Financial assistance for postgraduates
The University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø offers many postgraduate scholarships each year. There are also resources available to postgraduates seeking funding, including options outside the University. However, please be aware that the offer of a University place does not carry with it a guarantee of financial support.
The University also aims to provide financial advice and assistance to postgraduate students who are struggling with money worries. Students looking for information about financial assistance may find the money matters section of the postgraduate students webpage useful.
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Scholarships are available based on academic merit and financial need. There are scholarships available for both home and overseas fee status. The scholarships team recommends reading the terms of each award carefully and applying to a range of funding sources.
You can receive a University scholarship or other financial award in addition to external funding or awards from a government body. These awards can fully or partially cover tuition fees and maintenance costs, such as living expenses and accommodation, and sometimes both.
Applicants with refugee status, humanitarian protection, discretionary leave and asylum seeker status can apply for scholarships. The correct tuition fee status will determine which scholarships are available to you. If you have any queries about your fee status, please contact the fees team at fees@st-andrews.ac.uk for more advice.
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Governmental Discretionary Funds are provided to the University to support UK students. Any UK student encountering unforeseen financial difficulties may be eligible to apply to the University for limited assistance. More information can be found on the Discretionary Fund page.
If you are an international student encountering unforeseen financial difficulties, you may be eligible to apply to the University for limited assistance through the International Discretionary Fund.
Students funded by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) who have registered childcare may be eligible to apply to the Childcare Fund through Student Services.
If you are experiencing or anticipate financial difficulties, you may wish to email Student Services at money.advice@st-andrews.ac.uk. The team provides financial advice and support to students, including limited financial assistance.
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The Research Councils are public bodies charged with investing UK taxpayers’ money in science and research. Each is responsible for its own range of subjects and has different procedures and regulations.
Most Research Council awards are for research rather than taught (Masters) courses, although postgraduate taught funding may be available in some cases. Please visit the web pages for further details.
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There may be postgraduate loans available to you depending on your nationality and country of residence. Full details about this type of funding can be found on the postgraduate loans page.
If you are an overseas (non-EU) applicant, you can usually get information on scholarships from the Ministry of Education in your home country, from the appropriate inter-university organisation, if there is one, or from the .
Examples of other countries and territories with government bodies offering postgraduate funding include:
- USA: US federal loans
- Canada:
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If you are a current or former member of the UK armed forces you may be eligible for Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme (ELCAS) funding. All of our online MSc, PGDip and PGCert courses are available under this scheme.
Find out how to apply for ELCAS funding.
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Companies, foundations and other external bodies also provide financial help to students studying at home or overseas.
- Student Services hold limited information on outside trusts available to current and prospective students.
- A guide for postgraduate students seeking funding is available on the .
- Funding advice and a scholarship search is also available on the website.
If you are a current ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø student, you can find scholarship and funding information on the following University webpages:
- the Careers Centre funding webpage provides details about postgraduate funding and links to searchable online databases
- the current postgraduate information page includes a money matters section
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There are some research-related travel funding options that may be available depending on your subject area.
First check with the postgraduate secretary for your academic School to find out whether the department offers such funding or can recommend external trusts or funds for your project.
The Fieldwork Bursary Fund assists with costs directly connected with research carried out in the field by registered, full-time postgraduate research students. Fieldwork must be approved using the University’s Travel registration and fieldwork risk assessment tool before starting the bursary application. Students will be provided with a link to apply to the fieldwork bursary within five days of the fieldwork being approved.
If you are a research student, you may be eligible for the Russell Trust Awards, which provide funding for current PhD students.
Some outside trusts also offer funding for this purpose.
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If you are eligible to work in the UK, you could take a part-time job to support your studies.
There are normally opportunities available at the University, ranging from clerical and hospitality jobs to tutoring and research projects. You can use the system to find out about both permanent and casual work.
Some academic Schools offer paid tutoring positions to research students, usually in their second year. Please contact your academic School for further information.
The Careers Centre provides information for students looking for jobs in the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø area.