Fees and funding for MPhils and PhDs

PGR Tuition fees 2024/2025

The following tables show the annual fees payable for the academic year 2024/2025. The fee will increase each year, to the prevailing UK rate of inflation.

Fees for UK students

Full-time fees

Part-time fees

Fees for EU and International

Full-time fees

Part-time fees

For International Students enrolled before July 2018 on an MPhil or PhD, a returning fee rate is applicable: Full-time is £11,204 and part-time is £5,602.

The integrated route is discontinued and the Home/EU part-time rate for current students is £2,410.

Studentships Doctoral stipend minimum level for 2024/25: £19,237 per annum.

Professional Doctorate awards

• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Health and Social Care Practice
• Doctor of Business Administration

Post-target fees (writing up) - when reaching the thesis target submission date (see PhD Manager)

For all PGR students (with the exception of professional doctorates) that have not submitted their final thesis for examination by their Target Submission Date are classed as Post Target Fee students and continue to pay tuition fees until thesis submission. Full-time students also have their fees changed to the part-time annual rate (pro-rata).

Intention to submit for examination

Upon approval of their Intention to Submit by the College Research Committee, all PGR students are granted a three-month fee waiver that will be applied to their annual tuition fee. This is referred to as Thesis Completion Fees, and during this period: there is a minimal level of supervision support (i.e., 3 hours maximum per week). After three months of Thesis Completion fees, if the thesis has not been submitted, students return to post-target fees until thesis submission.

Thesis Submission and Withdrawal table - Tuition Fees Adjustment

For all PGR students, the annual fee is payable up to the submission of the thesis for examination as per the table below:

Following thesis submission, tuition fees will be adjusted to the cut-off point detailed above. There may be outstanding fees still payable for the current academic year, or excess on the account, a refund may be due. Students must check their accounts via UDo or contact University Finance Department for further information (+44 (0) 1332 592742 or email salesledger@derby.ac.uk)

Important tuition fee information

When students first enrol, they are charged a pro-rata amount of the annual fee up to 31 July. Students must pay between 25% and 100% of the fees at the first enrolment depending on when they join the University. If this is not paid, students are not allowed to enrol (for further details please contact the Research Student Office). To secure an unconditional offer, International students are required to pay a non-refundable £8,000 deposit. The deposit is deducted from their tuition fees as they become due at enrolment. If a student's visa application is refused, then the deposit will be refunded in full.

Students will be charged an annual tuition fee in August each year when they re-enrol for that academic year. Students must pay 25% of the fees at re-enrolment. If this is not paid, students will not be allowed to complete re-enrolment and will be withdrawn from their studies. Tuition fees are normally charged in four instalments: 25% at enrolment in August, 25% in November, 25% in February and 25% in May. The University Finance Department will normally send reminders for the instalments. If an invoice is required, students must contact the University Finance Department directly at salesledger@derby.ac.uk.

Payment of fees is only accepted in pounds sterling. When making a payment to the University it is essential that students quote their student number and amount to pay.

Find out more information from the University Finance Department

Other postgraduate research fees

Re-examination involving a viva-voce examination incurs a single fee of £600.

Bench Fees – During the application process, additional fees may be agreed upon and set for each year of a project up to the target submission date. These fees cover expenses such as specialist consumables costs, access to specialist facilities or equipment, etc. and the College will directly invoice students as and when required.

Tuition fee adjustment due to withdrawal

If a PGR student withdraws from their studies, they may be eligible for an adjustment of tuition fees. This may be a refund of fees paid or a reduction in fees due. Fee adjustments are calculated with reference to the thesis submission and tuition fees adjustment table above. Withdrawal requests must be completed by the PhD Manager. It must be approved by the Director of Studies and cannot be backdated.

Additional Information for Overseas students.

For students returning to their home country, any refund that may be due will be returned directly to the originator via the original method of payment. If fees are owed, a Statement will be sent that shows the amount owed to the University. This should be paid immediately. The University reserves the right to take action to recover debts. Refunds are issued in Pounds Sterling and all currency charges will be the student’s responsibility.

Tuition fee adjustment due to authorised break from studies (ABS)

If a PGR student decides to take ABS, the annual fee will be adjusted as per the table below:

When returning from an authorised break from studies, the PGR student will be liable to pay any outstanding fees.

International fee status

Please note that gaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), and/or acquiring three years' ordinary residence in the UK, part-way through a course will not change the student’s fee status. Find out more information from UKCISA. 

Penalties for Non-Payment

If payment is not made in accordance with University policies, the University reserves the right to take action to recover the debt. If a standing order payment is not made, the University may require payment of the total amount outstanding, not just the missed payment. Any student that has an outstanding debt to the University will not be re-enrolled for subsequent academic years. Students with outstanding debt to the University, are not entitled to graduate or receive their certificate.