This is not true in the UK. You are paid a tax free stipend (currently ~£14k) and not considered a full worker - you certainly don&#x27;t have the rights that full time staff have.<p>There is no salary progression, bonus or pension and your funding cuts off at 3&#x2F;3.5&#x2F;4 years. After that, you aren&#x27;t eligible for any govt. benefits as you are a full time student.<p>In some parts of the UK £14k can go a long way, but UK PhD students definitely aren&#x27;t equal to full time staff as it stands.<p>The pay can be higher with industry partnerships (£30k tax free!!) but this is the more usual research council level.