An overview of funding your postgraduate studies
Undertaking a postgraduate degree such as a Masters or PhD is a significant financial investment. For international students especially, the costs of tuition fees, living expenses and travel quickly add up. Thankfully, there are many scholarship schemes available to help fund your studies in the UK. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the main sources of funding and tips for strengthening your scholarship applications.
Government and university-funded scholarships
The UK government and individual universities are major providers of postgraduate scholarships. Notable schemes include:
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI offers various subject-specific scholarships under its seven research councils including AHRC, BBSRC and EPSRC. Award amounts range from £15,000-£25,000 per year and cover UK/EU tuition fees and a living stipend. Deadlines are typically in December/January.
Commonwealth Scholarships
Funded by UK government departments, this program supports citizens of Commonwealth countries to undertake postgraduate study in the UK. Full awards cover tuition, living costs and travel expenses. The next deadline is in early November.
College/faculty scholarships
Many UK universities provide their own college or faculty scholarships for international students. For example, King’s College London awards over 500 scholarships each year up to £20,000. Be sure to check the scholarships webpage for your chosen university.
Charitable and professional body awards
Beyond government schemes, it’s worthwhile exploring awards from charities and professional associations:
The Gates Cambridge Trust
A highly competitive scholarship that provides full funding for outstanding applicants from outside the UK to study at the University of Cambridge. The deadline is typically early November.
Institute of Physics Postgraduate Scholarships
For students pursuing physics, materials science or engineering physics research degrees. Awards cover UK home tuition fees and provide a maintenance grant of £15,000 per year. Rolling application periods.
With thorough research and strong applications, these named scholarships significantly increase your chances of obtaining full funding for postgraduate studies in the UK. However, there are also many university-level awards to apply for with less rigorous eligibility criteria.
Strengthening your scholarship applications
While having top grades and research experience is important, what really makes a scholarship application stand out is strong personal statements and reference letters. Here are some tips:
- Relate your interests and ambitions directly to the goals of the specific scholarship
- Highlight relevant academic, professional and extracurricular achievements
- Show independence, initiative and leadership qualities beyond qualifications
- Emphasize your commitment to contributing in the field and intended career impact
- Ask referees who can personally attest to your abilities, work ethic and potential
Taking time to perfect applications and securing thoughtful references can be the deciding factor for competitive awards. Applying to multiple suitable options also improves chances of success.
Other sources of funding
For students who are not awarded a full scholarship, supplemental sources of support are available:
Student loans
Postgraduate master’s students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and EU countries can apply for postgraduate loans of up to £10,906 per year to contribute towards fees and living costs.
Part-time work
International students are allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during term-time on a student visa. This provides a means of supplementing other funding without overstretching study commitments.
Fundraising campaigns
Crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe enable students to appeal to families, friends and contacts for donations towards educational expenses. Every little helps!
Research or teaching assistant roles
Consider inquiring about paid on-campus roles such as demonstration or tutorial work that also provide valuable experience alongside income.
With thorough research and determination, pursuing a high-quality postgraduate education in the UK remains financially achievable. Focus onaligning your interests to the best scholarship programs first before considering supplemental options. Planning applications carefully maximizes chances of securing full or partial funding.
FAQs about postgraduate scholarships
What are the typical eligibility requirements for UK scholarships?
Most require applicants to hold at least an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree, some minimum academic grades, English language proficiency and non-EU citizenship for certain awards. Be sure to check all criteria.
How competitive are the major scholarships?
Top programs like Gates Cambridge are hyper-competitive with single-digit acceptance rates. However, success rates for faculty and professional body awards tend to be higher at 15-30%. Quality, not quantity of applications is key.
What documents do I need to provide?
Thorough online applications, official academic transcripts, a research proposal, two reference letters, proof of English level and sometimes a CV or statement outlining career goals. Plan submissions well in advance of deadlines.
When should I start applying?
Most major awards have deadlines between September-January for the following academic year. However, some have rolling intakes so it’s worth regularly checking new deadlines. Allow sufficient time for reference requests too.
Can scholarships be deferred to a later start date?
Many but not all awards allow successful applicants to defer their place by one year if necessary. It’s best to inquire about individual flexibility around deferral timelines.
