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Posted Oct. 22, 2025

Is there extra funding for masters students available?

With the average cost of a masters degree ranging from £7,000 right up to £36,000 for international students studying in the UK, covering the tuition fees alone can seem an uphill battle for many. Whether you are an international- or home-based student, getting the funding and finance you need to achieve your postgraduate ambitions and enjoy your university experience is essential.

Unfortunately, accessing postgraduate funding isn’t as clear-cut as your undergraduate finance options. In this guide, we help you explore all your funding choices.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

The Postgraduate Master’s Loan is a common avenue of funding, and could help you cover living costs as well as course fees. If your masters course started on or after 1st August 2025, you could be eligible for £12,858. This loan is paid across three instalments throughout the academic year, and is repayable only when your income reaches a certain threshold.

Qualification for the Postgraduate Master’s Loan is dependent on your chosen course, age, and nationality or residency status. While those on integrated courses are not eligible for the Postgraduate Master’s Loan, those studying a taught or research-based masters online, full-time or part-time may apply. Please note, loan amounts vary in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Studentships

The studentship is another great option for those looking to gain the funding they need to pursue postgraduate study. Studentships are accessible across many different disciplines, and are generally funded by UK Research and Innovation. Here Save the Student explains more about their eligibility criteria:

“To be eligible for a studentship, you'll usually need to have a 2:1 at undergraduate level, but relevant work experience can sometimes make you the exception. For courses starting in autumn, we recommend searching and applying for research grants around spring. So, how much can you get? Students who are successful in getting a studentship will have their fees paid for them, and may also be given a living cost grant.”

Sponsorship

Those looking to stay in employment and pursue their postgraduate dreams could get sponsored by their current employer. Enrolling on a masters degree course benefits you and your employer, with some graduate schemes requiring postgraduate qualifications and employers more than happy to help with course costs to enrich their teams from within.

Crowdfunding

While the unconventional route, crowdfunding to cover the costs of your masters is an option. There’s a whole heap of crowdfunding sites out there, giving you the means to connect with generous donors and plead your case.

Anyone can set up a crowdfunding campaign, but it’s not so simple to execute a successful one. Only rely on the generosity of the public if you have to, ie. if you are ineligible for postgraduate loans, have a unique story to tell or are giving something back in return.

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries and scholarships are accessible to many would-be masters students, and while eligibility criteria vary, they offer a great boost for your bank balance if successful.

There are several charities, foundations and trusts offering grants for UK masters programs, and this includes us! We recently awarded one of our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries to MA student Jessica Li, who’s currently studying International Journalism at Cardiff University.

You can find out more about our Postgrad Solutions Bursaries – worth £2,000 each – here.

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