines for applying are usually one month before the course start date for UK applicants, and three months before for international applicants.

If you’re applying for funding from an external organisation you’ll need to be aware that they may have different deadlines for the funding application. So give yourself plenty of time to research your funding options, and ensure you know how long the application process takes.

Many universities offer a number of funded PhD opportunities and PhD scholarships for UK and international students, and it’s always worth investigating funding routes such as research councils and other organisations, both in the UK and overseas.

In some cases, it may be possible to study a PhD by distance which means you’ll be able to learn online and have virtual meetings with your supervisor.

If this is something you would be interested in doing you should check before applying whether your university can accommodate this option.

Nine things to know before doing a PhD Starting a PhD during the pandemic Studying for a part-time PhD: the challenges and the benefits Is it possible to do a three-year PhD as an international student?

How should I look for a supervisor?

Usually if you are applying for a funded project, or to a research centre or group, you will normally be asked to provide a statement explaining your suitability for working in that area, and if successful you will be allocated a supervisor.

If you wish to propose your own area of research, you need to decide on a research topic, and you will be expected to write a research proposal. In some cases you may only be required to provide a summary of academic interests and this can be used to match you to a researcher that suits you.

If you are proposing your own research topic, there may be a research database at your university that you can search, or your university will match you with a supervisor during the assessment of your application. It may be possible to request supervision by a particular member of faculty – this will be considered but not all requests can be accommodated.

If you do find a potential supervisor who matches your research area, check their online profile for indications of their doctoral supervision capacity. If they are open to doctoral applications, you can contact them directly to check their availability for supervising you.

It is a good idea to draw up a shortlist of two to three potential supervisors, and take an in-depth look into their research history. You can also find out more about your potential supervisors by looking in the reference sections of academic textbooks and searching for articles in research databases and academic blogs.

When you contact your potential supervisor, it is important to tell them something interesting about yourself, and explain your research interests and how you feel your research proposal matches their expertise.

How do I write a research proposal?

If you are proposing your own research you will need to write a strong proposal that formulates a precise, interesting research question, and establishes the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking.

You’ll need to make sure your proposal describes the data or source material your research requires, and outlines a clear and practical methodology that enables you to answer the research question and that states clearly what you hope to discover at the end of your research, and what new areas it might open up.

The precise content and structure of your research proposal will depend on your subject area, and the University of Sussex has some helpful resources on our website to guide you through the process.

How long does the application process take?

Completing an application and writing a research proposal may take some time and should not be left until just before the application deadline.

It’s not easy to give a definite idea of how long it takes to hear if your application has been successful, as it will depend on when the application is made and the nature of the specific PhD, and you would need to meet any conditions contained within the offer before you can start the PhD.

What are the associated costs?

There won’t typically be an application fee for PhDs but there are tuition fees. If a university does charge application fees they will usually be between £50-£100.

The tuition fees for students studying in the UK are set by UK Research and Innovation . Fees for international students are £18,975 for non-lab-based subjects, and £22,975 for lab-based subjects per year.

You’ll also need to factor in living costs, but there are a number of funding routes you can apply for to help with this. As well as PhD scholarships and funded research projects there are research council awards, PhD loans for those eligible, and various organisations to which international students can apply for funding, such as The Gen Foundation and Open Society Foundations.

It’s important to be aware of the costs involved, but it’s also worth remembering that the educational, career and personal benefits of PhD study can be worth it.

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10 things you need to know before starting a PhD degree

So you want to do a PhD degree, huh? Here we've got everything you need to know about getting started.

So you want to do a PhD degree, huh? Are you sure about that? It’s not going to be an easy decision, so I’ve put together a list of 10 things you need to know before starting a PhD degree. Oh, and don’t panic!

I have recently graduated from the University of Manchester with a PhD in Plant Sciences after four difficult, but enjoyable, years. During those four years, I often felt slightly lost – and there was more than one occasion on which I didn’t even want to imagine writing up my thesis in fear of delving into fits of panic.

On reflection, I realise that – to quote a colleague – commencing my PhD was like “jumping in the deep end with your eyes closed.” If only I’d known to take a deep breath.

1. Are you sure you want to do a PhD degree?

Let’s be under no false impressions, completing a PhD isn’t easy. There will be times when you feel like Wile E Coyote chasing after the Roadrunner – a little bit out of your depth a lot of the time. It’s four years of your life, so make sure it is what you really want to do.

If you want to pursue a career in science, a PhD isn’t always necessary.

It is possible to make great inroads into industry without a doctoral degree. That said, a PhD can also be a very useful qualification with many transferable skills to add to your CV.

By the time you’ll have finished, you can include essentials such as time management, organisational skills, prioritising workloads, attention to detail, writing skills, presenting to an audience – and most importantly – resilience, to name but a few.

2. Choose your project, and supervisor, wisely.

This is very important.

Time after time, our experienced scientists at EI, including Erik Van-Den-Bergh (and I agree) say, “ make sure you’re extremely passionate about exactly that subject. ” When I saw the PhD opening that I eventually was offered, I remember being demonstrably ecstatic about the project before I’d even started it.

I was always interested in calcium signalling and organised a meeting with my potential supervisor immediately, which (to quote Billy Connolly) I leapt into in a mood of gay abandon.

Not only does this help you to keep engaged with your project even through the painstakingly slow times, it also greatly enhances your ability to sell yourself in an interview. If you can show passion and enthusiasm about the project and the science then you’ll be that one step ahead of other candidates – which is all the more important now that many studentships are competitive.

You have to be the best out of many, often exceptional candidates.

However, as important as it is to be passionate about your project, make sure that the person who will be supervising you is worthy.

Does your potential supervisor have a prolific track record of publishing work? What is the community of scientists like in the lab you may be working in? Are there experienced post-doctoral scientists working in the lab? Who will your advisor be? Is your supervisor an expert in the field you are interested in? Is the work you will be doing ground-breaking and novel, or is it quite niche?

There is nothing more frustrating – and I know many PhD degree students with this problem – than having a supervisor who is rarely there to talk to, shows little interest in your work, and cannot help when you are struggling in the third year of your project and some guidance would be much appreciated.

Personally, and I was very lucky to have this, I think it’s incredibly useful to have two supervisors. My PhD degree was split between the University of Manchester and the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth. Between my supervisors, I had two people with expertise in different fields, who could give me some fantastic advice from different perspectives. This also meant that I had two people to check through my thesis chapters and provide useful comments on my drafts.

PhD students networking during the last Student Symposium

Make sure you are passionate about your subject before taking it to PhD level. And by passionate I mean really passionate.

For a start, you will most likely have to write a literature review in your first three months, which if done well will form the main bulk of your thesis introduction and will save you a lot of stress and strain when it comes to writing up.

At the end of your first year, you will have to write a continuation report, which is your proof that you deserve to carry on to the end of your three or four years. This doesn’t leave much time for lab work, which means time management is incredibly important. If you think you’ll be able to swan in at 11 and leave at 3, think again.

Fundamentally, never, ever rest on your laurels! As tempting as it may be to slack-off slightly in the second year of your four year PhD, don’t.

4. Be organised.

This is a no-brainer but still, it’s worth a mention. Take an hour on a Monday morning to come up with a list of short-term and long-term goals. You’ll probably have to present your work at regular lab meetings, so it’s always worth knowing what has to be done (lest you look a pillock in front of the lab when there’s nothing to show for your last two weeks.)

It’s always good to have a timeline of what will be done when. If you have a PCR, maybe you can squeeze in another experiment, read a few papers, start writing the introduction to your thesis, or even start collecting the data you already have into figures.

The more good use you make of your time, the easier it’ll be to finish your PhD in the long run. Plus, it’s lovely to sit back and look at actual graphs, rather than worry about having enough to put into a paper. Once you’ve typed up your data, you’ll realise you’ve done far more than you had anticipated and the next step forward will be entirely more apparent.

5. Embrace change – don’t get bogged down in the details.

Felix Shaw – one of our bioinformatics researchers at EI – put it best when he said, “ it felt like I was running into brick walls all the way through [my PhD]… you’d run into a brick wall, surmount it, only to run straight into another. ”

You’ll find that, often, experiments don’t work. What might seem like a great idea could turn out to be as bad as choosing to bat first on a fresh wicket on the first day of the third Ashes test at Edgbaston. (Yeah, we don't know what that means either - Ed).

Resilience is key while completing your PhD. Be open to change and embrace the chance to experiment in different ways. You might even end up with a thesis chapter including all of your failures, which at the very least is something interesting to discuss during your viva voce .

6. Learn how to build, and use, your network.

As a PhD student, you are a complete novice in the world of science and most things in the lab will be – if not new to you – not exquisitely familiar. This matters not, if you take advantage of the people around you.

Firstly, there are lab technicians and research assistants, who have probably been using the technique you are learning for years and years. They are incredibly experienced at a number of techniques and are often very happy to help show you how things are done.

There are postdocs and other PhD students, too. Not only can they help you with day-to-day experiments, they can offer a unique perspective on how something is done and will probably have a handy back-catalogue of fancy new techniques to try.

There are also a bunch of PIs, not limited to your own, who are great to talk to. These people run labs of their own, have different ideas, and might even give you a job once you’ve completed your PhD.

Don’t limit yourself to the labs directly around you, however. There are a massive number of science conferences going on all around the world. Some of them, such as the Society of Biology Conference, take place every year at a similar time in different locations, attracting many of the leaders in their respective fields.

If you are terrified by the prospect of speaking at a full-blown science conference and having your work questioned by genuine skeptics, there are also many student-led conferences which will help you dangle your fresh toes in the murky waters of presenting your work.

One such conference, the Second Student Bioinformatics Symposium, which took place at Earlham Institute in October 2016, was a great place for candidates to share their projects with peers, who are often much more friendly than veteran researchers with 30 year careers to their name when it comes to the questions at the end of your talk.

Another great reason to attend conferences, of course, is the social-side too – make the most of this. You never know who you might meet and connect with over a few drinks once the talks are over and the party commences.

7. Keep your options open.

You should be aware that for every 200 PhD students, only 7 will get a permanent academic post , so it’s incredibly unlikely that you’ll become a Professor – and even if you make PI, it probably won’t be until your mid-forties.

You may also, despite having commenced along the academic path, decide that actually, working in a lab environment isn’t for you. Most PhD graduates, eventually, will not pursue an academic career, but move on to a wide range of other vocations.

It might be that Science Communication is more up your street. This was certainly the case for me – and I made sure that I took part in as many public engagement events as possible while completing my PhD. Most Universities have an active public engagement profile, while organisations such as STEM can provide you with ample opportunities to interact with schools and the general public.

You might also consider entrepreneurship as a route away from academia, which might still allow you to use your expert scientific knowledge. There are a variety of competitions and workshops available to those with a business mind, a strong example being Biotechnology YES.

I, for example, took part in the Thought for Food Challenge, through which I have been able to attend events around the world and meet a vast array of like-minded individuals. Many of the participants from the challenge have gone on to set up successful businesses and have even found jobs as a result of the competition.

8. Balance.

Remember that you still have a life outside of your PhD degree – and that this can be one of the greatest opportunities to make amazing friends from around the world.

A science institute is usually home to the brightest students from a variety of countries and can provide a chance to experience a delightful range of different people and cultures. Don’t just stick to the people in your lab, go to events for postgraduate students and meet people from all over campus.

There are usually academic happy hours happening on Fridays after work where you can buy cheap beer, or some lucky institutions even have their own bar. At Norwich Research Park, we not only have the Rec Centre, along with bar, swimming pool, calcetto, samba classes, archery, and a range of other activities, but there are also biweekly “Postdoc pub clubs” which are very fun to join on a Tuesday evening.

Maintain your hobbies and keep up with friends outside of your PhD and you’ll probably find it’s not that gruelling a process after all.

Plus, the people you meet and become friends with might be able to help you out – or at least be able to offer a sympathetic shoulder.

9. Practical advice.

If, after reading all of this, you’re still going to march forth and claim your doctorhood, then this section should be rather useful.

Firstly, make sure your data is backed up. It’s amazing how many people don’t do this and you’d be bonkers not to. Keep your work saved on a shared drive, so that if your computer decides to spontaneously combust upon pressing the return key, you won’t have lost all of your precious work – or have to go through every one of your lab books and type it all up again.

Secondly, don’t leave your bag in the pub with your half-written thesis in it. I did this, the bag was fine, I was in a state of terror for at least half an hour before the kind person at Weatherspoons located said bag.

Thirdly, read. Read broadly, read anything and everything that’s closely related to your project – or completely unrelated. It’s sometimes amazing where you might find a stroke of inspiration, a new technique you hadn’t thought of … or even in idea of where you might like to go next.

Finally, ask questions – all of the time. No matter how stupid it might sound in your head, everyone’s probably been asked it before, and if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

You’ll probably look far less stupid if you just ask the person standing next to you how the gradient PCR function works on your thermal cycler rather than standing there randomly prodding buttons and looking flustered, anyway.

10. Savour the positives.

At the end of all of this, it has to be said that doing a PhD is absolutely brilliant. There’s no other time in your life that you’ll be this free to pursue your very own project and work almost completely independently. By the time you come to the end of your PhD, you will be the leading expert in the world on something. A real expert! Until the next PhD student comes along …

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Studentships and doctoral training

Get a studentship to fund your doctorate.

UKRI studentships offer funding for doctoral research. They also offer you access to training, networking and development opportunities to help you build a research and innovation career.

Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You could get:

a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments
support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)

The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back. Some research organisations may offer more if you study in London, or they or one of their collaborators might decide to top up the payment. This will be outlined in the studentship advert from the research organisation.

We normally pay the support for tuition fees directly to your research organisation.

The levels given here are for the academic year 2024 to 2025. UKRI’s approach to doctoral stipend and fee levels will be reviewed through the  new deal for postgraduate research .

Additional support for your doctoral studies

As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you may be able to access additional funding to cover the cost of other related training and development opportunities.

This could include:

conference attendance
language training
overseas research visits
internships or placements with a non-academic partner

The availability of support will depend on the research organisation and the training grants they have on offer. You should contact the research organisation you are interested in applying to, to find out what you could get.

Extra support if you have a disability

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

You should speak to your research organisation’s disability advisor to assess your needs. They can help put the right support in place, including a DSA application if necessary. You cannot claim DSA directly from UKRI.

DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

The allowance covers:

non-medical personal assistance
specialist equipment
extra travel costs
general expenses

Find out more about DSA in our framework .

If you are a research organisation you can download claim forms and guidance for DSA .

Who can apply

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award, both the stipend to support living costs, and home-level fees at the UK research organisation rate.

How to find opportunities

Many UK research organisations offer some form of studentship funding from UKRI. These opportunities will depend on the subject you want to study and will normally be advertised by the research organisations.

Research organisations may have additional opportunities that do not involve UKRI. UKRI supports around 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You should speak to the research organisation you are interested in to find out what studentships are available.

You could also consider using a specialist website like   FindaPhD  to look for opportunities.

When to apply

Research organisations set their own deadlines for applications.

Many open for applications early in the academic year and close in January or February. This is not a hard and fast rule. It is important that you check the deadlines for the research organisation where you want to study.

How to apply

You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship. You must contact the research organisation you are interested in studying with and use their application process.

For doctoral students who are already studying with a studentship, there are opportunities to get additional funding to support placements that are separate from your doctorate.  Find training and development opportunities .

Last updated: 14 February 2024

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

PhD Salary in UK – Explained
Funding a PhD

What Are PhD Salaries?

The average cost of undertaking a PhD in the UK is approximately £20,000 per academic year for UK students and £40,000 for international students. To help offset the cost of this, many students question whether undertaking a doctorate comes with a PhD salary.

The salary of a PhD student is governed by three factors: whether they’re assisting in undergraduate teaching, assisting in research, or have secured a PhD with a stipend. Depending on which of the three categories a student falls within, they will receive an income during their studies, however, the amount will differ by a substantial amount.

To help show you how you can fund your postgraduate degree and how much you can expect to earn whilst doing so, carry on reading below.

Types of PhD Salaries

There are three types of PhD degree salaries:

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) . In exchange for a salary, you’ll be required to assist in the delivery of one or more courses over a number of years. This includes, but is not limited to, marking student tutorials, supervising lab experiments and providing support to undergraduates during office hours. Besides this, you may have to teach a small section of the course itself. You can discover more about GTAs on King’s College London’s website.
Research Assistantships (RAs) . In exchange for a salary, you assist a departmental professor with their research. In the ideal scenario, the professor you work with should also be your PhD supervisor and the research you’re asked to support with relates to your own doctoral project.
Stipend via Studentship: A stipend is a non-repayable grant provided to doctoral students to help support their studies. A studentship covers a student’s tuition fees whilst a stipend covers a PhD student’s living costs. This includes outgoings such as rent, food, bills and basic travel. Unlike Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships, stipends rarely have duties attached to them. The only expectation of receiving a stipend will be that you maintain continuous progress within your degree.

It’s worth noting these earning opportunities can be also be combined. For example, it’s possible to be a research assistant whilst also committing time to teach undergraduate students.

Average PhD Salary in UK

The average PhD student salary for teaching assistantships will vary depending on the level of responsibility you’re taking. However, to provide figures, past doctoral students have reported receiving approx. £10/hr for marking tutorials, £15/hr for leading laboratory sessions and up to £20/hr for leading undergraduate classes and tutorials.

The actual amount you can earn from teaching assistance will depend on the rate your department offers and the hours you can realistically take on. If you’re on a Graduate Teaching Assistantship programme, they will require you to dedicate a set number of hours per week. If you’re not on a GTA but would still like to earn an income through this scheme, you will likely need to commit several hours per week consistently. Although this can be a great way to earn whilst you study, you need to make sure you manage your time effectively as to not become overwhelmed by taking on an additional commitment.

The average salary for research assistantships will vary depending on the field of the doctoral degree you are enrolled in. Usually, these positions pay between £25,000 to £30,000 per year, however, it’s possible to come across positions which sit slightly outside of this. As a general rule of thumb, STEM assistors are paid more than non-STEM assistors.

In the UK, PhD students can receive a stipend which varies between £15,000 and £18,000 per annum. As part of the studentship your stipend is provided under, your tuition fees will also be paid for. UK tuition fees will vary between universities but are approximately £4,500 per year for doctoral courses starting in 2021/22 as per the UKRI recommendations .

Although £15,000 to £18,000 per year is the typical range for a stipend, some can be far greater than this. For example, Wellcome Trust , a research-charity based in London, offers an annual stipend of up to £23,300 and £26,000 for doctoral students located outside and within London, respectively.

Are PhD Salaries Taxed?

PhD stipends are tax free. Therefore, you don’t need to pay any income tax nor do you need to make any national insurance contributions. This means you’ll keep all the money you receive from an annual stipend. However, this is not the case for Research Assistants.

In the UK, Research Assistants are employed as university staff members and are paid a direct salary as opposed to a stipend. As a result, it will require you to pay tax on your earnings and make national insurance contributions.

To put this into perspective, for the 2019/20 UK tax year, you’re required to pay a 20% tax on any income above £12,500 but less than £50,000. You’re also required to make national insurance contributions of 12% of your weekly earnings over £166 but less than £962. This means that an annual Research Assistantship salary of £30,000 will equate to a take-home salary of £23,938 per year.

How to Get a PhD Stipend

To find research positions which offer stipends, we recommend you search our PhD database and filter by ‘funded’ positions.

Besides this, you can also secure a studentship from UK Research Councils or directly from your university as a scholarship. Independent organisations, such as charities and research trusts, and innovative firms within your industry also offer funding. You can read our PhD studentship guide to see how these work or our Where to find a PhD guide for further ideas.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How to Get a Research Assistantship PhD

Unfortunately, research assistantships opportunities aren’t as common to come across compared to PhD stipends. Besides this, when they are available, they’re predominantly in STEM subjects such as computer science and engineering. The reason for this is these subjects usually have access to greater research grants and have a greater volume of practical work available.

To find a research assistantship, we recommend that you contact the university departments who host the courses you’re interested in directly. This is because research assistantships help professors with their research, and while they may require help, they may not be openly advertising for it. They may, therefore, be able to create a role for you within their department or put you into contact with one of their colleagues who already has an open position.

International Students

It’s worth noting that international students will have a harder time securing a funded PhD position than UK ‘home’ students will. This is largely because there are usually fewer funding opportunities available to international students, which as a result also attract significant competition.

Besides this, if you’re an international student studying in the UK you will most likely than not be on a Tier 4 visa. Although a Tier 4 visa will allow you to work to earn an additional income alongside any studentship you may have, there will be certain restrictions on what you can and can’t do. For example, during term-time, you won’t be allowed to work more than 20 hours per week. For a full list of restrictions, please refer to the government website.

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

General election latest: Sunak laughs off idea for extra bank holiday - as Reform's only MP hits back at 'load of rubbish' claim about Farage

Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her first major speech of the general election campaign, while Rishi Sunak continues to sing the virtues of his national service policy proposal.

Tuesday 28 May 2024 14:56, UK

General Election 2024

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Election news

PM says national service 'will keep young people out of trouble'
Sunak laughs off voter's idea of bank holiday for St George's Day
Reeves makes pitch to be next chancellor in major speech
Reform MP dismisses 'rubbish' claim about Farage
Live reporting by Ben Bloch

Expert analysis

Gurpreet Narwan: Farage already posing a big problem for Tories
Tamara Cohen: The one point Labour will keep on hammering
Rob Powell : Why latest Tory tax cut pledge is tricky for Labour

Election essentials

Trackers: Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
Subscribe to Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
Read more: What happens next? | Which MPs are standing down? | Key seats to watch | How to register to vote | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency's changing | Sky's coverage plans

The Conservative Policy's big policy announcement today is promising to cut taxes for pensioners by creating a new "age-related" tax-free allowance - dubbed "triple lock plus".

Currently, people can receive £12,570 a year of their pensions before they start paying income tax on them - the same figure as the personal allowance for those who work.

But if the party wins the next election, a pensioner's allowance would rise in line with either average earnings, inflation or by 2.5% - whichever is higher - from next April.

Lord Cameron has been on the campaign trail today, and was asked by broadcasters if Rishi Sunak is having to undo the damage he caused after he scrapped the special thresholds for pensions in 2014 when he was PM.

'Clear choice has opened up'

The now foreign secretary said he put in place the triple lock on pensions, which "has actually seen real increases for pensioners, real gains".

He went on: "What we're adding now is the triple lock plus - we're saying that if you have a pension which is rising, it's never going to be subject to tax."

He said a "real, clear choice has opened up between doing right by the pensioners under the Conservatives, or having the retirement tax under Labour", because they have not committed to matching that pledge.

But Lord Cameron did not answer whether Mr Sunak is undoing the damage he did as PM.

Our political correspondent Tamara Cohen is on Labour's campaign bus today and was in the room for Rachel Reeves's speech this morning.

She says it was all about trying to "reassure businesses and workers", with absolutely no policy announcements.

Tamara notes this election has seen something of a role reversal for the two main parties.

"Compared to the last three elections I've covered, it's the Tories who are chucking out different offers and Labour being very safety first," she says.

Ms Reeves's message was "very much Labour is the partner of business".

"It's been on a journey since their terrible defeat in 2019, but she says they now represent the centre ground of British politics," Tamara says.

One other thing to note - a slight dividing line between Ms Reeves and her boss Sir Keir Starmer.

He was asked yesterday if he'd define himself as a socialist, and the Labour leader said yes.

Not so Ms Reeves.

We heard a short while ago from Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, after he told party supporters they will defeat the SNP.

Sky correspondent Ashna Hurynag asked him why he didn't mention Rishi Sunak by name during that speech, and seemed to avoid his party's record in Westminster.

Mr Ross replied that the PM was in Scotland "within 24 hours of the election being called", saying he'll be back during the campaign.

'Taking the fight to SNP'

He argued that there are "key seats" throughout Scotland that will be a "straight choice between the Scottish Conservatives and the SNP".

"So voters can unite behind the Scottish Conservatives, beat the SNP, and get the focus onto the real priorities that people have up and down the country."

Asked if he is worried about how dysfunctional the Tory campaign is down south, Mr Ross did not push back on that assertion.

Instead, he replied: "I want to focus on what we're doing up here in Scotland. It's taking the fight to SNP.

"If we beat the SNP, we can end their obsession with independence."

By Matthew Thompson, correspondent

On the six-hour drive from London to the Lake District yesterday, journalists outnumbered actual Liberal Democrats by four to one.

It made it feel more like a newsroom away day than an actual general election campaign.

Today though, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has finally joined us.

Party spinners say that, in the same way Air Force One is only given that name when the US president steps aboard, now we can finally give the bus its official moniker: Yellowhammer One.

The idea being it will smash into the so-called Tory Blue Wall.

It's been a stunt-heavy start to the week, with Ed Davey speaking to us from a paddle board on Lake Windermere, shortly after taking a not entirely accidental dip in the water.

Now we're on our way to Wales, where the party hopes to regain at least one MP.

Stunts of course, will only get them so far.

Rachel Reeves is a former Bank of England economist who is vying to be the UK's first female chancellor.

Alongside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, she has worked to change the party's image among voters after it suffered its worst defeat since 1935 at the 2019 election.

Ms Reeves has sought to portray Labour as fiscally responsible, saying she would never "play fast and loose" with the nation's finances.

She is seen as a crucial component in making Labour appear more credible to voters and in providing business with the reassurance it craves following years of upheaval.

She could be one of the most significant political figures in the years ahead, so Sky's political reporter Alexandra Rodgers takes a look at her background, and how her political career has unfolded:

By Gurpreet Narwan , political correspondent

This was billed as a policy event, but it was really the Nigel Farage show.

He made his first appearance on the campaign trail in Dover today, where he warned about the threat of illegal and legal migration.

The event was light on actual policy announcements, but Reform will be grateful for his intervention.

It's a relatively new party, and doesn't have the money, personnel or machinery of more established political parties - something that was painfully clear in Skegness last week, where only 17 people showed up.

Farage offers a certain celebrity appeal that allows the party to punch above its weight.

He had fans outside, asking for selfies and calling him a hero.

Others were less kind, yelling expletives.

He is, of course, a divisive figure. The problem for the Tories is that in the areas they need to win, his party may be more popular than they are.

By Tim Baker , political reporter

Reform UK's honorary president Nigel Farage has been speaking to Sky political correspondent Gurpreet Narwan in Dover.

Understandably, given the location, Mr Farage wanted to talk about migration.

He also reiterated comments he made to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, in which he said there were issues with young, Muslim, men being radicalised .

"I'm being accused of intolerance for calling out intolerance," Mr Farage says.

He highlighted Angela Rayner meeting a group in her constituency in which he claimed no other women were present.

Mr Farage said the marginalisation is something seen in "extreme forms" of Islam - and women have a "different place in their society".

This is something he "hadn't noticed in the Church of England".

Asked about his rhetoric being used by racist people, Mr Farage says "they are a tiny, tiny, irrelevant fringe minority" - and that he has "never had anything to do with them".

Reform UK's honorary president, Nigel Farage, announced last week that he will not be standing as an MP due to his desire to participate in the US election later this year.

We asked Reform's only MP, Lee Anderson, if he is disappointed that Nigel Farage is not standing as an MP, he replied that he is "chuffed to bits" because it means he can campaign much more in different seats.

"From a selfish point of view, it's much better for me," he said.

'I don't know what you've been smoking'

Sky's Wilfred Frost suggested that a party leader can still travel, and Mr Farage's decision to not stand is because he knows he wouldn't win.

But Mr Anderson replied: "What a load of rubbish you're talking - I don't know what you've been smoking recently."

He said the difference between Mr Farage and people like the PM and Labour leader is that they have safe seats with "whopping majorities", and so do not have to spend time in their constituencies in order to win.

So rather than fighting a seat, Mr Anderson said his time is "better spent" helping Reform candidates win across the country.

We heard a short while ago from Reform's only MP, Lee Anderson, and we asked what they would do to stop small boat crossings.

He replied that Nigel Farage and leader Richard Tice have been very clear, as has he over the last few years - and that the plan is to turn them back in the Channel, adding: "They need to be sent back the same day."

'It's very simple'

He said he spoke directly to people in migrant camps in Calais last year, and he claimed they told him that if the boats were being turned around, or they knew they'd be sent to a third country for processing, they would not make the journey.

"There's the deterrent - it's very simple."

Mr Anderson conceded that Reform UK will not form a majority government to implement the policy, but said: "We are going to win seats".

He said the popular vote will be "crucial", saying: "If we can get millions of people to vote Reform - even in places where we might not win or have a chance - it sends out a clear message to the Labour Party and the Conservative Party that the people in this great country of ours are very, very angry."

We've just had a Conservative Party response to the speech by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves setting out her plans to grow the economy ( see the key points here ).

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said in a statement: "Labour will not match our commitment to increase personal tax thresholds for pensioners and will instead raise taxes by £2,094 on hard-working families.

"They do not have the courage or conviction to name a single tax they would cut."

It was the Conservative government that froze income tax thresholds, but he labelled Ms Reeves' refusal to commit to unfreezing them for pensioners a "retirement tax".

He added: "Only Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have a clear plan, backed by bold action, to end the double tax on work and ensure pensioners who have worked hard their entire lives will have a new tax-free threshold to protect them."

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Love Island fans beg show to ‘do better’ after reveal of ‘worst line-up yet’

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The line-up for Love Island 2024 has been revealed and it seems the show is already catching heat before it’s even launched.

With Maya Jama returning as host, the ITV dating show is back on TV screens from June 3, which will be music to the ears of long-time fans.

Alas, not everyone is so pumped, having slammed this year’s batch of Islanders for lack of diversity.

This is nothing new, as Love Island famously attracts criticism year after year for a ‘samey’ line-up with contestants who all appear to be carbon copies of one another.

But it seems now that people have had enough.

The cast for this series includes a professional footballer, a dancer, and a nurse.

Girls looking to find their soulmate on the ITV reality series include make-up artist Samatha Kenny, mental health nurse Mimii Ngulube, shop manager Jessica White, investment worker Patsy Field, professional dancer Harri Blackmore, and account manager Nicole Samuel.

Meanwhile, the boys include surveyor and rugby union player Ciaran Davies, businessman Sean Stone, hairdresser Sam Taylor, recruitment manager Munveer Jabbal, and footballers Aye Odukoya and Ronnie Vint.

Taking to social media after the cast announcement, fans have begged for better representation from a show with such massive reach.

X user kesiahdelali slammed: ‘they’re all conventionally attractive, but it’s so boring. The casting director needs to be fired sorry. Why won’t they just change things up a bit? It’s just giving Love Island factory’.

‘This gotta be the worse lineup yet. All the girls look the exact same. Same hair colour. Same face. No diversity at all’, wrote 6thumbs.

Blasting the show for mainly casting white hopefuls, thejrmbeng wrote: ‘Is there just not enough diversity for y’all to pick from or what? Only thing whiter is an A4 piece of paper.’

‘Love island doesn’t feel like love island anymore’, added a disheartened Dan2063559Dan, while XOforevaaa is praying for things to improve later in the season: ‘Y’all better have diversity in the bombshells because it’s lacking in this lineup ummm’.

Also raging was itsbbplus, who penned: ‘It baffles me that 11 seasons in, and they still don’t understand the importance in diverse casting. You’re STILL only casting ONE black woman & ONE black man in the original cast? Do better. It’s not hard.’

It’s not just the physical appearance of each Islander that folk have a problem with – it’s also what they stand for.

Speaking in a pre-launch interview, the Islanders were quizzed on what they’re looking for in a potential partner, and their own best qualities.

While MUA Samatha, 26, from Liverpool, claims she will be bringing ‘some fire’ to the villa, Mimii, 24, believes being a ‘girl’s girl’ and her sense of humour will win her a man on the show.

However, 27-year-old Ronnie, who plays for Lewes FC, didn’t seem to have super in-depth requirements for a possible suitor.

In fact, he was looking for ‘blondes with nice boobs’.

Oh, but he did also emphasise that he wanted someone who was ‘family orientated, caring and career-minded’, which is something…

For all you Love Island fanatics out there, don’t fret, because it’s not all doom and gloom – the show has received praise too.

For example, Patsy Field, 29, an office administrator from Orpington, has Erb’s Palsy, which is paralysis of the arm caused by injury to the upper group of the arm’s main nerves resulting from a difficult birth.

Proud to be representing her community, she said her disability is the one quality she would like her other Islanders to know about her.

She said: ‘I’ve got something very special about me which is my disability, it’s a condition I was born with called Erb’s Palsy.

‘It doesn’t define who I am, but it makes me a little different, although I’ve learnt to get on with it and it’s never held me back.’

She added: ‘My friends would say that I’m the loudest person in the group, I’m the one who’s always up for doing a dare, they’d say I was the life and soul of the party.

‘My family would say that I’m bossy and that it’s always my way or the highway, they’d say I rule the roost.’

As mentioned, Love Island’s casting is a topic of conversation every year, but that doesn’t mean to say it’s always been dull.

Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan – who are now engaged – won the last Winter Love Island series, while finalists in the summer of 2023 included Tyrique Hyde, Ella Thomas, and Whitney Adebayo, the latter of whom was widely tipped to win. Amber Rose Gill won series 5 in 2019 too.

Also in terms of disability diversity, ITV points out that Tasha Ghouri, who is deaf, was a runner-up in the 2022 series, and Ron Hall, who lost sight in one eye as a child, made the final in 2023.

The broadcaster notes that host Maya is an East African woman of Somali heritage, having become one of ITV’s most popular and in-demand talents in recent years.

With Love Island’s viewing figures dwindling series after series – last summer’s final was watched by 1.3million viewers on ITV2, down one million from the year before and down two million from the launch four years ago – it remains to be seen whether this is the year it can redeem itself.

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Love Island returns to screens on Monday, June 3 at 9pm. The first episode will be simulcast across ITV1, ITV2, ITVX, and STV.

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UK general election 2024: How does it work and what’s next?

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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks at the House of Commons in London

HOW DOES THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM WORK?

Who can vote, when will results be announced, what happens if no party secures a majority, role of the king, what is expected to happen.

Reporting by Muvija M; editing by William James, Alexandra Hudson and Janet Lawrence

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British opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer campaigns in Lancing

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Dutch politicians meet after election to start coalition talks

Dutch parties to propose former intelligence chief as new prime minister

Former Dutch intelligence chief Dick Schoof will be presented on Tuesday as the proposed prime minister of the Netherlands' incoming right-wing government.

The body of a five-month-old baby was found on Tuesday when some 85 migrants heading for Italy from Tunisia were rescued from distress at sea, according to a Reuters witness.

Outgoing Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat waves to supporters after his final speech at the party's Congress before the election of a new party leader at the Corradino Sports Pavilion in Paola

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U.K. 2024 General Election: What to Know

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By Esther Bintliff

Reporting from London

Why does this election matter?

How does britain vote, what are the main issues, who is running, and who is likely to win, when will we find out the results, where can i find more information.

The general election on July 4 is a pivotal moment for Britain after 14 years of government by the Conservative Party. The last full parliamentary election was in December 2019, when Boris Johnson won a landslide victory for the Conservatives , propelled by his charisma and a promise to “Get Brexit done” after the country’s decision to leave the European Union in a 2016 referendum.

A lot has changed since then. In July, voters will give their verdict on five tumultuous years of government that have spanned the coronavirus pandemic , the troubled implementation of Brexit , the “Partygate” scandal around Mr. Johnson’s rule-breaking during pandemic lockdowns and the disastrous six-week tenure of Prime Minister Liz Truss .

A gothic revival-style building is seen peering over some trees along a river with a British flag flying overhead

Polls suggest that the center-left Labour Party is set to return to power after more than a decade in opposition, which would bring a fundamental realignment to British politics.

The United Kingdom — which consists of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales — is divided into 650 constituencies.

Voters in each constituency select a candidate to represent them as a member of Parliament, and the political party that wins the most seats usually forms the next government. That party’s leader also becomes prime minister.

To win an overall majority, a party must secure 326 seats. If the top party falls short of that, the outcome is known as a “hung Parliament” and the party can try to form a coalition government with other parties. In 2010, the Conservatives joined with the Liberal Democrats to form Britain’s first coalition government since World War II, and, in 2017 , the Conservatives allied with Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party.

The state of Britain’s economy is the top issue for most voters today, according to polls, in the wake of a cost-of-living crisis and record inflation — which reached a peak of 11.1 percent in 2022 and has only recently begun to return to target levels .

The National Health Service , the state-funded health care system that provides free care across the country, is another top priority. A decade of fiscal austerity that began under Prime Minister David Cameron after the 2009 global financial crisis left Britain’s public services deeply underfunded and facing chronic staff shortages. Waiting lists for N.H.S. treatment were already growing before the pandemic, and have since rocketed further upward , a major source of public dissatisfaction.

Immigration comes third in many voters’ lists of top issues, although its importance differs starkly according to party preference. Only 20 percent of Labour voters said it was one of their most pressing national concerns, compared with 65 percent of Conservatives in a recent poll conducted by YouGov .

The two largest parties in Britain are the Conservatives, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak , and the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer , a former public prosecutor and human rights lawyer.

Labour has maintained a double-digit lead in the polls for more than 18 months , during which time the Conservatives have suffered a series of stinging losses in parliamentary special elections and elections for mayors and local councils . Although the polls often narrow in the final weeks of an election campaign, analysts believe the Conservatives would have to achieve something close to miraculous to win a majority.

In Scotland, the Scottish National Party became the most popular party in 2015 , displacing Labour there. But a funding scandal and the departure of Nicola Sturgeon as first minister has weakened the party’s support over the past year. Polls now suggest that Labour has a chance of gaining significant ground in Scotland this time round, which would ease Mr. Starmer’s path to becoming prime minister.

The populist Reform Party, which was co-founded by Nigel Farage, the champion of Brexit , has risen in the polls in recent months. Conservative Party officials fear that the anti-immigration party could siphon away supporters from their candidates, although Mr. Farage’s decision not to run as a candidate will have been welcomed by the Tories.

Two other parties, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party , made sizable gains in local elections in early May. But while both are aiming to add seats in July, Britain’s electoral system makes it harder for smaller parties to win seats in a parliamentary election.

Just after polls close at 10 p.m. on July 4, exit-poll results are announced, based on surveys of thousands of voters after they have cast their ballots.

Exit polls are not always accurate — famously, in Britain’s 1992 and 2015 elections, they predicted a hung Parliament, when in fact the Conservative Party went on to win a majority. But they have become increasingly reliable in the country in recent years and are generally seen as offering a good early indication of how the public has voted.

The first results from a few individual constituencies will be announced from around 11 p.m., and then a steady rhythm of results arrive through the early hours of the next morning. By around 7 a.m., the overall result is usually clear, although some rural seats can be announced later.

Sunak Announces U.K. Elections for July 4, Months Earlier Than Expected

Rishi Sunak’s Dismal Task: Leading U.K. Conservatives to Likely Defeat

Scotland’s Governing S.N.P. Looks to a Stalwart After Its Leader Quits

England’s Local Elections and Their Wider Significance, Explained

Blog The Education Hub

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/05/13/before-and-after-school-childcare-what-is-wraparound-childcare/

Wraparound childcare: Everything you need to know about before and after school childcare

We’re supporting working families through the UK government’s biggest ever investment in childcare, to make it more affordable, available and flexible.

As part of this announcement, we’re expanding wraparound care for primary school children across England by increasing the number of places available, to support working families.

But what exactly is wraparound childcare? We explain everything you need to know, from what it is to how you can access it.

What is wraparound childcare?

Wraparound childcare is before and after school care for primary school aged children in England during term time, such as and regular afterschool provision that runs until 6pm or later.

The childcare should be available every school day outside of regular school hours and is aimed at helping parents access more childcare and work the hours they want to.

This is different from out-of-school activities, or school clubs, which are less frequent and can be a one-off activity.

Around 60 percent of primary schools across England offer wraparound childcare, both before and after school.

Private, voluntary, and independent providers, including childminders and early years settings, are also able to offer wraparound childcare. Often, it’s run on a school site or another setting in the local area.

How do I find wraparound childcare near me?

Parents looking for childcare options for their primary school child should speak to their child’s school or the Family Information Service run by their local authority to find out what wraparound childcare is currently available in the area.

From September 2024, parents can expect to see an increase in the number of wraparound childcare places available across the country.

We expect all parents who need it to have access to wraparound childcare, either from their school or from another provider in their local area, by September 2026.

We encourage parents to talk to their child’s school or the Family Information Service in their local authority about their need for wraparound childcare, even if it’s not currently available.

Who will be eligible for wraparound childcare?

Our ambition is that all parents in England with primary school aged children will be able to access wraparound care in their local area by September 2026.

How much will it cost and is financial support available ?

Providers will set their own fees for wraparound places, so prices will vary.

Parents will pay their wraparound childcare provider directly for their child’s place.

Parents eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare will be able to use the support to help pay for wraparound care.

Tax-Free Childcare could save eligible parents up to £2,000 per year for children aged up to 11, or £4,000 per year for children aged up to 17 with disabilities.

Universal Credit Childcare could save eligible parents up to 85% of their childcare costs for children aged up to 16.

To check if you are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare, visit the Childcare Choices website.

What if wraparound childcare is not available in my area ?

If you live in England you can request that your child’s school consider setting up wraparound childcare for your child if they don’t already provide it.

You should write to your child’s school by letter or e-mail and include when you most need wraparound childcare, detailing the days and times you need it. The school will get back to you with a decision within a school-term.

How are we supporting local authorities to deliver the wraparound childcare expansion?

To make more available wraparound care possible, local authorities will receive a share of £289 million to help map out and accommodate the needs of parents in their area.

They will also be able to use the funds to test different ways to increase their wraparound options, including working with local private providers or partnering with schools.

We’re also giving local authorities a share of a further £100 million to ensure childcare settings in the area – including both early years and wraparound settings – have enough physical space to roll out the programme from next year.

What else are we doing to improve access to childcare for under 5s for working parents ?

We’re doubling the amount we are investing in childcare over the next few years from around £4 billion to around £8 billion each year.

As part of this investment, by September 2025, working parents will be able to claim 30 hours childcare a week, over 38 weeks of the year, all the way through from nine months up to their child starting school.

Nurseries are also set to receive a £204 million cash boost which they can use to ease cost pressures such as staffing costs, training and bills.

You can read more about how we’re investing in childcare in England on the Education Hub .

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PhD studentships

If you're looking to get PhD funding for a specific research project or field of study, Doctoral studentships can provide you with either a partially or fully-funded PhD

Who awards PhD studentships?

PhD studentships are most commonly awarded by the UK's seven Research Councils in the form of Research Council grants , with research funding overseen by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) .

Individual UK universities also offer scholarships and bursaries to PhD students, while many professional bodies fund Doctoral research in collaboration with these academic institutions.

For instance, research awards are offered by the following engineering organisations:

Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) - QUEST scholarships
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng)

Additionally, CASE studentships (formerly known as Cooperative Awards in Science and Engineering) can be part-funded by any non-academic body in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) . These four-year PhDs require the student to work at the organisation for at least three months.

You can also apply for funded PhD opportunities through many charities, foundations and trusts, including:

Action Medical Research
Alzheimer's Society
British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)
British Heart Foundation (BHF)
Cancer Research UK
Diabetes UK
Rosetrees Trust - PhD Plus
The Leverhulme Trust
Wellcome Trust

Before you start applying for a funded PhD, it's always a good idea to discuss this with a prospective supervisor first, as they're often able to provide tips on maximising the likelihood of receiving financial support.

How much can I receive?

Many PhD studentships, including those offered by universities, professional bodies, or charities, foundations and trusts, provide three years' funding paid at a similar rate to the Research Council grant:

Fees-only studentship - These cover a student's tuition fees, plus any associated project and training costs (a minimum of £4,786 per year in 2024/25).
Full studentship - These add a non-repayable, tax-free maintenance grant known as a 'stipend'. In 2024/25, this is worth a minimum of £19,237 and it can be used towards living costs - see UKRI - Find studentships and Doctoral training .

For example, a University of Manchester School of Social Sciences PhD studentship includes tuition fees for three-and-a-half years and a maintenance grant of £18,622 (2023/24 rate) per year for living expenses, plus associated research costs - such as fieldwork and attending conferences - from the Research Training Support Grant.

However, you should be aware that some PhD studentship recipients are required to teach undergraduates. While this provides an excellent opportunity to gain vital employability skills, it can also be hugely time-consuming. You must be satisfied that tutoring won't negatively affect the quality of your research before accepting your place.

Is my programme eligible for a PhD studentship?

PhD studentships can start at any time of the year, but most begin in September, October or January.

Certain types of PhD, for example professional Doctorates, may not be eligible for a PhD studentship. The same applies to part-time or distance learning options.

Am I eligible?

PhD studentships typically demand that applicants have a Bachelors degree at 2:1 or above, plus a relevant Masters degree or professional experience at that level of study.

Those who already possess a PhD are often ineligible, while some PhD studentships are limited to students fitting certain criteria - for example, those from a disadvantaged background, from a certain country or of a certain ethnicity.

If you're a European Union (EU) national, you'll need to have settled or pre-settled status under the government's EU Settlement Scheme to be eligible for student finance in this country - and this includes PhD studentships.

How do I apply for a PhD studentship?

The application process can be lengthy, and competition is fierce.

Some PhD students will be automatically considered for financial support once they've been accepted by an institution, but many are required to make separate PhD funding applications. These are usually made directly to the university - even for those studentships from Research Councils, professional bodies, or charities, foundations and trusts.

You'll typically be asked for your PhD application form, a research proposal , a cover letter and your references. After the institution has reviewed your application, you may be invited to interview.

Throughout this process, the university will scrutinise what you'll bring to the institution. Applicants at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), for example, are judged on:

the quality of their research project and how it connects with research currently being undertaken at the institution
how appropriate the supervisory team is
their calibre, academic qualifications and academic/research experience
whether the research can contribute towards the Research Excellence Framework (REF), meaning that interdisciplinary research will be preferred.

How do I increase my chances of getting a PhD studentship?

You can improve your chances of success by:

asking a friend or family member to proofread your application
carefully choosing your referees, ensuring that they'll speak positively of you
discussing your draft application with a relevant academic
explaining how your work will be unique and innovative
following the funding body's guidance regarding word counts and formatting.

What other PhD funding is available?

If you're unsuccessful with your PhD studentship application, you could consider:

crowdfunding
employer sponsorship
PhD loans .

Find out more

Explore 5 routes to getting a Doctorate .
Read about 5 challenges faced by PhD students .
Consider what to do next after completing a PhD .

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IMAGES

Ask the Expert: What should I do after getting a PhD?
What to Do After a PhD
Life After PhD
Study PhD in UK: Complete Guide for International Students
10 Things You Can Do After PhD
How to get a PhD: Steps and Requirements Explained

VIDEO

Reality of Jobs in India after PhD in Chemistry
Postdoctoral Research Associate (Membrane Biology), Aston University, United Kingdom
Why I Started "Simple Science" Podcast for PhDs
PHD
What if No Job after PhD or Postdoc?
Doctoral student position in computational biology of infection, Lunds universitet, Sweden

COMMENTS

What to do after a PhD (Plus answers to other FAQs)
As a PhD graduate, you're a specialist in your field. These are some of the sectors in which people with PhDs work: industry: working in private corporations. government: working in research or defence. entrepreneurship: setting up a business office to help clients. academia: teaching at the university level.
Your PhD, what next?
Of the PhD graduates in employment 15 months after graduation in 2020/21, just over a fifth (21.3%) found work in education - as higher and secondary education teaching professionals. The majority therefore chose to pursue non-academic careers. PhD destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
Post PhD, Where Do I Go From Here?
However, post-doctoral fellowships are extremely competitive, sometimes with hundreds of applicants from across the world applying for one position. Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) at Oxford and Cambridge regularly come up but these are the most difficult to get as they are the most sought after. If you had external funding for your PhD and ...
5 routes to getting a Doctorate
This is the most common means of getting a Doctorate degree. Over the three or four years of research at university, your PhD supervisor will support you as you aim to produce a thesis based on your research proposal. A thesis is typically 60,000-90,000 words in length - although this can vary between institutions.
What Can You Do With a PhD?
Whilst a PhD is often seen as professional training for academia, this is just one possibility. In the UK less than half of PhD graduates become academics and this figure can lower in other countries. As with any career ambitions, assessment of all that is involved. Academics are expected to do much more than research, teach and supervise students.
PhD Careers
A PhD in Maths and Computing could benefit jobs in Finance, Investment or Web Development, complimenting skills in logic, problem solving and data. A PhD in the Physical Sciences demonstrates experience with software and data. This could set graduates up to work in Software Engineering, Data Science or even Sound Engineering.
What to expect from a PhD/
It usually takes three years (full-time) or six years (part-time) to complete a PhD, while the standard duration for an MA by Research is either one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). Distance learning students will receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students, the only difference being that supervisory ...
Stay in the UK after you graduate
The UK's Graduate Route welcomes international students to apply to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, upon graduation. International students who have successfully completed an undergraduate or master's degree can apply to stay in the UK for up to two years after their studies. PhD graduates can apply to stay for up to three years.
How to find a job after a PhD : University of Sussex
The most common career route after a PhD is a post-doc position. These are typically fixed term contracts for one to three years. Post-docs complete research related to their PhD to build their academic expertise, as well as writing publications and attending conferences. As academic careers are extremely competitive, in addition to research ...
PhD Study in the UK
PhD Loans for Doctoral Students - A Guide for 2023. You may be able to get a PhD loan of up to £27,892 for a UK doctorate. Our guide explains eligibility, applications and repayments. International PhD Funding for 2023. Our guide explains the best ways to fund international PhD study in the UK, with information on all the main scholarships ...
Studying A PhD in the UK
PhD tuition fees for international students in the UK depend on factors such as the university, field of study, and location. On average, fees range from £15,000 to £35,000 per year. However, it's important to note that actual fees can vary significantly. Study a PhD or research degree in the UK.
What to do after a PhD
Learning from your peers is an important part of career progression. Every term LSE Careers invites some graduates to talk to current students about their career progression in Career Panel events held in the PhD Academy, usually with a glass of wine to help everyone relax and let the conversation flow. The PhD alumni share their career stories ...
Getting an academic job
Typical salaries for academic positions include: research assistant - £29,000. postdoctoral researcher - £27,000 to £39,000. higher education lecturer - £34,000 to £50,000. senior higher education lecturer - £39,000 to £59,000. More than half (57%) of full-time academics had an annual salary greater than £46,718 in 2020/21, while just ...
What should I do after doing a PhD in the UK? > Is PhD for me
Although the UK PhD stipend is not the highest in the world, still, there are many opportunities after PhD in the UK that can make the PhD journey worthwhile for you. 1. Search for an industry job. Although the end goal of a PhD is still considered a license to work in academia and PhD graduates feel less prepared for the industry.The reason is that you need at least a PhD diploma to be ...
Applying for a PhD in the UK| FindAPhD.com
There are over 150 universities in the UK. The vast majority are public universities, meaning that they receive funding (including budgets for PhD studentships) from the UK Government.All British universities are free to pursue their own research objectives, but the amount of funding each institution receives is partly based on regular assessments of its performance as part of the Research ...
How to apply for a PhD in the UK
There won't typically be an application fee for PhDs but there are tuition fees. If a university does charge application fees they will usually be between £50-£100. The tuition fees for students studying in the UK are set by UK Research and Innovation. Fees for international students are £18,975 for non-lab-based subjects, and £22,975 for ...
11 examples of jobs for PhDs that suit any degree subject
Here are some examples of jobs for PhDs that suit any subject background: 1. Editor. National average salary: £30,731 per year Primary duties: Editors are usually responsible for checking written works for grammatical errors, inconsistencies and conflicts with either a company's style guide or publisher's preference for works. Editors require ...
10 things you need to know before starting a PhD degree
5. Embrace change - don't get bogged down in the details. Felix Shaw - one of our bioinformatics researchers at EI - put it best when he said, " it felt like I was running into brick walls all the way through [my PhD]… you'd run into a brick wall, surmount it, only to run straight into another. It's true.
Get a studentship to fund your doctorate
Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training. You could get: a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments. support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)
PhD Salary in UK
The average cost of undertaking a PhD in the UK is approximately £20,000 per academic year for UK students and £40,000 for international students. To help offset the cost of this, many students question whether undertaking a doctorate comes with a PhD salary. The salary of a PhD student is governed by three factors: whether they're ...
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The term PhD or Doctorate of Philosophy is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'philosophiae doctor'. A PhD degree typically involves students independently conducting original and significant research in a specific field or subject, before producing a publication-worthy thesis. While some Doctorates include taught components, PhD students are ...
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Ready for a Doctorate? Clarifying Your PhD Requirements
Standard PhD requirements in the UK are a Bachelors degree with at least an upper second class honours degree (2.1). You may also need a Masters degree with a Merit or Distinction grade. All your previous qualifications must be in a field of study relevant to the PhD you are applying for. Typically, Arts and Humanities PhDs are more likely to ...
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Wraparound childcare is before and after school care for primary school aged children in England during term time, such as and regular afterschool provision that runs until 6pm or later. The childcare should be available every school day outside of regular school hours and is aimed at helping parents access more childcare and work the hours ...
Get PhD funding in 2024
Full studentship - These add a non-repayable, tax-free maintenance grant known as a 'stipend'. In 2024/25, this is worth a minimum of £19,237 and it can be used towards living costs - see UKRI - Find studentships and Doctoral training. For example, a University of Manchester School of Social Sciences PhD studentship includes tuition fees for ...
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