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Working and studying for a PhD at the same time

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Frequently asked questions.

In short, yes, you can work while studying for your PhD.

The hard part to juggle is finding the time to do both. You may find that part-time study is more flexible for you but it takes longer to complete. An excellent way to combine work and study is to get a job within the university you are studying at.

Check out other sources of support for PhD Students .

There are several benefits to both full time and part time PhD study. It can be extremely difficult to juggle a full time postgraduate position alongside working. It’s not called full-time for nothing! This is intensive but you can complete a full time PhD faster than it’s part-time equivalent.

Studying for a PhD is a big commitment, either full time for 3-4 years or part-time for generally 6-7 years. If you want, or need, to be working and studying for PhD this could have an impact on your study: here are some of the things you may find it helpful to think about before starting your PhD.

Is funding for a PhD in the UK enough to live on?

If you are fortunate enough to have full funding for your PhD, your studentship should cover both fees and living expenses and be tax-free. The stipend levels for students studying for a PhD in the UK is set by UK research councils for their own studentships, and this is followed by Universities for their own studentships. These will provide enough to live on and not to have to be working and studying for a PhD.

If you are looking for PhD Funding, you can search for your ideal studentship from the many opportunities we have listed on Postgraduate Studentships. We have a section for Charities and Trusts who are set up to support students looking to get additional financial help with their studies.

How much work is included in a Graduate Teaching Assistantship?

Some PhD studentships are called Graduate Teaching Assistantships – this means that you will be teaching for a certain number of hours in each academic year and this is part of the conditions of the studentship. It is advisable to find out exactly how this works with the University advertising the opportunity. Will you receive separate payments or is this part of the studentship? How many hours will it involve and how will that relate to your PhD? Will you receive training?

If you are considering an academic career, there may be some advantage in getting some initial experience. However you may also struggle with working and studying for a PhD at the same time.

Should I study my PhD full-time or part-time if I need to work?

If you need to work and study, it’s important to think about how you will manage that. Can you study full-time and work at the same time and if so how much work can you do? A full-time PhD is regarded as a full-time commitment. So anything other than a supplementary job for a few hours per week is challenging. Some students start with a full-time PhD and then move to studying the PhD part-time. So you would need to discuss this with your university first.

Planning to study a part-time PhD takes longer overall but it may also give you the time to do your PhD and to make the money you need. If you do decide to study part-time you may already have a job that will allow you to have flexible hours. Think also about part time work in a field that relates to your study. If you need to look for a job that will help you do your PhD, your University is likely to have temporary or part-time jobs that students can apply for on campus – most universities have a database of these jobs for students so you can find out in advance what the pay rates are and if that would be enough.

Universities also have a range of part-time jobs which may be administrative or involve working in labs. If you apply for one of these jobs, especially in your own department, it’s important to make sure you work out how you will manage this. This way, you're prepared for when you are working on your PhD and when you are working on your job.

What if I am an International Student?

If you are an international student in the UK there will be restrictions on how many hours you can work. The UK Government has made some improvements to this. There are more opportunities now to study and work in the UK .

Talking to your University about your options

Your university wants you to succeed at your PhD. It has experienced students working whilst studying and works and what doesn’t. If you are planning to work whilst studying it’s a good idea to talk to your department. These questions may form part of your application process because your Supervisor will want to make sure you have the means to conduct your research as well as support yourself.

Many students study for a PhD and work for at least part of the time and complete their PhD successfully. If you look at the options beforehand, you can plan what works best for you. This way you can get the most from your PhD whilst working at the same time.

Looking for PhD Funding? There are a wide range of study funding opportunities for intending PhD students on PostgraduateStudentships

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Support and advice

Working in the UK during your studies

If you are on a course of six months or longer, you are entitled to work (paid and unpaid) during your studies, as long as the wording on your visa (visa vignette and/or BRP) does not prohibit it. Contact an Immigration Adviser if this does not appear on your visa.

This page focuses on work regulations and restrictions related to your Student visa. If you want more information about finding work during your studies, see  Looking for work during your studies .

If your visa allows you to work, you must abide by the hour limit written on your visa. 

Not all types of work are permitted, including self employment and freelance work, as well as working as a professional sportsperson or professional entertainer.

It is important that you abide by the hour restrictions and other work restrictions of your visa. Not abiding by the work restrictions of your visa can lead to a cancellation of your visa and potential future refusal from entering the UK. 

If prospective employers have questions about what work you can or cannot do on your visa, you can refer them to the  UKCISA information on working in the UK or the Work, Volunteering and Careers International Talent webpage . 

If you are  not  allowed to work, your visa will be endorsed 'No work' or 'Employment prohibited'.

Work regulations

Related links.

International Student Support Self-Referral Form Use this form to contact us with any queries - we aim to respond within three working days.

Find other contact details on our Contact us page .

• Work, volunteering and career planning  
• Looking for work during studies (international students)
• Graduate jobs (international students)

Whether or not you can work and how many hours of work you can perform will be written on your visa vignette and/or BRP. 

Students studying below degree level , for example at Foundation, Pre-Masters or pre-sessional English level, are allowed to work (paid and unpaid) a maximum of 10 hours a week during term time and full-time during vacation periods.

Students studying full time at degree level  are allowed to work (paid and unpaid) a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time and full time during vacation periods. 

Undergraduates, Masters Taught, and Masters in Research students  can also work full time after their course completion until their visa expiry date. 

Postgraduate Research (PhD) students  can work full-time during official annual leave and in the period between submitting the draft thesis and waiting for the viva. PhD students are “in term time” and thus restricted to 20 hours of work per week from their viva until their degree is awarded. 

They can work full time after their degree has been awarded until their visa expiry date. You may be asked to show proof to your employer that you have been awarded your degree, such as a Certificate of completion or Award letter.

PhD students are allowed 30 days of annual leave per year (during which they can work full time) and must submit an annual leave form before taking vacation.

There are restrictions on working for Student Visa holders.

Under the Student Visa rules you may not:

• be self-employed (this includes freelance contracts)
• fill a full-time, permanent vacancy (except on a recognised foundation programme or as a students' union sabbatical officer)
• be employed as a professional sportsperson (including a sports coach)
• be employed as an entertainer
• be a doctor in training (except on a recognised foundation programme)
• setting up a business
• being employed by a company in which you hold shares of 10% or more (including where the shares are held in a trust for you)
• working for a company where you also hold a statutory role, such as a director.

For more details about what work you can and cannot do, please see  UKCISA's web pages and UKCISA's blog, "A working definition" .

These rules are not straightforward, particularly those relating to business activity, which could include prohibiting Student Visa holders from working for their own business in the UK even if the business is based outside the UK. If you are at all uncertain, contact an Immigration Adviser .

You may work in the UK with no restrictions. 

Employers may ask to see proof of your status under the EU Settlement Scheme .

You cannot carry out paid or unpaid work, work experience or work placements.

As an international student it is important that you understand the difference between unpaid work (which counts as part of your permitted 20 hours) and genuine volunteering (which doesn't).

• Volunteering  is done on your own terms, usually for a good cause. If you are a volunteer you should have flexibility to come and go and will not have set responsibilities in the way that someone who is "employed" does. No one will be relying on you to do the work, and if you do not show up to do the work, no one will need to replace you. Volunteering is the only type of work that does not count towards your 20hrs/week limit.
• Voluntary work  is done for a charity, a voluntary organisation, fundraising body, statutory body. A voluntary worker has specific duties and an obligation to perform work. If you do not show up to do the work, you will need to be replaced by someone else so that the work gets done. You are not paid anything more than appropriate expenses. Voluntary work  does count  towards your 20hrs/week limit.

All of the following types of work also count towards your 20hrs/week limit:

• Casual work is work that is usually done part time (but sometimes full time) for up to 12 weeks at a time. Many University departments hire students for casual work, so you can speak to your department about what casual work opportunities may be available. You can also talk to the Careers team  for information on how to find a part-time job.
• An  internship  is a short period of work, to help you gain relevant skills and experience in the career area you are interested in. You are likely to have specific responsibilities and be doing real work.
• Work shadowing  is a short period of time spent mainly observing the work of someone in a career area of interest to you, to help you get an insight into what is involved.
• Work experience  is a broad term which can be used in relation to all of the above activities!

A  work placement is a specific period of work, often as part of an academic course, related to what you are learning on your course and what you may want to do in the future. You may undertake a work placement full time so long as it forms part of your degree course. Any work you do in this placement, as long it forms part of your degree course, does not count towards your 20hrs/week limit. This means you could work full-time in the placement and in another part time job (up to 20hrs/week).  If the work placement is not part of your course then it is subject to the regular 20hrs/week limit. 

Important points about your right to work

• Exceeding the permitted working hours may result in deportation.
• Although you will probably have the right to work, you must not be depending on this income to support yourself during your studies.
• If you are seeking work, ensure that you read about your employment rights and responsibilities , such as applying for a National Insurance number.
• You may undertake a full time work placement, as long as it forms part of your degree course.

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Full-time Students

Taught postgraduate students.

Students are not expected to undertake paid work during term-time. Cambridge seeks to keep student living costs manageable, and accordingly the vast majority of students do not work during term-time, concentrating instead on their academic studies and co-curricular/social activities. Cambridge terms are short so many students work during the vacations. Taught postgraduate students should consult their Faculty or Department for further details regarding official vacation periods during their studies and note that, depending on the course, studies may continue into the summer.  Any time between the end of the final term and the dissertation submission deadline should not be considered as vacation as students are still expected to be working on their studies at this time.

Students are reminded of the financial support that is available through the Colleges and the University .

Any students who undertake work should first consider the impact this may have on their studies and discuss the matter with their Tutor. Students should always take into account personal constraining factors, including visa and financial sponsorship restrictions. Pressure created by paid working will not normally be accepted as extenuating circumstances for examination mitigation, in cases where results are disappointing.

Research postgraduate students 

[Note: this guidance does not apply to current University of Cambridge employees who are approved to undertake a postgraduate research degree at the staff fee rate.]

Full-time postgraduate research degrees at Cambridge are academically demanding. Postgraduate Research students are expected to devote around 40 hours per week to their studies throughout the year, except during holidays (up to 8 weeks per year) agreed with their supervisor. They should therefore regard the time spent on their studies as similar to a full-time occupation.

Students are encouraged to balance their academic study with personal interests, extra-curricular activities that enhance their Cambridge experience, and activities that support their wellbeing. The University recognises that some students may also wish to combine their studies with paid or voluntary work.

Before engaging in work, students are advised to give careful thought to what would be realistic and manageable alongside their 40hr/wk full-time study commitment plus any extra‑curricular activities or other demands on their time.

Students on a Student/Tier 4 visa must comply with immigration working conditions that restrict the type of work permitted, and ensure they have a formal contract of employment/worker's agreement or similar in place before undertaking any employment including undergraduate supervisions (see information under 'Students holding a Student/Tier 4 visa' below).

Type of work

Work can take many forms, both paid and voluntary, either within the University or in external organisations. Within the University, students usually work in academic-related or voluntary/outreach roles. Examples of academic-related work include supervising undergraduates, invigilating examinations, working in a University/College library, demonstrating in a laboratory, or (for clinicians) working within Cambridge University Health Partners.

Students should engage with some basic training before undertaking any teaching/supervising; to this end, the Cambridge Centre for Teaching and Learning  offers training.

Students who wish to work, especially those considering a future career in academia, are encouraged to consider academic-related employment opportunities that may arise. The transferable skills that students receive from academic-related employment are also valuable for other career pathways.

Hours of work

The University recommends limiting work to 6-10hrs/wk. In exceptional circumstances, and to accommodate one-off events, students may be able to combine effective study with longer working hours, but this must only be undertaken after explicit discussion with their supervisor and their college tutor.  Even in such exceptional circumstances, students must never in any case exceed a maximum of 20hrs work each week, which includes both paid and unpaid work.

Students may work for more than one employer but must ensure that the combined number of hours worked each week does never in any case exceed the limit allowed. Students are responsible for monitoring the number of paid and unpaid hours they work each week.

The vacation dates used by undergraduate students do not apply to postgraduate research students. Students may take breaks for holiday of up to 8 weeks per year at times agreed with their Supervisor, but such periods should not be used for the purpose of undertaking work.

Permissions

Permission to work is not required, but the University strongly encourages students to discuss their plans in advance with their supervisor, in order to assess any potential impacts on their academic progress.  Supervisors can provide advice specific to the student’s research activities, stage of their studies, and proposed timeline for completion, as well as helping the student explore how to manage work in the context of their commitments and wellbeing. Students should also discuss their plans with their College Tutor. As stated above, students who wish to work over 10 hours per week must discuss this with their supervisor and their college tutor.

Students who wish to work alongside their studies are expected to follow these principles:

• Academic study must take priority: any work should still allow the expected full-time hours to be spent on research and private study.
• Work should be scheduled around academic commitments: students may find that the timing of certain types of work is easier to accommodate outside their academic commitments.
• Work should not impact negatively on a students’ studies, or delay or interfere with research: the consequences of working cannot be used as extenuating circumstances for late submission of work or an extension to the thesis submission deadline.
• Paid work may provide an additional income but should not be required to support essential living costs. Students who are experiencing financial pressures should speak to their college tutors, and access maintenance grants that are available via the colleges and the university.
• Funding bodies may impose their own limitations on the amount of paid employment that can be undertaken: students in receipt of funding are responsible for checking the terms and conditions of their award before undertaking any paid work.
• Students on a Student/Tier 4 visa are responsible for ensuring they comply with the working conditions of their immigration permission which includes restrictions on the type of work permitted (see below).

Students holding a Student/Tier 4 visa

Students on a Student/Tier 4 visa must ensure they fully understand and comply with the working conditions of their immigration permission. A student visa restricts the number of hours a student can work and does not permit self-employment, engaging in business activity, or certain other types of work. It is essential that students on a Student/Tier 4 visa obtain a formal worker's agreement or employment contract before undertaking any work, including undergraduate supervisions or other work within the Collegiate University. Please note that you may find that other students (who are not on a Student visa) may not need to have the same documentation in place. Students are advised to read the full guidance about working on a student visa to prevent working in breach of their visa conditions.

Students who wish to undertake work:

• should ensure that they are aware of any visa or tax implications with regards to their employment or employment status. 
• may be liable for tax and potentially national insurance payments depending on their circumstances. Any monies earned would be considered income which is potentially taxable.

The taxable status of a studentship may depend on whether the recipient is required to provide work as an element of the studentship.

Further information can be found at  https://www.gov.uk/tax-come-to-uk  or should be sought from the Faculty, Department, College or external employer, although the University is not able to provide personal tax advice to students.

Staff unions

Research students may be interested in joining their local Unite or University and College Union (UCU) branches. Their websites can be found here:

• Unite website
• University and College Union (UCU) website

Part-time students

Part-time students are not restricted in the hours they can work, but their admission interview will explore the extent to which they will be able to manage their work and study and their Supervisor is asked to keep the balance between these elements under review.

Related links

• Researcher Development Programme

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Working in the UK during studies

If you hold a valid Student visa, there will be restrictions on the amount and type of work you are allowed to do inside the UK. We have guidance for during your course and about after studies, during your visa 'wrap up period' up until the visa expiry date.

Student or Tier 4 visas impose strict restrictions on working in the UK. The main purpose of your student visa is to allow you to study in the UK, not work. If you hold a Student or Tier 4 visa, you must adhere to the working restrictions attached to it. These conditions will be outlined in your decision letter. You are required to abide by the visa conditions attached to your Student visa as confirmed in your decision letter.  

Eligibility to work while studying

Your eligibility to work in the UK while studying will depend on your visa permission. 

Standard Visitor visa  

If you have immigration permission as a Standard Visitor, you are not permitted to do any kind of work including voluntary work, paid or unpaid, volunteering or to undertake internships or work placements as part of your studies. 

Visitors may undertake volunteering provided it is for a registered charity and will be for no longer than 30 days in total. 

Permitted activities and restrictions attached to Standard Visitor visa  

Student visa  

If you are on a Student or Tier 4 Student visa, your eligibility to work will be outlined in your visa decision letter. Please make sure that you are familiar with your work conditions. Your entry clearance vignette (visa sticker in your passport) and/or your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card will tell you if you are allowed to work, including the work limit. 

If you are an EU/EEA national or a non-visa national then you will have received your grant digitally.  This will outline your Student visa conditions and working rights.  

You must check your visa or BRP to ensure that the work conditions are correct. If they are not, you may be able to get this corrected. 

Find out how to correct your visa

What work am I allowed to do on a Student visa?

Your Student or Tier 4 visa allows limited working rights in the UK. Your work rights are connected to your visa and student status, so you must stop working immediately if your visa expires or if it is curtailed by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).  

You will be subject to a maximum number of hours per week for working during term time. The term-time period can change depending on the programme you are studying so you must ensure that you are aware of the term time and vacation periods for your specific programme.  

A working ‘week’ is defined as a 7-day period starting on a Monday and ending on the following Sunday. 

As a Student or Tier 4 Student visa holder you can only work if you are considered an ‘employee’. Your Student or Tier 4 visa will allow you to work: 

• 20 hours in any given week during term time if you are studying a full-time programme at degree level and above 
• 10 hours in any given week during term time if you are studying a full-time programme below degree level 
• Full time during vacation periods and after your official course end date 
• On a work placement, which must be an integral and assessed part of your programme of studies 
• As a sabbatical officer in a Students’ Union for up to 2 years 

Find out more about sabbatical officers

Read more about work placement

If your course of study is below degree level ,you will be able to work 10 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. 

• During term time you can work up to 10 hours (maximum) per week. 
• You can work full-time after your official programme end date until your Student visa expires, provided you have no further engagement or attendance requirements. 

Programme specific information on work rights  

If your programme is below degree level (pre-sessionals or international foundation programme) .

If your course of study is below degree level, you will be able to work 10 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. 

Undergraduate students (including MEng, MPhys and MMath) 

If your course of study is at degree level or above you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full time during vacations. Please see the University website to check your official vacation periods. 

• During term time you can work up to 20 hours (maximum) per week. 
• During vacation periods you can work full-time.  
• You can work full-time after your programme end date (as confirmed on your student record) until your Student visa expires, provided you have no further engagement or attendance requirement.  

Taught postgraduate students (Masters / MSc) 

Please always check with your school to confirm the specific term time and official vacation dates for your specific programme. .

• During Winter and Spring vacation periods you can work full-time. 
• Masters’ students do not have Summer vacation*. Term time conditions apply during the summer term (dissertation period). You can only work full-time after your course end date on your student record.  
• You can work full-time after your programme end date until your Student visa expires, provided you have no further engagement or attendance requirement. 

* If you are doing a 2 year postgraduate programme (e.g. MLA or MSW), you may have a summer vacation period between year 1 and year 2.  Please check with your school to confirm the specific vacation dates for your programme. 

Postgraduate research students (MSc by Research / MPhil / PhD) 

• During Term Time you can work up to 20 hours (maximum) per week. 
• You do not have any designated official vacation periods. You are in term time all year unless you have written permission/approval from your supervisor to take a period of annual leave.  
• Your supervisor must agree and confirm the dates for the annual leave in writing. You can work full-time hours during your agreed annual leave period (outside of Term time).  
• PGR students may take up to eight weeks of annual leave period per year. PhD students may choose to take this vacation between the submission of thesis and their viva exam, during which they may work full time, providing this is fully approved and recorded as a holiday period by the school. However, some employers will not allow you to work full-time hours during this period. This will depend on the employer's policy. 
• You must revert to the usual Term Time part time (no more than 20 hours per week) restrictions when you are studying again, from the date of your viva until you submit your final e-thesis. The formal course end date for Postgraduate research students (PhD / MPhil) will be after the completion of all the academic work, i.e. submitting your final e-thesis after any final corrections.  

Please note that some doctorate-level programmes may have designated vacation periods that are different from what is outlined above. If in doubt, please contact your School. 

Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research Students  

What are my vacation periods?

Vacation periods are different depending on what programme you are studying. 

Undergraduate programmes have 3 vacation periods in line with the University calendar:

• Winter vacation (Christmas holidays)
• Spring vacation (Easter holidays)
• Summer vacation

Postgraduate taught students may have 2 official vacation periods if they follow the standard academic dates as shown on the University calendar:

Please always check with your school to confirm the specific Term Time and official vacation dates for your specific programme as they may follow non-standard academic dates.

• 1 year Masters students do not have vacation during the summer period as this is the dissertation/research module and you are expected to study on a full time basis throughout course

Postgraduate Research students can request 8 weeks of annual leave per year, which they can take at any time, in agreement through their School. We understand the vacation allowance for individual students to be in relation to their academic year and based on the student’s start date. 

What work am I not allowed to do on a Student visa? 

If you are on a Student or Tier 4 visa, both during and after your studies, you must not: 

• This includes freelancing and ‘gig-economy’ work, such as Deliveroo or Uber drivers 
• any work or trading as a freelancer, contractor or consultant is highly likely to be considered self-employment, which is not permissible under Student visa work conditions 
• Engage or take part in business activity 
• Fill or undertake a full-time permanent vacancy or graduate level role (unless it is a post as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer) 
• Take a full-time internship or work placement during term time that is not an assessed and integral part of your studies 
• Work or take employment as an entertainer or as a professional sportsperson, including a sports coach 

If you are not sure if you are being asked to work as self-employed, please check with the Student Immigration Service BEFORE commencing work. Working in breach of your immigration permission is a serious offence and can have implications on your ability to remain in the UK. 

You can find difference between ‘employee’ and ‘self-employed’ on the government website on the link below:

Employment status: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Find out more about working permissions on UKCISA website

Volunteering vs. Voluntary Work 

You can volunteer while you are studying. Volunteering is different from unpaid employment (Voluntary work). Volunteers will normally help a registered charity or voluntary or public sector organisation.  

If you are volunteering with an organisation, you must not: 

• have a contract of employment 
• take the place of an employee 
• not receive payment for your contribution, including payment in kind 

You are permitted to undertake voluntary work in the UK. Voluntary work will be counted in your permitted working hours. 

As a voluntary worker you 

• are usually paid in some form 
• often have a contract with an employer 

If you are unsure you should check with the organisation whether what you are doing can be regarded as unpaid employment. Any time spent on unpaid employment or voluntary work counts towards your maximum number of hours of work during a week.  

UKCISA advice on volunteering  

Working after completion of your course 

Your Student or Tier 4 visa is granted for the full duration of your course plus 4 additional months (if you are studying at degree level or above), also known as the ‘wrap-up period.’ Once you have reached the official programme end date of your course, you can work full-time during the validity of your Student visa permission. 

The formal course end date for Postgraduate research students (PhD / MPhil) will be after the completion of all the academic work, i.e. submitting your thesis after final corrections.  

You can work full-time hours on a temporary contract up until the expiry date of your Student visa.  

If you have completed your course early, your visa will end earlier. This means you may only work the 4 months following your new course completion date.  

Before your Student visa expires you must:  

• Apply for the Graduate route visa if you are eligible,  
• Look for sponsorship from an employer and apply for the Skilled Worker visa,  
• Apply for another eligible visa route that would allow you to remain in the UK, or  
• Leave the UK before your Student or Tier 4 visa expires.  

Proving right to work in the UK  

From 6 April 2022, employers can no longer accept Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) cards as evidence of your right to work in the UK. Instead, you must obtain a ‘share code’ from UKVI which you can then give to the employer so they can then do their checks online.  

How to obtain a share code from UKVI  

If an employer needs additional evidence of term dates so they know when you may be allowed to work more hours than the restriction stated on your visa, along with your share code, you can provide:  

• a printout from the University's website confirming semester dates for employment; and/or
• a Certificate of Matriculation that confirms your programme end date. 
• See semester dates 2023/24 for employment

Certificate of Matriculation | The University of Edinburgh

You may also refer to the University academic year pages at:

• Academic year structure | The University of Edinburgh  
• Current academic year | The University of Edinburgh ​​​​​​

Please note that whether you are on a vacation period is determined by the type of course you are studying. Please see ‘ Programme specific information on work rights ’ section above for more information.

Where your employer requires further confirmation of your entitlement to work, they can contact the Home Office Employers’ Helpline . 

Employers should check your share code using the right to work share code service (if you have eVisa access)

University recommendation on working while studying

If you are a full-time student, the University recommends you do not work more than 15 hours per week for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. The University will not employ full-time postgraduate research students for more than an average of 9 hours per week across the academic year, and we recommend that postgraduate students apply this limit to employment outside the University.

Information for students employed as tutors and demonstrators can be found here:

Academic Services - Tutors and demonstrators

Careers Service

The Careers Service has lots of useful information and resources to help you navigate the UK graduate job market.

Work placements and internships for Tier 4/Student route visa holders

You may wish to undertake some work experience while you are studying. In many cases, this will be possible, but for international students there are restrictions on working in the UK.

Working as a Sabbatical Officer

International students are encouraged to stand for election as a Sabbatical Officer. Student visa holders are permitted to take a position as a Sabbatical Officer in the Students' Association.

This article was published on 2024-07-29

New report suggests PhD students work 50% more than undergraduates

• 25 June 2020

The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has published a new report on the experience of PhD students – people who are studying for doctoral degrees.

PhD Life: The UK student experience  by Bethan Cornell uses previously unpublished data from  Nature  and the Wellcome Trust to uncover the reality of life as a PhD student.

The key findings include:

• the average PhD student works 47 hours per week, which is over 50% more than the average undergraduate and three hours less than the average academic;
• for PhD students on the basic Research Council stipend, this equates to earning less than the minimum wage;
• over three-quarters of PhD students (78%) are satisfied or highly satisfied with their degree of independence;
• 63% of PhD students see their supervisor for less than one hour per-week;
• 23% of PhD students would change their supervisor if they were starting their PhD again now;
• the majority (80%) of PhD students believe a career in research can be lonely and isolating;
• over one-third (37%) of PhD students have sought help for anxiety or depression caused by PhD study;
• one-quarter (25%) of PhD students feel they have been bullied and 47% believe they have witnessed bullying; and
• one-fifth (20%) of PhD students feel they have been discriminated against and 34% believe they have witnessed discrimination.

The report incorporates qualitative research that captures the voices of PhD students:

• ‘Due to being [funded] by a stipend and not through student finance, and not technically being employed by the university means that I am not eligible for childcare funding. The cost of childcare is around £11,000 per year, my stipend is £14,200.’
• ‘almost all the staff I meet from different universities are “pals from [insert elitist uni here]”. As such they have very little understanding of the challenges someone from a “normal” or disadvantaged background faces, especially financially, giving the overwhelming impression that your skills are secondary to your class.’ 
• ‘The higher up you go, the more male and white-dominated the environment becomes. There’s only one full female professor in my whole institute, and I have genuinely never met a black PI [Principal Investigator] or professor since starting my PhD.’

The author of the report, Bethan Cornell, who is currently studying for a PhD in Physics, said:

Despite PhD students making a valuable contribution to UK research output, there are huge variations in the way they are recruited and funded and the quality of support they receive. This makes it hard regulate their experience and means PhD students’ voices can go unheard when things go wrong.’ Where good practice exists in the UK and abroad, the sector should take note and use it to form a more cohesive and uniform approach to PhD training. This would benefit not just the students, but the quality of UK research output.

Nick Hillman, the Director of HEPI, said:

Too often, people taking PhDs are regarded as neither one thing nor the other. They are not seen as students the way undergraduates are and they are not seen as staff the way academics are. Sometimes, PhD students receive excellent support but, too often, they fall through the cracks, making them demoralised and unhappy. When that happens, we all lose because the world desperately needs people who push forward the frontiers of knowledge. We know far more about undergraduates than we used to and we now need similar levels of research on the student experience of postgraduates to help policymakers, regulators and funders improve their lives.

In the Foreword to the report, Dr Katie Wheat, Head of Engagement and Policy at Vitae, said:

This report makes an important contribution to current debates on research culture by presenting the views of doctoral researchers in the UK extracted from the recent Wellcome Trust and  Nature  reports. It highlights several areas of concern, including working conditions, wellbeing, supervision and incidents of bullying and harassment.  The findings chime with growing recognition of the need to improve research culture.

Watch and listen to a presentation on the new report by the author by clicking on the video below.

Notes for Editors

• The report is based, with permission, on data obtained by the Wellcome Trust, who surveyed 7,646 researchers over five weeks from September 2019, and  Nature , who   surveyed 6,320 current PhD students worldwide for six weeks between June and July 2019. The report combines the responses of UK-based students from both surveys, making the maximum number of respondents for any question 1,069. The confidence interval is 95% with a 5% margin of error.
• The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) was established in 2002 to shape the higher education policy debate through evidence. It is the United Kingdom’s only independent think tank devoted to higher education. HEPI is a non-partisan charity funded in part by organisations and universities that wish to see a vibrant higher education debate.
• In May 2020, HEPI published  Postgraduate Education in the UK  (HEPI Analytical Report 1) by Dr Ginevra House, which reviewed the state of postgraduate education since the last recession.

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Working during your studies

Many students find working in their spare time and vacations enhances their experience of studying in the UK, while developing valuable skills and additional income. Most holders of Student visas are allowed to do some paid work in the UK during their studies.

Set up your eVisa now

The UK Government is transitioning to electronic visas. If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), you should create an eVisa account with UK Visas and Immigration now. This is particularly important if you plan to travel during the winter break.

Working and your visa

You should check your vignette (the entry clearance in your passport) or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) to understand your working restrictions.

Who is permitted to work?

You are permitted to work in the UK if either your entry clearance or BRP state one of the following:

• Work (and any changes) must be authorised
• Able to work as authorised by the Secretary of State
• Work as in Tier 4 or Student route rules
• Restricted work (part-time term time, full-time vacations)
• Restricted work (term-time)
• Work limited to a maximum 20 hours per week during term time
• Work limited to a maximum ten hours per week during term time

Who is not permitted to work?

Your entry clearance or BRP might say something a bit different from these examples, but you can work if it does not say :

• work prohibited.

If your entry clearance or BRP says 'No work' or 'Work prohibited' you must not work because this would be a breach of your immigration conditions and a criminal offence. The Home Office can check whether someone has been working by making unannounced visits to employers and by obtaining information from the tax department, HMRC.

Please note: students studying at the UWE Bristol International College  are not permitted to undertake any work. 

Working hours letter

You can download and use the letter stating the rules about international students working in the UK. This letter will confirm Home Office guidance on working during your study and the University’s vacation period based on the level of the programme you study.

• Undergraduate student working hours letter 2024/25 (PDF)  
• Postgraduate student working hours letter 2024/25 (PDF)

Additionally, your student status letter  confirms your name, the start and end date of your programme plus your student number and home address. If you have any problem downloading status letter please contact [email protected] .

Confirmation of your individual academic situation from the Status letter plus the vacation dates and government rules on international students working in the UK should be sufficient enough to satisfy employment queries. Your employer is required to confirm your ability to work by calling the Home Office Employers’ Helpline on 0300 123 4699 or visiting the government's information on checking a job applicant’s right to work .

Please refer to An employer's guide to right to work checks  on GOV.UK (produced by the Home Office on 6 April 2022). In particular, please refer to:

• 2. Biometric card holders
• 10. Annex D: Digital identity verification – Guidance for employers and Identity Service Providers.

Final-year students

Final-year students who have received their ‘’congratulations’’ email for successfully completing their programme can work full-time until their current student visa expires.

Working full time during the wrap-up period (postgraduate students)

If you have submitted your final assessment on a postgraduate course and would like to work full-time during your wrap-up period, you can complete and submit this form. For PG programmes of 12 months or longer, the wrap-up period is the last four months of your current student visa.

This form is not for undergraduate students. Undergraduate students can work full-time during their summer break. For more information use the Undergraduate student working hours letter 2024/25 (PDF) .

Please only submit this form if:

• you study at postgraduate (PG) level
• you have no assessments left to complete
• your employer has asked you to provide a letter from the university to allow you to work full-time
• you do not have an upcoming resit or retake – if you have a resit or retake, your request will be rejected and you will need to restrict your working hours to the hours stated on your BRP.

Request working hours letter during the wrap-up period

Conditions for accepting a permanent full-time job

You may be able to start working in the UK whilst your Graduate route visa application is pending but this will depend on when you originally obtained your student leave. If you made your most recent student application before 6 April 2022, you must wait for a decision on your Graduate application before you can start:

• a permanent full-time job
• self-employment
• work as an entertainer.

If you made your most recent Student application on or after 6 April 2022, you can start a full-time permanent job after making your Graduate route application. However, you must wait for the decision if you are planning to work as an entertainer or be self-employed.

You must not work as a professional sportsperson with Graduate permission. The date on which you applied for Student or Graduate permission makes no difference.

Visit UKCISA International student advice and guidance - graduate route for further information.

Student visitors

If you are in the UK as a Standard Visitor, your entry clearance or the stamp in your passport will say 'No work' or 'Work prohibited'. This means that you are not allowed to:

• take paid employment
• take unpaid employment (except volunteering as defined in paragraph PA3 of the Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities )
• do a work placement, even if it is part of your course.

If you want to be able to work, and you want to apply for a Student Visa (if eligible), you will have to return to the country where you usually live and make an entry clearance application there.

Other types of immigration permission

If you are in the UK but are not a resident, a holder of a Student/Tier 4 Visa or on a standard visitor visa, check what your entry clearance or any other documents issued by the Home Office say about employment.

You can usually work without restriction if the only condition in your passport is 'no recourse to public funds'. If it says 'no employment as a doctor in training', you can do any kind of work except employment as a doctor in training.

What kind of work can you do?

You can do most kinds of work, but you must not :

• be self-employed
• be employed as a professional sportsperson including as a sports coach
• be employed as an entertainer
• take a permanent full-time job
• work as a doctor or dentist in training.

If your employer is outside the UK, your hours of work undertaken in the UK still count towards your limit of ten or 20 hours a week in term-time.

Professional or amateur sportsperson?

You might need to decide whether your sports activities are professional or amateur. The Immigration Rules define an 'amateur' as 'a person who engages in a sport or creative activity solely for personal enjoyment and who is not seeking to derive a living from the activity'. If you meet this definition, your sports activities are not 'professional' and so you can pursue them with Student/Tier 4 immigration permission.

What about volunteering?

You might want to be a volunteer. However, there's a difference between unpaid employment (voluntary work) and volunteering, so you should always check with the organisation offering you a volunteering opportunity whether it can be regarded as unpaid employment. This is because time you spend doing unpaid employment counts towards your maximum number of hours of work a week.

If you are subject to a work prohibition, perhaps because you are studying at the UWE Bristol International College  or have a standard visitor visa, you should be very careful not to undertake any activities that could be regarded as unpaid employment because this would be a breach of your work conditions.

How many hours a week can you work?

The maximum hours you can work during term time are normally printed on your entry clearance or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) , and will depend mainly on when you made your most recent immigration application. If you are not sure how many hours per week you are allowed to work please ask a UWE Bristol Immigration Adviser .

Working during term time

As a student at UWE Bristol you can work a maximum of:

• 20 hours a week if you are studying at degree level or above (this includes undergraduate, Masters and PhD courses)
• 20 hours a week if you are on a study abroad programme at UWE Bristol
• ten hours per week if you are studying a course below degree level at UWE Bristol
• ten hours per week if you have immigration permission as a Tier 4 (Child).

If you have permission to work, you shouldn't work more than the maximum number of hours (20 or ten) in any one week in term time, even if you sometimes work under the maximum number of hours a week in other weeks.

A ‘week’ has been defined by UKVI as meaning a period of seven days beginning with a Monday. If you work irregular hours and/or have more than one employer, you'll need to keep detailed records of how many hours you work each day so that you can be sure that you are not in danger of breaching your work condition.

If you have permission to work, you can work full-time before your course starts and after your course has ended. If you are a full-time student, you may find your studies suffer if you work more than 16 hours a week.

Regardless of the endorsement on your visa, not all students are allowed to work full time during UWE Bristol vacations (see UWE Bristol's term-time and vacation dates ). If you are a postgraduate student, please view the ‘postgraduate and research students’ section below.

If you should be doing academic study during this time, you should limit your employment to 20 (or ten) hours per week. Academic study includes:

• attending classes and lectures
• preparing for exams
• doing coursework
• writing essays, a dissertation or thesis.

This means that your entitlement to work during vacations may depend on the type of course you are doing. For example, if you are supposed to research and write a dissertation or thesis while other students are on holiday, this is term time for you and you should restrict your work to 20 (or ten) hours a week during this time.

Employers have a legal obligation to check your term dates before you can start work. You must provide your employer with one of the following:

• A printout from UWE Bristol's website showing the term and vacation dates for your course
• A letter from UWE Bristol to your employer confirming these dates is available to download from this page

Postgraduate and research students

Postgraduate students on taught courses can work unlimited hours only during the published vacation periods over Christmas and Easter. They must restrict their working hours to no more than the maximum stated on the BRP at all other times until they have completed their studies in the UK.

Postgraduate research students do not have published vacation times and should therefore restrict their working hours to no more than the maximum stated on the BRP until they have completed their studies in the UK.

If in doubt, speak to an Immigration Adviser  or email [email protected] .

Working if you leave your course early

f you finish your course early, UWE Bristol has a legal obligation to report this to UKVI.

If you have more than 60 days' permission from when you report that you've finished your course, UKVI will contact you to let you know that your immigration permission will be cut short (curtailed). Permission is usually curtailed to the new end date plus the additional period you were originally granted, for example two or four months after the new end date.

You can work full time between the new end date of your course and the new expiry date of your immigration permission. Employers will need to see confirmation from UWE Bristol if you complete your course early.

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International students: PhD/doctoral study in the UK at the University of Brighton

Brighton is a vibrant and creative seaside city on the South-East coast of the United Kingdom. By train it is 60 minutes south from London and only 30 minutes from London's major international Gatwick airport.

The University of Brighton is a contemporary, forward-thinking university with world-leading and internationally excellent research recognised in the latest national research assessment (REF2021) . Most importantly, we put our students at the heart of everything we do.

Find out more about your opportunities to join the University of Brighton as an international research student.

Our Frequently Asked Questions from International applicants  (FAQs) below will give you a sense of:

• Brighton as a city and the University of Brighton as a place to study
• Entry requirements
• Visas / CAS / ATAS
• Working during and after study
• Costs and funding
• How to apply
• Support when coming to the UK

There are further, general PhD applicant FAQs to explore, as well as our International pages on the university website , and you can contact our Doctoral College if you have further questions.

Find your PhD discipline area using key terms or browse through our lists .

Application to the University of Brighton should generally be made after a preliminary approach to a chosen lead supervisor.

When you are ready, apply through our application portal.

FAQs: Brighton as a city and the University of Brighton as a place to study

Where is Brighton located in the UK?

Brighton is a vibrant and creative seaside city on the South-East coast of the United Kingdom.

By train, Brighton is only one hour away from London, 30 minutes away from London's Gatwick Airport and 90 minutes away from London's Heathrow Airport.

Being close to London and within easy reach of international transport, Brighton attracts visitors and students to a growing international population. The city is famously accepting of new people and different ways of living. Its progressive attitudes mean it has led the way in arts, creative technology, modern notions of sexuality and gender, as well as environmental and sustainable education and policy.

There are opportunities to build on your studies by getting involved in city as well as university life. We have campuses in the heart of Brighton, close to the seafront and on the outskirts near the South Downs National Park, all in a city that is in the top 10 most visited towns in the UK by overseas visitors.

Is Brighton a diverse place to study? 

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can watch the video on YouTube .

Brighton is one of the  liveliest and most diverse places in the UK  to live and study.

According to Brighton and Hove Council,16 per cent of our population is born outside the UK. With a mix of cultures, nationalities and religions, you’ll soon feel at home here no matter what country or background you’re from.

It is an authentic student city, too. Around 500 PhD students study at the University of Brighton and a quarter are international students. The diversity of students has always been evident at the Summer Graduation Ceremonies with 83 countries recently represented among our 3,000 graduates from all levels. 

Inclusivity is one of our four core values at the University alongside sustainability, creativity, and partnership. 

The University of Brighton is committed to providing a fair environment that embodies and promotes equality of opportunity. We value the different contributions and experiences of all who make up our community, promoting mutual respect and understanding as well as freedom of thought and expression.

For more information visit our university page on  Equality, diversity and inclusion .

What type of university is the University of Brighton?

The University of Brighton is a modern, forward-thinking university.

Our identity hinges on our belief in developing knowledge and sharing it in places where it can make a difference to other people’s lives.

Our oldest departments trace their history over 160 years, while we embrace the modern and progressive values of a contemporary and rapidly changing world. 

We foster world-leading research across traditional and more recently-established disciplines that include: health and medicine, computer science, engineering, geography and environmental studies, business and management studies, social studies, education, sport and exercise sciences, art, design and architecture, cultural and media studies. 

Ninety-eight per cent of our research was rated as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised in the most recent national research assessment (Research Excellence Framework, REF2021). 

The university's campuses are all convenient for the city. Outside of your studies, Brighton offers festivals, galleries, museums, street art, nightlife, sports facilities, and a huge range of independent shops, cafés and entertainment venues. 

Is PhD in UK better than US?

Research in any English language environment gives you an opportunity for maximum outreach and impact from your work.

There are some differences between the PhD offers from the different English-language-speaking countries. Each of them do however provide support for students’ research towards new knowledge and the production and defence of a thesis detailing the research.

Some special features of a doctorate in the UK:

• There are very few, if any, taught course elements in most UK PhD degrees
• Typically, the doctorate in the UK can be completed in three years as a full-time student
• In the UK, the student is a researcher right from the start and dedicates most of their time to their own research work and written thesis.

In the UK, doctoral students are usually supported by two or three expert supervisors from the start of their programme. Wider support is developed through PhD discussion groups and research communities.

Whichever option you choose, research in an English language environment will give you the fluent writing and spoken English skills that will take you a long way in your research career. 

How will I learn at doctorate level? What teaching, supervision and academic support will I get?

All our postgraduate research students are part of a dynamic, enthusiastic, and creative research community. From research plan to viva, our workshops and specialist staff guide doctoral students through the major milestones of their PhD.

You will have the support of two or three supervisors at the University of Brighton, who will help you to pursue your research passion. Our doctoral training programme and vibrant research environment will nurture and liberate your talent. 

If you need support with your academic English language , we offer developmental courses and one-to-one tutorials specifically for students at doctoral level. 

The teaching, learning environment and educational outcomes we provide for our students consistently exceed rigorous national requirements for all UK higher education providers.

To meet fellow students and the wider PhD community there are plenty of events organised by the university, the Doctoral College, your school and the research centres you belong to.

For further information on supervision and support,  see our general FAQ page .

How will I build a relationship with my supervisor?  This film was made by the University of Brighton for UKRI and features University of Brighton students and academics as well as those from other partner universities.

FAQs: PhD entry, funding, visas and language requirements  

What are the entry requirements for a PhD in the UK?

The application process requires documentation that demonstrates the suitability of you and your topic of study for a timely completion of the PhD programme.

These will include references and a research proposal as well as evidence of eligibility to study in the form of language level and relevant visa.

Find out more on our application pages

Is it possible to do a PhD after bachelor's degree in the UK?

The University of Brighton will consider applications from those without masters degrees but would normally expect an undergraduate degree with evidence of suitably high performance. A master's degree is considered stronger evidence that you are able to study at higher levels and that you have a strong theoretical background in your subject.

What are the English language requirements to study for a doctorate in the UK?

For subjects in medicine and laboratory sciences, including engineering, requirements are usually an IELTS score 6.5 overall, no component below 6.0.

For subjects with an extensive text-based research and writing element, a 7.0 overall, 7.0 for writing, with no component below 6.5 is required.

These are the overall requirements at the University of Brighton. Where there are any differences, the requirements for your area of research will be found on the relevant PhD Programme Page .

Will I need a visa to study for PhD in the UK?

How do I apply for a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number?

Once you have been made an unconditional offer, you will be able to complete a visa questionnaire. Our visa compliance team will review your eligibility and issue a CAS number, as appropriate. More information is available on the university's general  international pages .

Will I need to pay a deposit to progress with visa application?

If you are self-funded, we cannot issue you with a CAS until you have paid your tuition fee deposit. We would advise that you pay this as soon as possible so that you are able to make your visa application in plenty of time. More information about the tuition fee deposit and how to pay the deposit is available on our  confirmation of acceptance for studies page .

If you are a funded student, you will need to provide proof of your sponsorship before the tuition fee deposit can be waived.

See more information on  visa applications

Will I need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) number for PhD study?

Depending on which country you are from, you may need to obtain an ATAS certificate every time you make a Student Visa application, if you are studying or going to study one of the following research degree programmes:

Pharmacy; Biomedical Sciences; Healthcare Professions; Physiotherapy; Occupational Therapy; Engineering; Environment; Civil Engineering: Built Environment; Computing; Mathematical and Information Sciences; or Information Technology.

PhD students should apply through the student route, not the researcher route.

Where an ATAS statement is required, the process of how to apply for this will be provided in your offer letter, so do read your offer letter carefully.

For details about the scheme and how to apply for your ATAS certificate, visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) information about ATAS.

Can I work in the UK during and after my PhD?

There are opportunities to undertake work in the UK while studying.

However, the full-time course and the nature of PhD study does not easily allow for work hours and this should not be seen as a means to fund your studies.

Teaching at the university, while possible, is not guaranteed and opportunities to teach would have to be discussed with your supervisor and relevant school leaders while undertaking the course. 

Working in the UK on a Student Visa as a PhD research student

It is likely that you will be able to work in the UK based on your Student Visa, although some types of employment are prohibited.

Where you are on a Student Visa, your eligibility to work will be outlined on your visa vignette or BRP card, and in your visa decision letter.

During your full-time PhD programme at the University of Brighton, you can work up to 20 hours per week in paid employment.

Working in the UK after graduation with a PhD research degree

• You can work unlimited hours once you have submitted your final thesis after corrections, but not in a permanent role.
• You are likely to be eligible for a  Graduate Visa  on completion of your studies and can work for a further three years.

How much does a doctorate cost in the UK for international students?

Tuition fees and other costs..

The tuition fees for each discipline are located on our  Programme pages .

It is important to recognise possible costs beyond the tuition fees. Research can involve costs for, for example, travel to conference venues, archives or libraries; copyrighted imagery payments and so on. Fees are also likely to incur a small inflation rise each year of a research programme.

You will also need to fund normal living costs in the UK during your studies. 

Is there funding for PhD in the UK?

There are many opportunities for partial and complete funding of PhD studies in the UK, with funders offering stipends for living costs as well as tuition fees. There are also opportunities for ongoing funds to help aspects of a project such as travel for conference or library access.

Find out more advice on funding as well as our latest offers from the University of Brighton.

How do I apply for a PhD in the UK?

To apply for a PhD, you will need to provide a research proposal along with academic references and documentation to show that you are eligible for study in the UK.

We recommend you do this with the assistance and cooperation of a possible supervisor. When ready, your documents must be submitted through the application portal available from our  Programme pages . 

For full information on the application process, see our  Apply for your PhD page . 

Who can be my PhD referees?

You will need to ask two people to provide references for you. They should be able to detail your fitness for academic study and research. At least one of your referees should be from your most recent period of study.

You can provide your referees’ contact details as part of the application process and we will contact them on your behalf. Alternatively, you can approach your referees directly to provide a reference. All references should have been written within the last 12 months and need to be signed, dated and stamped with the organisation's stamp. 

Can I study part time for PhD in the UK?

Can you study for a phd part-time as an international student.

The University of Brighton does  not  normally consider visa sponsorship for international students to undertake study wholly on a part-time basis.

However, where there are significant personal or other extenuating circumstances, visa sponsorship of postgraduate students wholly on a part-time basis will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please  contact the Doctoral College  for further information.

Can you do a PhD by distance learning UK?

We do not offer enrolment specifically as a distance learning student and, usually, international students are expected to live within a commutable distance from the university. This brings a fuller experience with better chances of success.

However , if you’re a promising PhD candidate with home commitments and employment and would struggle to attend university full time in the UK for the whole period of study, we may be able to register you for a PhD and agree a mode of attendance. 

If you would like more information on studying for a PhD without fully relocating to the UK, please contact the  Doctoral College  for further guidance before applying.

I speak English / have studied in the UK: Do I still need to provide IELTS for PhD?

If you are from the UK, have studied in the UK within the last three years, or are from one of the countries approved by the  UK Visa and Immigration Authority  (UKVI), you may not need to provide results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

If your UK study was more than three years ago, or you are not from one of the UKVI listed countries, you will be required to provide further evidence of your English Language in the form of one of the  accepted English tests for research study .

If you already have a SELT certificate, like IELTS for UKVI, please note that this is valid for two years from the test date. The results must be valid on your course start date.

What support do you offer students who are moving to the UK?

We know that moving to a new country can be daunting. That's why we offer our international students lots of support and advice, to help you settle in, gain new academic skills and get the most out of your time here.

Detailed help and guidance is available on our  preparing for university page  for students at all levels.

Accommodation for PhD students

The university has an accommodation service who can help you find somewhere to live. Once you have accepted your offer with us, we advise you to contact the accommodation service who will be happy to help you. You can contact them via  [email protected]

More information about living in Brighton and the surrounding areas can be found on the university's general  accommodation and location pages

Registering with a doctor

We recommend that you register with a university doctor or local doctor as soon as possible when you arrive at university.

If you are not registered with a local doctor, you will have difficulty getting an appointment, and crucial time could be wasted in an emergency.

For more information, visit our  register with a doctor page

Can my family move to the UK with me as a PhD student?

Yes, they can. For those studying for a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8) or a research-based higher degree, you are entitled to bring dependents with you to the UK.

Further information can be found on  relevant government websites for student visas pertaining to families and children .

Find your PhD research discipline and apply

Find your disciplinary home through our search or A–Z listings. Our disciplinary programme areas will help you find a supervisor and focus your application.

PhD funding opportunities and studentships

Find out more about the funding available for postgraduate research/PhD doctoral study at the University of Brighton.

How to apply for your PhD

Details of our application process and frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the PhD journey.

• Schools & departments

Guidance on part-time work

Advice on combining part-time work with your research degree

Working alongside your research degree is a great way to build experience if you take care to balance your commitments and don’t let your research suffer. Think about your own wellbeing, too, and don’t take on more than you can reasonably manage. 

Find something that furthers your goals (builds a skill, allows networking) but don’t be afraid to do something out of the box. You’ll never know what talents or interests you’ll discover as a result.  Coree Brown 1st year PhD Politics 

What is part-time work?

For busy research students the lines between part-time employment, volunteering, and research activities are not always clear, and expectations of the PhD student experience, in particular, vary from institution to institution and country to country.

It is important that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities as a PhD student here at the University of Edinburgh, and, if applicable, as an employee or volunteer within or outside the University.

As a research student:

• The University expects you to conduct original research and submit your thesis on time. Your research work could reasonably involve fieldwork, conducting experiments, attending courses on research techniques, departmental committee work, attending or organising conferences and seminars, and writing presentations, posters and papers.
• The University does not expect you to undertake any other work unrelated to your research, such as teaching, administrative work or research support (however, see the exception below). Such activities can provide excellent experience and professional development and are therefore encouraged, but not required. It’s up to you to decide whether to pursue additional opportunities on an employment or volunteer basis.
• The only exception to this is some PhD studentships which have additional requirements, for example some limited outreach or teaching work as part of the funding conditions. In these cases, the hours and duties expected should be clearly stated in the terms and conditions of the award.
• Codes of practice 

As an employee:

• You have the right to a written statement of your terms and conditions within two months of your start date.
• The terms and conditions should include information on hours, remuneration, holiday entitlement, pensions, sick leave, notice period and a full job description. 
• You should be provided with an appropriate induction, training and development activities, and be suitably remunerated.
• Your rights at work
• Human Resources

If you have any questions about your employment, the Students’ Association Advice Place can provide advice.

Advice Place

Be honest with your employer about your PhD and discuss options with them for flexible working. It might not be possible but it’s worth having the conversation. Perhaps also start with a temporary position to see how well you are able to manage the competing demands of your PhD and part-time work and whether it works for you. 1st year PhD Politics

Working hours

The University will employ full-time postgraduate research students for no more than an average of 9 hours per week across the academic year (in line with its policy) and recommends that PGR students apply this limit to employment outside the University. PhD students should discuss any proposed employment within the University or with any other employer with their principal supervisor.

If you are in receipt of any funding for your PhD or Research Masters, be sure to check what restrictions and conditions there are, if any, on the amount of part-time work you are allowed to do. Most funders allow some part-time work, particularly in areas relevant to the students’ research, and encourage a common sense approach to other paid work.

Further information on the average 9 hours per week limit.

International students

UK immigration rules state international students in the UK on a Tier 4 or Student visa are normally entitled to work for a maximum of 20 hours in any given week during their studies, although as stated above the University will employ full-time PGRs for no more than an average of 9 hours per week across the academic year, and recommends that PGR students apply this limit to employment outside the University. Tier 4 visa holders cannot be self-employed; this means that, for example, you cannot tutor on a freelance basis.

See the University’s advice for international students on working during their studies:

International students working during studies

Further support from the University

IAD (The Institute for Academic Development) offers training, and advice on managing your time and maintaining a good work life balance as a PhD.

IAD Courses

This article was published on 2024-05-14

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Lift paid work cap for international PhD students, UK urged

International postgraduate research students should be allowed to work longer than 20 hours in university settings, says uuki-commissioned report.

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Visa rules that prohibit international postgraduate research students in the UK undertaking more than 20 hours of paid work per week at their university should be reviewed, a new study recommends.

Highlighting what it calls the “important role” played by overseas PhD students in “powering the engine” of UK science and research, the report explains how 42 per cent of the UK’s postgraduate research (PGR) students (49,830 in 2022-23) are from overseas – of which about half are clustered at 15 research-intensive universities.

That proportion has stayed broadly constant at about 40 per cent since 2018-19, with many PhD supervisors stating that “universities simply could not run many of their PhD programmes without international PGR students’ input,” explains the  report , titled Powering the engine: The non-financial contribution of international postgraduate students to the UK , which was commissioned by Universities UK International (UUKi), and undertaken by analysts from consultancies Public First and Counterculture.

Overall, the biggest source of international PGRs was China in 2022-23 (12,295 postgraduates), followed by the European Union (10,355), Saudi Arabia (3,045) and the US (2,785). Over the previous three years, postgraduate research numbers from Europe fell steadily while Asian numbers climbed.

Despite their pivotal importance, however, there is a “lack of any deliberate government strategies to attract, retain, and maximise the benefits of international PGR students”, explains the report, which describes this as a “missed opportunity to enhance the UK’s research base, given the benefits these students bring”.

One obstacle that could be removed concerned visa restrictions on the amount of paid work that international PhDs can undertake, which is generally capped at 20 hours a week in term time, even if it related to professional roles within a university that could enhance the skills of PhD graduates.

The government should “review the practicalities of an exemption to working time limits where an international PGR student is employed by their own university in a role which is adjacent to their programme”, urges the report.

It also urges the government to consider whether the post-study visa rules for PhD graduates are still competitive, noting that a chemical scientist with a PhD would normally require a salary of at least £31,000 to obtain a three-year skilled worker visa.

Additionally, the Home Office should “urgently review whether the collation of incidental costs to study, and mandated upfront payments, including visa fees and the  Immigration Health Surcharge [at about £1,000 a year] are inhibiting the attraction of international PGR students” and whether these “pricing strategies” were deterring high-skilled researchers from coming to the UK.

In addition, the report also urges universities to do more to capture the benefits of having international PGRs, including gathering more data on graduate outcomes and PhDs’ research outputs.

For instance, the report found that the 23,690 PhD students at 22 leading research universities were likely to be responsible for about 10,000 research outputs in their time at university.

Drawing on the words of one PhD supervisor interviewed for the study, the report concludes that “international PGR students ‘power the engine’ of the UK’s science and research capabilities, providing new insights and technical capacity.

“However, we have not yet done enough to measure their impact and unless measures are taken to join up policy initiatives, address challenges in the visa regime, collect better data, and otherwise make explicit how valued their contribution is, the UK risks losing their talents to other nations.”

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Working in the UK during studies

Working while you are studying, how many hours you can work and the visa restrictions on working.

The webinar below presented by our IAG Team and Careers Team discusses working during your studies:

Normally working in the UK during your studies is permitted but there are restrictions on the type of work you can do. This includes how many hours per week you can work, depending on your level and mode of study.

You must check your visa to find out if you can work.

If your visa was issued outside the UK and states 'Work (and any changes) must be authorised' or a variation of this, then you have permission to work.

If you have extended your visa in the UK and have an ID card (a BRP), you may work if it states 'Restricted Work. P/T term time. F/T vacations' or a variation of this.

Visa restrictions on working

If you are studying full-time at degree level, during term-time you may not work more than 20 hours per week.

If you work more than 20 hours in any one week you will be breaching your visa and this could prevent you from obtaining a new visa in the future or completing your studies.

Your focus should be on your studies. The University of Liverpool recommends that all students work only 15 hours per week during term time.

During vacation time you are allowed to work full time.

You are not allowed to set up a business, be self-employed, provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or pursue a career by fulfilling a permanent full-time vacancy.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has written a blog post  here regarding working during studies whilst holiding a Student Visa. It clarifies work rights regarding being 'on call', private selling, income from digital work and 'influencers' as well as ad-hoc work such as being a courier. 

Taking a degree with a year in industry

If you are taking a degree that includes a year in industry placement, the placement can be full time as it is an integral and assessed part of your degree, therefore, considered study. The 20-hour work permission is in addition to the year in industry placement. You will remain on a student visa sponsored by the University for your year in industry.

Your school will provide a letter to your industry placement provider to confirm it forms part of the degree, see 'How can I prove my right to work?' for further details. 

What is classed as 'a week'?

UK Visas and Immigration define a week as 'any seven day period starting on a Monday'. Therefore, you cannot work more than 20 hours in any one Monday to Sunday period otherwise you would be in breach of the conditions of your visa.

If you are unsure if you might be in breach of this or have a general query, please contact us before undertaking the work .

What is term-time?

Term-time is any period in which you are regarded by the University as undertaking academic work, for example, attending classes, revising, researching or writing coursework, writing a dissertation or thesis.

Undergraduates and Postgraduate Taught students will have their vacation time  set by the University. Masters students should note that their vacation periods are the winter and spring vacations only (held over the Christmas and Easter period), as during the summer they are required to be completing their dissertations. Masters students course end date is as stipulated on the CAS and student record and are therefore in 'term-time' until this date, therefore, you must not work more than 20 hours per week until your official course end date.  

PhD and other research students must agree a vacation time with their supervisor in advance. 

Students repeating studies are still limited to 20 hours per week during term time.

How can I prove my right to work?

From the 6 th April 2022, when proving your right to work to an employer in the UK, all Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) holders will be required to generate a  sharecode online. Physically showing your BRP card to an employer is no longer accepted.

If you started employment before this date you do not need to show your right to work again as showing the physical BRP card was accepted at the time, however, your employer may request this if they are re-checking right to work or are being cautious with the new requirement.

A right to work check is simply the employer’s legal responsibility to check that those who are working for them have the legal right to do so and what the conditions to that work are e.g. that student visa holders can work but are limited to 20 hours per week during term time.

For more information click on the Employer's guide to right to work checks

In order to demonstrate your right to work please use the following link to get set up on the online portal and to generate a sharecode which you can give to employers. They can then use this to see your right to work in the UK - Prove your right to work to an employer - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The university does not produce letters to students to confirm your right to work as it is a requirement of your employer to satisfy themselves of your entitlement and the UK government provide lots of information for employers to help them to do this.

We would advise you to obtain an  Enrolment Status letter  so your employer has evidence that you are still enrolled on a course of full time study. This along with your sharecode and a print out from the website confirming your  term dates are all an employer needs to see. 

The only situation where the University should provide a formal letter to your employer is where your employment forms part of a work placement which is an official part of your course. This is confirmed on page 47 of the employers guide above.  This would be produced by your School or department. Each School has a member of staff responsible for co-ordinating placements and we would recommend asking them for further guidance. 

National Insurance (NI) number

If you intend to work, or soon after you get a job, you will need a National Insurance (NI) number.

If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP) , you might have a National Insurance (NI) number already - it will be printed on the back of your BRP if you do.

You cannot be paid until you have an NI number.

For information about National Insurance numbers, please visit the UK Government's website .

How to apply

You can apply for a National Insurance number online by visiting the UK government website here . You will need to prove your identity when you apply. 

National Insurance number application line: Telephone: 0800 141 2075 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

After you apply, it can take up to eight weeks to get your National Insurance number.

You will not need to have a face-to-face interview at the moment because of coronavirus.

Finding a job

Jobs are advertised in a number of places. You can find information about looking for employment and current vacancies as well as how our Careers Service can help you on the Careers and Employability Service website .

Employment rights

All employers must pay their employees a  minimum wage which has been set by the UK Government.

Do not accept money paid to you directly in cash, also known as 'cash in hand'. Wages should normally be paid directly into your bank account and you should always receive a proper payslip containing information about tax and National Insurance contributions.

For more information on your rights and the responsibilities your employer owes you, please visit the Careers and Employability Service website .

Working after you've finished your studies

On completing your studies you may work full time but only until your visa expires, provided this is not more than four months from the end of your course.

The same conditions apply, and so you cannot accept a permanent, full-time vacancy during this time.

If your visa expiry date is more than four months from the end date of your course, please contact us for advice.

If you wish to continue working in the UK beyond these four months, you must change your visa to one of those in the employment categories .

For PhD students, you are not deemed to have finished your studies until you have submitted your final thesis (this means that you have completed your viva and any necessary corrections). You therefore cannot work full-time after your initial submission whilst waiting for a viva date. 

Speak to a International Advice and Guidance advisor

If you are unable to find an answer to your query on our web pages email [email protected] or book an online confidential one-one appointment.

• Work during study

Working in the UK during your studies

Depending on your immigration status in the UK you may have restrictions on employment. The following information will let you know your working rights in the UK.

If you hold a Tier 4/Student visa, there will be restrictions on the amount and type of work you do in the UK.

The main purpose of your Student visa is to allow you to study in the UK, not work. If you hold a Tier 4/Student visa, you must adhere to the working restrictions attached to it. These conditions will be on your BRP and stated in your visa application decision letter.

On this page you can find information about:

EEA and Swiss nationals

Undergraduate students.

• Postgraduate taught students
• Postgraduate research students
• Below degree level students

Volunteering

Proving your right to work, work placements.

• Other visa types
• Looking for work

Working for an employer outside the UK

Working for a uk employer remotely.

If you are an EEA or Swiss national who has been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can work in the UK during and after your studies and you do not need the permission of UK Visas and Immigration to do so.

Tier 4/Student visa holders

• It will be stated on your visa if you can work and the amount of hours you are allowed to work per week.
• The maximum per week limit is defined by UKVI as Monday to Sunday. 
• If your visa says “no work allowed” or “work prohibited” you are not allowed to work.
• If you leave your programme early or take a break from your studies you should not undertake any work whilst you are still in the UK. This is because your visa rights rely on you being in full-time study. 
• If you think you have the incorrect working rights on your visa please contact the Student Immigration Advice Team by using the  contact form  for further assistance.

There are some restrictions on the types of employment you can undertake as a Tier 4/Student visa student. You cannot do any of the following:

• This includes freelancing and ‘gig-economy’ work, such as Deliveroo or Uber drivers.

Any work or trading as a freelancer, contractor or consultant is highly likely to be considered self-employment, which is not permitted under the Tier 4/Student visa work conditions.

• Take a permanent full-time job
• Be employed as a professional sportsperson including as a sports coach
• Be employed as an entertainer
• Work as a doctor or dentist in training, unless you are on the foundation programme.

*Please note that you are not permitted to set up your own business in the UK, including where you are not the controlling shareholder. This additional restriction will affect you if you applied for your Tier 4/Student visa on or after 6 April 2016.

If you require further guidance on how many hours you are permitted to work, please contact the Student Immigration Compliance Team. To contact the team, please open an enquiry via askUCL.

UK government Employment status website

• Undergraduate students are only permitted to work (paid or unpaid) up to 20 hours during term time. 
• You are permitted to work full-time during University vacations only; students should refer to the vacation periods as stated on the UCL term dates website .
• Once the course end date on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) has passed, you are permitted to work full-time until your visa expiry date, but cannot fill a permanent vacancy.

Postgraduate Taught students

• Postgraduate Taught Masters (PGT) students are only permitted to work (paid or unpaid) up to 20 hours during term time.
• PGT students have official vacation periods during Christmas and Easter only*. This means that students will only be permitted to work full-time during the Christmas and Easter vacation periods ( see UCL official term dates ).
• PGT students are expected to be studying during the summer whilst they write their dissertation. This period is considered to be term-time,and therefore students will only be permitted to work 20 hours per week during this time.
• Following the course end date stated on the CAS you are permitted to work full-time until your visa expiry date, but cannot fill a permanent vacancy.

* If you are enrolled on a 2-year PGT programme (e.g. MFA), you may have a summer vacation period between Year 1 and Year 2.  Please check with your academic department to confirm the specific vacation dates for your programme. 

Postgraduate Research students

• Postgraduate Research (PGR) students are required to be in continuous attendance as the standard University term dates do not apply to them.
• PGR students do not have any designated vacation periods. You are in term time all year unless you have written permission from your supervisor and academic department to take a period of annual leave.
• Your supervisor must agree and confirm the dates for the annual leave in writing to your academic department. You can work full-time during the agreed annual leave period.  Details of PGR annual leave can be found in the UCL Academic Manual (Chapter 5, section 2.6).  Should your employer require confirmation of your annual leave period, please refer them to your academic department. 
• Once you have completed all academic work and submitted your final thesis including corrections, you will be permitted to work full-time until your visa expiry date, but cannot fill a permanent vacancy.

Studying below degree level

Please note if the programme of study is below degree level you will be permitted to work 10 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. Please check your BRP for your permitted working hours. 

You can volunteer while you are studying. Volunteering is different from Voluntary Work (unpaid employment) and does not count towards your weekly working hours limit. Volunteers will normally help a registered charity or voluntary or public sector organisation.  

If you are volunteering with an organisation, you must not: 

• have a contract of employment 
• take the place of an employee 
• receive payment for your contribution, including payment in kind 

You are permitted to undertake Voluntary Work in the UK however you must be aware that Voluntary Work counts towards your maximum number of hours of work during a week. 

As a voluntary worker you: 

• are usually paid in some form 
• often have a contract with an employer 

If you are unsure, you should check with the organisation whether what you are doing can be regarded as Voluntary Work. 

UKCISA advice on volunteering  

If your employer requires additional evidence of your term dates so they know when you may be allowed to work more hours than the restriction stated on your visa, you can provide:  

• a printout from UCL website confirming term dates
• a UCL student status letter (letter self-service options are available on Portico where students can print off a statement of student status (current students) or statement of award (alumni))
• Postgraduate research students are able to obtain confirmation of their annual leave period from their academic department.

If you are a Student visa holder, you are only permitted to undertake a work placement in the following circumstances:

The work placement must:

• be an integral and assessed part of your programme
• take up no more than 50% of the total time that you spend on your programme

If your work placement meets the above requirements, you will be permitted to work (paid or unpaid) for more than 20 hours per week.  However, you must not be self-employed, or employed as a professional or semi-professional sportsperson, or an entertainer.

As your visa sponsor, UCL will report the details of your work placement to UK Visas and Immigration.  This applies whether your work placement takes in place on the work placement premises, remotely or abroad. 

PGR students who wish to undertake a work placement must obtain confirmation from their supervisor that the placement is an integral part of their PhD research.  It is only in these circumstances that we will be able to continue to sponsor your student visa.

If you have any questions about undertaking a work placement as part of your programme, you should seek guidance from both your academic department and the Student Immigration Compliance Team .

Other visa holders

If you are a non-EEA national in the UK on a visa type other than Tier 4/Student visa you should check that you have the right to work before seeking employment. Normally this will be stated on your visa. If not, or if you are unclear about this, you can contact the Student Immigration Advice Team by using the  contact form  for further assistance.

Please note: all types of visitor visa, including the Short-term study visa, do not allow work in the UK.

Finding work in the UK

London has more part-time work opportunities than anywhere else in the country, whether you are looking for paid or voluntary work, the  UCL Career Services website  is a good place to start your search.

Volunteering during your studies is very popular in the UK and is a fantastic way to develop your skills, meet new people and improve your chances of getting paid work. You can find more information about the benefits of volunteering and the current roles on offer on the website of the  Volunteering Services Unit  (VSU) .

If you are physically outside the UK, your Tier 4/Student visa work conditions are irrelevant.  You need to check what your work rights in the specific country where you are working.  However any work you do when you are physically in the UK, for example working for a non-UK employer remotely or doing a "virtual internship" with them counts towards your weekly 10 or 20 hours maximum.  This is because the work restriction has no specific exception to not count work undertaken remotely for an employer who is outside the UK.

Tier 4/Student visa holders undertaking a work placement or internship remotely from outside the UK are not limited to the weekly 10 or 20 hours work maximum as they are not in the UK and therefore are not subject to Student visa work conditions.

In addition, a UK visa is not required for a person who is overseas to work remotely for a UK employer.

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Undergraduate and full-time taught Masters students

Students are not expected to undertake paid work during term-time. Cambridge seeks to keep student living costs manageable, and accordingly the vast majority of students do not work during term-time, concentrating instead on their academic studies and co-curricular/social activities. Cambridge terms are short so many students work during the vacations, especially, for undergraduate students, in the long vacation in the summer. Masters students should consult their Faculty or Department for further details regarding official vacation periods during their studies and note that, depending on the course, studies may continue into the summer. 

Students are reminded of  the financial support that is available through the Colleges and the University .

Any students who undertake work should first consider the impact this may have on their studies and discuss the matter with their Tutor. Students should always take into account personal constraining factors, including visa and financial sponsorship restrictions. Pressure created by paid working will not normally be accepted as extenuating circumstances for examination mitigation, in cases where results are disappointing.

This information also applies to Advanced Diploma students. 

Students on a Tier 4/Student visa should ensure they read the full guidance about the working conditions of their visa . This includes restrictions on the type of work that can be undertaken.

Postgraduate research students

For postgraduate research students, the University recommends limiting work to 6 - 10 hours per week but students should read the further guidance outlined on the working while you study webpage . It should be noted that the academic year for postgraduate research students is continuous throughout the year, from 1 October to 30 September. It is therefore not possible, for example, for a postgraduate research student to undertake full-time work during the summer period. Whilst breaks for holidays are permitted, at times agreed with your supervisor, these are not periods that would permit full-time work. Students should never in any case exceed a maximum of 20 hours work each week, which includes both paid and unpaid work, in terms of both the University's restrictions and visa restrictions for those students on a student visa.  

Whether you can work after submission of your thesis for examination varies depending on the stage of the process as outlined in the information below. 

Working after submission of PhD thesis for examination

• The period between submission of thesis for examination and official notification of viva outcome is considered to be 'vacation' and you can work full time.
• students who are not studying on a Tier 4/Student visa can continue to work full-time during this period unless the viva outcome is ‘revise and resubmit', in which case the University's 20 working hour restriction applies. 
• students on a Tier 4/Student visa can only work for up to 20 hours a week in accordance with the conditions of their visa.

Please note that extensions to the deadline for submitting corrections on the grounds of employment would not be approved.

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PhD Students

The PhD is a long-standing UK qualification and has been part of the fabric of UK universities for as long as higher education has been around.

How do PhD students cope with the stresses of PhD qualifications and how many papers should a PhD student publish?

What is a PhD student?

A PhD research student takes on a project focusing on a particular topic. They will zone in on a research hypothesis, explore it and write up the results. Once they complete this they obtain a Doctor of Philosophy degree - which is the highest level of higher education.

A PhD research student will spend between three to seven years - full or part-time - completing their thesis which will add value to the research world in their chosen subject.

What does a PhD student do?

So, what do you do as a PhD student? Doctorate students work on a research project or hypothesis for several years, completing a large piece of work that is original in that subject area. The thesis will provide new research and insight in its contribution to that field.

Other than completing their huge thesis, a PhD student could be teaching, with many teaching or working as assistants within their department at university. Some institutions expect their PhD students to do this, whilst others offer it as an optional extra. You could find yourself assisting with lectures or tutorials and helping with supervising undergraduates.

Most PhD students are still full-time students, they are often passionate and engrossed in their particular field and work part time jobs whilst completing their degree.

But if you’re wondering how many papers does a PhD student publish? It’s typically their thesis that is completed in the end, but this could change after their doctorate, as many continue in the academic field.

However, regarding how many papers should a PhD student read? This is entirely down to the individual learner, although it’ll most likely be hundreds. A thesis can be 80,00-100,000 words, and the amount of research needed is substantial, much more than the 12,000 word Master’s dissertation. This is why it takes so long to complete.

What is it like to be a PhD student?

The life of a PhD student will vary for each person but the foundations will be the same; studying, working, and research.

PhD student life is full of papers, reading and analysing, as well as researching their own topic. It may include lectures and seminars that they teach as part of their Doctorate, it might involve a part time job they do on weekends, but every PhD student’s day-to-day life can differ.

Some may document their journey through a PhD student blog, whilst others may still live at home, much like individuals in any area of life, they’re all unique.

Working towards a doctorate is a lengthy and intense process - but it offers huge rewards. The average age of a PhD student in the UK is usually someone in their 30s. PhD’s expect their students to have a Master’s and undergraduate degree which take some time to complete. Further, most PhD’s cost a lot if you can’t secure funding so this may take time-saving up for. Because of all of this PhD students can range from 22-years-old to 60 - the possibilities are endless.

What makes a good PhD student?

There isn’t an essential checklist to being a good PhD student, but there are several things you can do to ensure you keep yourself on track.

Strong time management is one of the vital parts of studying for a Doctorate. Treat it as a full time job and set enough time aside each day to work on it, it’s a long and difficult process that can be broken down into pieces and seem more manageable. This will help when you’re writing your thesis, as all the time and effort you’ve put into it will start showing, as well as providing experiences of working to a schedule. Although you should put a lot of time into your work, it’s just as important to enjoy life, socialise and allow yourself ‘down time’.

Don’t send large pieces of work to your supervisor - they also have large workloads - instead, send short submissions regularly to receive constructive and helpful feedback. This will be more productive as you’ll have the chance to assess the points highlighted instead of having less support on huge pieces of work that are thousands and thousands of words.

It’s fine if other areas of life are taking up too much of your time, like teaching, being a student representative, or work and life commitments. If this is the case address the situation maturely and calculate how much time you can give and what you need to realign. It may be that you work fewer hours or you stop going out three times a week.

Your PhD degree or other areas in your life should work in a balance. For example, how many hours should a PhD student work? This is down to you and how much you have to get through each day and week.

How to manage your time as a PhD student?

For any prospective PhD student, the average week can depend on a number of factors; your learning style; the subject area; work patterns and facilities like lab access; what stage you are at for your PhD; what you have agreed with your supervisor; personal preference for working patterns and the university’s regulations.

Some students can work between 25 to 70 hours a week - depending on all of their commitments. Completing a doctorate is hard work and the individual areas of the thesis require different demands on your time. Peer pressure and overbearing supervisors may contribute to feeling like it’s taking up a large part of your life, but address each issue as it comes along and it won’t feel so uncomfortable or that it’s ‘too much work’.

It’s important to remember that your supervisor and university want you to complete a successful PhD and they are essentially supporting you - they want you to come out with something amazing!

For a lot of people, finishing a PhD degree is a huge academic achievement, as it’s the final product of several years of commitment, higher education, and the earned right of being specialised in your topic.

Who can supervise a PhD student?

A strong and positive student-supervisor relationship is vital to the success of your degree. Supervisors are appointed to supervise any work you do.

Supervisors are friendly enough people, but if you feel you need to work on your relationship, be honest about it with them - you’ll be with them for several years! And the final resort is changing your supervisor by speaking to the department and university, however, this is an extreme circumstance that most PhD students don’t need to do.

How much does a PhD student earn in UK?

This is down to how much the university pays it’s PhD students for working at their establishment as a lecturer or in student support. The PhD student salary for UK universities can vary, so it’s worth checking before applying to study for a doctorate at that establishment. Not all universities require their PhD students to work whilst they study, if this is the case, you won’t get a ‘salary’ but may receive financial support for living costs and tuition fees.

Next, there are many different types of PhD student jobs available outside the university grounds. University towns or cities usually have higher retail and restaurants available, because of the student life and atmosphere in general. These are great at offering more flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, which can be perfect for your research.

However, a PhD student salary is something that can’t be calculated as an average, as it’s down to the individual and how much they are working.

How much does it cost to fund a PhD student?

This is an important question if you live at home, with parents, with a partner or even on your own. There is PhD loan student finance in the form or PhD studentships or scholarships from universities, research councils and charities. There is also a PhD student loan provided by the government which you end up paying back via your earnings afterwards.

Securing funding can be a major worry for a lot of PhD students as it costs a pretty penny to complete the doctorate. However, there are lots in place to aid those who are embarking on the journey. For example, PhD student council tax is free, meaning students don’t have to pay council tax. If you are living with one other person who isn’t a student, they can apply for 25% off of their bill, as they’re seen the same as a single person living in the accommodation. But this isn’t in place for a full household (unless you’re all students!). Additionally, as soon as you submit your PhD you must start paying your council tax.

Next, as a lot of PhD students are mature or at an older age than the typical student population, some may be interested in buying a home with a partner, friend or even on their own. Because of this, many wonder about PhD student mortgage options. A mortgage is a contract with the bank on a property, where the bank or building society will buy the property, and you pay back what you owe in mortgage repayments every month. It isn’t the easiest thing to secure, and if you’re studying for a PhD you should work out if you can afford to apply for a mortgage before going ahead with either. Doctorate students don’t earn a high salary, as they are studying and working around their research project.

However, it could be a viable option following the completion of your PhD and once you secure a job. For international student PhD funding in UK, it can differ as most universities offer places to those living in the UK. It doesn’t mean there aren’t options out there, as some institutions have clauses they can work around to offer PhD studentships or scholarships to international students.

It’s worth checking with your chosen universities to find out if they provide funding to international students before applying.

Are there student loans for PhD programs?

The student loan game is changing in the UK and the government now offers a PhD student loan. The student finance PhD loan offers up to £25,000 for those wanting to become an academic doctor. The amount you receive is not based on you or your family’s income and is not means-tested.

However, for anyone looking into PhD funding student finance options they should know the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may take your loan into account when working out any benefits you receive, if you’re applying for Universal Credit, as an example.

The PhD student loan is paid directly to you and you can use it for your fees and living costs, and it’ll be divided equally across each year of your course.

You can also apply for it in any year of your degree, but if you apply after your first year you might not get the maximum amount, as it’s goal is to support PhD students throughout the entire doctorate. If you apply after the first 12 months you might receive around £10,906 per year.

What is the difference between PhD student and candidate?

So, what’s the difference between PhD student and PhD candidate? They are actually separate things with a thesis or final exam in the way. It works similar to a postgraduate diploma and a Master’s degree, where people are awarded the diploma if they don’t complete or choose to do the dissertation at the end.

A candidate is someone who has fulfilled all the requirements for the PhD degree except the thesis. This could also be an option for anyone who needs a break - PhDs are a long and difficult process!

Some institutions allow you to become a Candidate of Philosophy instead, or grant a Master’s degree en route to the doctoral degree. It can also be referred to as PhD ABD, which means ‘All but Dissertation’.

In theory, everyone is a PhD candidate or student until they submit their project or thesis, but the title has to be awarded by the university if you choose to take a break or not to finish your final dissertation. Not all universities offer the option of becoming a PhD candidate, so if you’re having troubles during your doctorate talk to your supervisor as the first port of call.

How to make money as a PhD student?

Funding a PhD can be tough - but it’s not impossible. Many choose to take on part time jobs, either at the university or outside. First, most PhD student employment status is someone who is working - as the rent and living costs aren’t going to pay for themselves!

If you need to make money, look at writing your CV as a PhD student. You’ll need to apply for jobs that’ll offer hours that can work around your schedule. A PhD student CV doesn’t need to go into detail about your doctorate or research if you’re looking to work in the retail, food or warehouse sector.

Set up your CV like you would for any job opportunities you regularly would, input your greatest achievements and set it out smartly and clearly. Then you can apply for jobs that suit your needs and ability.

How to write a reference letter for a PhD student?

When PhD students are applying for their course via a Research Council or university they will usually write a proposal. This may include a reference letter, or a recommendation letter for a PhD student from a professor they’ve worked with before. They allow the panel or admissions department to discover why they should offer a place to that individual.

When you are looking to fill out your proposal, you should seek a letter from someone who has seen your hardwork and who is able to sing your praises - because you want to show the best side of you!

If you’re writing a reference for a PhD student, focus on the good things they’ve done, especially within the academic and research field. A PhD student needs to be focussed, committed, dedicated and hardworking, as well as holding many other great attributes.

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Working rights and limits during studies - Tier 4/Student

Important to read first. The information contained on this page applies to students on Tier 4/Student visas only. It does not apply to students on other visa types that permit full-time work. Every Tier 4/Student visa holder studying a full-time programme at the University of Reading should have a right to work while studying, but the working limits depend on the course a student is currently undertaking.  Tier 4/Student visa holders studying part-time, Short-term study visa holders, and visitors are not permitted to undertake any work, paid or unpaid.

Working rights and limits