Whilst the prospect of further study may seem a daunting prospect to many students, it has become increasingly common for more students to return to university for further study. Before undertaking a postgraduate course however 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.

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

Research Councils 

Most students apply for funding from Research Councils. They 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. 

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) -  http://www.family-action.org.uk/section.aspx?id=1037|

or 020 7241 7459 

Professional and Career Development Loans 

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 Learning and Skills Council will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards. The loan can be used to pay for 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 and bursaries. Because the PCDL 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/adultlearning|

or contact Careers Advice on 0800 100 900.

Our learning provider registration number is: 1188

Employer 

Many students on postgraduate programmes are funded through their 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 

Despite the funding options available many students face the realistic prospect of funding postgraduate study themselves. Before taking on this financial commitment it may be prudent to work out whether it is financially feasible to go down this route especially if you are considering leaving work. Expenses for a years study do not stop at Tuition Fees, but also accommodation, food, family commitments and social life. 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 on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit: 

www.direct.gov.uk/postgraduate|  

or contact 0800 100 900. 

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

 studentfunding@bolton.ac.uk|

CPD Alumni Discount

Alumni Continuing Professional Development upto 25% Discount*

March 1st Cut-off Date for Jan/Feb 10 to claim an Alumni Discount

31st Oct Cut-off Date for Sept/Oct 10 entry

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

Discounts on new courses for 2010 entry are currently in discussion. New courses will be announced on the alumni and friends website or via email if you have registered your CPD interests via the main Register| | form.

To apply for a possible discount, 

1)  Please read Terms and Conditions. ||

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

3) Please fill in AlumniDiscountForm || and return to Penny Knipe Alumni and Development Officer.

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

5) 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.

6) 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,  you will need to reapply at the Alumni Office.  

Please check the main Continuing Professional Development website for updates.

 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 ||