Funding for postgraduate research students
Find out more about the funding options available to you as a postgraduate research student
If you are considering starting a postgraduate research course, you could get help to pay for your course and living costs.
You may be eligible for a Postgraduate Masters Loan or a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan. Postgraduate research (PGR) programmes include: PhD, MPhil, ResM, MD, DPA, DBA, EdD and DClinPsy.
If you are looking to study a postgraduate taught programme, please view our information on
funding for postgraduate taught students
.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the
Student Financial Support Team
Fees and costs
Information about
tuition fees and any additional costs
for new and returning students.
Postgraduate Masters Loans (PGML)
Thinking of starting a postgraduate masters course this year? You could get help to pay for your course and living costs.
You can find more information at:
| When the programme started | Maximum loan fee amount |
|---|---|
| On or after 1 August 2023 | £12,167* |
| On or after 1 August 2024 | £12,471* |
| On or after 1 August 2025 | £12,858* |
Am I eligible for a postgraduate masters loan?
If you have a loan from a previous undergraduate course this will not affect your eligibility for applying for a Postgraduate Masters Loan.
It can depend on your age, course, existing funding, previous study, nationality or residency status to be eligible for a Postgraduate Masters Loan. To check your eligibility please refer to the website.
How to apply?
You can apply online for a Postgraduate Masters Loan to Government website at . Please remember to check your eligibility before applying.
Exclusions
- You will not be eligible for Postgraduate Masters Loan if you have outstanding student loan arrears or have previously been found to be ‘unfit’ for student support (e.g. because of attempted fraud).
- You will not be eligible if you already have a Masters (or qualification equivalent or higher) degree already.
- A Postgraduate Masters Loan is not available to students wanting to ‘top-up’ a lower level qualification to a Masters degree. The course must be a full standalone master’s course.
- You must register for the full 180 credits in order to receive the loan. Prior Accredited learning cannot be used to reduce the number of credits taken.
- Postgraduate Masters Loans are not available for postgraduate level courses such as PgCert (Postgraduate Certificate), PgDip (Postgraduate Diploma) or where the postgraduate course is funded by undergraduate student finance, such as: ITT (Initial Teacher Training) or Integrated Masters.
All information about the Postgraduate Masters Loan can be found either through or through the websites.
Postgraduate Doctoral Loans (PGDL)
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD.
You can find more information at
| When the programme started | Maximum loan amount |
|---|---|
| On or after 1 August 2022 | £27,892 |
| On or after 1 August 2023 | £28,673 |
Am I eligible for a postgraduate doctoral loan?
You’ll not be eligible for a PhD loan if you already hold a PhD or equivalent qualification or are receiving a Research Council studentship (including fees-only), NHS funding or other government finance towards your PhD.
Your eligibility will depend on your course, existing funding, previous study, age and nationality or residency status. To check your eligibility please refer to the
PhD loans are not available if you began your PhD before 2018/19.
How do I apply for a loan?
You can apply online for a loan on the from late spring/summer.
Details of repayment requirements and the interest rate payable
Repayments will start once you have completed your PhD. You’ll pay at a rate of 6% of your income once you're earning at least £21,000 per year. Please check the most recent information at the .
Further information
Additional funding
Scholarships, bursaries and support funds
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Scholarships
At °µÍø½âÃÜ, there are a small number of scholarships available to postgraduate students
Bursaries and support funds
If you’re experiencing financial hardship due to extra costs, unexpected health issues or other factors, there may be bursaries and support funds that can help you.
Supporting students with the cost of living
The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
Postgraduate research degrees
The °µÍø½âÃÜ offers a range of postgraduate research degrees across all areas of our world-leading research – from digital art and dance to dentistry and geochemistry.
There are about 1,000 postgraduate researchers registered with the University, the majority of whom are located on the main campus. Others are based at our partnership ‘nodes’ around the world.
You will join a vibrant, supportive and forward-thinking community, that is committed to meeting global challenges in creative and imaginative ways.
