Post grad courses

jay-chill

I really want to do a post grad course at Edinburgh uni - starting in 2007. However it's 5,000 a year. I'm from Scotland however unsure what alternatives there are to help students who can't afford the tuition fees themselves.

newsmonkey

jay-chill wrote:

I really want to do a post grad course at Edinburgh uni - starting in 2007. However it's 5,000 a year. I'm from Scotland however unsure what alternatives there are to help students who can't afford the tuition fees themselves.

Consider a career development loan from Barclays, Co-op or Royal Bank of Scotland. You can get up to £8k, pay no interest until a month after the course has finished.

And then to avoid being stung by the interest (more than 10% APR) switch it to a cheap personal loan or - if you're feeling clever - a 0% or low life-of-balance credit card.

anewman

I think the only real option these days is to work and go part time. With career development loans apparently you have to show how it will help your career. 10% is way over the top, and to be able to pay it off with a personal loan you would need a job, and jobs aren't all that free and easy these days.

melancholly

i don't know if it's any different in scotland, but for postgrad courses in england the options are limited..... i found the only way to pay for mine was to take a year out and work to have some savings.

there may be hardship funds at the uni, but the best website i've seen that shows a database of stuff is http://www.scholarship-search.org.uk/.

liz24

It depends what you're doing, but if you qualify don't forget the Research Councils - this website http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/ will direct you to the right one for your subject. If you get an award (and they are extremely competitive, especially if you're going into the arts or humanities) you'll get your fees paid for and a stipend. Also try contacting the University/Department and see if they have any funding or scholarships available. Good luck!