Sussex SU   |
:
:
Skip to Content

► HELP ON SUSSEX SU

Send us your comments.

- Login Problems? Click Here.

► ADVICE POLL

There are currently no active polls. To view previous poll results please click below

Poll Results...

 
Want to advertise through our media?
University of Sussex Students Union has various student marketing and student advertising tools that can promote your services direct to our students. For all our student marketing & advertising opportunities click the media pack button.

Student Marketing Specialists


Fair Deals to and from the University

Pizza Hut

► Postgraduate Students: Funding your course

This page gives information about funding for postgraduate courses that do not qualify for statutory support. 

You may already be aware that obtaining financial assistance for postgraduate study is both difficult and competitive, primarily as there is NO statutory support available for postgraduate study (with the exception of students studying for a PGCE or DipSW).  If you have not secured funding before your course begins and you do not have sufficient funds to be self-financing, you should consider very carefully whether it is financially viable to proceed.

How much will my tuition fees be?

funding imageFees for postgraduate study at Sussex vary and will depend on which course you intend to study, whether you intend to study full or part-time and whether you are a home/EU student or an international student.  You should check in the postgraduate prospectus or contact Student Accounts on 0800 0194979, email studentaccounts@sussex.ac.uk .

If you are paying your own fees, either in part or in full, you will need to negotiate with Student Accounts about how you intend to pay.  Details of payment arrangements are given in your pre-course information packs or you can contact Student Accounts on 0800 0194979, email studentaccounts@sussex.ac.uk.  If you are worried about how you are going to pay your fees, please speak to one of our advisers.

How much will I need to cover all my living costs?

How much you need to cover your living costs will depend on your individual circumstances.  Have a look at our ‘living costs and budgeting tips’ webpage for advice.

 

Where can I look for funding?

Funding may be available from a variety of different sources and you will need to spend time researching all your options in order to maximise your chances of obtaining funding for your course.  Have a look below for suggestions on possible sources of funding for you to consider.  Please note however that these are only intended as a guide and are in no way exhaustive:

 

UK Research Council Studentships

If you are resident in the UK, you may be eligible for a studentship (tuition fees and maintenance) from one of the Research Councils below.  If you are not from the UK but are an EU national, you may be eligible for a tuition fees only award.

The seven UK Research Councils are:

Whilst Research Councils are the main sources of public funding for postgraduate study, awards are very competitive and are usually based on academic merit.  For full details on the eligibility criteria, application process and application deadlines click on the relevant links above or visit www.rcuk.ac.uk.

Tips for when you apply to research councils:

  • Start looking early. Most funding bodies adhere to strict deadlines and will not accept late applications.
  • Check the eligibility criteria carefully.
  • Make sure you put adequate time and thought into your application.
  • Be thorough. Supply all documentation requested and give full, relevant answers to any questions.
  • Ensure that your referees are fully informed of what is required of them.
  • Make contingency plans. Obtaining funding for most postgraduate study is competitive - be realistic about your chances and, if appropriate, consider seeking alternative sources.

 

Scholarships and Bursaries

A variety of scholarships and fellowships for both UK/EU and overseas students are available either through the University, the government, international agencies or from individual trusts, educational foundations or charities.  These scholarships are always very competitive, are often subject-based and are usually only offered to students who show exceptional academic promise and/or students in particular circumstances (for example the University of Sussex offers a Geoff Lockwood Scholarship for high-calibre graduate applications for MSc programmes).

For information on scholarships offered by the University of Sussex, have a look at the the Funding section of the University's webpages.

For information on scholarships available from external agencies have a look at Scholarship Search UK. Also check out www.prospects.ac.uk/funding for a useful database of funding opportunities including grants from trusts and charities.

International students may also find it useful to use the scholarship search facility at www.educationuk.org.

 

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs)/Studentships

Each year, the University of Sussex offers a number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) and Studentships across a wide range of subject areas.  These provide an opportunity to undertake a limited teaching commitment, usually less than 10 hours per week, at the same time as studying towards a research degree (MPhil or DPhil).  GTAs differ from award to award but will always be equivalent to at least the UK/EU rate of fees.  Some GTAs will also award an untaxed living allowance in addition to the UK/EU fee waiver.  International students can also apply but, because GTA awards waive the UK/EU rate of fees only, you will still need to secure funding for the rest of your fees.

To find out whether or not a GTA is available for your course, have a look here or the University of Sussex website for your intended school and subject.

Please Note:

  • GTAs are extremely competitive and you should seek alternative sources of funding in case you are unsuccessful
  • Application deadlines vary but are usually early in the previous academic year so you should apply well in advance of the start of your course.

 

Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDLs), Professional Studies Loans and other bank loans

Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDLs) 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 the Direct Gov website or contact Careers Advice on 0800 100 900.  The University's Learning Provider Registration Number is 8432.

Some other high street banks offer similar delayed repayment loans called Professional Studies Loans or Professional Trainee Loans to students on certain, usually vocational, courses.  To find out which banks offer these loans, download our ‘banking arrangement’ fact sheets here.

You may also be able to negotiate a loan with your own bank.

Please Note:

  • PCDLs and Professional Studies Loans are commercial bank loans and high interest rates often apply
  • Strict penalties apply where the terms and conditions of the loan are not adhered to
  • The SAC does NOT recommend any bank loan, including PCDLs or Professional Studies Loans
  • PCDLs and most Professional Studies Loans are only available to students who are ordinarily resident in the UK

 

Alumni Study Awards

If you have studied at the University of Sussex previously, you may be eligible for an Alumni Study Award for your intended postgraduate course.  These are cash refunds (£1,000 for non-UK students, £300 for full-time UK/EU students and £150 for part-time UK/EU students) payable by cheque in the Spring term of each year that you are registered on your course.  To be eligible for one of these awards, you must satisfy ALL of the following criteria:

  • You must have either attended the University of Sussex International Summer School or been a visiting student or have been awarded one of the following degrees by the University of Sussex:  BA, BEd, BEng, BSc, LLB, LLM, MA, MChem, MEng, MMath, MPhys, MRes, MSc, MSW, MPhil, Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma or PGCE
  • You must be applying for one of the following courses at the University of Sussex:  Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, MA, MRes, MSc, MSW, LLM, MPhil, DPhil, New Route DPhil, DSW or EdD
  • You must not yet have begun your intended course

For more information about Alumni Study Awards, please see the University of Sussex webpages.  

Please Note: Alumni Study Awards are only available to new students, students who are already registered on a postgraduate course will not be eligible to receive an award

You may also be able to secure additional funds from a variety of different sources ranging from part-time work to welfare benefits.  Have a look at our ‘additional sources of income’ and ‘additional help available to Sussex students’  webpages for further information.

Other useful websites

 

Bookmark and Share