Help funding your postgraduate study

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Help funding your postgraduate study

Postgraduate study is an investment in your future. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge, find your gateway to a new career or increase your earning potential, you’ll unlock lots of opportunities.

At University of Staffordshire, we want to ensure studying remains affordable. The information on this page will help you plan your next steps by exploring a range of options for postgraduate funding and financial support.

Alumni discount - get 25% off

As a valued University of Staffordshire graduate, there’s never been a better time to continue studying with us.

Our Alumni discount is open to postgraduate students who have completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HNDs and foundation degrees).

Read the full terms before you apply

Government loans

If you’re a UK student, you can apply for a Government-backed loan. This is not means-tested and will help with course fees, study expenses or living costs.

Masters loan

What you receive: Up to £12,858 from Student Finance England if you fit the following criteria:

You’re applying to study a taught or research-based Masters course
You haven’t received a loan or grant for a Masters course before
You’re aged under 60 at the start of the academic year of your course
You normally live in England

Deadline for applications: Apply before or during the course (up to nine months into your studies).

Repaying the loan: You’ll only start repaying it after you graduate and your income is £21,000−a-year or more.

Visit the government's website for more about Masters Loans

Doctoral loan

What you receive: Up to £30,301 from Student Finance England for a full-time, standalone doctoral programme, such as a PhD or professional doctorate.

Deadline for applications: Apply before or during the course (up to nine months into your studies).

Repaying the loan: You’ll only start repaying it after you graduate and your income is £21,000−a-year or more.

Visit the government's website for full details of eligibility criteria for Doctoral Loans

University support

Scholarships and bursaries for UK students

Thanks to generous donations from alumni, businesses and charitable organisations, we’re able to offer a range of bursaries and scholarships.

These include:

Creative Opportunity Award:
Worth up to £200, this supports the costs of displaying work for an end-of-year show
Dr Ruth Thompson PGCE Scholarship for the Teachers of Tomorrow:
Worth £1,000 and aimed at encouraging more local people to take up teaching
Dr Ruth Thompson Global Teaching Scholarship:
Worth £1,500, this scholarship promotes social mobility and pays for students to attend a world-class education conference
Horizon Fund Postgraduate Employability Award:
Worth up to £1,000, this is aimed at removing financial barriers to opportunities, such as covering travel costs or a suitable outfit for a job interview, or publishing your fi rst book or paper
PGCE bursary:
Worth £500, this bursary supports students from lower income households
The Friends Trust Education Bursary:
this supports cadets and adult volunteers who are active members of the Staff ordshire and West Midlands (North Sector) Army Cadet Force

Scholarships for international students

SMART scholarship:
£3,000 fees discount for each year of your studies – available to full-time, campus-based students (some courses are excluded)

Read full terms and conditions for our SMART scholarships.

Grants

Disabled Students’ Allowance: support for students who incur extra costs as a result of their disability
Student parents and carers: help with childcare costs or caring for adult dependants
Care leavers and estranged students: support for care experienced students

More details about the grants and funding available.

Other support

We understand that postgraduate study is a large financial commitment.

If you need short-term assistance, you may be eligible for our Student Success Support Fund.

Types of study

Postgraduate taught

Involves more structured study, with a mixture of lectures, seminars and assignments. You may get to explore a research project in depth through a dissertation. Examples include Masters.

Postgraduate research

Independent study and research exploring a specialist area, with little or no taught elements. You’ll be supervised by academic staff and will produce a thesis or portfolio. Examples include an MRes (Master of Research) and a professional doctorate.