Stipend rate for postgraduate research students
University of St Andrews stipend rate
The University of St Andrews stipend rate applies to postgraduate research stipends that are fully funded and administered by the University.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the stipend rate is £19,775.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the stipend rate will increase to £20,467, representing a 3.5% rise on the previous year. This rate will apply to stipend payments issued from Tuesday 1 September 2026.
The stipend rate is reviewed annually, and details of any change for the 2027-2028 academic year will be confirmed by the end of December 2026.
How the stipend rate is determined
The stipend rate is reviewed each year by the University PhD Stipend Rate Review Group, established in 2026. The group considers a range of evidence and makes recommendations to the Scholarships Board, chaired by the Principal, which approves the final rate.
Membership of the Review Group includes student representation as well as colleagues from Postgraduate Research, Finance, Registry, Student Services, and Student Experience. Student input is gathered through the Postgraduate Research Representative Forum and through feedback provided by Schools.
Approach to setting the 2026-2027 rate
In determining the 2026-2027 stipend rate, the Review Group considered:
- feedback from postgraduate research students
- inflation data, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- wider cost-of-living factors
- sector benchmarking and external stipend rates
- the University’s financial position
The approved rate of £20,467 reflects a balance between financial sustainability and the University’s commitment to supporting a diverse and active research community. The 3.5% increase exceeds the rate of inflation at the time of the decision (2.8% in the 12 months to April 2026).
Stipends are scholarships rather than salaries and are therefore not subject to taxation. The University also recognises that postgraduate research funding is diverse, with many students fully or partially self-funded and competing for available funding opportunities.
Eligibility and confirmation
For new entrants, whether the University of St Andrews stipend rate applies will be stated clearly in:
- scholarship advertisements
- scholarship award letters
Current students who receive this rate will have been notified directly by their School or the Scholarships Team. If you are unsure which stipend rate applies to you, you should contact the Scholarships Team at ser-fund@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Additional financial support
There may be other scholarships and bursaries available to postgraduate research students. Further information can be found in the University’s scholarships catalogue.
The Money Team in Student Services can assist students seeking advice on financial topics from budgeting and saving to benefits. The Money Team also administers several funds available to students facing unexpected financial difficulties, including discretionary funding and loans to help with temporary cash-flow problems. More information can be found on the Financial Support and Money Advice webapge.
To ask a question or request an appointment please complete this short online enquiry form. You can also find money advice and tips on the St Andrews Student Life Blog.
If you are a parent or carer, you can consult our guides for students with caring responsibilities.