Stipend and additional allowances
This information is to provide students in receipt of an MRC award with some financial details regarding their award and other allowances they may be eligible for.
Please note that MRC DTG studentships are administered by the host institution; this means the institution is responsible for deciding the financial details of each award.
Stipend and fees
Studentship stipends are set by the host institution, however a minimum stipend for all studentships is set annually by Research Councils UK (RCUK) which must be met.
More information can be found on the RCUK website www.rcuk.ac.uk
Stipend |
Outside London |
Within London |
2013-14 |
13,726 |
15,726 |
2012-13 |
13,590 |
15,740 |
2011-12 |
13,590 |
15,740 |
2010-11 |
13,590 |
15,740 |
2009-10 |
13,290 |
15,510 |
2008-09 |
12,940 |
15,100 |
2007-08 |
12,600 |
14,700 |
2006-07 |
12,300 |
14,350 |
Fees |
Standard UK rate |
Oxford |
Cambridge |
2013-14 |
3,900 |
3,900 |
3,900 |
2012-13 |
3,828 |
3,828 |
3,828 |
2011-12 |
3,732 |
3,732 |
3,732 |
2010-11 |
3,466 |
3,466 |
3,466 |
2009-10 |
3,390 |
5440 |
5580 |
2008-09 |
3,330 |
5330 |
5460 |
2007-08 |
3,240 |
5190 |
5320 |
2006-07 |
3,168 |
5067 |
5197 |
Additional allowances available to MRC-funded students
Disabled Students Allowance
If you incur additional expenditure in connection with your postgraduate training because you are disabled, you may be eligible for a Disabled Students Allowance.
For further information and guidance please see Disabled Students’ Allowance.
Overseas Fieldwork Allowance
Where it is an essential part of a student's training, the MRC will consider contributing towards the costs of overseas fieldwork or visits to foreign organisations. The MRC will only contribute in respect of projects that provide students with research training opportunities that are not available in the UK.
Students will not normally be expected to spend more than 12 months in total overseas. The reasons for undertaking the Overseas Fieldwork and the justification for the period(s) overseas should be included in Form OB1.
The level of funds awarded to cover overseas fieldwork expenses are calculated by the using a banding system. The banding for individual countries can be found at Annex 2 of this Postgraduate Studentship handbook.
The banding structure is intended to cover all elements of the trip including an allowance for medical cover insurance. Students are required to arrange adequate insurance cover before their trip.
The Research Organisation should complete the OB1 form, at least 8 weeks before the student is due to depart on their Overseas Fieldwork.
How to claim
Claims for Overseas Fieldwork should be completed on form OB2 (part one) by the student and sent to the DTG Coordinator at the Research Organisation who should scrutinise and pay the claim in the first instance. The upfront payment can be claimed as soon as the student has departed on their Overseas Fieldwork. Please include copies of receipts to cover Flights, insurance etc as confirmation of the amounts claimed.
A supplementary claim for the remainder of the allowance can be claimed when the student has returned from their overseas fieldwork using OB2 (part two). This should also include receipts and should then be submitted to the MRC for payment to the Research Organisation via the Doctoral Training Grant.
Students who are in receipt of a ‘fees-only’ studentship will not be eligible to apply for Overseas Fieldwork.