find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses


Posted Nov. 13, 2013

Postgrad Financing through Charities

Funding your postgraduate degree can be extremely complex and often students will be overwhelmed by what may seem like very little choice. One obvious choice to fund your degree costs is going with sponsorship, but this may not always be easily available for everyone. Another popular choice for funding your postgraduate degree would be going through a charity, which will adequately cover all the expenses needed by yourself in order to be able to study comfortably.

Funding for a postgraduate degree will usually involve one of three categories here in the UK, which are either the charity route mentioned, government route of funding or professional funding. In this article however, we will only look at how to fund for your postgraduate degree using a charity which may be a great option for a lot of non-science based degrees.

Where to Look The two most prominent places to research for funding your particular degree would be the Grants Register, which is published every year by Palgrave Macmillan, and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts, which is also published annualy but by the Charities Aid Foundation. Both should provide ample information regarding all facets of postgraduate funding, including the deadlines for applications and which charities are particularly suited for your degree.

Another great place to browse for possible avenues of funding is the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate funding which should offer a number of sources where to look. Remember that, like many other aspects of postgraduate study, it is not simply enough to just apply but research is absolutely pivotal even regarding the funding aspects of a Ph.D. This booklet should give plenty of charities which provide adequate sources of funding for a number of degree, and it is a book compiled by those with first-hand experience since they were Ph.D. students themselves.

How to Apply From the resources given find out when the deadlines for applications is, and compile all necessary documentation in order for your application to be considered. Most students will know that the most difficult step to getting an application through is actually including all relevant documentation; this means that the application is not instantly returned or binned as soon as it is received.

Your application will likely include a proposal which will explain why you need funding and how you are different from other applicants. This may outline how your research is tied to a foreign country and is important for advancement in a particular field, or how you intend to do something innovative in an artistic field for instance.

Keep in mind that there are a number of applicants for charity funding and it is a difficult process, but this should not put you off applying particularly if you are at a disadvantaged position when it comes to studying.

Other Things to Keep in Mind Remember that while charities are definitely a perfectly valid avenue of funding for most students, it is likely that this will result in being a very last option for most. For instance, most science-based degrees (i.e. Maths, Organic Chemistry etc..) will end up being funded by a private organisation, while degrees with an artistic basis will be funded by sponsorship or other means. Charities only have a limited amount of funds when compared to other avenues, and only a tiny fraction of students will end up being funded by these means.

Remember to stay positive at all times and not be discouraged by figures alone. If you are a particularly brilliant mind and have plenty of ideas in terms of research, then there is certainly a good chance that charity funding for your Ph.D. is the right choice for you.

Related articles
 

14 comments

Theophilus Chinedu Ede Jan. 30, 2017, 12:15 p.m.

I need financial aid to pay up for my master degree tuition and other fees

Charlotte King Feb. 6, 2017, 2:14 p.m.

Hi Theophilus.
You should apply for one of our 15 £500 Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries - applications are open now:
https://www.postgrad.com/fees_and_funding/postgrad_solutions_study_bursaries/information/
Good luck!
Charlotte

Adamu Abere Takele July 25, 2018, 7:11 p.m.

I need financial aid to cover my tuition fee, living cost to study MSc in Applied Economics and International Development in UK. Can someone to direct me where should I look for it.

Charlotte King July 30, 2018, 2:56 p.m.

Hi Adamu,

If you have been accepted on the course already you are eligible to apply for one of our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries worth £500 towards your tuition fees - please use the link to apply:

https://www.postgrad.com/fees_and_funding/postgrad_solutions_study_bursaries/information/

Good luck.

Charlotte

charitha sri Feb. 4, 2019, 12:54 p.m.

hi , i need financial support for pursuing my post grad

Charlotte King Feb. 7, 2019, 3:41 p.m.

If you have an offer for a PG program you are eligible to apply for one of our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries worth £500 >
https://www.postgrad.com/psuk_study_bursaries_apply/
Good luck - Charlotte

Olakunle Siyanbola April 11, 2019, 3:12 p.m.

I need financial help for my PHd course in Construction Manangement and Economics

Charlotte King April 12, 2019, 6:45 p.m.

You can apply for one of our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries worth £500 each here >
https://www.postgrad.com/psuk_study_bursaries_apply/
Good luck!

Kelvin June 12, 2019, 10:47 p.m.

Hi am asking for financial support for my Studies at Master degree level in theology

Charlotte King June 19, 2019, 8:31 a.m.

Hi Kelvin,
You can apply for one of our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries worth £500 towards your tuition fees – the application deadline is 14 September >
https://www.postgrad.com/psuk_study_bursaries_apply/
Good luck!

Terhemba mbashinnya James Aug. 6, 2020, 6:32 a.m.

I have an unconditional offer of a place to study masters of science degree in international human resources management at Kingston University London specifically in September 2020. Please I'm in financial predicament I'm unable to register up to this moment and my program commence in September 2020. Please I'm looking for assistance to enable me register with the university, I have not been able to pay for my tuition fees, living cost, accommodation and other expenses. Please can someone direct me where to gain help.?

Charlotte King Aug. 6, 2020, 10:11 p.m.

I suggest you approach Kingston University and see if they can offer any funding assistance. In addition to this, as you have been accepted on a postgraduate program starting in Autumn 2020, you are eligible to apply for Postgrad Solutions Study Bursary worth £500 >
https://www.postgrad.com/psuk_study_bursaries_apply/
Good luck!

James Stambuli Sept. 10, 2020, 8:46 p.m.

I have been given an admission for master in Public Health Management at University of Cumbri in Britain.
The gross fees is 11500 Swiss Franc.
Your consideration will be highly appreciated

Charlotte King Sept. 17, 2020, 12:31 p.m.

Hi James – you are eligible to apply for a Postgrad Solutions Study Bursary worth £500 towards your tuition fees >
https://www.postgrad.com/psuk_study_bursaries_apply/
Good luck!

Leave a comment