The effect of UKRI stipend levels on UKRI studentships
UKRI is the largest single funder of doctoral research in the UK, which means that UKRI’s minimum stipend - money paid to students to cover their living costs - has an important influence on the wider doctoral funding landscape. As part of wider ongoing work under the New Deal for Postgraduate Research, UKRI committed to reviewing the assumptions underpinning, and consequences of, the stipend level.
The research
In March 2024, UKRI commissioned SQW, in partnership with London Economics, to undertake a study to provide UKRI with evidence to inform decisions about setting the stipend level. The study sought to understand how minimum stipend levels affect studentship recruitment and retention. After conducting a desk-based review of documentation and available data, SQW conducted online surveys of training grant holders and research organisations, and in-depth research with 15 research organisations and the UK Council for Graduate Education.
Key findings
The research found that the UKRI minimum stipend level was recognised as fundamentally important and valuable to the sector. Further to its core role in supporting UKRI-funded students, it plays several roles as a benchmark, guide and way of supporting diversity in doctoral research across the wider landscape.
However, there was clear evidence that in 2023-24 the minimum stipend level was seen as too low, and there was broad support from research organisations and grant holders for setting the stipend in line with the national living wage.
The research highlighted that the minimum stipend level was one of a wide range of factors influencing decisions taken by both research organisations and students, and there was a need to recognise the complexity of this landscape in progressing plans for the stipend going forward.
The report is available on the UKRI website here.
Contact
For further information regarding SQW’s work on the study, please contact Joe Duggett via JDuggett@sqw.co.uk.
