PhD in UK Online (2025-2026): Best Online Doctorate UK Programs, Distance PhDs, Funding & Comparisons
Are you in search of an accredited PhD in UK Online or best online doctorate UK options, here at Top PhD Online we present you the accredited and best online and hybrid doctoral programs offered by some of the top UK universities. We offer you the opportunity to explore and compare the program formats, timelines, accreditation, funding realities and comparison with international options.
In addition, if you are looking for Fast online PhD programs, cheapest online doctorate options or Doctorate Online without dissertation in UK, then we provide you all the information in this regard too
Most of the Accredited UK universities offers online PhD programs that are distance learning research routes with formal supervision, progress milestones and final thesis. Some of these Online PhD and Doctorate programs are fully online but some have the requirement of occasional campus visits for induction or viva voce. It is highly recommended that you must check the program requirements thoroughly before applying.
Why Study a PhD Online in the UK?
- World-Class Reputation – UK universities are well known and rank high in term of credibility, accreditation and affordability of online doctoral and PhD programs globally
- Internationally Friendly – Online PhD and doctorate programs offered by UK universities are easily accessible for international students specially from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East
- Part-Time & Flexible – The PhD and doctoral Programs offered by UK universities are more flexible and offer the option of study at your own pace without residency requirements.
- No GRE Requirement – Most UK PhDs do not require GRE or GMAT
- Professional Doctorates Available – DProf, DBA, EdD, and more
- Fully Funded PhD Programs in the UK – Scholarships and assistantships available
Top Online Doctorate Programs in the UK
For your review, we present some of the accredited and top universities offering best online PhD and Doctorate programs in the UK.
University | Program | Format | Duration | Accreditation / Notes |
PhD by Distance | Fully distance with remote supervision | 4–6 years PT | Leicester DL Policy | |
PhD by Distance | Distance learning (subject to School approval) | 4–6 years PT | ||
PhD / Professional Doctorates | Distance / hybrid (department-dependent) | 4–6 years PT | ||
PhD by Distance Learning | Distance (arts, social sciences, others) | 4–6 years PT | ||
PhD by Distance Learning | Distance (selected faculties) | 4–6 years PT |
Compare Online Doctorate Programs in the UK
| University | Program | Format | Residency Required? | Funding Available | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester | DSocSci | Online | No | Limited | £21,000 |
| Birmingham | EdD | Online | Optional | Partial | £24,000 |
| Glasgow | PhD Education | Distance | No | Yes | £20,000 |
| Essex Online | DBA | Fully Online | No | Limited | £18,000 |
| Portsmouth | DProf Business / CJ | Distance | Optional | Employer-based | £22,000 |
Business PhD/ DBA (UK Online DBA)
For senior business professionals wants to take their career to the extreme level and earn applied research doctorate, UK Online DBA Programs can be the best option as these programs offer easy accessibility, flexibility and affordability with global business school accreditation.
University | Program | Format | Duration | Accreditation / Notes |
Warwick Business School | DBA | Hybrid / executive | 3–6 yrs PT | Warwick DBA — Triple Crown (AACSB / AMBA / EQUIS) |
Henley Business School (Reading) | DBA | Part-time hybrid | 4–6 yrs PT | Henley DBA — Triple accredited |
Durham University Business School | Global DBA | Hybrid across global locations | 4–6 yrs PT | Durham DBA — Triple accredited |
University of Portsmouth | Professional DBA | Hybrid while you work | 4–7 yrs PT | Portsmouth DBA — Professional doctorate structure |
* For more about Best Online DBA programs in the UK and around the world : Online DBA Programs
Online Education PhD & EdD Online Program UK
Online PhD in Psychology UK & PsyD online UK
Finding fully online PhD in Psychology or PsyD fully online programs in UK is little difficult as most of the universities offers online options depending on department policy only but clinical routes. For example,DClinPsy stays campus-based doctorate program cause of accreditation requirements.
University | Program | Format | Duration | Accreditation / Notes |
University of Leicester | PhD in Psychology | Distance (case-by-case) | 4–6 yrs PT | Leicester DL policy |
Open University | PhD | Hybrid / distance | 4–6 yrs PT | Open University PhD — Some UK residency expected |
University of Liverpool | DClinPsy | On-campus | 3 yrs FT | Liverpool DClinPsy — Campus-based professional doctorate |
- For More Top Online PhD in Psychology and online PsyD programs in the UK and Around the world please visit Online PhD and Psychology and Online PsyD page
Health / Nursing PhD Online and DNP Online UK
In UK Online PhD in Health and Nursing or DNP Online programs are quiet popular as many faculties offers online supervised PhD in nursing especially for desk based or non-lab projects.
University | Program | Format | Duration | Accreditation / Notes |
King’s College London | PhD (Health/Nursing) | Mixed / distance where feasible | 4–6 yrs PT | KCL PGR |
University of Manchester | Health / Clinical Sciences PhD | Distance / blended | 4–6 yrs PT | Manchester PGR |
University of Portsmouth | Health doctorates | Distance / hybrid | 4–6 yrs PT |
- For more Top Online Nursing PhD and Online DNP Programs in the UK and around the world please check Online DNP Programs
Technology / IT PhD Online in UK
Technology and IT PhD online programs are one of the most in demand and popular programs. especially in the areas where research is data-driven and theoretical.
University | Program | Format | Duration | Accreditation / Notes |
Lancaster University | PhD (Computing / e-Research) | Distance / blended | 4–6 yrs PT | Lancaster e-Research |
University of Portsmouth | PhD (Technology) | Distance | 4–6 yrs PT | |
University of Edinburgh | Design by Distance (PhD) | Distance | 4–6 yrs PT | Edinburgh PhD Distance |
- For more best Online PhD in Information Technology Programs in UK and around the world visit our Online PhD in IT page
Fully Funded Online PhD Programs” in the UK — What’s Realistic
Though finding the Fully Funded Online Doctorate and PhD programs in UK is little difficult as most of the fully funded programs offered for on campus studentships. But still the universities offer different options to reduce the cost of the Distance Learning PhD and Doctorate programs as well some also offers funded Online PhD programs if the training environment is approved.
University | Program | Format | Funding / Fees | Notes |
University of Reading | PhD by Distance | Distance research | Home PGR (banded); International fixed | |
University of Leeds | PhD by Distance Learning (selected faculties) | Distance / hybrid | Standard PGR | |
University of Aberdeen | Research by Distance Learning | Distance | Home £5,006; Int’l varies by subject |
*UKRI’s minimum stipend for 2025/26 is £20,780 outside London. Most studentships expect on-campus participation, but some departments will consider distance setups.
Cheapest Online Doctorate UK — How to Compare
“Cheapest” should be based on published numbers, not hearsay. Here are transparent 2025/26 fees for selected distance-friendly universities.
University | Program | Format | UK Fees (2025/26) | International Fees (2025/26) | Notes |
University of Reading | PGR (PhD by Distance eligible) | Distance | £5,006/yr | £21,250–23,900/yr | |
University of Aberdeen | PGR (distance eligible) | Distance | £5,006/yr | Up to £27,300/yr (subject) | |
University of Portsmouth | PhD (Distance) | Distance / hybrid | £4,596/yr (UK FT guide) | £16,200–18,300/yr (Int’l FT guide) |
No-Dissertation Online Doctorate Options in the UK
No Dissertation Online Doctorate Programs are available in UK, especially professional doctoral programs like DBA, EdD and DproF, in these no-dissertation programs applied projects, portfolios are required in replacement of Traditional Thesis. But still there is no online PhD without dissertation programs as pure PhD programs online still have the requirement of traditional thesis and viva.
University | Program | Format | Dissertation Alternative | Notes |
Henley Business School (Reading) | DBA | Part-time hybrid | Applied, work-based research | |
University of Portsmouth | Professional DBA | Hybrid | Applied project / portfolio | |
University of Bath | DBA in Higher Education Management | Executive hybrid | Work-based doctoral research |
For more No Dissertation online doctorate options please check: Online PhD and Doctorate without Dissertation
Funding & Scholarships
One of the major factors of popularity of Online PhD and Doctorate Programs in the UK is their affordability and multiple scholarships and funding options:
- Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in UK for International Students
Competitive, but available through individual universities or research councils - University Assistantships – Some part-time PhD positions come with fee waivers
- Employer Sponsorship – Especially common in DProf and DBA programs
- External Scholarships – Check Chevening, Commonwealth, and local government opportunities
Fast, Part-Time & No Residency Options
Looking for the fastest PhD UK or flexible schedule?
- University of Essex Online offers structured online DBA programs that can be completed in just 3 years
- University of Leicester & Glasgow provide distance learning PhDs with no residency required
- University of Portsmouth allows for employer-aligned, accelerated DProf routes
- No GRE & No Dissertation Alternatives available in many practice-based doctorates
International Alternatives (Outside the UK)
Country | Example Universities | Program / Format | Notes |
USA | Capitol Technology, Fielding | Online / hybrid research doctorates | Check accreditation & residencies |
Australia | USQ (University of Southern Queensland) | Distance PhD / hybrid | Public universities, international pricing |
Germany | FernUniversität Hagen | Distance doctorates (select fields) | Low/public tuition |
Canada | Athabasca University | DBA / EdD hybrid or online | Recognised fully online |
Netherlands | Maastricht University | Hybrid executive DBA | Triple-accredited EU business school |
* For more Online PhD and Doctorate Options outside UK, including Online Doctoral and PhD programs in USA, Australia, Germany and Canada, please visit our page Online PhD by Countries
Yes — If the university and program you are enrolled are accredited and recognized. It is recommended check the accreditation of Online PhD/Doctorate programs you are going to enroll.
Absolutely — most of the universities in UK are offering online PhD and doctorate programs with flexible schedule.
Yes — This is another important factor for which UK PhDs online Programs are popular as most of these programs do not require the GRE, and many offer no-residency or minimal attendance models.
Yes — many fully funded PhD scholarships in UK are open to non-UK citizens.
Not always. Most are distance-supervised with occasional visits (e.g., viva).
No standard fully funded distance PhDs. Some scholarships and fee waivers exist.
Examples: Leicester, Reading, Portsmouth, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Leeds.