phd professor salary in uk

• Lecturer and Professor Salaries – Explained
• After a PhD

Based on the 2018/19 HE Single Pay Spine and the typical 2019/20 university grade system, the average possible salary for university staff in the UK is: £40,761 for a Lecturer, £51,590 for a Senior Lecturer, £64,356 for an Associate Professor and £90,891 for a Professor.

Introduction

On this page, we discuss how the UK academic pay scale works, the average salaries of university lecturers and professors, and how they change with academic rank. While we’ve summarised the salaries at the top of this page, we go on to provide a full breakdown for each rank, so continue reading for the full picture.

How Salary Scales Work within UK Universities

In the United Kingdom, there is a single national pay spine that governs the salaries of university staff. The pay spine, formally known as the ‘ HE Single Pay Spine ’, is led by University and College Union ( UCU ) which negotiates salaries, pay structure and employment conditions on behalf of higher education (HE) and further education (FE) institutions.

It’s important to recognise that although the vast majority of UK universities adopt the HE Single Pay Spine, a handful of institutions do not. In such cases, staff salaries are regulated internally and may differ from those stated on this page.

Many considerations go into determining a staff member’s salary, but to summarise, staff members are assigned a grade based on their level of responsibility, experience and position (e.g. Lecturer, Senior Lecturer or Professor) and a corresponding spine value. In turn, the spine value corresponds to a pre-determined salary listed in the ‘HE Single Pay Spine’.

Note: London universities generally offer slightly higher Lecturer and Professor salaries, but this is only to offset the higher cost of living associated with working in the capital. This offset, more commonly referred to as a ‘London Allowance’, is typically in the region of £3,000 per year .

Average Salaries of University Lecturers and Professors in the UK

Based on the 2018/19 HE Single Pay Spine and the average 2019/20 grading levels adopted by three UK universities, we have determined the average salaries of research assistants, lecturers and professors as shown in the table below.

Note: Although the average salaries provide a quick, useful insight, it would be equally advantageous to know the salary range for each position, as academic salaries are relatively dynamic; the reason for this is discussed later.

Table showing average salaries and ranges for Research Assistants, Lecturers and Professors in the UK

The following image shows these salary ranges in the context of the typical progression paths observed for higher education positions within UK universities.

It is worth noting that while salaries can exceed £100,000 per year for positions with significant managerial responsibility, very few individuals will reach these positions. In fact, data from the Office for Students (OfS) shows that in 2017/18, only 1.5% of academic staff were paid over £100,000.

How Salary Increases Works

Salary increases within a grade.

The expectation is that each year, staff members will move up the spine scale and receive a pay increase in line with their new spine level. This will continue until the ceiling of their current grade is reached. At that point, with the exception of inflation-adjusted increases, the staff member will stop receiving wage increases until they move up a grade.

Note: The grade of a staff member reflects the level of responsibility they have, which usually coincides with their job title, i.e. whether they are a Lecturer, an Associate Professor or a Professor.

Increasing Grades

Moving up a grade is only possible when the responsibilities of a staff member increase noticeably or when they are promoted to a higher position, such as from a Senior Lecturer to an Associate Professor.

Non-Monetary Benefits

As with most professions, a university Lecturer or Professor’s job position comes with non-monetary benefits that complement their salary. These will vary between universities, and sometimes even within the same university, but can include:

• Allowances for travel or relocation,
• Discounted or fully waived access to training, university courses and on-site recreational facilities,
• Private healthcare,

UK vs US Lecturer and Professor Salaries

Unlike the United Kingdom, the United States does not have a national academic pay scale. This means that the salaries of Lectures and Professors in the US vary considerably not only between universities but also between states, institution types (public or private) and academic fields.

In addition, because the US does not have a national academic pay scale, it’s common for staff members to negotiate a pay increase when moving to a new institution. This is not generally the case in the UK as it would place staff members outside of the single pay spine.

According to ‘ The Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession, 2018-2019 ‘, produced by the American Association of University Professors ( AAUP ), the average university lecturer salary and average university professor salary within the United States is as per the comparison table below.

Table comparing average salaries for Lectures and Professors in the UK and the US

It should be noted that the US salaries stated above have the potential to be skewed. This is because the data provides a total sum only for the number of universities forming the data, and not for the number of staff members holding each position type.

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University Professor Salary UK: Exploring Compensation and Factors Influencing Pay

Aspiring academics and individuals interested in pursuing a career in higher education often wonder about the earning potential of university professors in the UK. In this article, we delve into the topic of university professor salary UK, providing an in-depth exploration of the compensation landscape. From average earnings and influential factors to educational qualifications and career progression, this guide aims to provide valuable insights into the remuneration of university professors.

Table of Contents

Understanding the role of a university professor.

This section provides an overview of the responsibilities and expectations associated with the role of a university professor. Gain insights into the key duties, including teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities, which shape the compensation structure for professors.

Factors Influencing University Professor Salaries

Explore the various factors that influence university professor salaries in the UK. From the reputation and ranking of the university to the field of study and demand for expertise, this section highlights the key considerations that affect compensation levels.

Average University Professor Salary UK

Discover the average salary range for university professors in the UK. This section presents data and statistics to provide a realistic understanding of the earnings potential for individuals in this role.

Educational Qualifications and Experience

Understand how educational qualifications and experience impact university professor salaries. Learn about the required qualifications, such as doctoral degrees and postdoctoral research experience, and how these factors contribute to career progression and compensation.

Career Progression and Advancement

Explore the career progression pathways available to university professors. From entry-level positions to senior leadership roles, this section outlines the opportunities for advancement and the corresponding impact on salary.

Regional Variations in Salaries

Delve into the regional variations in university professor salaries across the UK. Discover how location influences compensation levels and explore the differences in living costs and demand for expertise in various regions.

Gender Pay Gap in Academia

Address the issue of the gender pay gap within the academic sector. This section examines the factors contributing to disparities in professorial salaries and highlights initiatives aimed at addressing and reducing gender-based inequities.

Funding and Research Grants

Gain insights into the role of funding and research grants in university professor salaries. Explore the significance of external grants and funding sources, as well as their impact on salary progression and research opportunities.

Benefits and Perks

Discover the benefits and perks that accompany university professor positions. From generous annual leave and pension schemes to research support and professional development opportunities, explore the additional rewards beyond salary.

Job Satisfaction and Non-Monetary Rewards

Explore the intrinsic rewards of being a university professor. This section discusses job satisfaction, intellectual stimulation, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through teaching, research, and mentoring.

Negotiating Salaries

Learn strategies for negotiating salaries as a university professor. This section offers tips and advice for navigating salary negotiations, including conducting market research, showcasing accomplishments, and effectively communicating value.

Balancing Teaching, Research, and Administrative Duties

Discover the challenges and rewards of balancing teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities as a university professor. Gain insights into time management strategies and effective ways to navigate the multifaceted nature of the role.

Job Outlook and Future Trends

Explore the job outlook and future trends in the field of university professors. This section discusses the anticipated growth, emerging disciplines, and evolving demands that may influence salary prospects and career opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What qualifications are required to become a university professor in the UK? A: To become a university professor in the UK, a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) is typically required, along with a strong research track record and relevant teaching experience. Additional qualifications and expertise may be necessary depending on the field of study and university requirements.

Q: How are university professor salaries determined? A: University professor salaries are determined based on various factors, including qualifications, experience, field of study, university reputation, and demand for expertise. Negotiations and market forces also play a role in determining individual compensation packages.

Q: Are there opportunities for career progression in academia? A: Yes, there are ample opportunities for career progression in academia. University professors can advance to senior leadership roles, such as department chairs, deans, or vice-chancellors, depending on their expertise, experience, and leadership skills.

Q: Is there a gender pay gap among university professors in the UK? A: Unfortunately, a gender pay gap exists within academia, including among university professors. Efforts are being made to address this disparity through initiatives promoting pay equity, transparency, and inclusive hiring practices.

Q: What are some non-monetary rewards of being a university professor? A: Non-monetary rewards of being a university professor include intellectual stimulation, the opportunity to contribute to knowledge creation, mentoring students, and making a meaningful impact on society through research, teaching, and community engagement.

Q: Can university professors negotiate their salaries? A: Yes, university professors can negotiate their salaries. Effective negotiation strategies include conducting market research, highlighting accomplishments, and demonstrating the value and impact they bring to the institution.

The salary landscape for university professors in the UK is influenced by a variety of factors, including qualifications, experience, field of study, and university reputation. While compensation levels vary, university professors enjoy a rewarding career that offers opportunities for personal growth, intellectual stimulation, and making a significant impact through research, teaching, and mentorship. Understanding the factors that influence university professor salaries provides valuable insights for individuals considering a career in academia.

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PhD, Postdoc and Academic Salary in the UK

In the UK, the salary of PhDs, Postdocs, and Professors (Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, and Professors) varies significantly based on several factors, including the institution, the location, and years of experience. In this post, we will discuss the range of salaries for each grade and the differences between different universities (You can see a similar post about salary in Switzerland here ). In the UK, employees are subject to various salary deductions, including taxes, National Insurance contributions, and other benefits. Income tax is calculated on a progressive scale, meaning that the more an individual earns, the higher percentage of their income they will pay in taxes. As of the 2022-23 tax year, the personal allowance for income tax is £12,570, meaning that any earnings above this amount will be taxed. National Insurance contributions are also deducted from an employee’s salary, with the amount varying depending on the individual’s earnings. In addition, many employees in the UK also have deductions for workplace pensions, health insurance, and other benefits. It’s important for employees to be aware of these deductions and their impact on their overall take-home pay.

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— You can find out more about the highest-paying PhD degrees in this post .

Phd students salaries in the uk.

PhD salaries are very different from academic salaries in the UK. It varies depending on the funding source, whether it is through scholarships, research grants, or studentships. According to the latest data from FindaPhD, PhD students in the UK can earn between £17,000 and £20,000 per year depending on their funding source. In most cases, PhD students are paid Stipend, not a salary so that is tax-free. However, some PhD students may earn more than this, particularly if they are funded by research councils or industry.

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Postdoc Salaries in the UK

The salary of postdocs varies depending on the level of experience and the nature of their research. According to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), postdoctoral research assistants can earn between £26,715 to £33,199 per annum, depending on their level of experience. In some cases, postdocs may earn more if they are awarded a fellowship or if they are funded by industry.

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Lecturer Salaries in the UK (Assistant Professor)

Lecturers are usually early-career academics who have completed their PhD and are at the beginning of their academic careers. According to the latest data from the University and College Union (UCU), the starting salary for a lecturer in the UK is between £33,797 and £41,526 per annum, depending on the institution and location. In top Universities, the upper end of the pay grade of Lecturers (Assistant Professors) can reach £53,000 a year.

Senior Lecturer Salaries (Associate Professor) in the UK

Senior Lecturers are academics who have several years of experience as lecturers and have shown excellence in teaching and research. According to the UCU, the starting salary for a Senior Lecturer in the UK is between £43,267 and £54,765 per annum, depending on the institution and location. Similar to the lectureships, the upper end of the salary can go much higher than that and could reach £64,000 per annum in top-ranked institutions.

Professor Salaries in the UK

Professors are the most senior academics in universities, and they are usually responsible for leading research projects, teaching, and mentoring junior colleagues. The starting salary for a professor in the UK is typically higher than that of a Senior Lecturer. According to the UCU, the starting salary for a Professor in the UK is between £60,905 and £69,440 per annum, depending on the institution and location. Note that the professorships are generally in three payscales. The number mentioned here is the lower grade but it can go up to £100,000 per annum. Additionally, if the professors are hired in a top executive managerial position, that number can go to a few hundred thousand pounds a year (very competitive).

Differences Between Universities

Salaries for each grade can vary significantly between different universities in the UK. For example, according to the UCU, the starting salary for a lecturer in London can be up to £6,000 higher than in other parts of the UK. Similarly, the starting salary for a Professor in London can be up to £15,000 higher than in other parts of the UK. As outlined above, another important factor is the regulation of the host institutions. Some top-ranked British institutions pay their staff much higher rates than the average number mentioned in this post.

Academic Salary at the University of Oxford

The salary for Assistant Professors (Grade 8) ranges from £41,526 to £49,553 per annum. For Associate Professors (Grade 9), the salary ranges from £52,559 to £63,078 per annum. Finally, for Professors (Grade 10), the salary ranges from £65,362 to £157,277 per annum. Details can be found on the home page of the University of Oxford.

Academic Salary at the University of Cambridge

The salary for Assistant Professors (Grade 9) ranges from £44,414 to £63,059 per annum. For Associate Professors (Grade 10), the salary ranges from £59, 450 to £68,891 per annum. Finally, for Professors (Grade 11), the salary ranges from £66,890 to £199,323 per annum. You can find the detailed Pascale at the University of Cambridge on their home page .

Academic Salary at Imperial College London

The salary for Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professors) ranges from £62,768 to £65,484 per annum. For Reader (Associate Professors), the salary ranges from £73,806 per annum. Finally, for Professors, the minimum salary is £84,491 per annum. You can find details on the webpage of ICL .

The numbers mentioned above are all before-tax salaries or Gross salaries. You can calculate the take-home salary using this calculator . Note that the typical pension contribution for academics in the UK is 9% but that is 0% for PhD students.

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PhD Salary UK: How Much Do PhD Students Get Paid Compared to Graduates?

Considering whether to stay in university as a PhD student or to leave and get a job? If so, you may be wondering “How much do PhD student get paid?” and “How does a UK PhD salary compare to a graduate salary?” .

In this post I delve into the details and reveal that the difference in take home pay between a UK PhD stipend and a grad position can actually be much lower than it first appears!

If you’re looking to know how much a PhD could boost your career and salary after finishing your doctoral degree I’d suggest checking out my post: Is a PhD Worth It ?

I also have a complementary post covering my monthly expenses as a PhD student. You may also wish to check out my guide to the application process , PhD FAQs and article on how I got a PhD scholarship .

February 2024 : This post has been updated to include figures for the 2023/24 academic year.

Do PhD students get paid in the UK? If so, how much do PhD students get paid?

Before we delve into the details let’s first cover whether PhD students get paid in the UK. Generally, yes, most PhD students get what is called a PhD stipend to support themselves during their PhD. Importantly, a PhD stipend (in the UK at least) is tax free .

It is worth noting though that not all PhD projects automatically include funding. Funding may also not be applicable for every applicant. For example sometimes it may only be available to home students i.e. those from the UK.

Therefore some students may resort to self funding their PhD. In STEM subjects self funding a PhD is pretty rare and often only happens because of limitations in funding eligibility. I’ve personally worked with a mix of funded and self-funded (often by parents) PhD students, though most are certainly funded by grants and scholarships.

If your project doesn’t already include funding, for most people I strongly advise trying to find funding rather than considering self funding. For more information on this check out my post on PhD Funding in the UK.

2023/24 UK PhD Salary

• PhD salary outside of London: In 2023/24 most new PhD students in the UK will receive a PhD stipend worth at least £18,622 per year .
• PhD salary in London : In 2023/24 most new PhD students in London will receive an increased stipend to account for cost of living , which is typically around £20,622 per year .

Notice that the PhD stipend for outside of London is at least £18,622 per year. I’ve seen several advertised at the London rate. There are also some available at an even higher rate. For example I know of CDTs in Bristol paying more like £24,000 tax-free.

Your PhD stipend will usually provide funding for 3.5 years, although it can occasionally be for 3 or 4 years.

These values are for most PhD studentships including those awarded by all UK research councils following the UKRI guidelines .

Certain scholarship schemes pay upwards of £25,000 per year, such as the £25,150 (2024/25 rate) President’s PhD Scholarships at Imperial. For details on how to get such a scholarship, check out this article where I go over how I got awarded my own PhD scholarship.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN)  runs all across the EU. As well as nice training and exchange opportunities it pays a staggering stipend of approx £40,000 – £45,000 . The grant level is reviewed each year and increases if you have family dependents. I personally wish I’d known about it earlier and highly recommend anyone interested puts a reminder in their diary for when the next call opens!

Is a UK PhD stipend taxable?

Here is what PhD stipends look like compared to some fairly typical starting grad salaries in the UK:

At first glance a PhD stipend doesn’t stack up well against the higher wages of a graduate salary which can sometimes be twice this amount or more. But crucially PhD stipends for students are tax free !

There are a few other financial perks that come with being a student so I was intrigued to find out how the two salaries really compared. The results may surprise you!

Below is a high level overview and I’ll delve into each of the numbers in depth later in the post.

Grad salary vs PhD salary starting numbers

As mentioned earlier, in 2023/24 a typical PhD stipend outside of London is at least £18,622 . Within London this will typically increase slightly to account for cost of living to around £20,622 . These rates rise every year for new students, but do not rise for each year of the PhD. So for new students considering starting in 2024/25 a UK PhD salary will likely be around £19,100 outside of London. 

For the sake of simplifying the comparison I averaged the 2023/24 PhD stipend to £19,622 for all PhD students studying in the UK.

A fairly typical grad salary, for someone qualified enough to be considering a science PhD, is around £30,000 . Of course this is an average salary so needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. As the number can vary dramatically it may be considered too low by some, but I think it’s a good benchmark accounting for different regions of the UK.

I’ve included higher and lower graduate salaries too in the summary charts for this post.

Salary Gap: £10,378

On the face of it the PhD student would be earning £10,378 less per year: around 35% lower! This is enough of a difference to put off a lot of potential PhD candidates who’ve likely spent the last few years building up student loans.

But unlike normal wages, PhD stipends are tax free so maybe things aren’t as bleak for PhD students as it seems? Let’s explore how they really compare.

Income Tax & National Insurance Contributions

The 2023/24 Personal Income Allowance is £12,570. This means that you can earn up to this amount and not pay any income tax. Earnings from £12,571 up to £50,270 fall into the basic rate bracket of 20% tax.

PhD Student Salary: PhD stipends are tax free and incur no income tax or national insurance contributions. Remaining stipend: £19,622

Professional Salary: On £30,000 you’d pay £ 3486 in income tax and NI contributions of £2004 . Remaining wage:  £24,510

Salary Gap: £4888 Income tax and national insurance contributions have immediately almost halved the difference in take-home pay from £10,378 down to £4888!

Student Loan Repayment

PhD Student Salary: Even with a PhD stipend you are officially an unwaged student so you won’t make student loan repayments as a PhD student. Remaining stipend: £19,622 [see footnote 1]

Professional Salary: The amount you may have to pay for student loan repayments depends upon when you started your undergraduate course. If you started your undergraduate course since 2012 you pay student loan repayments on earnings above £27,295. Meaning on a salary of £30,000 you’d pay £243 a year on student loan repayments. If you began your undergraduate course before 2012, repayments start on salaries above £22,015 and would be £541 a year . Most of you likely completed your undergrad degree recently so we’ll go with the more recent, lower, repayments. Remaining wage:  £24,267

Salary Gap: £4645

Council Tax

PhD Student Salary: Another cost that students are exempt from is council tax. Though be careful if you share a house with non-students since council tax must then be paid on the property. [2] Remaining stipend:  £19,622

Professional Salary: Council tax varies greatly between council boroughs, and depends on the property you live in. For example in Cardiff I lived in a one bed flat and the annual council tax was £1050 per year. During my PhD in London council tax for a lovely three bed house  in Clapham it was £1000! Now that I live in Bristol it is over £2000 per year for a three bed house. I’ll go to the liberty of saying on average it would be £1150 per year and would be divided between two people: -£575 each. Total: £23,692

Salary Gap: £4070

Private Pension Contributions

PhD Student Salary: Although universities pay a PhD stipend to students, you are not a member of staff and hence do not make private pension contributions. Remaining stipend:  £19,622

Professional Salary: Legislation has been phasing in making contribution to private pensions mandatory. The upside is that employers match your contribution up to varying percentages: sometimes up to about 10% of your salary. Additionally there are tax benefits to contributing so overall you could see it as boosting your salary looking at the longer term view. [3]

I believe there are troubling times ahead for 20-somethings and personally am not relying on a state pension existing by the time we all reach retirement age. Therefore I wholeheartedly recommend making a decently sized contribution at least up to the same amount that your employer matches. For the purposes of this comparison I won’t deduct anything for private pension since it’s not really being deducted so I’ll call this one a draw.  Total: £23,692

Student Discount

Ah the obvious one! Student discount may have been the first thing you thought of when you saw this article, but I’m not going to include it in this analysis.

A student card does allow a significant amount to be saved, not only on luxuries such as entry to attractions and deals in shops but also travel. For example in London, an 18+ student oystercard gets you 30% off travelcards. For a monthly zones 1-3 ticket this would save about £50 a month: over £600 a year!

The reason I’ve not included it? How much you use student discount depends on your circumstances and lifestyle and I wanted to keep the analysis widely applicable. Also, there are ways around needing to pay for travel at all: I started cycling to university every day in London .

Curveball: the £12,570 Tax-Free Personal Income Allowance

So far the recent grad is still earning an additional £4842 per year: almost a third more than the PhD student. Owing to the fact that PhD students are exempt from income tax, national insurance contributions, council tax and student loan repayments the gap in earnings has shrunk considerably.

One last calculation I wanted to try was to consider the scenario of a student earning some additional money on the side. It is a common thing to make extra money with teaching assistant, tutoring and consultancy opportunities. In fact I think every PhD student I know does at least a little. There are of course non-academic routes to make additional money too.

I have written a post about some of the ways that I make extra money , many of which are in fact available to non-students. Do be careful to check that this is acceptable at your institution. My favourite way to make extra money is matched betting which is tax-free for everybody. You can find my complete guide to matched betting here .

Tax-free side-hustle

Currently you can earn £12,570 tax free in the UK . Given that the PhD stipend itself is tax free, unlike an equivalent worker you wouldn’t pay any tax on extra earnings up to this threshold. This might sound insignificant but it’s not.

Admittedly, unless you’re very entrepreneurial, it is unlikely that you would make use of the whole tax-free opportunity. But earning several thousand pounds per year on top of the stipend is certainly common.

As pointed out by a reader, John, in the comments below: a consideration should be that that some universities limit how much paid work you can do per month. Even so, there are lots of ways to make money and your time as a student could even be a great time to start your own business .

I’ve been paid more than £25 an hour doing pretty simple work for the university , so these earnings can mount up quickly.

To illustrate the extra earning potential afforded to PhD students, let’s consider the most extreme case where the tax-free earnings are maximised.

Since 2017 there has been a £1000 tax-free trading allowance for workers in the UK , meaning even those in a normal taxable job can earn £1000 on top of their salary from side-hustle jobs. Therefore the grad will pay additional taxes on £11,570 instead of £12,570.

PhD Student Salary: An enterprising student maxing out the tax-free allowance could earn £12,570 a year and pay no national insurance either, leaving additional take-home pay of  £12,570 . With a PhD stipend of £17,062 the student would in total earn £32,192 for the year. They’d keep 100% of those extra earnings.

Again, yes it is unlikely that someone would really earn this much on the side but it is common to make at least several thousand throughout the year.

Professional Salary: As a grad on £30,000 per year in your main job, to have an equivalent side-hustle earning £12,570, in total you’d pay tax on £41,570. Income tax would be £5800: £2314 higher than on their base salary of £30,000. NI contributions would be £3335: £1331 higher. Plus student loan repayments would be £1284: £1041 higher. Student loan repayments really start increasing considerably when you’re earning more. These additional taxes and costs total deductions of £4686,  leaving the professional with extra take-home pay of  £7884 . Including their day-job the total they’d be left with is £31,576 .

For this extra £12,570 of work, the student would pocket 100% of it and the professional would keep £7884 ( 63% ). Looking at the pre-tax difference in their earnings: at face value the student would be earning £32,192 and the grad £41,570: a difference of £9378. Yet once taxes are considered the final result is two people with remarkably similar take-home pays: a difference of £616 in favour of the student!

Check it out:

Under these circumstances the student would in fact take home £616 more per year than the professional! I used the maximum tax-free allowance to highlight the point and yes it’s unlikely that many students will fully utilise it. Yet the point stands that any additional earnings are much better retained by PhD students.

If someone was running a fully-fledged business on the side then the difference becomes even bigger as the grad salary approaches the next tax bracket for earnings of £50,271 and above, at which point the rate of income tax doubles.

There are very few legal ways of making money which are tax-exempt for everyone. One of these rare cases is also my favourite way to make money on the side: matched betting. Intrigued? I’ve written a huge guide to it here . In this rare instance none of the grad’s extra earnings get eroded by tax.

Grad salary vs PhD student salary conclusion

Starting from a difference of £10,378 in salary, taxes and other outgoings have knocked £6308 off the graduate’s wage. This brings the difference in earnings down to £4070. This equates to £339 per month. More than nothing, but not a huge difference. And this doesn’t include any extra earnings on the side which the student can do a much better job of retaining.

Surprised how small the difference is? I certainly was whilst I was writing this.

Here is a chart for comparing a wider range of salaries:

This analysis doesn’t take in to account the extra earning power that gaining a PhD could bring, nor the potential lifestyle benefits of being a student such as autonomy and flexible working hours which it could be argued level the playing field even further. Plus the opportunities afforded to PhD students, which everyone should seize. And yes, student discount if you use it.

Furthermore if you consider the opportunity to make an additional £12k+ per year before incurring tax  any difference in earnings can become close to negligible!

I hope that this post has helped explain that the wage gap between UK PhD stipends and grad salaries is not as dramatic it first seems. Perhaps it’s even encouraged you to consider a PhD. If so I’ve written posts to help with your application and an article on how to improve your chances of securing a PhD scholarship . Also if you’re curious you can read about life as a PhD student along with profiles of PhD students around the world .

If you’d like personalised help with your PhD application I am now starting to offer a small number of one-to-one sessions. Please contact me to find out more or click here to book a call.

What do you think about this comparison between a UK PhD stipend and grad salary? Do you think there are any additional factors that I have overlooked? Please share your thoughts in the comments below and if you’ve enjoyed this post you can subscribe to hear about more content:

[1] Some people might say that by continuing studying you’re simply delaying your student loan repayment.  Considering most people don’t pay it off in the 30 odd years until any outstanding balance is wiped I think it’s fair to say that this doesn’t ring true.

[2] No council tax is paid on a property if all occupants are students. If you live with one professional they can claim the single occupancy discount of 25% but with two or more professionals the full council tax amount must be paid. If you share in a mixed group it is up to you how you divide it within the group. Ironically given the spirit of this post, last year I voluntarily did pay an equal (third) share of council tax given that my partner was moving to London specifically to live with me…

[3] If you go on to work for a university after your PhD you’ll be enrolled in the USS pension scheme where you’ll usually pay in 9% of your salary and your employer pays in 19%: yes, nineteen! For comparison most often the best private companies may match contributions up to 10%. Pension contributions are often removed from your pay packet before taxes. This effectively leaves you with a smaller salary and hence pay less taxes and national insurance contributions. Between this and your employer’s contributions overall your salary could be “boosted” by quite a bit, around 20% in the USS example, if you consider the pension as part of your long-term salary.

All calculations were carried out using the tax calculator on Martin’s Money Saving Expert. A fantastic website for all things personal finance.

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17 Comments on “PhD Salary UK: How Much Do PhD Students Get Paid Compared to Graduates?”

It’s probably worth factoring in that most HEIs limit PhD students to a maximum I’m of 10hours pw of external work. By my rough estimate, the student would have to earn £25 an hour to make the money you’ve described here. The side hustle, should probably be halved to reflect a more typical salary. Still a fair whack though.

Hi John, yes that’s a good point and I’ll update the post to reflect this. In my experience £25/hour is realistic, at least here at Imperial, though I appreciate it would rarely get fully utilised. Thanks again

Hello Jeff! I am a Sustainability Consultant from India, looking at PhD opportunities in UK. It would be great if we can connect and discuss a bit about your experience and journey. Looking forward!

Hey Akhyata! Great, yes let’s have a chat. I’ve emailed you to arrange it. Best wishes, Jeff

Hi Jeff! I love your article, I’m a pharmacist juggling the idea of a PhD. I would love to take up on your offer to connect.

Hey Kai! Great, I’ll email you now to arrange it.

Hi Jeff, I am a law grad very interested in further study and pursuing a PhD.

I would love the chance to chat to you further about this article and your experience!

Thanks in advance

Hey Clara, Yeah no worries. I’ll send you an email now to discuss.

Hi Jeff, I’m putting together a PhD proposal at the moment and would really appreciate your input on a few things about the process when you have some free time. Cheers, Ben

Hi Ben, sure no problem, I’m happy to try and help. Let’s discuss over email.

Hi Jeff, Thank you for taking the time to write the articles you do. On this particular article, you have saved us all quite a lot of time. With such a minimal difference even without an additional income, it makes a lot of sense, especially with an increase when you graduate.

Those from the UK can take a £24k loan from the Gov (as if they didn’t have enough debt already). Still, it could enable a student to focus more on academia, speeding up the process and increasing the quality of work.

Apologies Jeff, the stipend and student loan are not available at the same time.

Thanks very much for your comments Tyrone. I’m pleased you find the website useful!

If you can get funding, I agree that there isn’t much of a reason to not do a PhD.

I must admit I’ve never looked much at postgraduate loans, in part because I encourage everyone doing a PhD (in STEM at least) to pursue funding. We’re doing PhDs which can help wider society and it doesn’t make sense for people to have to sacrifice even more by adding extra debt if they can avoid it. Interesting to hear that you can’t take out a loan if you have a stipend, thanks for letting me know.

Perhaps of interest to you, there is a post going live tomorrow which should put the length of a PhD in context of someone’s whole career. In short it doesn’t sacrifice much of a career but of course but make a very useful addition!

If there are any other topics you want to see covered please do let me know.

Best wishes.

Tax Free is not a perk. If you are not paying tax in the UK you cannot contribute to your pension. This may not seem important now, but it will later. This is especially important for mature students who can really lose out if there is a break in their NI contributions.

Thanks for your comment Marie.

The point is that normal tax-paying jobs don’t actually pay quite as much more than PhD stipends once you consider tax. I agree that over the long term avoiding paying taxes is neither a good idea because of things like pensions, nor is it socially ethical. But I don’t think there is any harm in taking 3-4 years out for a PhD:

You have to pay NI for a minimum of only 10 years to qualify for some level of state pension in the UK. After this the pension received simply increases linearly with the number of years of contributions, up to a max of 35 years. With retirement age edging up to 70 that gives at least 45 years between undergrad and retirement so most people will comfortably qualify (for now) for the full state pension. I’d argue that there is ample time to earn some tax free money as a PhD student without having to worry about making enough NI contributions. You can even voluntarily pay NI to gain additional qualifying years on your record. More generally I’d suggest also to not rely on receiving the state pension, I’m not personally betting on there even being a state pension by my own retirement (nor do I want to retire at 70+) so it’s always a good idea to build up your own private pension and savings too!

Hi Jeff, I was looking for funded PhD projects in the Marie Curie network and found a few on the EURAXESS website, but they all require a Master’s degree to apply. I was wondering if there is something I am missing or if you know where to find PhD funding opportunities in the Marie Curie network with only a bachelor’s degree. Thank you.

Hi Alex, thanks for your comment. I must admit I’m not an expert on all of the different Marie Curie funding routes available. If you’ve already done an extensive search then it sounds like yes they all may require a Master’s. By the way, when I first wrote this post I believed that all PhDs funded by UK research councils (UKRI) were at the very specific levels as mentioned in the post. However, I now know that there are some exceptions. For example, the Interactive AI CDT here at Bristol pays a stipend of £22,106: quite a bit higher than the standard non-London rate. CDTs such as this one include a foundation year and not everyone has a Master’s, so it may be worth considering schemes such as this. Best wishes, Jeff.

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UCL Human Resources

Professorial Banding Structure 2023/2024

• Senior Pay Arrangements - Professorial and Professional Grade 10

Effective from 1 August 2023

London Allowance of £4,500 per annum (from August 2023) is payable in addition for those working in London, and  in spaces immediately bordering London, such as Dorking and Wickford.

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2023/24 (August update)

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2023-24 ucl ioe senior grade structure (august 2023 update), 2023-24 ucl school of pharmacy single pay spine (august 2023 update), 2023-24 ucl mrc single pay spine (august 2023 update), 2023-24 ucl prion single pay spine (august 2023 update), 2023 -24 ucl uol pay and grading salary scale (august 2023 update), 2023-24 ucl non-clinical grade structure with spinal points (february 2023 update), 2023-24 ucl ioe grade structure with spinal points (february 2023 update), 2023-24 ucl ioe senior grade structure (february 2023 update), 2023-24 ucl mrc single pay spine (february 2023 update), 2023-24 ucl school of pharmacy grade structure (february 2023 update), 2023-24 ucl prion single pay spine (february 2023 update), 2023 -24 ucl uol pay and grading salary scale (february 2023 update), 2022-23 ucl non-clinical grade structure, 2022-23 ucl ioe grade structure with spinal points, 2022-23 ucl ioe senior grade structure, 2022-23 ucl school of pharmacy grade structure, 2022-23 ucl mrc single pay spine, 2022-23 ucl prion single pay spine, 2021-22 ucl non-clinical grade structure, 2021-22 ioe grade structure with spinal points, 2021-22 ioe senior salary scales, 2021-22 school of pharmacy grade structure, 2021-22 mrc payscale, 2021 mrc prion tupe payscale, 2020-21 ucl non-clinical grade structure, 2020-21 ioe grade structure with spinal points, 2020-21 ioe senior salary scales, 2020-21 school of pharmacy grade structure with spinal points, 2019/20 ucl non-clinical grade structure, 2019/20 ioe grade structure , 2019/20 ioe senior salary scales, mrc payscale, mrc prion payscale, 2019/20 school of pharmacy grade structure, 2018/19 ucl non-clinical grade structure, 2018/19 ioe grade structure , 2018/19 ioe senior salary scales, 2018/19 school of pharmacy .

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Master, PhD and Postdoc Scholarships

Professors salary in the UK

In pursuit of a career as a university professor, students invest years in studying and building their CVs. But is the effort worth it? To answer this question, it’s important to consider the salary scale for university professors, which varies depending on the country and level of the professorship. In the United Kingdom, the hierarchy of professorship comprises Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader, and Professor. Therefore, this post aims to provide an overview of the pay scale and salary of professors in the UK.

Assistant Professor’s Salary in the UK (Lecturer Salary in the UK)

Depending on their seniority and the university where they work, Lecturers or Assistant Professors in the UK typically earn between £42,000 and £55,000 per year. If the university is located in an expensive city such as London, the starting salary is likely to be higher; however, for most other cities, the starting salary is between £42,000 and £45,000. Please note that this is the salary before tax. In the UK, a fresh assistant professor may earn as much as £2,500 per month after deductions for income tax, national insurance, and pension. The take-home pay for senior lecturers or assistant professors, however, can reach up to £3,000 in that circumstance. It is pertinent to note that the university pension is an optional benefit. In the event that a Lecturer opts out of the university’s pension scheme, also known as USS, the take-home pay increases. A person in a lower salary range can take home £2,685 per month, and a person in a higher salary range can take home £3,225.

Associate Professor’s Salary in the UK (Senior Lecturer Salary in the UK)

Generally, the starting salary of an Associate Professor will be the highest of the Assistant Professors. Accordingly, the lowest-paid associate professor can earn £52,000 per year. Universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, and Imperial College can offer salaries as high as £65,000 for more senior Associate Professors. The amount of take-home pay appears to depend on the pension plan. After tax, an associate professor (also known as a senior lecturer or reader) may earn between £3,000 and £3,500 per month. There may, however, be a slight increase in take-home pay if the person does not contribute to the pension. An associate professor who opts out of the pension scheme can get £3,700 a month.

Professor Salaries in the UK

However, there is no upper limit on professor salaries in the United Kingdom. It generally begins at the level of Associate Professor (or Reader) but may reach very high levels without a defined limit. Therefore, the starting salary of a professor is approximately £63,000 (in most top universities in the United Kingdom) and can steadily increase without any upper limit. In some universities, highly qualified professors can earn more than £150,000 per year. However, this depends on a variety of factors and is not a common practice. An average University Professor earns between £63,000 and £90,000 per year. There can be quite a high take-home pay and net salary, ranging from £3,500 per month to £5,000 per month.

Academic Salaries in Europe

PhD and postdoc salaries are separately listed on the salary pages of Denmark , Norway , Switzerland , Sweden , Germany , UK , Netherlands , Finland , France , Ireland , and Austria .

With over a decade’s worth of experience, Fastepo is a trusted academic vacancy website. We offer fully-funded PhD positions , open positions (postdoctoral positions) , and various scholarships in our section. Stay updated with our latest activities on our social media pages and YouTube channel .

You can see the latest available Positions in the UK Here:

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Would you like to know the salary amount of PhD and postdoc positions in Europe? 

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PhD, Professor, and Postdoc Salaries in the United States

The United States is home to several of the world’s best universities making it a top destination for international researchers. Here’s a breakdown of the most common American job titles and their associated average annual salaries. All salary statistics in this article are in American Dollars (USD) and are pre-tax.

PhD Student

A Master’s degree is not always required to do a PhD in the US. Several top universities offer direct entry PhD programs. An American PhD begins with two to three years of coursework in order to pass qualifying exams. During this time doctoral students are able to develop their research interests and hone in on their thesis topic. They will then write a thesis proposal which must be approved before they can start their dissertation. Most programs require PhD students to gain two to three years of teaching experience as well, either by leading their own class or as teaching assistants for a professor. It takes an average of six years to earn a PhD in the US.

Unlike some European countries, there is no mandated minimum salary or national salary scale for PhD students in the US. PhD students ear n between $ 15,000 and $30,000 a year depending on their institution, field of study, and location. This stipend can be tax-free (if it is a fellowship award) or taxable (if it is a salary e.g from a teaching position). American PhD students are usually only paid for nine months of the year but many programs offer summer funding opportunities. A PhD funding package will also include a full or partial tuition waiver.

After earning a PhD, many researchers go on to a postdoc. A postdoc is a continuation of the researcher’s training that allows them to further specialize in a particular field and learn new techniques. Postdoc positions are usually two to three years and it is not unusual to do more than one postdoc. There is no limit on the number of years you can be a postdoc in the US. The average salary (2023 ) for postdocs in the US is $61,143 per year.

A lecturer is a non-tenure-track teaching position. They often have a higher teaching load than tenure track-faculty and no research obligations. These positions are more common in the humanities or as foreign language instructors. Lecturers hold advanced degrees, though not always PhDs. The average salary for a full time lecturer in 2021-2022 according to the American Association of University Professors was $69,499.

Assistant Professor

This is the start of the tenure track. An assistant professor is responsible for teaching, research, and service to the institution (committee membership). Assistant professors typically teach two to four courses per semester while also supervising graduate students. They are also expected to be active researchers and publish books, monographs, papers, and journal articles to meet their tenure requirements. The average salary for assistant professors in 2021-2022 was $85,063 according to the American Association of University Professors . 

Associate Professor

An assistant professor who has been granted tenure is then promoted to an associate professor. An associate professor often has a national reputation and is involved in service activities beyond their university. The average salary for associate professors in 2021-2022 was $97,734 according to the American Association of University Professors . 

This is the final destination of the tenure track. Five to seven years after receiving tenure, associate professors go through another review. If they are successful, they are promoted to the rank of professor (sometimes called full professor). Professors usually have a record of accomplishment that has established them as an international or national leader in their field. The average salary for professors in 2021-2022 according to the American Association of University Professors was $143,823. 

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Jobs After PhD in UK: Know About PhD Stipend in UK for International Students

UK as a study destination is one of the most prominent in the world due to the presence of research-intensive universities and quality education. UK universities offer an extensive ground for students to pursue their research in different fields of science, humanities, technology, etc. Some of the best PhD institutes in UK are University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Leeds, Coventry University.

Graduates from the PhD programs can go ahead and make wonderful careers for themselves in the future. On average, a PhD student salary UK is around 35000 – 48000 GBP per year. Apart from that, students are also provided with monthly stipends and maintenance fees during their PhD program. This article shares some insights about the stipend, jobs, and salary outcomes for PhD students in UK.

Benefits of Studying PhD in UK?

The UK PhD program has a lot of benefits to offer for PhD students. Home to more than 150 different PhD universities, UK is considered to be one of the most sought-after destinations for international students seeking a PhD. Here are some benefits of pursuing a PhD in UK.

• Research Structure : The entire research structure for PhD courses in UK is extremely beneficial for students. The PhD duration is shorter (typically taking about 3-4 years). Also, there is an excellent ground for stellar interdisciplinary research imitated by some dedicated research-intensive institutions.
• Industry Experience : Some of the most prestigious institutions offer academic research training along with industry experience. This can be profitable for international students who want to build a career in different fields of science, commerce, management, and arts after the completion of their PhD.
• Tax-Free Stipend : The average stipend for PhD in UK for international students is around 25,000-30,200 GBP. The PhD stipends and studentships are tax-free which means students are given the full amount that they earn as their monthly stipend.
• Financial Support : International students studying PhD in UK can have financial support from different government organisations, independent grant providers, university scholarships, and industry funding. Students can rely on financial support to get their tuition fees covered or some other expenses as well.

Suggested: Know About PhD Fees in UK for Indian & International Students

Types of PhD Stipend in UK For International Students: Roles of a PhD Student

There are basically three different types of stipend PhD UK. The students can get their stipends or salaries if they are doing a teaching assistantship, a research assistantship, or via a studentship.

1.  Graduate Teaching Assistantships

The GTAs or Graduate Teaching Assistantship require the PhD students to assist in the delivery of different courses over their course duration. This can include marking some student tutorials, supervising different lab experiments, and also providing some support to different undergraduate students during their office hours. If you apply for a graduate student assistantship, you will also have to teach a particular section of the course on your own.

2.  Research Assistantships

The students who are pursuing a research assistantship in UK will assist the professor of their department with their research to earn UK PhD salary. In general, the professor that students are working for will also be their PhD supervisor. Also, the research that the students do will be related to the doctoral project of your own.

3.  Stipend/Studentship

A stipend is considered to be a non-repayable grant that is offered to doctoral students in order to support their studies. The studentship will cover a certain amount of the tuition fee for students. On the other hand, a stipend is meant to cover the living costs of the student. This can include the expenses for rent, bills, food, basic travelling, etc. Unlike Research and Graduate Teaching Assistantships, stipends don’t have any duties or taxes attached to them.

An important note to keep in mind is that one can actually combine these duties. For instance, students can be a part of the research assistantship program and still teach some undergraduate students at the university.

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Job Opportunities for PhD Students in UK

PhD graduates in UK can look forward to interesting and lucrative careers after the completion of their course. PhD graduates in UK are seen performing appreciable tasks in the commercial and research-based sectors such as education, technology, medicine, science, etc. For a better understanding of the average PhD student salary UK, we have tabulated the job roles for PhD graduates in UK and their respective average salaries.

Highest Paying Job Opportunities After PhD in UK

Here we are also providing a list of highest paying job roles after PhD in UK. Let us look at the career opportunities and salary scope in detail.

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Top Recruiters for PhD Graduates in UK

A lot of new opportunities for UK PhD jobs wait in line for qualified graduates from UK universities. Top recruiters are always on the lookout for expert professionals who can change the face of the industry with new research-based methodologies and concepts. Here we are mentioning the top recruiters that offer reputable jobs for PhD graduates UK and the salary packages they offer.

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How to Find a Job After PhD in UK

After completing the PhD in UK, students have a lot of opportunities in line. They can go for a teaching profession in the academic line or they can get a job in any particular field or industry that they want. It is important for students to find a job in a specific area that they are interested in.

They can work as historians, statisticians, professors, and much more. Also, many research-based companies are looking for graduates with professional experience. Finding a job after PhD requires a lot of research. Students can go ahead and join the field of science, arts, technology, management, business administration, etc. after their PhD.

With an average PhD salary UK being more than 45000 GBP, the country offers a bright future for graduates. This article provides a detailed account of the PhD stipend, job roles, and salary estimates in UK. For more information about jobs for PhD graduates UK connect with our Yocket Professionals and clear all your doubts easily. 

Frequently Asked Questions About PhD Stipend in UK

Can I earn money while pursuing a PhD in UK?

Yes, a monthly stipend is provided to PhD students in UK based on the role that they have in the project.

What are the different types of stipends offered to PhD students in UK?

Students can get stipend in the form of: Graduate Teaching Assistantship Research Assistantship Studentship

What career roles can I pursue after PhD in UK?

The best career roles that students can pursue after PhD in UK are: Research Associate Software Engineer Data Scientist Professor

Which institutions in UK offer PhD programs?

Some of the top universities offering PhD courses in UK are University of Cambridge University of Oxford Imperial College London University College London

How much does a PhD program cost in UK?

The average annual cost for PhD programs in UK is somewhere between 15000 GBP to 38000 GBP.

Rohan Deshmukh

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