Research degree fees and funding
Need funding for your PhD or MPhil? This page takes you through some of the ways you can fund your studies as a student of Bath Spa's Graduate College.
Funding and grants are also available from a variety of organisations such as businesses, charities and government bodies.
How much will my research degree cost?
The tuition fee you pay will depend on your year of entry, study mode (full-time or part-time) and award (PhD, MPhil). For an indication of course fees, see our postgraduate research degree tuition fees.
How do PhD fees work?
The fees quoted are annual fees. Please note that fees are subject to an annual increase that's usually confirmed in March for the following academic year. You incur fees until the date you submit your thesis for examination, at which point you move to 'continuation fee status'.
On submission of the thesis for examination, the annual tuition fee will be pro-rated in accordance with any month/part month studied and you'll be transferred to ‘continuation fee status’. If the thesis is submitted at any point after the first of each month, you'll be charged the whole month fee.
At this point, the continuation fee will be applied, which covers the cost of your viva examination and continued access to university services and facilities. This will be in addition to any pro-rata fee liability incurred.
Continuation fee status will apply until the end of your registration period e.g until you submit your final bound thesis and complete your course.
For postgraduate research students starting in March of the academic year, invoices are generated during the first month following the start date and fees are pro-rated by month to bring them in-line with annual invoicing in October.
The student will be invoiced for the annual fee, divided by 12 and multiplied by 7. They'll then be invoiced again in October for the full annual fee for the new academic year.
Please see postgraduate tuition fees or the dedicated course page for your programme of study for more information on fees. You can also email fees@bathspa.ac.uk if you have any queries.
Self-funded
If you're starting a doctoral degree, you could be eligible for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan to help with course fees and living costs.
International students may be able to apply for a loan or funding from their home government.
The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding is a resource for current and prospective postgraduate students (any subject, any nationality) who are looking to fund PhD, Master’s and PGCE study in the UK through grants from charities, trusts and foundations.
Studentships
From time to time, studentships are offered by specific schools or funded projects. If you’d like further information on these, please check this page or contact the relevant Higher Degrees tutor.
Each academic year, the Arts and Humanities Research Council South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership funds places for doctoral students across the arts and humanities. Funding consists of a full fee waiver, and a stipend paid at UKRI rates current for the respective year.
Students may choose a 'primary' institution and a 'secondary' institution for their supervision, with the 'primary' institution being their 'home'. They will have access to the resources of both institutions, and a dedicated suite of provision directly from the SWW DTP Hub itself - including events, training opportunities, placement opportunities and more.
Applications for funding open in November 2023 and close in January 2024. See the SWWDTP website for further information. Please check the SWWDTP website for eligibility. If you need additional assistance, you are welcome to contact the Graduate College at pgradmissions@bathspa.ac.uk.
Each academic year, the Economic and Social Research Council South West Doctoral Training Partnership funds places for doctoral students across the social sciences. For Bath Spa studentships, our eligible subject areas are:
- Education
- Management and Business Studies
- Sociotechnical Futures and Digital Methods
The SWDTP supports doctoral students by developing not only their research skills, but by offering a wide range of training, placements, activities, and events as well. They work in a collaborative way across nine institutions and have SWDTP students that will also form part of your cohort.
Applications for funding open in November 2023 and close in January 2024. See the SWDTP website for further information and for eligibility. Students applying for ESRC funded studentships are encouraged to speak to their chosen supervisor at Bath Spa prior to application to discuss their research ideas with a suitable supervisor. Here's where you can find details of the Bath Spa PhD application process.
Students are encouraged to look at ways of incorporating collaboration with external partners into their research proposal. Collaboration does not always have to be a financial arrangement and could take the form of a placement, voluntary work, data sharing or other payment in kind opportunities. Students considering overseas fieldwork, overseas institutional visits or difficult language training should also mention this in their application.
How to apply and deadlines
Once you've identified a suitable supervisor, you should submit your application through the Bath Spa University admissions portal. The deadline for submitting both your funding application to the ESRC and your PhD application to Bath Spa is 12 January 2024.
If you need additional assistance, you are welcome to contact the Graduate College at pgradmissions@bathspa.ac.uk.
Please note: If you intend to apply to either of the above Doctoral Training Partnerships for funding, you'll also need to submit a PhD application to Bath Spa in parallel. If you have any questions on this process, please contact our Admissions team: pgradmissions@bathspa.ac.uk.
Financial support for researching and presenting
The Graduate College provides some financial support for current postgraduate research students wishing to present at conferences or undertake archive or fieldwork.
Before you apply through the Postgraduate Research Student Support Scheme, you must have successfully completed your Research Plan. Please apply at least two months before the activity takes place. For more information, please contact us: pgrcurrentstudents@bathspa.ac.uk.