Funding for MSc

chipsop

Hi everyone,

I am hoping to go back to university in September to do a MSc in computer science. I have been looking for a job since Jan (newly graduated) but have not had any luck and I had been hoping to save up enough over these months to afford the MSc course. If, however, it turns out that I can't get a job in time to save enough money, what are my options for funding? I have read Martin's page about a career development loan but to be honest I am frightened of having an actual loan and I am concerned that once I graduate I won't be able to pay it off in time to avoid the huge interest rates.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

The_One_Who

If you can't self-fund, and don't want a Career Development Loan, then the department may have funding. However, be aware that most funding is directed for those intending to go on to do a PhD, rather than for stand-alone Masters courses. The department and the university should have details of any scholarships you can apply for too.

[Deleted User]

Generally masters need to be self funded. There are a few exceptions.

Firstly, as mentioned above, those that are accepted onto a PhD course often get the opportunity to have funding for a Masters pre-PhD (1+3: 1 years Masters funding, and 3 years PhD funding).

Secondly, some Universities offer their own studentships or scholarships for students to do a Masters - these are few and far between and are often hard to find as mostly they are advertised on the University's own webpages and not externally. The best ways to find these would be to have a look at the webpages of all the Uni's that offer the Masters course that you're interested in - and if in doubt e-mail the department asking if there are any scholarship opportunities attached to that Masters. With a lot of University funding having been cut recently, these are even harder to find - and as with most scholarship options they are highly competative.

The best advice to give you is to not give up on looking for a job - and perhapse look at doing your Masters the following year. If you cannot afford to make the repayments don't take out a Career Development Loan.