Funding for a masters

niceday999

I have just graduated from the University of Ulster (Northern Ireland) and would really love to do a masters, however the huge fees are putting me off applying. A few friends have said that you are entitled to four years of finincial support from the government and since my degree course was only three years then if i do a masters this would be my fourth year and therefore I would still be entitled to support. Is this the case? And also how much are the fees to study a masters? Do they vary depending on the course?

Apologies to the moderator if this is on the wrong board.. maybe it should be moved to the NI board??

antuk

That only applies to your first degree tho, there is no funding for masters degrees done as a postgrad

niceday999

Thanks. Can I still appy to my local education and library board for financial support for a postgraduate course?

littleemmie

For a post graduate course you are not entitled to any funding from your local authority or the Gov. You can either fund it entirely yourself, have a company sponsor you (e.g. your employer or a company interested in your research) or apply for a career development loan (CDL). The CDL is basically a bank loan from one of three banks where you can borrow up to £8000 to pay for your fees and a percentage of your living costs (sorry, I can't remember offhand what % this is). You only start paying the loan and interest back a month after you finish your course. Look here to get more info.

antuk

Also more info here

Northern_girl_2

You can't usually get a student loan to cover a masters degree. The only exception I'm aware of where the masters is part of the first degree - there are some courses where it is a built in part of their overall degree. That's not much help if you have already graduated though.

As another poster has said the other options are a career development loan (from a bank so higher interest than a student loan and must be paid back whatever you earn), funding it yourself or having a business sponsor you.

There is a further option which is to apply for one of the government funded research councils. The one that is relevant to you will depend on your subject but ask at you University and they will be able to advise.

There is the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council and other sciency ones that I don't know about. However, these are extremely competative with, I think, about 1 in 4 applications successful. You will need a very good research proposal and an excellent academic background. I applied to the AHRC for a PhD and was unsuccessul despite having a first and a distinction at masters level so there are certainly no guarantees.

You university might have postgrad grants and bursaries to apply for too.

Good luck.

CLAPTON

as befits a post grad, focus on the facts

what subject?

antuk

undersecter wrote: »

what about working for a year then doing a masters

Its still a struggle, postgrad degrees are so expensive, I worked for 5 years before doing my masters, the tuition fees were over 6k before you factor in any other expenses!

niceday999

Its a masters in marketing and entrepreneurship at university of ulster jordanstown.. how do i find out what the fees are? and do postgrad students get any grant?

S0litaire

If you're doing "marketing and entrepreneurship " and you can't raise the funds. You should hand in your diploma on the way out :D
lol!!

But use your training! market yourself and use your Entrepreneur teachings to get a job in a company or advertising agency! Work there for a year, Then get them to fund your final year.. :D

Northern_girl_2

niceday999 wrote: »

Its a masters in marketing and entrepreneurship at university of ulster jordanstown.. how do i find out what the fees are? and do postgrad students get any grant?

Fees are set by the University so you will have to ask there.

At undergrad level everyone who applies and is eligible for a student loan/grant will get one. That's unfortunately not true for postgrad study. The only 'grants' are from the research councils which, while relatively generous (fees + approx £12k that you don't pay back), are highly competative. It's more like getting a salary to do your research but you have to be the best of the best.

Otherwise there may be some grants offered by your uni but they tend to be small £500-1000 type range. There may be other studentships from your uni that pay more but usually rare.

Is it the same university that you did your undergrad course. If so, did you have a personal tutor/lecturer you got on well with? They would really be the best people to speak to because they will know you/your course/your univeristy and therefore be better equipped to advise. There is no set scheme so best to talk to someone that knows all the details. My personal tutor was superb - she helped me to identify what funding was avaialable, worked with me to write the application and acted as a referee (and was able to give a much more in depth reference precisely because I had talked it through with her).

If not your personal tutor then the course supervisor, postgrad faculty, student union etc will be able to give you more advice and probably help with the applications.