Funding for Post Graduate Degree (Scotland)?

GlasweJen

I'd like to apply to do an MSc in Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) in Glasgow, The fees are £5,500 per year for 2 years plus £50 for a pre-requisite entry module. I have some savings (£3,200) and I hope to be able to transfer my job to Glasgow too so that I can do full time over the summer holidays to get more saved before the start of term in January.

I read on the unis website for the course (glasgow caledonian) that SAAS may fund part of the course, I called SAAS but they weren't able to help and the contact email from the uni doesn't seem to be working. I emailed the general course address to ask but just got sent back an information pack that mentioned nothing about the SAAS funding.

Has anyone ever managed to get SAAS funding for a masters and if so how much of the fees do they pay? Is there a bursary at all?

I'm under 25, classed as a dependant student and I am disabled.

huneebunch

it might be worth looking at the Erasmus programme. Its operated by the British Council.

GlasweJen

isn't erasmus for people studying abroad?

Oldernotwiser

Why a Master's rather than a Bachelor's degree. Surely the funding for this would be simpler?

GlasweJen

I already have a BSc, it's a conversion course but with a different name.

ecosse306

SAAS are the main college/uni student funders and also operate the Individual Learning Account scheme, although there are eligibility criteria for this, depending on the amount you earn and how much time you will spend doing the course.

Have you done the funding enquiry on the SAAS website? This would give you an idea of what, if any, funding is available.

Might be worth asking the uni about fee waivers - they normally have advisers specialising in funding options.

What about your employer? Any way they might be able to part fund it?

The last resort option may be a Career Development Loan, but obviously this is a loan through the bank and will be repayable, and again, there are conditions etc.

giantmutantbroccoli

Your best bet is to phone or visit the university in person - you'd need to get the details for whoever deals with finance/tuition fees, but there are a fair few payments available for postgrads. I imagine there'd be more funding available because you're disabled, but again you'd have to ask.
If you're a woman you could try the Funding For Women Graduates page:
http://www.ffwg.org.uk/
or the international federation of university women:
http://www.ifuw.org/index.shtml
If the course is only part-time, is there any chance you could get a job at the university? Most unis offer scholarships to their staff, so you wouldn't have to pay fees.

GlasweJen

I currently work as an optometrists assistant at asda so i don't see them funding my degree. As i've already mentioned in my OP i have contacted SAAS but they didn't seem to know what i was talking about. The funding enquiry on the saas website seems to be aimed at undergrads and i've already had 5 years of full time help from SAAS for my BSC.

Giant mutant broccoli, I gather that the person who deals with the funding for this course is on some sort of annual leave but i will see her when she gets back. I am indeed female so i'll look at those links you posted thanks

Oldernotwiser

I still don't see how you'll benefit from saving a year if you receive no funding. Why not do the undergraduate degree as allied healthcare degrees are funded for graduates by the NHS.

MrsManda

You may get NHS funding for a graduate entry course in OT if the course you do is approved. You can find more information HERE

Oldernotwiser

MrsManda wrote: »

You may get NHS funding for a graduate entry course in OT if the course you do is approved. You can find more information HERE

But that's not just for graduate entry courses, but for undergraduate courses as well. Healthcare courses are exempt from the restrictions on doing a course of an equal or higher level.