I've just graduated with a 2.1 in Microbiology and want to do a PhD.

Before applying am I required to have any sort of funding, or is this something to worry about after I've gotten a PhD position?

Also, do all PhDs automatically come with a stipend? I probably couldn't afford to do one if not.

Appreciate any advice.

I think I've found the answer written elsewhere on this website.

In microbiology (my field) there are quite a few studentships available which cover a stipend, tuition fees and bench fees, therefore you aren't required to have funding.. Alot of these are funded by the BBSRC and you just need to fulfill their candidate requirements i.e be an EU student, have a 2i in a biological science and not be a mass murderer (more info on requirements on bbsrc.ac.uk)

One thing with these studentships is that the project has already been predefined and so you will be working on a set piece of work which is slots into the work of the research group.