RCUK has announced the figures for studentship fees and minimum stipends for
2010-11.
The seven Research Councils currently fund roughly 19,000 doctoral students.
Researchers on these studentships are paid a tax-free stipend, and the Research
Councils set a minimum stipend level which the host organisations must pay (organisations
are free to pay more than the minimum stipend). In 2005, the minimum level of stipend
was adjusted to match the tax-free equivalent average graduate starting salary,
and has since been increased annually in line with inflation.
The Councils also set a cap on the level of postgraduate studentship fees they
will pay institutions.
Each year, Research Councils UK increase these doctoral studentship maximum fee
and minimum stipend levels in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator.
The figures for 2010-11 are:
The maximum that RCUK will pay towards studentship fees for 2010/11 is £3,466
The minimum stipend for RCUK doctoral studentships for 2010/11 is £13,590 p.a.