Before undertaking a postgraduate course of study it is best to consider how you could fund it. Obtaining funding for postgraduate courses can be difficult. The support which you may have experienced at undergraduate level is not available for further study. There is no Student Funding available from the government.

Postgraduate students therefore normally fund their studies through a number of different options. 

Research Councils 

You are recommended to apply for funding from Research Councils 1.5 to 2 years before commencement of your course of study.  

Research Councils are government funded councils who as part of their remit are responsible for postgraduate funding.

There are 7 councils and the competition for grants is intense. Only a few applicants are successful.

Usually the Councils themselves do not accept direct applications from individual postgraduates though this is not always the case. Research Councils tend to allocate funding to individual departments and institutions and you should enquire directly to the department in the institution in which you want to study.

 A) Arts and Humanities (AHRC) - www.ahrc.ac.uk|

B) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences - www.bbsrc.ac.uk|

C) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research - www.epsrc.ac.uk|

D) Economic and Social Research Council - www.esrc.ac.uk|

E) Medical Research Council - www.mrc.ac.uk|

F) Natural Environment - www.nerc.ac.uk|

G) Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - www.scitech.ac.uk|

Institutional Funding 

Most institutions across the UK operate their own bursary and scholarship schemes. This is usually set to the institution’s own set criteria and usually changes on a yearly basis. Applications are made to the relevant department if an award is available.

Taught Masters Excellence Scholarship 

A Scholarship may be awarded to U.K. or E.U. students undertaking a full-time Taught Masters programme commencing from January 2011 or later. You must have previously attained a First Class Honours Degree from a U.K. or E.U. institution and you must not be in receipt of any other offer e.g. Alumni Discount.

The award will be paid as a reduction in your fees of £1,000.

For further information please telephone: 01204 903903 or email: excellencescholarship@bolton.ac.uk|   

For application form pleaswe click the link below:

Taught Masters Excellence Scholarship application form|

 

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

 Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive DSA which can provide funding towards the cost of equipment, support tutors, travel and other course related costs.

Educational Trusts and Charities

Alternative Educational grants may be available from numerous other sources depending on your individual circumstances. A list of these should be available from public libraries and include:

• The Educational Grants Directory
• The Charities Digest
• The Grants Register
• Directory of Grant Making Trusts  

The Educational Grants Advisory Service is an independent advice agency for students seeking funding (with a focus on postgraduates). Please visit:

 http://www.family-action.org.uk/section.aspx?id=1037| or  telephone:  020 7241 7459

 Professional and Career Development Loans 

Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year’s relevant unpaid practical work). The Young People’s Learning Agency will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards. The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or bursaries. Because the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated. For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/pcdl|   or Careers Advice on 0800 100 900. Our learning provider registration number is: 1188. 

Employer 

 Whilst each company’s commitment to staff training is different successful students have managed to convince their employer that it is in the companies’ interest to fund their studies. Some other employers may also take the initiative on this matter and actively push their employees into postgraduate and professional study.

Self 

If no funding options are available to you and you are intending to fund the course yourself you will need to consider the full cost of tuition fees and living expenses, especially if you are considering giving up employment to study. The majority of students will supplement their studies with working part time and a large proportion will study part time so that they can maintain their full time careers and levels of income. 

Access to Learning Fund 

The maximum award available through the Access to Learning Fund for postgraduate students is £500. In addition to being shown to have a shortfall of income students must have made realistic provisions to support their tuition fees and living costs. The Bursary cannot be used to meet the cost of tuition fees for any postgraduate student.  

For more information please visit: www.direct.gov.uk/postgraduate|| or contact: 0800 100 900.

 You may also wish to contact the Student Funding Advisor on 01204 903497 or

studentfunding@bolton.ac.uk|.

CPD Alumni Discount

Alumni Discount* CPD, Postgraduate and Research Degree.

ALUMNI DISCOUNT FORM|

 

If you have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree you may be eligible for a discount off your next course.

UK Alumni are eligible for a 25% discount off CPD Postgaduate level HE6 & HE7 and Masters courses.

International Alumni starting their first year Sept 2010 are eligible for 10% off CPD Postgraduate level HE6& HE7 and Masters courses. Graduates must have studied at the Univeristy of Bolton and are progressing onto another course at the University of Bolton.

International Students who have received a 2.1 or above and applying for a Masters course can now apply for a 20% alumni discount at the University of Bolton UK campus.

10% discount for postgraduate University of Bolton Alumni UK/EU/International who progress onto a Research degree.

APPLICATION PROCESS PLEASE FILL IN NEW OFFICAL FORM AND RETURN TO ALUMNI OFFICE

1) FIRST REGISTER for the Alumni and Friends Association (its free) Register here| or contact 01204 903774 or contact 01204 903774

2) Please fill in Alumni Discount Form| and return to Penny Knipe Alumni and Development Officer.

3) Once eligibility is confirmed, please highlight to the finance dept that you are entitled to a discount.

4) The Finance Office will need confirmation from the Alumni Office, that you are eligible and adjust your invoice accordingly. To save time, when registering for the Alumni association, declare your intention to enrol for a discounted course.

5) Please note if you are awarded a discount the finance team will expect you to enrol immediately. If you cannot start your course at the originally intended semester do not expect the discount to be automatically carried over to the next term, . If you cannot start your course at the originally intended semester do not expect the discount to be automatically carried over to the next term, you will need to reapply at the Alumni Office.

If the course you are interested in is not eligible for discount our University has a dedicated finance team which can advise you on current research bursaries, scholarships and any available funding for continual professional development.

Please don't hesitate to contact me, Penny Knipe Alumni and Development Office if you have any questions. (link to contact details)

*Subject to terms and conditions|

31st Oct Cut-off Date for Sept/Oct 11 entry

March 1st Cut-off Date for Jan/Feb 12 to claim an Alumni Discount