The Advice Place guide to Postgraduate Funding 2014

1. Sources of Postgraduate
Funding
Ruth Elvin
The Advice Place

2. The Advice Place

We are the advisory service for all
students at the University of Edinburgh.

We are part of
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We are staffed by professional advisors
and student volunteers.
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We are free, impartial and confidential.

3. Can I get postgraduate funding?
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Various factors:
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Diploma, Masters or PhD?
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Subject area?
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Nationality/residency?

4. Government Funding
Which courses?
- SAAS list of funded courses published every year, mostly diploma level.
- PGDE gets same funding as undergraduates.
- Some Student Finance funding for social work, teaching, medical/health
courses
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Eligibility?
- Resident in UK for 3 years before starting course, resident in Scotland on
‘relevant date’, be nominated by your institution.
- If applying right after undergraduate degree, you should apply to same
funding body.
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How much funding?
- SAAS Tuition fee loan of up to £3,400.
- 2015 changes – also possibility of getting a living
costs loan of up to £4,500. NUS lobbying for review.
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How and when to apply
- Apply online from Feb/March, deadline of 30 June
to get processed for Sept.
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5. Scholarships
Scholarships and Student Funding Service
Lists funding available through the Uni
(e.g. Postgraduate Bursary) and externally:
www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/ studentfunding/postgraduate
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Eligibility?
Things available for UK, EU and international students – all have
quite specific criteria.
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How and when to apply
As early as possible – many have
deadlines around now!
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6. Sponsorship and studentships
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Some courses/employers will fund your
postgraduate studies.
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Check the Scholarships and Student Funding
School-specific webpages, Research
Councils.
Ask your employer
(if you have one) if this is a
possibility.
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7. Professional and Career
Development Loan (PCDL)
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PCDL is a bank loan of up to £10,000. You don’t start paying it back
(plus interest) until 1 month after your course ends.
Which courses?
Must be on PCDL Register (ask course provider), usually not more
than 2 years in length and of a vocational nature.
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Eligibility?
You must have been living in UK for at least 3 years and be planning to
work in UK/EU after your course.
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How and when to apply?
Apply to one of the 3 banks that offer the
PCDL at least 3 months before course starts.
Call 0800 100 900 for more info.
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8. Educational Grants
Lots of other grants out there, not always
loads of money though.
 Wide range of eligibility criteria from women
graduates to vegetarians!
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www.turn2us.org.uk.
www.scholarship-search.org.uk.
www.ukcisa.org.uk for international students
The Advice Place Guide to
Extra Funding has more info!
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9. Discretionary Funds
• Funds for living costs from the University
Postgraduates can apply but be aware if you are an
international or self-funding student, awards are
generally capped at £200 per year.
•
PGDE and SAAS-funded students can
apply for help with childcare costs too.
•
The Advice Place has
application forms.

10. Budget
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Don’t forget to budget for your living costs!
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You need a plan, we can help with budgeting
– we have useful guides!
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You generally need to budget at least £750
per month for your living costs.
 www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

11. General tips
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Apply early!
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Have a plan, make a budget 
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Understand the University is not flexible
about tuition fees 
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Visit the Advice Place!