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Postgraduate Studentships

What is a studentship?

The meaning of studentship has varied over time, but nowadays it generally refers places on postgraduate programs that come complete with funding (partial or complete) attached. Studentships are highly competitive as they often offer big financial rewards, so be prepared to go through a gruelling application process with little chance of success.

Pros & cons of studentships

The pros are rather obvious in that you are given money that you can spend on either your tuition or your living costs. However studentships aren’t always perfect. Many studentships will demand that you spend the money in very specific ways, for example just on tuition or on books. While this can be good and help you budget, it can also be difficult if you receive four studentships to cover books but have no money to spend on your living costs. Check out what the conditions are on your potential studentships before applying.

Although it is less usual than with scholarships, studentships often also have conditions based on the applicants. They may be, for example, limited to people from a certain country or of a certain ethic origin. Be sure that you are eligible for a studentship before going through the rigmarole of applying.

Studentships - teaching Teaching for your studentship

Some studentships require that as part of the conditions for your funding, you teach or tutor undergraduates at your university. While some of you may relish this opportunity to get some experience teaching and working with young people, it can also be a drain on your time and resources. If your studentship involves a teaching element then ensure that teaching or tutoring is something that you are completely happy to do and that it will not affect your work in any way.

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