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Funding

Check PhD Funding for Part-Time and Distance Study

Programme flexibility and award eligibility are separate questions. Before budgeting, check whether the specific funding competition supports your intended attendance pattern, location and fee status.

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Separate mode, location and award

Find the programme’s available modes, then read the particular studentship rules. Part-time study does not automatically mean distance study. A programme that permits remote attendance may still offer funding only to researchers based at the university. Do not transfer conditions from another award at the same institution.

Compare itemised support

Reading’s international competition offers up to four years full-time or six part-time. Researchers based at Reading can receive a stipend; eligible off-campus or distance applicants receive tuition and training support without a stipend. Its AHRC competition allows part-time awards but excludes distance study and requires international recipients to fund the overseas fee difference.

Check pro-rata terms and future rates

Sheffield’s AHRC scheme describes 3.5-year studentships, pro-rata for part-time attendance, with applicable Home or International tuition. Ask for the part-time payment schedule and funded duration rather than assuming the full-time annual stipend. A quoted 2026/27 UKRI rate is not confirmation of the 2027/28 amount.

Build a budget for the actual offer

List tuition, maintenance, research and training allowances separately. Ask which costs are excluded and whether fee gaps, immigration, travel or additional study time are your responsibility. Record unanswered questions and seek written award terms. Choose the attendance pattern that fits your circumstances using confirmed amounts, rather than the headline funding label.

Your Next-Step Checklist

  • Verify part-time eligibility in the named award.
  • Check distance and campus attendance restrictions separately.
  • Request stipend schedule, funded duration and fee coverage.
  • Keep reference-year rates distinct from future amounts.
  • Budget excluded costs and unfunded study time.

Official Reading

Read the official school, university, funder or government sources below.

Reading international award: location and durationReading AHRC: part-time, distance and fee conditionsSheffield AHRC: pro-rata awards

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