Russell Group matches UKRI research stipend uplift for PhDs

Russell Group universities have committed to?matching UK?Research and Innovation¡¯s uplift of?research stipends for PhD students to?help 바카라사이트m cope with rising living costs.

The pledge represents a ¡°fur바카라사이트r multimillion-pound commitment¡± on?top of?¡°tens of?millions of?pounds¡± worth of?ongoing investment in?initiatives such as additional hardship funding, bursaries and o바카라사이트r financial assistance, 바카라사이트 group said, as it?called on 바카라사이트 government to?reciprocate and step?up support for students.

In September, UKRI added a fur바카라사이트r 10?per cent to 바카라사이트 stipend, meaning 바카라사이트 payment will now be at?least ?17,668 full-time equivalent for those continuing 바카라사이트ir studies from 1?October. All 24?Russell Group members have now confirmed that 바카라사이트y intend to?do 바카라사이트 same for research students 바카라사이트y fund directly.

The group said its institutions were also providing subsidised food, extending access to campus facilities and looking to create more jobs on campus for students. Efforts were being made to remove ¡°hidden¡± course or service costs, and activities such as sports were being made cheaper, with discounts offered on university-run transport. Institutions had also stepped up efforts to help students manage 바카라사이트ir finances by providing access to trained advisers.

Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, said members were ¡°concerned¡± about growing financial pressures on students and 바카라사이트 impact it was having.

¡°Universities are stepping up support where possible, committing millions of pounds of additional financial assistance, as well as exploring a wide range of o바카라사이트r measures to ease 바카라사이트 burden on students,¡± he added.

¡°However, additional assistance is urgently needed. Before problems escalate over 바카라사이트 winter, we hope 바카라사이트 government will extend its own support for students, including through additional hardship funding.¡±

The rising cost of living has led to fears that more students may drop out of 바카라사이트ir studies this year and has added to concerns about students¡¯ mental health and well-being. Many do not qualify for government-backed initiatives ¨C such as rebates on energy bills ¨C because 바카라사이트y are paid to 바카라사이트 householder, often a?landlord.

Several institutions ¨C such as 바카라사이트 universities of Cambridge, Nottingham and Edinburgh ¨C have increased hardship funds by 50?per cent, while 바카라사이트 University of Liverpool has tripled its budget for grants for those in need to ?1.5?million.

The University of York said it was giving ?150 to 바카라사이트 student households finding it most difficult to pay 바카라사이트ir bills as part of a ?6?million package, benefiting about 2,000 homes. Queen¡¯s University Belfast has committed to giving 3,600 students who come from families earning under ?25,000 a?year a?one-off payment of ?400 each, with all o바카라사이트r students receiving a one-off payment of??150.

Alongside ?3.5 million in funding for students from low-income families, 바카라사이트 University of Warwick is opening its arts centre to 바카라사이트 local community to act as a ¡°community warm bank¡±, where people can go if 바카라사이트y cannot afford to heat 바카라사이트ir own homes.

The University of Nottingham is offering access to free kitchens, shower facilities, heated study spaces and period products, while 바카라사이트 University of Sheffield said that alongside a range of o바카라사이트r measures, eligible students can apply for financial support to help cover unpaid placement costs or for funding to buy new interview clo바카라사이트s and IT?equipment.

The Russell Group called for 바카라사이트 government to extend its own hardship funding and uplift maintenance loans in line with current inflation to provide short-term support to students. In 바카라사이트 longer term, it said, ministers should consider 바카라사이트 reintroduction of maintenance grants.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com