Navigating the Financial Side of a PhD: Advice from UWS Students

Navigating the Financial Side of a PhD: Advice from UWS Students 

Navigating the financial side of a PhD can be daunting. We asked our PhD students: What advice do you have for prospective students looking for scholarships or funding opportunities? Here is what they had to say.

Kennagh, PhD student in Performance

This is a tricky one as there are a variety of routes that everyone can take. UWS have opportunities advertised for fully funded projects with stipends for full-time study on UWS PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships, otherwise you can either self-fund or apply for funding through private sectors, incentives, and companies. 

There are too many to list, so I would advise speaking to the doctoral team (email Doctoral Team)  who can assist with this! 

UWS also has finance options to split the costs of your PhD, like monthly instalments. For more information, feel free to contact finance team.

Emma, PhD student in Social Sciences

It can be really tough, especially if you’re starting your PhD full-time after already having been employed for some time. There’s no denying that the pay isn’t amazing. I did have to think twice before I even applied for the studentship because I wasn’t sure if the stipend would be enough to cover my outgoings. This is where being aware of your personal finances comes in handy - I will never underestimate the power of my budget Excel sheet! 

I never thought I would start a PhD and I’m sure part of the reason is that I wasn’t sure how I would cope financially. So, had I not seen the paid opportunity, it’s very likely I would never have even applied. My tip is to keep an eye out for different paid opportunities, such as the UWS Vice-Chancellor Scholarships and other funded studentships. They make joining academia more accessible.

Logan, PhD student in Sport and Exercise Science

I would recommend looking for a PhD that is funded and includes a stipend. This gives you some funds that can be used to support your living costs. I have also been able to gain some employment that has been flexible and worked round my PhD. 

Work I have undertaken has included work within the university, including being a student ambassador and an associate lecturer. I have also gained external positions as a student support mentor, sports coach, and a sports education tutor. From all this work, as well as benefiting financially, I have also been able to gain a wealth of experience which will help for my future career. 

I would also recommend benefiting from still being a student and using your student discount!