Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate funding is different from funding for further and higher education because very little of it is automatic. Most postgraduate students have to hunt around to find the money they need. There's also competition for funding, as funds are limited. So plan well in advance, and sort out your funding at least a year before your course starts.

The only postgraduate course with guaranteed funding is a teacher training course, the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

If you're looking for funding for any other postgraduate course, such as an MA, MSc, PhD or MPhil, you should investigate the funding options below the PGCE information.

• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
• Research councils
• Local Education Authority (LEA) Discretionary Awards
• Employer-funded study
• Sponsorships, scholarships and studentships
• Career Development Loans (CDL) and other bank loans
• Self-finance
• Part-time work while studying
• Research and lecturing posts
• Access to learning funds (ALF)
• Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
• Benefits
• Educational charities and trusts
• Law
• Social work
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

If you study a PGCE you may qualify for a training bursary. How much you get depends on the subject you want to train in, and where and when you train. The maximum is £9,000 per year. You get more if you apply to teach shortage subjects like maths, science, modern languages and music. You may also be eligible for a golden hello of several thousand pounds if you train to teach a shortage subject.

Students in England are eligible for a non-means tested grant and can apply for an additional means-tested grant. Students studying for a PGCE or on School Centred Initial Teaching Training (SCITT) have to pay tuition fees like all other higher education students. However, you can apply for a loan to pay the fees. You pay the fees back when you finish the course and start work. Also, like all other higher education students you can apply for a means-tested grant and loan.

Visit the Student Finance section of Directgov or Training and Development Agency for Schools for full details of support available for PGCE students.

You can visit these sites for the different arrangements in other parts of the UK:

• Student Awards Agency for Scotland
• Welsh Assembly
• Educational Guidance Service for Adults (Northern Ireland)

Research Councils

Depending on which subject you study, you might be able to get funding from a research council. Funding is usually awarded for research rather than taught courses, but competition is keen. You don't apply directly; you apply through the university.

The research councils are:

• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• Natural Environment Research Council
• Science and Technology Facilities Council
• Arts and Humanities Research Council
• Medical Research Council
• Bio-technology and Biological Sciences Research Council
• Economic and Social Research Council

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Local Education Authority (LEA) Discretionary Awards

Some LEAs issue discretionary awards for postgraduate courses. Contact your local LEA for more information. You can find the contact details of your local LEA on the Local Authorities address finder.

Employer-funded study

If you're working, ask your employer to pay for your course. You should point out the skills you'll learn and the benefits to your employer. If they agree, they may ask you to sign a contract committing you to work for them for an agreed period.

Sponsorships

Some employers will pay your wages and course fees while you study. They tend to be employers who need some research carrying out in a particular field. This often leads to employment afterwards.

These opportunities are advertised alongside jobs in the usual publications. University careers libraries also stock reference books and information on which companies usually sponsor students.

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Career Development Loans (CDL) and other bank loans

You may be able to get a CDL. Some banks may offer loans to cover course fees. It usually has to be a professional vocational course. And you'll have to convince the bank you'll be starting work soon after finishing the course, so you can arrange repayments. Visit the CDL section of Directgov to find out more.

Self-finance

You could fund your course using personal savings. If having the postgraduate qualification boosts your earnings then it may be money well spent. You could save up the money by working for a year or two, or consider selling assets you have.

Part-time work while studying

You could work part-time to cover your living costs. Find out about your study schedule so you don't take on too much.

Research/lecturing posts

Some universities offer paid research posts that give you the opportunity to also study a postgraduate course. Some postgraduate students also lecture part-time to fund further study.

Access to learning funds (ALF)

ALF aims to help students with financial restrictions and other barriers to enter and stay in education. You can get help for costs such as rent arrears, council tax and bills. The criteria are set nationally but the funds are administered by the institutions and they will give you more information about ALF.

Disabled Students' Allowance

If you are from the UK and are on a full-time or part-time postgraduate course, you may be eligible for a Disabled Students' Allowance. As with undergraduate courses, part-time students must be studying at least 50% of the full-time equivalent course in order to qualify for the allowance. You will not be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance if you are receiving funding for this kind of support from a Research Council.

To find out what you might be eligible for, visit

• Disabled Students Allowances on Directgov
• SKILL, National Bureau for Students with Disabilities

Benefits

If you're unable to work and claiming Incapacity Benefit, Income Support or Severe Disablement Allowance, you might be able to claim benefits while studying a postgraduate course. For more information visit your local Jobcentre Plus or visit the Jobcentre Plus website.

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Educational charities and trusts

These organisations might grant you awards to cover course fees and living expenses. See our section on educational charities and trusts.

Law

A small number of students might qualify for a discretionary award for the different stages of their law course. This depends on the funding policy of your LEA. Contact your local LEA for more details. Some students also find bursaries from law firms or the Law Society; loans may also be available from law schools.

Social work

In England, Scotland and Wales you may qualify for a bursary for full-time postgraduate diploma in social work. Not everyone gets a bursary, but most do. Visit the NHS Business Services Authority or Social Work Careers for more information.

A bursary system also exists in Northern Ireland. Visit the Northern Ireland Social Care Council for information.

Scotland

You can get information on the different postgraduate funding arrangements in Scotland from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

Northern Ireland

You can get information on the different postgraduate funding arrangements in Northern Ireland from the Educational Guidance Service for Adults.

Further information

• Prospects Postgraduate Funding Guide
• The Grants Register
• Prospects
• Educational Grants Advisory Service