What's available
You could get a loan to help with your course costs. How much you get does not depend on your household income.
You can borrow up to:
- £28,655 if your course starts between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025
- £28,395 if your course starts between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024
We’ll pay your money into your bank account in 3 instalments, usually at the start of each term. Your money will be divided equally across each year of your course.
For example, if you were getting £28,655 and were studying for 3 years, you’d get £5,731 each year in 3 instalments.
You only need to apply for your Postgraduate Doctoral Loan once, even if your course lasts for more than one year. If you apply for your loan after your first year, you may not receive the maximum amount. Funding for a single academic year is capped at £14,325 for eligible students starting a course on or after 1 August 2024.
If you applied for your funding in year one, you’d receive the maximum:
| Year of your course | Your payment |
|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
£5,731 |
|
Year 2 |
£5,731 |
|
Year 3 |
£5,731 |
|
Year 4 |
£5,731 |
|
Year 5 |
£5,731 |
If you applied for your funding in year four, you’d not receive the maximum:
| Year of your course | Your payment |
|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
£0 |
|
Year 2 |
£0 |
|
Year 3 |
£0 |
|
Year 4 |
£14,325 |
|
Year 5 |
£14,325 |
If you applied for your funding in year five, you’d not receive the maximum:
| Year of your course | Your payment |
|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
£0 |
|
Year 2 |
£0 |
|
Year 3 |
£0 |
|
Year 4 |
£0 |
|
Year 5 |
£14,325 |
Your final instalments in each academic year will usually be slightly higher than your other instalments.
You have to pay back any loan you borrow, including interest once you’ve finished or left your course.
Extra help
If you have a disability or long-term health condition, you might be able to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance.
For more information, download the Disabled Students’ Allowance guide