If you are looking for an international destination with excellent and reliable research-intensive colleges and universities, look no further than the UK. Home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities, the UK is an excellent place for any international student wishing to pursue a PhD program. What is remarkable about doing a PhD program in the UK is that plenty of funding options are available too. Whether it is a scholarship or a grant, there are several ways an international student can pursue a PhD program while controlling financial outflow. Another reason PhD programs in the UK are popular with international students is that the programs are a culmination of wonderful collaborations between various industries and quality research works.
Table of Contents
- PhD in UK: Course Highlights
- Benefits of Studying PhD in UK
- List of Universities in UK for PhD
- Cost of Studying PhD in UK
- PhD Course Fees in UK
- Cost of Living in UK
- PhD in UK: Eligibility Requirements
- Exams Required to Study PhD in UK
- PhD Scholarships for International Students in UK
- Career After PhD in UK
- How can a bangladeshi student can apply for PhD in UK
PhD in UK: Course Highlights
Program |
Doctorate |
Duration of the Course |
3-4 Years |
Eligibility |
Bachelors or Master’s degree with a CGPA of 2.25 and above, A minimum of 60% with no or little history of backlogs, Research Statement, Minimum overall IELTS score of 7.0 with no bands less than 6.0, Minimum TOEFL score of 90, Minimum PTE score of 60 |
Entrance Exams |
GRE, GMAT, IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc. |
Tuition Fees |
£15,000 - £20,000 per year |
Jobs |
Data Scientist, Research Scientist, Senior Economist, Associate Professor, Senior Software Engineer |
Average Salary |
£41,922 |
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Benefits of Studying PhD in UK
Some of the best research facilities in the world are in the UK. So, if you want to study PhD and pursue a career in a subject area you are interested in, then studying PhD in the UK helps a lot. The PhD programs offered in the UK are respected and recognised all over the world. Additionally, students are spoilt with choices of PhD programs in the UK. Whether you want to pursue a Standard PhD course or an Integrated one, Distance Learning or Professional, there are many choices when selecting PhD programs in the UK. Studying PhD in the UK also allows international students to savour international exposure and enjoy a cosmopolitan outlook that may be lacking in their respective home countries. The job opportunities in the UK for PhD students are also outstanding.
List of Universities in UK for PhD
S. No |
Name of the University |
QS World Ranking |
1 |
University of Oxford |
2 |
2 |
University of Cambridge |
3 |
3 |
Imperial College London |
7 |
4 |
UCL |
8 |
5 |
The University of Edinburgh |
16 |
6 |
The University of Manchester |
27 |
7 |
King’s College London |
35 |
8 |
The London School of Economics and Political Science |
49 |
9 |
The University of Warwick |
61 |
10 |
University of Bristol |
62 |
Cost of Studying PhD in UK
Once you have decided to study PhD in the UK, you will have to dedicate a lot of your time and plan how to fund the program. The cost of studying PhD in the UK can be divided into three main areas – living expenses, tuition fees, and research expenditures. For international students, the overall costs may come up to £40,000 per year. The living costs will set you back by at least £12,000 per year. The tuition fees for international students may go up to £18,000, depending on the course and university they are applying to.
PhD Course Fees in UK
International students need to pay a higher PhD course fee than home students. Also, the PhD course fee for STEM subjects is higher than that of non-STEM subjects. For example, it will cost international students £18,300 per year to pursue a PhD in Medieval Studies compared to £23,200 per year to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. It will cost anywhere between £16,000 and £24,000 per year for international students to pursue a PhD course in the UK.
Cost of Living in UK
Kind of Expenses |
Amount (GBP) |
Accommodation |
500 per month |
Food |
150-200 per month |
Travel |
150-200 per month |
Clothing and Leisure |
50 per month |
Internet and Energy Bills |
150 per month |
PhD in UK: Eligibility Requirements
- A 4-Year bachelor's (Hons) degree is a must or a degree equivalent to a Master's in the UK
- The minimum overall IELTS score required is 7.0
- The minimum overall PTE score required is 60
- The minimum overall TOEFL (iBT) score required is 90
- Submission essays
- Research proposal for your PhD
- GRE/GMAT scores
- Statement of Purpose
- UK Student Visa
- Letter of Recommendation
Exams Required to Study PhD in UK
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- PTE (Pearson Test of English)
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
PhD Scholarships for International Students in UK
Various UK universities and institutes in the UK offer research postgraduate students with different grants, scholarships, and fellowships. These financial rewards are a great way to lessen one's worries and usually cover tuition fees and a stipend. Scholarships are backed by the college, university, or an external entity. Universities in the UK check the student's experience, recommendation letters, statement of purpose, and academic credentials before deciding on awarding scholarships. Students need to adhere to the deadlines set by the universities while applying for the scholarships. The UK authorities do not consider late submissions for scholarships.
Name of the University |
Scholarship |
Eligibility |
Amount (GBP) |
Oxford University |
Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities |
Have a professional bachelor’s degree of 4 years from a prestigious institution with an overall grade of at least 60%, Minimum IELTS Overall score of 6.5 |
Covers the course fees in full. Scholars are also provided with grants to help them cover their living costs |
Imperial College London |
President’s PhD Scholarships |
Must have a first-class UK degree or equivalent, Candidates must have contacted a supervisor associated with the academic department at the college who has agreed to supervise the research project |
Full funding for tuition fees, a stipend of £21,800 per annum to cover the living costs |
The University of Edinburgh |
Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships |
Must start their first year of study for an on-campus research degree, applicants must have applied for admission to an on-campus PhD programme at the university |
Covers the entire tuition fee and a stipend of £16,062 per annum |
King’s College London |
Hans Rausing Scholarship |
Students must have an excellent academic record with profound knowledge of research, must disclose all credentials and provide the necessary documents required for the scholarship |
Covers full tuition fees and maintenance allowance |
The University of Manchester |
Research Impact Scholarships |
The research projects must be in areas like energy and sustainability, discovery, healthy futures, global inequalities, graphene and enterprise, Minimum English language proficiency test scores |
£19,500 per annum for 3 years to cover tuition fees and maintenance allowance |
Career After PhD in UK
International students can have a great career after completing their PhD programmes in the UK. After completing their programmes, most PhD graduates seek different academic positions. So, one can easily find PhD graduates working as scientists or educators in the scientific and pharmaceutical industries. In recent years, many other industries have become research-oriented to attract PhD graduates for higher career prospects. On average, a PhD graduate earns £40,000 per annum or more.
Job Profile |
Salary (GBP) |
Research Scientist |
46,000 |
Senior Scientist – Drug Discovery |
67,500 |
Postdoctoral Research Associate |
31,000 |
Associate Professor |
62,000 |
Data Scientist |
52,000 |
Senior Economist |
64,000 |
How Can a Bangladeshi Student Can Apply for PhD in UK
Step 1: After registering with AECC for reliable and efficient study abroad consultation services, you will be assigned a personal mentor or guide to assist you through your PhD study campaign in the UK. Our friendly and experienced counsellor will work closely with you to better understand you and the requirements. This approach helps in providing more personalised and efficient services to you. At this step, we also make you aware of the lifestyle in the UK, cultural differences, educational scenario, financial aspects, etc., to help you make an informed decision later on.
Step 2: Once your requirements are gathered and we understand your financial background, we do the research and help you identify the best PhD course and UK university where your chances are bright. Our ultimate motive is to help you match the best PhD course in the UK at the right institute based on your requirements and profile.
Step 3: Bangladeshi students must have a few documents processed during admission to pursue PhD programmes in the UK. At AECC , we compile, transfer, and process the documents as required by the university with utmost diligence. Any lapse in providing necessary documents or furnishing incomplete documents may hamper your chances of getting admitted to a PhD programme in the UK. Our experts have the experience and knowledge in dealing with the university admission processes. So, we know exactly what documents you need based on the PhD course you intend to pursue and the college you have selected.
Step 4: Bangladeshi students need to provide a Statement of Purpose and Letters of Recommendation during admission. All the UK universities need them to process your application. Writing these documents in the right format, grammar, and ideas is important.
Step 5: Filling the PhD application form on the UCAS website is the next logical step you need to follow. AECC will guide you in filling out the application and ensuring all necessary details are provided. The idea here is to make sure that your application is filled, proofread, and transferred to the college authorities seamlessly and efficiently.
Step 6: Bangladeshi students need to apply for a student visa to ensure they get a chance to pursue a PhD programme in the UK. Without a student visa, international students cannot pursue any course in the UK. Thankfully, AECC has a success rate of more than 99 per cent in helping Bangladeshi students secure a student visa. All the students need to do is follow our guidelines. At AECC , we regularly conduct 'mock interviews' to ensure students are better prepared to face the real interviews. Cracking the interview and having the right profile is important for anyone to study in the UK.
Are you looking for the best UK education consultant to help you with your PhD study plans? Think of AECC . Our team of head consultants and expert mentors are here to help you on all matters related to your PhD study plans in the UK. Whatever your PhD plans or goals are, AECC has got you covered. We are the one-stop destination for all study abroad needs. Get in touch with us today. We have helped hundreds of Bangladeshi students realise their dreams of doing a PhD in the UK. We can help you as well.