UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has declared an increase in the minimum stipend for PhD students, raising it to £21,805 (about N40m) starting from October 1, 2026. UKRI’s stipend rates is a benchmark for funding across various institutions and sponsorships in the UK.
Why The Increment?
Living in an urban UK city is expensive. The goal of this increment is to make above-inflation adjustments and support thousands of doctoral candidates across UK universities and research institutions. 
For PhD students living in London, bearing the higher living expenses, the stipend will increase to £22,780. The London allowance is higher because of more expensive housing, transport, and living costs.
This adjustment is part of UKRI’s annual review of doctoral funding, and it’s in response to concerns over inflationary pressures that have impacted researchers financially.
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Are PhD Students Satisfied?
While the academic community has welcomed this increase, some student groups still feel that the stipends remain insufficient relative to the actual cost of living in major urban areas such as London and Cambridge. Note that it is an annual stipend, not a monthly stipend, and it may only appear a lot after local conversion.
These students continue to advocate for further improvements, including paid parental leave and better mental health support, despite acknowledging that the current rise marks one of the strongest increments in recent years and reflects UKRI’s commitment to supporting postgraduate researchers.
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