UK Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

Applying for a UK Government Postgraduate Doctoral Loan

Applications will open on 20 July 2026 for students who will be commencing a Doctoral course in the 2026-2027 academic year. Information about receiving a UK government loan for starting a PhD in October 2027 will be available from summer 2027.

If you are struggling to locate your course when you apply online with Student Finance England, please send StudentLoans@admin.cam.ac.uk an email and we will be able to assist you further.

Important guidance for completing the Postgraduate Doctoral Loan application

If you received an offer to study a postgraduate doctoral course at the University of Cambridge, and wish to apply for a postgraduate loan, please make sure you follow these steps when completing your PGL online application:

  • When asked “Where will you be studying?” search for ‘Cambridge’.
  • From the list, select ‘University of Cambridge’ NOT for instance ‘Darwin College – University of Cambridge’ even if you already have college membership.
  • When asked “What course will you study?” put PhD in front of the course you will be studying (e.g. PhD in History). Some course names are under the department name, for instance for a PhD in Theology and Religious Study you would need to input PhD in Divinity.
  • If you have been given college membership, please select the course option with the college name under it – for example: PhD in History 4 years 1 October 2026 Darwin College Doctoral Full time
  • If you do NOT yet have college membership, please select the course option ‘Cambridge University – College not yet known’. This will allow you to progress with your application. 

Tips for filling out a postal PGL application

  • Where it asks 'University name' put 'University of Cambridge'
  • Where it asks 'Name of campus/location' put the name of the College where you have college membership, for instance Darwin College
  • Where is asks 'Course name' put the name of the course you will be studying, for instance Economics

Further information

  • If you've selected the course option 'University of Cambridge - College not yet known' once you're allocated a College, arrangements will be made by a Student Loans administrator in the Funding Team, Student Registry, to inform the appropriate person at your College so they can arrange a transfer into your College
  • If your application needs to be updated with any change of circumstances, please make the updates before the start of your course.

After the start of the course, it will be responsibility of the college to administer any changes to student’s circumstances, which might affect the loan, such as course change.

Amounts and eligibility

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan will be:

  • An amount of up to £31,122 (for the whole course) for students who start their course on or after 1 August 2026
  • An amount of up to £30,301 (for the whole course) for students who start their course on or after 1 August 2025
  • Non-means tested
  • Paid directly to the student (3 equal instalments each year)
  • A contribution towards the costs of study, i.e. it will be at the student’s discretion to use the loan towards fees, maintenance costs or other costs

Course:

  • Must be a full standalone doctoral course (not a top-up course)
  • Mast have started on or after 1 August 2018
  • lasts between 3 to 8 academic years

Eligibility:

  • You must be a UK national, or have EU settled status, or have indefinite leave to remain, so there are no restrictions on how long you can stay
  • You must normally live in England and didn't move here just to study
  • You will have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 3 years before starting your course
  • You may be eligible if you're an EU national and meet the criteria detailed on the UK Government Doctoral Loan page 
  • You must not be receiving Research Council funding (studentships, stipends, scholarships and tuition fee support)
  • You must not be receiving a Social Work Bursary
  • You must not be eligible to apply for an NHS bursary
  • You must not already have a doctoral degree, or qualification that's equivalent or higher
  • You must not be receiving a doctorate by publication
  • You must be under 60 on the first day of the first academic year of your course

Student finance for EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic or Lichtenstein nationals from August 2021: If you're starting a course on or after 1 August 2021, you must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get student finance. This does not apply if you're an Irish national.

You can learn more about the Postgraduate Doctoral Loan on the Student Room website.

Further information, including detailed eligibility criteria, is available on the UK Government Doctoral Loan page

Students domiciled in Wales can apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan through a scheme administered by Student Finance Wales.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan will be:

  • An amount of up to £29,705 (for the whole course) for students who start their course on or after 1 August 2026
  • An amount of up to £29,130 (for the whole course) for students who start their course on or after 1 August 2025
  • Non-means tested
  • Paid directly to the student (3 equal instalments each year)
  • A contribution towards the costs of study, i.e. it will be at the student’s discretion to use the loan towards fees, maintenance costs or other costs

Further information including detailed eligibility criteria, is available at Student Finance Wales

Please refer to the links provided for information on Postgraduate Doctoral Loans. If you have any additional questions please e-mail StudentLoans@admin.cam.ac.uk