A very good starting point is the section about funding for postgraduate study on the Graduate Prospects website.  Free information booklets about this are also available to take away from the Careers and Employability Service.

Funding for postgraduate study can be a complicated topic, and after you have done some initial investitation you may well wish to discuss the topic with a careers adviser - click here to book an appointment online.

Sources are available from the public sector, universities, charitable organisations and employers, but with only a few exceptions, there is no guarantee of funding.   Here are some possible options:

• Public funding bodies and UK regional funding schemes
• Universities’ own scholarships and bursaries
• Access to learning/hardship funds provided to institutions by the government. Student Support Services can advise on this.
• Many universities offer graduate teaching posts and assistantships.
• Temporary part-time jobs. Remember that universities have guidelines limiting the hours that students should work so that it doesn’t have a detrimental effect on their studies.
• Sponsorship by employers
• Bank loans
• Disabled Students’ Allowance
• Charitable trusts
• See also the Student Support Office web pages for information on funding and study issues.

Research Councils

These are government-funded agencies that support research in different disciplines. Funding is usually allocated to institutions who then make awards to the best candidates – so be sure to check whether the department you’re applying to can nominate you for a funding award. It’s easier to get funding for science and engineering courses than for the arts and social sciences. Competition for funding is fierce, so apply early and check application deadlines on the Research Councils’ websites – see also information on the Graduate Prospects website.  Here is a list of the individual Councils:-

Arts and Humanities Research Council
The AHRB provides funding and support in three programmes: advanced research; postgraduate research and training; and special funding for museums, galleries and collections.

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
The BBSRC is the leading funding agency for academic research and training in the biosciences at universities and institutes throughout the UK.

Economic and Social Research Council
The ESRC is the UK’s leading research funding and training agency addressing economic and social concerns. They aim to provide high quality research on issues of importance to business, the public sector and government. The issues considered include economic competitiveness, the effectiveness of public services and policy, and our quality of life.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
The EPSRC is the largest of the seven UK Research Councils. It funds research and postgraduate training in universities and other organisations throughout the UK.

Medical Research Council
The MRC is a national organisation funded by the UK taxpayer. They promote research into all areas of medical and related science with the aims of improving the health and quality of life of the UK public and contributing to the wealth of the nation.

NERC
The website of the Natural Environment Research Council.

Science and Technology Facilities Council
From 1 April 2007 the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) and the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) merged to form the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

Further useful resources

PostgraduateStudentships.co.uk
Designed to bring together all the different sources of research and taught postgraduate student funding in one place, for both Masters and PhD level study.

Hot Courses / Scholarship Search UK
Scholarship information for Pre-university, Undergraduates, and Postgraduates.

The Rotary Foundation - Ambassadorial Scholarships
The purpose of  the Ambassadorial Scholarships programme is to further international understanding and friendly elations among people of different countries and  geographical areas.  The programme sponsors several types o scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies.

The Royal Society
Promotes excellence in science in the UK and offers funding for scientific research.

Students Awards Agency for Scotland
The SAAS is responsible for processing support applications from eligible Scottish domiciled students.

Student Loans Company
This site provides easy access to key information you may require about student loans and the Student Loans Company.

www.turn2us.org.uk
This site includes a grants search section providing details of hundreds of local, regional and national charities.  It is not specifically dedicated to educational funding, but you may find some useful sources here.

The Family Action charity's Educational Grants Service (EGS)
The EGS  identifies funding from charitable  trusts for educational purposes, and maintains a database of trusts and charities that assist students.

British Academy
A fellowship of scholars of the humanities and social sciences which represents the interests of scholarship nationally and internationally and promotes and funds research into the humanities and social sciences.

Directgov.co.uk 
See the Education and learning section for information on funding study including Career Development Loans.  Produced by the Central Office of Information, Directgov provides information from across UK government departments on a wide range of topics.

The Fulbright Commission
Offers scholarships for UK citizens for research & study in the US. Site offers information about the schemes & US educational system.

The Law Society
Funding sources for postgraduate study and professional development.

The Grants Register is available in the Study Hall Reference Collection in the Library.  It provides a guide to postgraduate funding worldwide.

International students

See also our page on postgraduate study for International students.