FAQs

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is made up of 7 research councils, one of which is Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). ReNU⁺ Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT ) is funded by EPSRC to offer fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship covering tuition fee and includes living allowance and expenses related to the project. Students will also attend cohort based training and activities to foster collaboration within and across different cohorts.

ReNU⁺ may be different to other CDTs and other funding schemes.  ReNU⁺ programme is delivered by Northumbria University, Newcastle University and Durham University. You need to apply to specific projects that are advertised by each university and submit a formal application via individual university's applicant portal/website. Students will be registered to do their PhD with the university where your project supervisor is based at but will be expected to travel between universities for training/workshops and events.

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. Each PhD is totally unique, with its own research aims, findings and its own original contribution to knowledge in your chosen field.   You will be supervised by a team of supervisors and expected to conduct original research and attend mandatory training/modules/activities. You will also have the opportunity to attend/present in conferences and work on mini-projects with industry partners.

There are several milestones/progression points where the timing and requirements will vary according to the university your  PhD is registered with but a typical doctorate normally involves:

• Carrying out a literature review (a survey of current scholarship in your field)
• Conducting original research and collecting your results
• Producing a thesis that presents your conclusions
• Writing up your thesis and submitting it as a dissertation
• Defending your thesis in an oral viva voce exam

100% annual tuition fees is covered for both UK and International (including EU) students, and for both full-time and part-time PhD. It also includes a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate) and additional allowance will be provided to contribute towards consumables, equipment, and travel related to the project. However the studentship does not cover Immigration Health Surcharge, Student Visa to enter UK and costs associated with English Language requirements.

If your query is an academic query about the project, please contact the project supervisor. If you wish to discuss your application informally and/or if you do not hold the entry requirements but you feel you have evidence of relevant skills and expertise that is equivalent, then please contact the relevant ReNU⁺ Institution Director for the project you are interested in which at Northumbria is Prof Vincent Barrioz (vincent.barrioz@northumbria.ac.uk), at Newcastle, Prof Elizabeth Gibson (elizabeth.gibson@newcastle.ac.uk) and at Durham, Prof Chris Groves (chris.groves@durham.ac.uk). For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please email the institution’s admissions team. For Northumbria this is pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk, for Newcastle this is pgadmissions@newcastle.ac.uk and for Durham please submit your query via their form.

Yes, please see individual findaphd project adverts for further info or contact the relevant ReNU⁺ Institution Director/admissions team. Please note that if you are classed as an International fee student, there are certain visa restrictions/requirements at the different universities and this is mentioned in the project adverts or you can contact respective university’s admission team for further info.

We are not able to offer distance learning PhDs. Part-time study is an option but you would still need to be campus based. 

Yes, full tuition fee is covered for both UK and International (including EU) students. However, the studentship does not cover the Immigration Health Surcharge, student visa and costs associated with English language requirements. Do note that for part-time PhD, some university have certain visa restrictions/requirements if you are classed as an International fee student. Please check individual project adverts or contact the university admissions team for info. 

Successful International candidates will need to plan for the following additional costs (in addition to those mentioned above):

• Flights
• Sufficient savings to cover your living cost until the first stipend payment. Students will need to be in UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence.
• Deposit for accommodation

You can work in academia or industry after you graduate. Part of the training will help you with career development and our alumni has gone on to find jobs in both academia and industry within UK and overseas.  Please visit the Vitae website to read their publication on What do researchers do ? . 

The admissions team at the university you apply to will send the relevant information to you about your offer and once you accept your offer you will be provided with your next steps to join the University. You will be provided with enrolment information and course start for the programme. Once you have fully enrolled, you will be invited to your University's induction and ReNU⁺ CDT's induction event.

Find out more information at https://www.ukri.org/news/ukri-is-increasing-phd-stipends-and-improving-student-support/

Please find more information on each universities accommodation offer.

Northumbria University Accommodation

Newcastle University Accommodation

Durham University Accommodation

Northumbria University - PGR Welcome Page , Support for Students

Newcastle University - Student Welcome Page

Durham University - Student Support and Wellbeing

Further resources can be found at UKCISA.

Please contact the ReNU team via our contact us form or email renu@northumbria.ac.uk with your requirements.