Those rates are for employees of the college. PhD students aren't employees. PhD students in the UK typically receive a stipend from their research council. Fo

Those rates are for employees of the college. PhD students aren't employees. PhD students in the UK typically receive a stipend from their research council. For 2017/18 it's £14,553 [1]. You don't pay national insurance or income tax on a stipend. I lived in London on such a stipend for four years. It's tough. [1]: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/skills/training/ http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/skills/training/