Postgraduate research fees and costs
To undertake postgraduate research, you'll need to cover of tuition fees, research support fees (such as materials used in a laboratory) and your living expenses.
A funded PhD studentship may meet all or part of these costs. You may be able to find funding for your self-funded PhD or research project.
The fees stated in the table below exclude potential Research Support Fees, also known as ‘bench fees’. You'll be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.
Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.
Our tuition fees
| Study mode | Duration | UK students | International Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 2-4 years | £4,786 |
|
| Part time | 4-6 years | £2,393 |
|
* Please note that if you're undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the fee you pay (Band A or Band B) will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others, eg if you're required to undertake laboratory work. You'll be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.
Paying fees
The University requires payment of tuition fees at registration for the whole of the coming academic session or for the duration of a programme that is to be completed in less than a year. However, arrangements can be made for self-supporting students to pay their tuition fees in installments.
All instalments must be arranged with the Student Administration and Support Division. If you hold a scholarship or studentship, the awarding body should provide the Student Fees section of the Student Administration and Support Division with an acceptable guarantee of payment.
If you expect to be sponsored, please ensure that your sponsors fully understand their responsibilities for your fees and maintenance and that they are prepared to honour them for the duration of your studies in Liverpool.
If your sponsor doesn't provide an acceptable guarantee of payment or defaults on their guarantee, you'll become responsible for the payment of your fees. Unfortunately, the University isn't able to provide financial aid or waive fees for students whose arrangements for financial support fail during the period of their studies.
Transferring funds from abroad
International students will need to ensure that they can bring sufficient funds with them for living expenses, as well as for payment of fees, or have sufficient funds sent to them in instalments throughout the year. Students from countries which operate strict foreign exchange controls should make sure that permission can be obtained for the transmission of adequate funds.
Other costs
Research Support Fees
Research Support Fees, also known as 'bench fees', cover the cost of consumable materials used in your study. Some MPhil/PhD and taught programme projects use up large amounts of materials or ‘consumables’. In these cases, you may be charged an annual Research Support Fee to help cover the cost. Programmes which might incur a Research Support Fee are likely to be those which are laboratory-based. You'll be notified of any fee which applies in your offer letter. Research Support Fees are the same for UK, EU and international students.