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Posted April 8, 2026

How can I get my master degree paid for? Exploring ways to fund postgraduate study

When considering postgraduate study, your budget is certain to play a starring role in your decision. Masters degrees aren’t cheap after all, and while universities in England and Wales can charge home students an average of £8,740 to study at masters level, international students get a slightly rawer deal as details in the World Education Magazine:

“Cambridge and Oxford charge around £25,000 to £35,000 for most Masters courses. Imperial College London, LSE, UCL, they’re all in that same bracket. Their MBA programs can shoot up to £60,000. These are world-famous institutions, and they price accordingly... The average cost of Masters degree in UK for international students is somewhere around £17,000 to £25,000. That’s for taught programs like MA, MSc, LLM.”

Whether you’re a home or international student, securing the funding you need is often a necessity. Thankfully, you have a number of options to explore, including the following…

Government masters loans

Accessible to home students only, the government’s Postgraduate Master’s Loan is the most common funding route for covering course fees and living costs. While the criteria differs for students who normally reside in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, those living in England can get up to £12,858 paid across three instalments for each year of study.

The loan is not means-tested, ie based on your or your family’s income. Instead eligibility is based on your course, age and nationality or residency status. Government masters loans are available for several postgraduate courses including taught or research-based programs as well as distance learning and integrated courses.

Private loans

Whether you don’t qualify for government help or you want to top up your postgraduate finance, securing a private loan is another route to masters degree funding.

There are a few private loan companies that specialise in helping masters level students progress. Loans can be used to cover tuition fees and living expenses. Repayments for private loans generally begin around six months after graduation for full-time masters students.

University scholarships

Many universities offer scholarships to their postgraduate students, with help available for home and international applicants. There are typically four different scholarship types to explore, namely merit-based, needs-based, international and under-represented. There may be additional support available to alleviate the financial pressure of funding a masters degree, including discounted tuition fees for eligible students.

Other scholarships

Scholarships aren’t just provided by universities here in the UK. There are a number of other organisations, including private companies and institutions, that offer such help. Fully-funded Chevening Scholarships for instance are awarded to eligible international students looking to study in the UK, while Marshall Scholarships cater to US postgrads with ambitions to study at any British university.

Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships focus on aiding postgraduates who originate from commonwealth countries and wish to study in the UK.

Postgrad bursaries

You can find funding opportunities right here at Postgrad Solutions! We have five bursaries worth £2,000 each to give to deserving postgrads, and have already helped countless students fulfil their ambitions of studying in the UK. Applications for Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries 2026 are now open, and full-time, part-time, online and blended-learning students with January 2026/27 start dates are all eligible!

Apply now for your chance to win – all we need is a few details about you and your postgraduate course, plus a 200-word piece about why you should receive one of our bursaries to complete your application. Good luck!

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