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
Wincott Foundation -Scholarship in Business and Economics Journalism: A new venture between Wincott and Cardiff intended to develop excellence in financial and business journalism. The scholarship will pay MA in Broadcast Journalism’s tuition fees, together with specialist modules and projects in business and economics reporting.
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 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