📊 The Scope of the Challenge for UK PGRs

Postgraduate researchers (PGRs), often pursuing PhD programs in UK universities, are encountering significant financial strains due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. These individuals, typically fully engaged in advanced research projects lasting three to four years, receive stipends primarily from funding bodies like UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). While these payments are tax-free and intended to cover living expenses, rising costs for essentials such as rent, groceries, energy bills, and transport have left many struggling to make ends meet. In university towns and cities across the UK, from Manchester to Edinburgh and especially in London, monthly outlays frequently exceed £1,200, pushing PGRs to seek supplementary income or hardship support.

The Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) conducted in 2024 and published in 2025 by Advance HE highlights the severity of this issue. With responses from over 35,000 PGRs across 93 institutions, the survey revealed that 34 percent reported the cost-of-living crisis impacting their studies 'a lot,' while an additional 38 percent noted it affecting them 'a little.' This totals 72 percent experiencing some negative effect, a higher proportion than among undergraduate students (27 percent heavily impacted) or postgraduate taught students (23 percent). International PGRs, who make up around 40 percent of the cohort, face amplified pressures due to higher tuition fees, visa restrictions limiting work hours to 20 per week, and relocation expenses.

Domestic UK PGRs are somewhat less affected at 31 percent heavily impacted, but ethnic minority and disabled researchers report even greater challenges. For instance, satisfaction levels for disabled PGRs stand at 74 percent compared to 85 percent for non-disabled peers, partly attributed to additional costs for accessibility and health needs.

Breaking Down PGR Stipends and Real Living Costs

Understanding PGR funding starts with UKRI, the primary funder for doctoral studentships. The minimum doctoral stipend for 2025-26, effective from October 1, 2025, rose by 8 percent to £20,780 annually outside London—the largest real-terms increase since 2003. This equates to roughly £1,732 per month tax-free. In London, where costs are steeper, the figure is higher at around £22,780 for the same period, climbing further to £23,805 in 2026-27. From October 2026, non-London stipends will increase by 4.9 percent to £21,805, with corresponding adjustments for London-based researchers. These uplifts aim to align with the national living wage's take-home pay, but critics argue they lag behind inflation and regional living expenses. For detailed updates, see the UKRI announcement.

Contrast this with average student living costs in 2026. Rent averages £529 per month for shared accommodation in university cities like Bristol or Sheffield, but soars to £800-£1,200 in London or Oxford. Groceries add £146-£250 monthly, depending on dietary habits and inflation. Energy and utilities, amid volatile prices, cost £69-£150, while transport (buses, trains, or cycling maintenance) runs £50-£100. Leisure, course materials, and unexpected expenses push totals to £900-£1,500 monthly. In high-cost areas like Exeter or Cambridge, utilities alone can exceed £100 due to damp housing stock common in student lets.

• Rent: £400-£1,200 (shared house vs. city-center flat)
• Food and groceries: £120-£250
• Energy bills: £60-£150 (higher in winter)
• Transport: £40-£120 (Oyster card or student rail pass)
• Miscellaneous (phone, insurance, laundry): £100-£200

Self-funded or partially funded PGRs fare worse, relying on postgraduate doctoral loans capped at £12,167 annually (non-means-tested) or personal savings, often forcing them into debt.

Impacts on Research, Wellbeing, and Retention

Financial hardship ripples through every aspect of PGR life. A 2023 University and College Union (UCU) survey of nearly 900 PGRs found nearly 60 percent 'greatly' affected by rising costs, with energy, food, and rent topping concerns (81 percent, 81 percent, and 66 percent respectively). Over 80 percent held paid jobs alongside their PhD, including graduate teaching assistant (GTA) roles (63 percent), non-academic university work, or external gigs. This extra labor—often 47 hours weekly total—leads to exhaustion, reduced research output, and burnout. For more on the UCU findings, review their report.

Mental health suffers notably: stress, anxiety, and psychosomatic issues are rampant, with some PGRs contemplating withdrawal. PRES 2025 notes 25 percent considered leaving their program (down slightly from prior years), 14 percent citing finances. Research culture satisfaction lags at 63 percent, compounded by fewer conference attendances or teaching opportunities due to institutional budget cuts. International students, restricted in work, deplete savings faster, heightening dropout risks.

Positive notes persist: overall PRES satisfaction hit 83 percent, the highest since 2011, with strong supervision (89 percent) and skills development (87 percent). Yet, the disability satisfaction gap and feedback responsiveness (62 percent) underscore inequities.

🎓 University and Government Responses

Universities offer hardship funds, food banks, and budgeting workshops, but access is uneven—UCU found 87 percent of eligible PGRs hadn't applied, with 63 percent denied. Some institutions, like Warwick, voluntarily uplifted stipends by 10 percent in past crises. UKRI's reforms include 28 weeks medical leave, easier extensions, and disability support, fostering inclusivity.

Government initiatives tie stipends to living wage equivalents, but unions demand real living wage alignment (£12.60/hour outside London), inflation-linked rises, monthly payments (vs. quarterly), and benefit extensions like Universal Credit for PGRs. Campaigns on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), such as #PGRsAgainstLowPay, amplify calls for reform.

• Apply for university hardship funds early—check eligibility without stigma.
• Explore GTA roles for extra income while building your CV; see research assistant jobs.
• Budget using apps like Money Dashboard; prioritize bulk buying and energy-saving.
• Seek mental health support via university services or NHS.

Practical Strategies and Career Pathways Forward

PGRs can mitigate pressures through strategic planning. Share housing via university portals to cap rent at £400-£600. Cook communal meals to slash food costs by 30 percent. Leverage student discounts on transport (16-25 Railcard) and utilities. For internationals, confirm visa-compliant work like on-campus roles.

Long-term, supplementing via teaching enhances employability. Many transition to postdoc positions or lectureships post-PhD. AcademicJobs.com lists opportunities in faculty roles and research jobs, aiding career progression. Tailor your academic CV for these.

Prospective PGRs: Factor costs into applications; prioritize funded studentships. Current ones: voice concerns via student unions and PRES feedback to drive change.

Photo by Fotos on Unsplash

Outlook: Hope Amid Pressures

Despite challenges, UK PGRs report high satisfaction, buoyed by world-class supervision and facilities. Stipend hikes signal commitment, potentially stabilizing finances by 2027. As costs stabilize post-inflation peaks, combined with advocacy, the landscape improves. Share your experiences on Rate My Professor, explore higher ed jobs, or access career advice. Visit university jobs for post-PhD openings and post a job if recruiting. Your insights in comments strengthen the community.