Frequently Asked Questions: Postgraduate Funding
There is a wealth of information available on postgraduate funding in our funding section and Funding and Scholarship Search, but we have also provided a series of frequently asked questions below to help you in researching the options open to you.
Please select one of the following links:
- How much will my course cost?
- How do I go about researching what funding is available?
- What are the main sources of funding for research students?
- What are the main sources of funding for postgraduates on taught courses (e.g. Masters, PG Diploma courses)?
- Will awards cover both tuition fees and living costs?
- Would I be eligible for an award or bursary?
- What funding is available to part-time students?
- When should I apply for funding?
- How do I go about getting a loan?
- Can I have a part-time/vacation job?
How much will my course cost?
Please see the tuition fees page in our study section, where you can download fees information for postgraduate taught and research programmes.
You should bear in mind, however, that the fees listed on these pages are usually updated by the Finance Division in March of each year. Prior to this, the fees listed will be for the current academic year rather than the new one commencing in September. In the event of any fee queries, please email the Finance Division at fees@cardiff.ac.uk
How do I go about researching what funding is available?
To assist prospective students in researching their funding options, we have developed an online Funding and Scholarship Search facility. This will offer a set of information 'stepping stones' as a starting point in your search for funding, including:
- Funding opportunities available at Cardiff University
- Other potential sources of funding of which we are aware
- Further information sources you may find useful
To begin searching for funding opportunities, please click on the button opposite, or visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/searchforfunding.
In addition to the above pages you may also want to check out the following:
- The website for your chosen academic school for details of funding for specific programmes. You may also wish to contact School staff to find out how past students funded the course.
- The Research Councils website at www.rcuk.ac.uk (particularly important for prospective PhD students)
- The Graduate Prospects website at www.prospects.ac.uk
- The Department of Education and Skills website at www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport
- The British Council website at www.britishcouncil.org (mainly non-UK/EU students)
- Cardiff University Careers Service website at www.cardiff.ac.uk/carsv
- For non-EU students, our website for international students.
What are the main sources of funding for research students?
The main sources of funding for research students (MPhil/PhD) are: Research Council studentships, other Cardiff University studentships, industrial sponsorships, Graduate Teaching posts and other part-time employment. Potential funding opportunities are listed in the Funding and Scholarship Search.
What are the main sources of funding for postgraduates on taught courses (e.g. Masters, PG Diploma courses)?
The main sources of funding for postgraduates on taught programmes are: Research Council studentships*, School studentships (usually fees only), Local Education Authority grants for PGCE students, Career Development Loans, Professional Loans and part-time employment. Potential funding opportunities are listed in the Funding and Scholarship Search.
*Please note that the number of Research Council and School studentships which are available to postgraduate taught students is far more limited than for prospective research students.
Will awards cover both tuition fees and living costs?
It depends firstly, on the type of award you receive and secondly, on your fees status. Research Council studentships, for example, are only available to UK or EU students. UK residents (including EU nationals resident in the UK for at least three years prior to commencing their postgraduate study) are entitled to a full studentship, covering tuition fees and a basic maintenance award which meets a nationally-agreed minimum level. Other EU students are also eligible for an award from one of the Research Councils, but these awards pay tuition fees only.
Many Cardiff University postgraduate studentships cover both tuition fees and living expenses, usually up to the level awarded by the relevant Research Council. However, others are fees-only awards, or part-funded bursaries. Again, the vast majority of awards are open to UK/EU applicants only, although there are some exceptions to this general rule. Please browse the Funding and Scholarship Search to view award and eligibility details for specific funding opportunities.
Would I be eligible for an award or bursary?
As outlined above, this depends on the type of award you are going for. The vast majority of studentships are open only to students who are eligible to pay tuition fees at the ‘home’ (UK/EU) rate. Essentially, this means you should be settled in the UK or EU (for purposes other than just education) throughout the three years leading up to the planned start of your postgraduate studies.
Since competition for these awards is extremely high, generally you should also possess, or expect to be awarded, a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree. Please browse the Funding and Scholarship Search to view award and eligibility details for specific funding opportunities.
What funding is available to part-time students?
Unfortunately, most funding in the form of studentships and loans is available to support full-time postgraduate study only. However, even among the Research Councils there are some exceptions; the AHRC, the EPSRC and the ESRC also offer studentships to part-time postgraduates. Some of the internal funding offered by our academic schools is also available to part-time students. Please check with your chosen School about funding opportunities.
There is also the option of working part-time alongside your studies. One source of part-time work is the Unistaff Jobshop. Please see our Part-time Employment page for more information.
When should I apply for funding?
Before you can apply for funding, you will need to have a firm offer of a place to study at Cardiff University. The priority should therefore be to research your chosen subject area carefully and make an early application to allow sufficient time for applying for studentships, grants or loans. However, you are more then welcome to talk to both the Postgraduate Recruitment Office (or the International Development Division for non-EU students) and your chosen academic school about funding options at any time. Above all, you should start thinking about how you will fund your postgraduate studies as early as possible; many of the funding bodies have early deadlines so you should prepare yourself well in advance.
How do I go about getting a loan?
As a postgraduate student, you are not eligible for a loan from the Student Loans Company. Instead, there are two types of loan available to postgraduates: Professional/Bank loans and Career Development Loans. In the case of the former, the best option is to shop around for banks offering preferential rates to graduates. You may also be able to obtain loans from some professional organisations, such as the Law Society. In the case of Career Development Loans, students undertaking vocational courses are eligible to apply. The amount which can be borrowed for one year courses is between £300 and £5,000; for two year courses, this rises to a maximum of £8,000. Please see our listing on Career Development Loans in the Funding and Scholarship Search for further information.
In both these cases, you will still need to have an offer of a place from Cardiff in order to apply for a loan.
Can I have a part-time/vacation job?
Yes. The best place to start is the University’s own employment agency, the Unistaff JobShop. This is based on the ground floor mall of the Students’ Union Building on Park Place. Students can generally work up to a maximum of 15 hours during term time and any number of hours during the vacation. Please see www.cardiffstudents.com for further details. You may also want to check out the part-time vacancies offered by the various recruitment agencies in Cardiff city centre.
