Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies

Funding your studies

Most students pay their own way through the diploma courses with the help of loans, family support or savings. It is not realistic to think of taking paid part-time work during your period on the course because the demands of time and energy are too great. A few local authorities still offer discretionary grants.

Further information on funding your postgraduate course may be found at the University's website for prospective postgraduates (UK & EU students) and at the website of our International Students pages (Non-EU International Students).

If you are applying for the Diploma course as an overseas applicant you should not travel to the UK or begin a course of study without making sure that you have enough money to pay your academic fees and living expenses. Unless you are a European Union (EU) national, it is impossible to get a grant once you have left your own country.

Career development loans, supported by the Department of Education and Skills, are also available, and you can find out about these at your local branch of Barclays Bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland or the Co-operative Bank.

Bursaries / Scholarships

Applicants for the diploma courses may be eligible to apply for a range of bursaries/scholarships offered by the School or by a range of media organisations and other benefactors. Details on all these schemes, which change from time to time, are listed below. Bursaries/scholarships are generally awarded after enrolment.

Internal Support

The Julian Hodge Foundation Annual Bursary: one bursary is awarded to a student at the School, who demonstrate financial need.

Tom Hopkinson Scholarships: Up to four scholarships are awarded by the Centre for Journalism Studies to students who can make a case that they need financial assistance.

The Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies Diploma Scholarships: it is anticipated that an annual scholarship will be available from the School awarded to students making a case for financial assistance.

External Support

Bob Humphrys bursary: A bursary from BBC Wales in memory of former sports correspondent Bob Humphrys.

Bob Humphrys presented Wales Today's sports coverage and was a renowned writer at the Western Mail newspaper before turning his hand to broadcasting at BBC Wales.

The winning student selected for the bursary will receive £5,500 and will also have several weeks' work experience at BBC Wales, the largest BBC newsroom outside London. Recipients of the bursary will have been already accepted by Cardiff University to join the Diploma.

Once accepted by the university, applicants will be invited for interview by BBC Wales. It is anticipated the BBC will award the bursary in July following University interviews in March and April.

BBC Wales Bursary: BBC Wales offers a bursary for an aspiring journalist to study for a postgraduate qualification in Broadcast Journalism at Cardiff University. The award is intended to support an individual who wants to pursue a career in journalism but who may be deterred from applying for the course because of financial difficulties or constraints.

BBC Wales encourage graduates from all social and ethnic backgrounds to apply, particularly those from minority ethnic backgrounds - a group recognised as being currently under-represented in Broadcast Journalism at BBC Wales

The bursary will cover the course fees (at time of print) and also guarantees several weeks' work experience at BBC Wales.

The S4C Bursary: Awarded to a Welsh-speaking candidate who has won a place on the broadcast course, in memory of the journalist and broadcaster T. Glynne Davies.

The Nick Lewis Memorial Scholarship: This has been set in memory of a journalist on Wales on Sunday. It has been established by his work colleagues and is designed to help a needy Welsh student on the newspaper course.

BBC Magazines Graduate Training Scheme: Pays for one magazine student’s course fees and offers a permanent job contract.

Scott Trust Bursaries: Our Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism course qualifies for the above bursary.

Online applications for 2010 entry will open on 1st February 2010 for one month. Details on how to apply will be available on their website nearer the time. More information regarding Scott Trust Bursaries.

The George Vinner Memorial Fund:The Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast/Magazine/Newspaper Journalism courses qualify for the George Viner Memorial Fund which is administered by the National Union of Journalists and is open to Black and Asian students.

For details on how to apply and further information about the terms of sponsorship More information regarding the Memorial Fund.

The Journalism Diversity Fund: The Journalism Diversity Fund is availableto students that have applied for an NCTJ accredited course such as our Postgraduate Diploma in Newspaper Journalism course.

This year's deadline dates are:

Friday, 29 April 2011 5pm
Friday, 1 July 2011 5pm
Friday, 21 October 2011 5pm
Friday, 16 December 2011 5pm

More information regarding the Journalism Diversity Fund.

The James Pantyfedwen Foundation

The James Pantyfedwen foundation is a scholarship opportunity for Welsh applicants. The award aims to pay the course fees for students taking part in Postgraduate study.

In order for applicants to be eligible to apply for the scholarship, applicants must have had a permanent address in Wales, during the 3 years immediately proceeding the date of application, and must also meet the following criteria:

(i) born in wales, (ii) one or both parents born in wales, (iii) been in school in wales.

For further details visit the foundation's web site, which have clear guidelines on how to apply. James Pantyfedwen Foundation

Arts and Humanities Research Council

As of October 2009, the AHRC is funding the majority of its postgraduate studentships through a Block Grant Partnership (or 'BGP'), held by certain universities for 5 years. Each BGP includes a number of studentship awards and these are advertised and administered by the individual university. Those universities that do not hold a BGP award will be eligible to enter postgraduate students into the Studentship Competition.

As a recipient of a BGP, Cardiff University cannot support any applications to the Studentship Competition.

Please submit by Thursday 21 April 2011 – Parts I and II of the application (completed by the applicant and the referees, respectively), along with supporting documents, to Jenny Moseley, at the address below.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism qualifies for the AHRC grant, Professional Preparation Masters.

School of Journalism
Cardiff University
Bute Building
King Edward VII Avenue
Cardiff
CF10 3NB

For information about other AHRC Funding opportunities please click on this link; www.cardiff.ac.uk/ahrcawards.

To access the application form for the Professional Preparation Masters please click on the following link: AHRC Professional Preparation Master's Studentships

It is the applicant's responsibility to monitor the progress of the completion of the application. The applicant should keep in regular contact with all those who are involved in completing the application to ensure that all parts are completed and submitted by the appropriate deadlines.

Please note that these awards are normally only given to students holding a first class degree.

Applicants must include with their application copies of transcripts of marks and degree results.

Please ensure that you read the guidance notes for completing the AHRC application form as these are extremely helpful.