Fees and funding

How much does a PhD and MPhil cost?

These fees apply to the 2025-26 academic year only and may be subject to inflationary increases in subsequent years of study.

UK students
£4,400 per year for a standard tier full-time PhD and MPhil or £2,200 for part-time per year	£6,000 per year for an enhanced tier full-time PhD and MPhil or £3,000 for part-time per year
*The PhD and MPhil writing up fee is £650.**

International students
£11,750 per year for a standard tier full-time PhD and MPhil	£14,500 for an enhanced tier full-time PhD and MPhil	£5,875 per year for a standard tier part-time distance learning PhD and MPhil	£5,875 for an enhanced tier distance learning PhD and MPhil
*The PhD and MPhil writing up fee is £650.**

Enhanced fees are charged for certain programmes to reflect the higher costs associated with these disciplines. The fee applicable will be clearly stated in your offer letter.

Enhanced tier

Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Civil Engineering
Energy
Chemical Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Construction
Biochemistry
Bioremediation
Biotechnology
Biomedical Engineering
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Food Science
Forensic Science
Medical Engineering
Microbiology
Physics

Standard tier

Computer Science
Design
English
Politics
Psychology
Education
Fine Art
Games Animation
History
Health
Law
Media, Communication & Performance
Media Studies
Nutrition
Social Studies
Sport Science
Business Studies

*A writing-up fee is paid in the following years of study:

Year four for full-time PhD students
Years five and six for part-time PhD students
Year three for full-time MPhil students
Years three and four for part-time MPhil students.

This reflects the expectation that, during these periods, you will be finalising your thesis after completing your primary research.

If you do not submit your thesis for examination within the writing-up period, your tuition fee will normally revert to the relevant UK part-time fee (standard or enhanced tier) from the following year.

Finding funding

There are a range of ways you can fund your postgraduate research studies. Find out more about the various options by exploring the links below.

Funded opportunities

Find out about funded PhD studentships

Self-funding - PGR loan

Many postgraduate research students choose to fund their study independently. The UK government has recently introduced Postgraduate Doctoral Loans for Home fee paying students to help cover the cost of a PhD. The non-means tested loan may be available to students under the age of 60 who are not in receipt of a Research Council living allowance.

More information about the scheme and how to apply can be found on the student finance section of the government website.

Please note that during the application process, your chosen PhD subject area may not show on the SLC Loans Database, but this does not mean that it is not eligible.

Scholarships and bursaries

If you are an undergraduate international fee-paying student at Teesside University and wish to progress to postgraduate study, or if you complete a master's with us and progress a new postgraduate programme, you are eligible for a £1,000 alumni scholarship. You will only receive the bonus if you apply directly to us and do not use an agent. The £1,000 is awarded as a discount on your first-year fees for your next programme.

More about scholarships and bursaries for international students