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 full-time (longer for part-time) 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 a 4 years for full-time (longer for part-time) fully funded PhD 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 fully covered for full-time and part-time PhD, and for UK/Home fee candidates. 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.

If the project advert states that it is also open to International (including EU) students, the studentship will cover the full tuition fee.  However the studentship does NOT cover Immigration Health Surcharge, Student Visa to enter UK and costs associated with English Language requirements.

Study is based on campus and there may be costs associated with living within reasonable travel distance. Students must live within reasonable travel time of their campus to ensure that they are able to attend campus frequently. This is so that they can maintain regular contact with their department and their supervisors and receive the full support, mentoring, training and access to facilities required to complete their research successfully and to a high standard. The only exceptions to these requirements are to cover periods of absence that are an essential part of their study e.g. fieldwork, study visits or conference attendance.

For Northumbria University projects, home applicants can apply for a second PhD under a different research area. International students are advised to email pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk. 

For Newcastle University projects, home students can apply for a second PhD under a different research area but International students are advised to check with their visa team at visa@ncl.ac.uk whether they are eligible for a second research degree before applying.

Projects are advertised on the Apply Now page but to apply you would need to submit a formal application via individual university's applicant portal/website. Step by step guidance on this is available on each individual project advert.

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 academic requirements but you feel you have evidence of relevant skills and expertise that is equivalent, then please contact the relevant ReNU⁺ Institution Director listed below for the project you are interested in.

• Projects based at Northumbria University, contact Prof Vincent Barrioz (vincent.barrioz@northumbria.ac.uk),
• Projects based at Newcastle University, contact Prof Elizabeth Gibson (elizabeth.gibson@newcastle.ac.uk),
• Projects based at Durham University, contact Prof Chris Groves (chris.groves@durham.ac.uk).

For all other enquiries relating to eligibility (eg. whether you are classed as home or international fee applicant, Language requirements etc..) or application process please email the institution’s admissions team listed below.

• For Northumbria University this is pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk,
• For Newcastle University this is pgadmissions@newcastle.ac.uk, 
• For Durham University 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. 

Study is based on campus for both full-time and part-time. Students must live within reasonable travel time of their campus to ensure that they are able to attend campus frequently. This is so that they can maintain regular contact with their department and their supervisors and receive the full support, mentoring, training and access to facilities required to complete their research successfully and to a high standard. The only exceptions to these requirements are to cover periods of absence that are an essential part of their study e.g. fieldwork, study visits or conference attendance.

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. 

Watch this video of industry leaders and academics discuss why they did a PhD, and how a PhD has shaped their career.

You can also visit the Vitae website to read their publication on What do researchers do ? and Career Pathways. 

Yes, you can apply for multiple projects across 3 universities or within the same university.  When applying for multiple projects within the same university, please submit one application for each project and quote/cite the project code on each application. 

Yes. As part of the application process, we will ask you for your current qualification and/or predicted grades for your current study.  Your previous qualification might already meet our minimum criteria but if not (and if successful at interview), you will receive an offer conditional upon the outcome of your current studies.

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. You will also be contacted by the ReNU⁺ CDT team welcoming you to the CDT and informing you about any activities/events planned by us for students.

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

Study is based on campus. Students must live within reasonable travel time of their campus to ensure that they are able to attend campus frequently. This is so that they can maintain regular contact with their department and their supervisors and receive the full support, mentoring, training and access to facilities required to complete their research successfully and to a high standard. The only exceptions to these requirements are to cover periods of absence that are an essential part of their study e.g. fieldwork, study visits or conference attendance.

Northumbria University - PGR Welcome Page , Support for Students

Newcastle University - Student Welcome Page

Durham University - Student Support and Wellbeing

The CDT team will contact all successful candidates before enrolment to provide onboarding information and guidance on university processes. Support will be available via email and virtual meetings during the pre-start period.

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