[superrad]

Are you paying national insurance on your income? Otherwise, without income tax and national insurance, you're effectively looking at a wage of £22k, and from what you've said thats just for a flatshare studio room.

Do you get any meals subsidised from your university, and do you actually have some savings while being able to eat out or get drinks at least once or twice a month?

[irremediable]

Fair point! I am not paying NI.

I don't have any meals subsidised, and I do have savings -- about £3k/year. I eat out twice per week, and I get drinks more often than not -- although I do often get drinks quite cheaply, because I'm friends with some brewers.

[pjc50]

PHD stipends are conveniently tax and NI free.