Whether you’re thinking about pursuing a PhD at LSE and looking for sources of funding or you’re a current PhD student who needs a bit of extra financial help, there are many resources available to help you access the support you need.
INTERNAL RESOURCES
If you’re looking to begin a PhD, there are numerous opportunities to receive funding for your research. Different departments at LSE can offer different funding opportunities, so check out their websites to learn more. LSE offers PhD Studentships and these awards are open to prospective students from any nationality across all research areas at LSE. In 2022, approximately 80 of such awards were given out.
If you’re currently a PhD student here at LSE and experiencing financial difficulties, there are resources available to help. LSE offers in-course financial support for final stage PhD students who, for example, require funding for their fourth year of studies.
If you’re experiencing additional unforeseen financial difficulties, you may be eligible for the LSESU Hardship Fund. The Fund is to help students who have fallen into short-term hardship to continue with their studies and complete their degree. The LSESU also administers a Childcare Fund and a Graduate Gown Support Fund.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
Outside of LSE, there are numerous ways to find funding as a doctoral student in the UK. LSE has created a list of additional ways to fund yourself during your PhD and a list of PhD Awards by Country. A common source of funding for doctoral research is research councils. Below are some funds to check out:
There are also other websites and organisations that you can explore to find funded PhD projects:
If you’re an international student, many of these funds are available for you too. You can also check out UK PhD scholarships for international students and country-specific funding depending on your home country. FindAPhD.com has compiled a useful list of such funding opportunities.
Additional resources
- Turn2us with a database of charitable grants for people in need.
- The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding was created by two PhD students who received £50,000 in charity grants towards their studies
- LSE has signed up to the Alternative Guide’s Gateway, meaning you can sign up using an email address of your choice and use LSE’s Alternative Guide Pin: 6137 (option 2 when you register).
- Charitable Trusts
Blog written by Hannah Thomsen.
Hannah works as an Advice Assistant at the LSESU Advice Service.
THE LSESU ADVICE TEAM
The LSESU Advice Team is based on the 3rd floor of the Saw Swee Hock Building and we provide free, independent and confidential advice to all LSE students on academic and housing matters. We also administer the Hardship Fund, the Childcare Fund and the Graduation Gown Support Fund (GGSF).
Our service is currently operating using a hybrid working pattern. We are still open and can be accessed by emailing su.advice@lse.ac.uk. You can also book a telephone or Zoom appointment with an adviser through Student Hub.