Funding

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How to get funding

Funding for PhDs

The funding system for postgraduate study can be very complex so seek advice from the Careers & Employability Service if you need it.

The majority of home postgraduate researchers in the UK have their fees paid and receive a maintenance allowance via a studentship from one of the seven government funded research councils.

Each research council has responsibility for funding researchers in a specific group of subjects, and you will find details of these on their websites.

Research councils do not accept applications directly from individuals. Instead, they allocate funding to universities and research centres and invite them to nominate suitable candidates. To find out how studentships are provided for researchers in your discipline check with your chosen institution and look at the relevant research council’s website.

To be eligible for a research council studentship you will need to have been resident in the UK for purposes other than study for at least three years prior to taking up the award and be free of any restrictions on your right to live in the country.

Other possible sources of funding are:

  • Employment by a university and being funded to do a PhD as part of the role, eg research technician
  • Individual universities’ scholarship schemes
  • Research charities (especially for medical research)
  • Sponsorship from a private company, either directly or through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the company and a research council
  • Your own savings or those of your family

Funding for masters, diplomas and certificates

There are a range of funding sources available for courses:

  • Masters loans for tuition fees and living costs are available to most UK students who are normally resident in England. Additional support and funding may be available to help cover disability-related course costs, for example via Disabled Students Allowances (DSA).
  • Scholarships and bursaries may also be available from universities, charities, private companies, and the government.
  • Some trusts and charities make awards available to students meeting their eligibility criteria, to contribute to costs such as maintenance, fees, books, equipment, travel and childcare. Specialised funding schemes exist for some vocational courses but you need to investigate the websites of professional bodies in the relevant sector. Ask at the Careers & Employability Service if you need help with this.
  • For international students wishing to study in the UK, the British Council provides information on scholarships and financial support.

Explore funding

  • The UK 
  • Prospects  includes information on different sources of funding and loans for PhDs and masters courses.
  • The  contains advice on finding funding opportunities, completing formal applications and making speculative approaches.
  • Further information is available on the  and on the  websites. In addition to this, awards of £10,000 are made available to underrepresented students via eligible universities.
  • The  - scholarships and financial support, provides information to help you obtain scholarships if you are an international student.
  •  - The UK Council for International Student Affairs