Funding & Eligibility

QUARTILES DLA students are funded either via NERC or BBSRC. NERC supported projects are funded for a 45-month duration (full time or pro-rata part time) and BBSRC projects for 48 months (full time or pro rata part time). Studentships start the following October.

QUARTILES DLA funding includes:

• *Stipend based on RCUK rates (estimated at £19,795 for the 2025/2026 academic year)
• UK Level Tuition Fees (*fee waiver for international candidates, see below)
• *Research and Training Support Grant (£9,000 for NERC, £15,000 for BBSRC)

*Stipend is a monthly payment provided to cover living expenses.

*Successful international candidates will receive a fee waiver for the difference between the UK Level and International Level tuition fee. International candidates are therefore not expected to fund this ‘fee gap’ themselves. Please note that international places are limited by UKRI to 30% of the intake – this equates to approximately 6 places in a cohort of 19 students.

*The Research and Training Support Grant (RTSG) is for use on direct PhD project research expenses e.g. costs and materials associated with lab or field work, experiments, equipment, essential training courses, conference attendance, academic society memberships etc. This amount is for the duration of the studentship (45 or 48 months).

QUARTILES DLA PhD studentships cannot be undertaken remotely. Both home and International students must be resident in the UK for the majority of their studies.

All applicants will be identified as either a Home fee paying candidate or an International fee paying candidate. To be classed as a Home fee paying candidate, you must:

1. be a UK National (meeting residency requirements),
   OR
2. have settled status in the UK (meeting residency requirements),
   OR
3. have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements),
   OR
4. have indefinite leave to remain in the UK

See below for residency requirements.

If you do not meet the above criteria, you are still eligible to apply however you will be classed as an international fee paying applicant for which places are limited.

Fee status assessments can be complex and we may ask you to provide further information or evidence so we can accurately determine your fee status.

You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least 3 years immediately prior to the start of the studentship (01 October 2025). UK Nationals who have temporarily been abroad for the purpose of study during this period will likely still be eligible for home fee status.

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria will be classed as international fee paying students.

QUARTILES DLA PhD studentships cannot be undertaken remotely. Both home and International students must be resident in the UK for the majority of their studies.

Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion is core to the QUARTILES Doctoral Landscape Award.

We actively encourage applications from diverse career paths and backgrounds and across all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status, amongst other protected characteristics.

We also invite applications from those returning from a career break, industry or other roles. We typically require a minimum 2:1 in your first degree (or equivalent), but exceptions can be made where applicants can demonstrate excellence in alternative ways, including, but not limited to, performance in masters courses, professional placements, internships or employment – this will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and is dependent upon approval from the relevant host institution.

We offer flexible study arrangements such as part-time study (minimum 50%) , however this does depend on the nature of the project/research so will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you have any questions about your eligibility, please email us at [email protected]

Please be aware that international places are limited by UKRI to 30% of the annual intake of 19 students. This equates to a maximum of 6 places annually.

Additional costs international students should expect:

• Visa fees
• Immigration Health Surcharge
• Relocation costs
• Travel costs
• Tax implications

UK Government guidance on obtaining a student visa can be found here. Immigration health surcharge information is available here.

Both universities have specialist teams who can help you through these processes. Please see the links below for more information:

Queen’s University Belfast:

• Visas & Immigration team
• Information for international applicants
• University accommodation
• International student support
• Cost of living in the UK

University of Aberdeen:

• Visas & Immigration support
• Information for international applicants
• University accommodation
• Student advice and support office
• Cost of living in the UK

Please make yourself aware of the extra costs associated with visas and immigration health surcharge before submitting an application. QUARTILES DLA studentships cannot cover these additional costs.