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Posted July 30, 2025

The top postgraduate bursaries available for 2025/26

Obtaining the postgraduate funding you need to pursue your studies is a top priority for every would-be student.

Without the right finance and funding, you simply wouldn’t be able to cover the essentials, including your tuition fees, accommodation costs and other living expenses. Thankfully, there are several avenues to explore to get the appropriate level of financial support. Alongside masters and doctoral loans, scholarships and bursaries provide a great way to top up your funds as a postgraduate student.

Unlike loans, bursaries and scholarships don’t need to be repaid, and while the latter is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, the former is accessible to any student who is eligible. Most institutions provide bursaries or grants, and with applications open, now is the time to start your search. Read on to discover the top postgraduate bursaries available for 2025/26…

University of Exeter

For postgraduate students interested in studying a PGCE course, the University of Exeter offers some fantastic funding options. Alongside their PGCE Exeter Bursary, which offers £600 to UK students with household incomes less than £30,000 per year, they also provide access to further financial incentives, including the Department for Education and Teaching Regulation Agency (DETRA) scheme.

The DETRA bursary is only available to home trainees on an eligible course in England. Bursary amounts vary based on the teaching subject and degree class as the Department for Education (DfE) describes:

“Teaching one of the following priority subjects could make you eligible for a bursary. In the academic year 2025 to 2026, bursaries between £10,000 and £31,000 are available. The bursary could be to pay for training or support before your transition into a new career. Particularly if it means taking a break from work or reducing your work hours and income to do so.”

Subject areas with the highest bursary amounts for academic year 2025/26 include computing, engineering or manufacturing, mathematics, and science (including biology, chemistry and physics).

Brunel University of London

Brunel University of London provides a vital boost for self-funded international students. Their International Bursary offers a £4,000 award across all postgraduate taught (PGT) or MRes courses starting in September 2025 or January 2026.

To be considered, you’ll need a 2:2 undergraduate qualification or equivalent, an offer on one of their postgraduate courses (taught and MRes programs only), and the necessary course deposit. You can find out more about their International Bursary and eligibility criteria here.

University of Bradford

For those looking to further their knowledge in the field of social work, the University of Bradford offers a £4,052 payment towards tuition fees for 2025/26. 

Their Social Work Bursary is only accessible to a capped number of students and will be paid directly to the university. Other postgraduate financial support available for social work postgrads include their Placement Travel Allowance (PTA), Parents’ Learning Allowance (PLA), Childcare Allowance, and Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).

University of Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen’s Global Scholarship provides another great option for new, self-funded international students. For the academic year 2025/26, successful applicants could enjoy an £8,000 tuition fee waiver. Better yet, there’s no formal application required. Instead, all eligible students starting their studies at the University of Aberdeen in either September 2025 or January 2026 will be automatically applied.

University of Essex

For those looking to undertake their postgraduate studies online, the University of Essex provides ample opportunity to pursue your ambitions.

Their online division makes it one of the top 25 universities in the UK to study online according to The Guardian University Guide 2025. The university also provides several discounts and scholarships for eligible postgrads, including alumni discounts, enhanced regional scholarships and course scholarships. You can find out more about their scholarships and discounts here.

University of Staffordshire

The University of Staffordshire’s Smart Scholarship is just one of the funding options available to international students with September 2025 or January 2026 entry. This particular scholarship is accessible to full-time, campus-based international fee-paying students and offers a £3,000 discount on tuition fees each year.

Eligible students at the University of Staffordshire will be notified automatically of the award, with no separate paperwork to complete. Please note, those enrolling on postgraduate courses in nursing, paramedic science, operating department practice, social work, midwifery, and blended and distance learning courses will not be eligible. 

Postgrad Solutions

Postgrad Solutions Study BursariesFor financial support whatever your postgraduate course, our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursary just has to be explored. There are five bursaries available, worth £2,000 each, and anyone can apply! All you have to do is complete this application form and write a 200-word summary about why you are a worthy recipient.

The closing date for all entries is Tuesday 30th September 2025, and the lucky winners will be notified by Friday 31st October 2025.

Visit our Scholarships Zone for more great postgraduate student funding opportunities.

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