Collaborative studentships

Find information and guidance on collaborative studentships.

For co-funded studentships starting on 1 October 2026, UKRI's new terms and conditions require Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to put in place arrangements to ensure the costs of additional absences are met equitably between different partners.

UCL is currently reviewing how best to implement this requirement. Further guidance will be provided once available.

What this means in practice

If a student is funded 50% by UKRI and 50% by a partner, and they receive a 6-month extension to their studentship, the additional costs need to be split equally - 50% from the UKRI grant and 50% from the partner. The costs associated with the partner contribution cannot be claimed from UKRI funds.

Relevant grant staff should inform prospective partners of UKRI’s financial expectations when discussing co- or fully-funded studentships.

Studentships starting in October 2025

For students who started in October 2025, grant holders should engage with partners to confirm whether they are willing to provide the necessary financial support for any extensions, even if this was not included in the original contract. In some cases, UKRI has confirmed that these costs may be recharged to the UKRI grant.

Who to contact for support

For queries or advice on collaborative studentships, contact our Studentships team at rcukstudentships@ucl.ac.uk.