Postgraduate Study
Tuition Fees and Financial Support
Research Degrees - International Postgraduate Students
On this page you can find information about possible funding sources that you can contact if you want some help with financing your course. If you are unsure about the cost of your course, please see our list of course tuition fees.
Departmental Assistance
Several University departments can offer scholarships and financial assistance to postgraduate students. Selection is usually based on a candidate's academic performance and the quality of the application. For additional information please contact the relevant department directly.
ORSAS (Overseas Research Student Awards Scheme) - now called SORSAS (Scottish Overseas Research Student Awards Scheme)
The 2010 SORSAS competition is now open for applications. Please read the guidance notes carefully to check if you are eligible. You must either be a current PhD student, or intending to start your PhD in session 2010/11. The closing date for applications is March 23rd, and your references must be received by March 31st. For further information, please contact Katharine Reibig.
More information about this scheme can be found by at www.sfc.ac.uk/research/SORSAS/sorsas.aspx
Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Programme (CSFP)
If you are from one of the Commonwealth countries (not the Commonwealth of Independent States) you may be eligible for this scheme. Awards are usually made for taught postgraduate programmes and research programmes. Scholarships normally cover tuition fees, travel and living expenses for up to three years.
For further information about the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, visit the website at www.csfp-online.org
For application enquiries, contact the The British Council in your country, or contact their information Centre:
Tel: +44 (0)161 957 7755
Email: general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org
Trusts and Charities
Organisations such as the Rotary Club and other trusts and charities can be a useful source of small grants, but very few will be able to meet the total amount needed for fees and maintenance.
There are a wide variety of trusts covering differing locations and professions.
Consult the Grants Register and/or The Directory of Grant Making Trusts available from most libraries. The Association of Charitable Foundations provides links to charitable bodies that may have funding available: www.acf.org.uk
Teaching Assistantships
Some departments may offer teaching assistantships for research students in return for undertaking part-time teaching duties and such students will receive a stipend to support them in their studies. The amount of teaching will not normally exceed six hours per week as recommended and more information can be found by contacting the relevant department directly.
Employer Sponsorship
Your employer may give you paid leave for study, or pay for all or part of your tuition fees and other costs such as examination fees and books.
This is only likely if the programme of study is directly relevant to your work but it may be worth considering if you feel that indepth knowledge of a particular subject area will benefit your employer.
