How long: doctoral programmes at public universities take at least 3 years. Only universities and accredited private universities award doctorates – universities of applied sciences do not.
Your status: you enrol as a student. In structured programmes (doctoral schools, Doktoratskollegs) candidates are usually employed by the university on fixed-term contracts and work on research topics set in advance.
How to get in: a relevant master's or diploma degree; a foreign degree must be recognised as equivalent. Doctoral schools select candidates in a competitive procedure.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Austria in our database: Austria – 171 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 22 August 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: there is no fixed legal duration – most universities aim for about 4 years. Only research universities award doctorates. In the French Community the thesis is worth 180 ECTS, plus up to 30 ECTS of doctoral training.
Your status: you are a registered student and a researcher. Funding comes from a doctoral assistant post (an employee with pay and social security; in the French Community up to 6 years full-time), research grants (in the French Community e.g. F.R.S.-FNRS) or a researcher contract. Grant holders from outside the EEA have more limited social rights.
How to get in: normally a master's degree (in the French Community a research master's of at least 120 ECTS). Each research university runs a doctoral school.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Belgium in our database: Belgium – 130 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated Flemish Community 27 November 2023, French Community 21 June 2024). As of October 2026.
How long: up to 3 years full-time or as an independent candidate, up to 4 years part-time or at a distance; an extension of up to 1 year is possible in exceptional cases. Doctorates are awarded by universities and research organisations.
Your status: legally you are a student; the state pays your health insurance contributions. You may work under an employment contract while studying.
How to get in: a master's degree. Full-time and part-time places are filled by a competitive exam within state-funded quotas; independent candidates are admitted outside these quotas.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Bulgaria in our database: Bulgaria – 1823 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023). As of October 2026.
How long: doctoral study takes 3 years and is worth 180 ECTS. Graduates receive the title Doctor of Science (PhD) or, in the arts, Doctor of Arts (D.A.).
Your status: rules are set by each university. Doctoral students are not entitled to subsidised student meals.
How to get in: a completed university graduate (master's), integrated or specialist degree. Selection may include your grades, a draft research proposal, an interview and a foreign-language check.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Croatia in our database: Croatia – 148 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 26 March 2024). As of October 2026.
How long: at least 6 semesters, at most 16. You finish with a comprehensive examination and the defence of an original thesis.
Your status: doctoral students are often given priority for part-time or full-time researcher posts and may teach or tutor. The language of study depends on the programme.
How to get in: a master's degree in a related subject; each university runs its own selection.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Cyprus in our database: Cyprus – 126 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 14 June 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: the standard length is 3–4 years (most often 4), but in practice it takes 5–6 years on average. You can study full-time (on-site) or in combined form. Graduates receive the title Ph.D.
Your status: you are a student. Full-time doctoral students within the standard length receive a doctoral income of at least 1.2 times the minimum wage – as a scholarship, a salary or both. Departments may also employ you.
How to get in: a master's degree; universities may limit the number of places. Many programmes are run together with institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Czechia in our database: Czechia – 1463 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 19 August 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: 180 ECTS, i.e. 3 years of full-time study. Universities run PhD schools.
Your status: a research PhD student is a paid employee of the university on a 3-year contract. An industrial PhD student is employed and paid by a company and enrolled at a university at the same time.
How to get in: normally a completed master's degree; universities can also enrol students earlier. You apply with a detailed PhD plan; positions are often advertised as jobs.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Denmark in our database: Denmark – 75 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 5 January 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: 3–4 years and 180–240 ECTS, most often 4 years and 240 ECTS. Universities cooperate in inter-university doctoral schools.
Your status: most doctoral students are guaranteed a junior researcher post, i.e. an employment contract with the university, or work under a contract outside it.
How to get in: a master's degree or equivalent, usually with a research plan and an interview. A thesis in a foreign language needs a summary in Estonian.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Estonia in our database: Estonia – 81 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 13 December 2024). As of October 2026.
How long: a doctorate takes about 4 years of full-time study; there is also a licentiate degree (about 2 years) on the way. Most universities run doctoral programmes in graduate schools.
Your status: it varies. Many doctoral candidates are employed by a university or a research institute and receive a salary; others are funded by grants or do their doctorate part-time alongside work.
How to get in: a master's degree. Universities select candidates themselves, looking at your study results, language skills, the quality of your research plan and whether supervision is available.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Finland in our database: Finland – 113 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023). As of October 2026.
How long: usually 3 years (6 semesters), sometimes 4. You prepare the thesis within a doctoral school (école doctorale), and the head of the institution awards the doctorate after the defence.
Your status: with a contrat doctoral you are an employee on a 3-year contract; the minimum pay is €2,300 gross a month from 1 January 2026 (€2,200 in 2025). A CIFRE doctorate is done with a company, with the same minimum (€27,600 gross a year in 2026).
How to get in: a national master's degree or an equivalent engineering diploma. Enrolment is renewed every year.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in France in our database: France – 544 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023); etudiant.gouv.fr – Le contrat doctoral. As of October 2026.
How long: there is no prescribed duration – most doctorates take several years. The classic path is the individual doctorate: you find a professor who agrees to supervise you. Structured programmes are growing: in 2024 the DFG funded 243 Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs), and there are International Max Planck Research Schools and graduate schools.
Your status: many doctoral candidates work as research staff at the university, often on 65–100% of a full-time post paid on the TV-L E13 scale; others hold scholarships (around €1,200 a month, according to the University of Göttingen) or fund themselves. Universities award doctorates; universities of applied sciences can do so only under certain conditions.
How to get in: a master's degree (or the first state examination); very good bachelor's graduates can be admitted through an aptitude procedure.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS; the DAAD explains the routes in How to find your PhD position in Germany. Programmes in Germany in our database: Germany – 239 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 13 May 2026); University of Göttingen – funding a doctorate. As of October 2026.
How long: at least 3 academic years, at most 6 calendar years for the thesis. Doctoral courses (at least 30 ECTS) may be part of the programme; joint and industrial doctorates also exist.
Your status: you are a student of the third cycle with the rights of postgraduate students and may receive grants. The language of the thesis is set in the doctoral regulations – languages other than Greek are possible where the department allows.
How to get in: a postgraduate (master's) degree; graduates of 5-year programmes (300 ECTS) may apply if the department allows. You apply to the department with a proposed topic, a provisional supervisor, a CV and a thesis proposal.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Greece in our database: Greece – 118 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 7 July 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: about 4 years: a training and research phase of 120 ECTS (usually 2 years full-time) ending in a comprehensive examination, followed by the research and dissertation phase. Doctoral schools work within universities; university doctoral councils award the PhD (DLA in the arts).
Your status: you are a student with rights similar to bachelor's and master's students. State-funded places with a grant are limited (about 2,000); many doctoral students pay fees and work alongside their studies.
How to get in: a master's degree; doctoral schools set their own procedure, usually with an oral entrance examination.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Hungary in our database: Hungary – 303 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023). As of October 2026.
How long: 180–240 ECTS, i.e. 3–4 years of full-time study. Only three institutions may award doctorates: the University of Iceland, Reykjavík University and the Agricultural University of Iceland.
Your status: you are a student, not normally university staff, but you may be hired as a teacher or research assistant. Funding comes from the Icelandic Research Fund (Rannsóknasjóður), university grants and external bodies.
How to get in: a research-based master's degree with a thesis or final project of at least 30 ECTS; coursework-only master's degrees do not normally qualify.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Iceland in our database: Iceland – 8 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 1 April 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: normally 3–4 years; structured PhD programmes take 4 years. There are also practice-based and industrial PhDs and professional doctorates. Universities award their own degrees; graduate schools support doctoral candidates.
Your status: doctoral candidates are classified as students, so they do not have employee rights such as social insurance and a pension. Funding comes from research grants and university scholarships – the national funder is Research Ireland.
How to get in: usually a master's degree or a high honours bachelor's degree; some start with a research master's and transfer to the PhD.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Ireland in our database: Ireland – 348 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 10 October 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: at least 3 years. Universities award the dottorato di ricerca; there are also industrial doctorates (with companies) and international doctorates.
Your status: places are offered with or without a scholarship (borsa). Many universities pay €16,243 gross a year (e.g. the University of Milano-Bicocca, 2026); some pay more – the University of Brescia €18,432.84 from the 42nd cycle (2026/27). The scholarship rises by 50% for authorised research periods abroad.
How to get in: a master's degree and a public competition (concorso). Calls are published in Italian and English.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Italy in our database: Italy – 1,219 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 16 July 2024); University of Milano-Bicocca and University of Brescia – doctoral scholarships. As of October 2026.
How long: 3–4 years, at least 180 credit points full-time. Only universities may run doctoral programmes; you receive the Doktors degree after a public defence.
Your status: mostly a student – either on a state-funded place with a monthly stipend or paying a study fee. Some universities employ doctoral candidates as research staff. Most programmes are in Latvian, but some are taught in English.
How to get in: a master's degree; applications usually in July–August, followed by an entrance test or interview.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Latvia in our database: Latvia – 88 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 14 January 2024). As of October 2026.
How long: at least 3 years (6 semesters). Doctorates are offered by the University of Liechtenstein and the Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein (UFL), e.g. in architecture and spatial development, economics, law, medical science and philosophy.
Your status: usually a post as academic or research staff at the university, or funding through cooperation with a company; external candidates are funded by foundations, organisations or companies.
How to get in: a relevant master's degree; each university decides on admission.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Liechtenstein in our database: Liechtenstein – 5 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 29 April 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: up to 4 years full-time or up to 6 years in extended studies. Universities run doctoral programmes on their own or together with research institutes and foreign universities.
Your status: you have student status with state guarantees and support; state-funded places come with a scholarship.
How to get in: admission is based on your results in the previous study cycle and the university's own criteria.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Lithuania in our database: Lithuania – 141 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 9 April 2025). As of October 2026.
How long: 36–48 months. The University of Luxembourg awards the doctorate through four doctoral schools: science and engineering; law; economics, finance and management; humanities and social sciences.
Your status: you are enrolled as a student; candidates hired by the university also have an employment contract (40 hours a week). Self-funded candidates are possible.
How to get in: a master's degree. The future supervisor checks your eligibility and research aptitude, and you can register throughout the year.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Luxembourg in our database: Luxembourg – 3 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023). As of October 2026.
How long: at the University of Malta you can do a PhD full-time or part-time; MCAST offers a part-time professional Doctor of Research (DRes) lasting at least 5 years.
Your status: mostly a student; doctoral students may teach or demonstrate for up to 100 hours a year.
How to get in: a relevant master's degree (some holders of a First or Upper Second Class honours degree also qualify), a research proposal of 2,000–3,000 words and an interview. You can start on 1 October, 1 December, 1 February, 1 April or 1 June.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Malta in our database: Malta – 37 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 25 March 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: employed doctoral candidates are usually appointed for 4 years. Only universities award doctorates.
Your status: most doctoral candidates are university employees with a salary under the collective agreement of Dutch universities (from 1 July 2026 salaries rose by 3.1% plus €50 a month). There are also candidates funded by scholarships and external candidates without a university job.
How to get in: normally a master's degree. Positions are advertised as jobs – you apply for a specific project.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS, and on AcademicTransfer. Programmes in the Netherlands in our database: Netherlands – 105 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023); University of Twente – CAO NU 2026–2027. As of October 2026.
How long: third-cycle (doctoral) studies usually take 3 years. At Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (UKIM) they are run by the University School for Doctoral Studies.
Your status: doctoral study is mostly fee-paying: in the UKIM call for 2023/24 tuition ranged from €3,700 to €5,650 for the programme, paid in six instalments, plus €250 to the doctoral school.
How to get in: a completed second cycle with at least 300 ECTS in total, an average grade of at least 8 in each cycle and English at B2 level (UKIM, 2023/24). In 2023/24 the calls ran in September–October and in December.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in North Macedonia in our database: North Macedonia – 149 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: UKIM – call for enrolment in third-cycle studies 2023/24. As of October 2026.
How long: 3 years of full-time research and study; most doctoral research fellows are employed for 4 years, with 25% of their time spent on duties such as teaching. Industrial PhD and public sector PhD schemes also exist.
Your status: you are an employee with a salary, social security, pension rights and parental leave.
How to get in: a two-year master's or a five-year integrated master's degree. Applications for PhD positions are formally job applications.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS, and on Jobbnorge. Programmes in Norway in our database: Norway – 109 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023). As of October 2026.
How long: 3–4 years (most often 4) in a doctoral school run by a university or a research institute (e.g. institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences). Education in doctoral schools is free of charge.
Your status: doctoral students receive a scholarship of at least 37% of a professor's salary until the mid-term evaluation (PLN 3,570.50 gross a month in 2026) and at least 57% afterwards (PLN 5,500.50), for up to 4 years.
How to get in: a master's degree and a recruitment competition; schools publish their admission rules by 31 May of the previous year.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Poland in our database: Poland – 952 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 8 December 2025); Law on Higher Education and Science, art. 209. As of October 2026.
How long: there is no fixed limit; usually 6–8 semesters. Since 2023 both universities and polytechnics may award the doctorate (Law No 16/2023).
Your status: doctoral students have no special status. The main funding is studentships from FCT, the national research foundation: the 2026 call offered 1,600 studentships, with applications from 2 to 31 March 2026.
How to get in: a master's degree; bachelor's graduates with an outstanding academic or scientific CV may also be admitted.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Portugal in our database: Portugal – 790 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 April 2026); FCT – press release on the 2026 doctoral studentship call. As of October 2026.
How long: 4 years as a rule, extendable by 1–2 years. Doctorates are organised by doctoral schools of accredited institutions (IOSUD); the Ministry of Education confers the title.
Your status: you sign a doctoral studies contract; doctoral students may be employed as research assistants or assistant lecturers on fixed-term contracts. Registration and tuition fees are set by each university senate. The thesis can be written in Romanian, a minority language or an international language.
How to get in: a master's degree, with at least 300 credits from bachelor's and master's studies together.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Romania in our database: Romania – 234 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 18 March 2026). As of October 2026.
How long: 3 years, 180 ECTS; the thesis accounts for at least half of the credits. Graduates receive the title Doctor of Sciences.
Your status: there are state-financed places; doctoral students without a job may receive health insurance, meal and transport benefits and scholarships.
How to get in: a master's degree and at least 300 ECTS from previous studies (360 in medicine), plus fluency in at least one foreign language. Universities assess your grades and achievements.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Serbia in our database: Serbia – 290 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023). As of October 2026.
How long: full-time 3 years (180 ECTS) or 4 years (240 ECTS); part-time 4–5 years. Graduates receive a PhD (ArtD in the arts).
Your status: full-time doctoral students receive a tax-free monthly scholarship of at least €1,025.50 before the dissertation examination and at least €1,194.00 after it, may teach up to 4 hours a week, and the state pays health insurance for those under 30. Part-time study is fee-paying and without a scholarship.
How to get in: a master's degree and an admission examination before a board of university and external members.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Slovakia in our database: Slovakia – 840 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 11 March 2025). As of October 2026.
How long: 3 years, 180 ECTS; graduates receive the title Doctor of Science (doktor znanosti).
Your status: full-time or part-time. Under the young researchers scheme (running since 1985) many doctoral students are employed during their studies, with salaries paid from public funds; a co-funding scheme supports doctorates linked to business or social challenges.
How to get in: a completed second-cycle (master's) degree; selection may take into account grades, research achievements and an entrance exam.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Slovenia in our database: Slovenia – 118 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023). As of October 2026.
How long: at most 4 years full-time or 7 years part-time. Universities run programmes through doctoral schools (escuelas de doctorado); an "industrial doctorate" mention is possible.
Your status: you are a university student and pay an annual fee for academic supervision. With a predoctoral contract you are also an employee: pay is at least 56% of the reference salary in years 1–2, 60% in year 3 and 75% in year 4, and never below the national minimum wage (Royal Decree 1251/2024).
How to get in: a bachelor's and a master's degree totalling at least 300 ECTS. You may write and defend the thesis in a language commonly used in your field.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Spain in our database: Spain – 1604 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 9 December 2025). As of October 2026.
How long: a doctorate is 240 credits, i.e. about 4 years (in practice 4.2 years on average in 2019); a licentiate of at least 120 credits takes about 2 years.
Your status: doctoral positions are employment with a salary and full social security. Doctoral education is free of tuition fees.
How to get in: a master's degree, or 240 credits with at least 60 at master's level. Universities admit candidates themselves, usually to advertised positions.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Sweden in our database: Sweden – 352 doctoral programmes (as of November 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023). As of October 2026.
How long: generally 3–5 years. Universities award doctorates; universities of applied sciences take part only as partners in cooperative programmes.
Your status: many doctoral candidates are employed as assistants at a university institute or in a research project, funded by the university, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) or other third parties.
How to get in: normally a master's degree; universities decide on the basis of your file.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS. Programmes in Switzerland in our database: Switzerland – 423 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 27 November 2023). As of October 2026.
How long: with a master's degree at least 240 ECTS (8 semesters, at most 12); with a bachelor's degree at least 300 ECTS (10 semesters, at most 14).
Your status: you study independently or work as a research assistant at the university.
How to get in: with a thesis-based master's – an ALES score of at least 55; with a bachelor's – a GPA of at least 3.00/4.00, an ALES score of 80 and at least 55 in a central foreign-language exam.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS.
Sources: Eurydice – national description of third-cycle (PhD) programmes (updated 19 May 2025). As of October 2026.
How long: usually 3–4 years full-time. Universities award doctorates; many funded places are offered by doctoral training partnerships and centres. There are also professional doctorates.
Your status: you are a student. A UKRI studentship pays a tax-free stipend of at least £21,805 a year from 1 October 2026 (£23,805 in London) and fees at the home rate (£5,238 in 2026/27). International students can also be funded but may have to contribute to their fees.
How to get in: usually a good bachelor's or master's degree and a research proposal or an application for an advertised project.
Where to look: doctoral positions and calls are published on the websites of universities and their doctoral schools and on EURAXESS, and on UKRI – get a studentship. Programmes in United Kingdom in our database: United Kingdom – 2133 doctoral programmes (as of September 2026) »
Sources: UK Research and Innovation – Get a studentship to fund your doctorate. As of October 2026.
Sources: European Commission – Study in Europe (education.ec.europa.eu/study-in-europe), Eurostat, official national study and residence portals and authorities, Eurodesk, enic-naric.net, studentnews.eu. As of September 2026.
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