In a major boost for doctoral researchers, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced that the minimum annual stipend for PhD students will rise from £20,780 to £21,805 (approximately ₦40 million) starting October 1, 2026. Students based in London and other high-cost regions will receive proportionally higher amounts to cover living expenses, bringing the London-weighted stipend to £23,805 per year.
The revision applies to both domestic and international students, including Nigerians pursuing PhD programmes in the UK, and is part of UKRI’s effort to ensure doctoral researchers can focus on their studies without undue financial pressure.
Official Statements and Speeches
The increase comes amid growing concerns over the cost of living for PhD students in the UK. While the latest figures apply to the 2026 academic year, UKRI officials have emphasized that doctoral stipends are a cornerstone of a sustainable and inclusive research ecosystem.
Ottoline Leyser, UKRI Chief Executive, highlighted the importance of adequate postgraduate funding in a 2025 statement, remarks that remain relevant today:
“Postgraduate training is critical to building the workforce needed for an innovation-led economy and public sector, and to delivering outstanding research and innovation outcomes. To capture these benefits, postgraduate training must be accessible to a wide range of people, and to support them to reach their full potential. The increase in the postgraduate stipend and changes in terms and conditions we are announcing today are part of our ongoing work to forge a new deal for postgraduates, widening access to the diverse and fulfilling careers that research and innovation has to offer.”
UKRI has reaffirmed this commitment for the 2026 revision, citing the need to keep pace with inflation and rising living costs, particularly in cities like London, Oxford, and Cambridge.
Why the Increase Matters
Student advocacy groups and academic unions have long argued that existing PhD stipends often fall short of covering basic living expenses. In late 2025, several London-based student organisations — including representatives from Imperial College London, UCL, King’s College London, and the London School of Economics — called for increased funding and London weighting, noting that doctoral study in the capital risked becoming “accessible only to the most privileged.”
The stipend increase is expected to ease financial pressure on thousands of doctoral researchers, allowing them to concentrate fully on their studies and research projects without needing to seek additional part-time employment.
Feryal Clark, then-Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, spoke on the broader significance of UKRI’s funding decisions in parliamentary records:
“UKRI sets a minimum stipend level for the students that it funds and announced in January that this would increase by 8%. UKRI considers a range of factors when setting stipends, including affordability, potential impact on the number of students, the welfare of students, ensuring that doctoral training remains attractive to potential candidates, and international peers.”
What the Stipend Covers
The stipend is tax-free maintenance support, designed to cover living costs while students focus on research. It does not include tuition fees, which are funded separately by UKRI for eligible students. For students in high-cost areas such as London, the London weighting ensures that stipends reflect the higher costs of accommodation, transportation, and daily living.
Impact on Nigerian and International Students
For Nigerian students pursuing PhDs in the UK, the new stipend represents a significant financial boost, translating to roughly ₦40 million annually at current exchange rates. This aligns with UKRI’s wider strategy to attract top international talent and ensure that doctoral programmes remain competitive globally.
The stipend increase is also expected to set a benchmark for universities and research institutions that fund doctoral students independently or through charities, encouraging wider adoption of the new minimum levels.
Looking Ahead
UKRI and university stakeholders continue to engage with student groups, unions, and academic bodies to ensure stipends and support structures remain adequate and equitable. Discussions on additional provisions — including health-related accommodations, leave policies, and London-cost adjustments — are expected to influence future stipend reviews.
As financial pressures on students remain a central issue in postgraduate education, the 2026 stipend increase represents a concrete step toward making doctoral research in the UK more sustainable and accessible, particularly for Nigerian and other international students seeking advanced education abroad.
This post will be updated as more details about the 2026 stipend implementation and university-specific funding adjustments are released.
