Application
You’ll be able to apply for funding for the 2026 to 2027 academic year from week commencing 20 July 2026.
Students only need to apply once for the Postgraduate Doctoral Loan as the application and funding is for the duration of their course. If they’re studying over three or more academic years, they’ll get a letter each year confirming their payments for the upcoming academic year.
Online application
The quickest way for a student to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan is online at www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login.
Paper application form
If they can’t apply online, they should contact Student Finance England and ask for an application form.
They should be advised to get the application notes with the application form to prevent any missing information or evidence delaying their application.
When to apply
They should apply as soon as possible, so that we’ve got plenty of time to review their application. We’ll contact them if we need any further information or evidence.
Missing information or evidence
If they apply without giving us all the information we need, we’ll write to them to remind them to send us this as soon as they can. We won’t make any payments to them until we have all the information and evidence we need.
They can check if there is any outstanding information by logging into their online account.
Application deadline
Students should apply for finance as soon as possible once applications are open. They must apply no more than nine months after the first day of the last academic year of their course.
