Postgraduate fees and funding

There are multiple ways to fund a postgraduate degree, including government loans, scholarships and external funding.

Postgraduate Funding guide

If you’re considering a Master’s or postgraduate research degree, you'll have access to a range of financial support. Our free funding guide walks you through these options and helps you secure the funding you need to achieve your academic goals.

Government-backed loans

Postgraduate Master's loans

Government-backed loans of up to £12,471 are available to UK, Irish and eligible EU nationals studying postgraduate Master’s courses in any subject area.

Master's loans

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

Government-backed loans are also available to those studying postgraduate doctoral courses, such as PhDs. Eligible students can borrow up to £29,390.

PhD loans

Graduate Scholarship

You could be eligible for a 20% fee reduction if you're a BCU graduate enrolling onto an eligible Master's or PhD qualification for the first time in 2024/25 or 2025/26!

Scholarships and Bursaries

PhD Studentships

PhD studentships are funding opportunities supported by the University and/or organisations, where your research will be actively used in overcoming real-world problems. A PhD studentship will provide at least the full standard UK/EU fees and will usually include a maintenance stipend as well. 

Explore our studentships

Midlands4Cities

As part of this consortium of eight Midlands universities, we’re offering AHRC-funded PhD studentships to excellent research students in the arts and humanities.

PhD Studentships

Aziz Foundation Scholarships

We have partnered with the Aziz Foundation to offer three fully-funded scholarships for British Muslims to study a Master’s in Data Journalism, Media Production or Public Relations in September 2025. The scholarships are aimed at those who want to progress in their career and bring positive change to their local communities and beyond.

More scholarship information

Scott Trust Bursary

We have partnered with The Guardian Foundation to offer a bursary for applicants to our MA Data Journalism course. The bursary aims to assist students who face financial difficulty in attaining the qualifications needed to pursue a career in journalism and come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the media. Those who are awarded the bursary receive a fully funded course, living expenses, work opportunities and more.

About the Scott Trust Bursary

Bowater Financial Assistance Award

Gertrude Aston Bowater was a student at the School of Art in the 1940s, and over her long life she had a passion for art. As a result of this, she requested in her will that her family create a bequest from her estate that would provide financial support for up to three full time MA students, which would contribute to the cost of fees.

Learn more about the award

More funding options

  • Other external funding

    Each year, there are a range of additional scholarships, loans and bursaries offered by external organisations that are available to those pursuing postgraduate study.

  • Employer funding

    If you’re studying a part-time Master’s to climb the career ladder, your employer may contribute to your tuition fees if you study while working for them. Our guide can help you work out how your employer can help, if they're likely to help and how you can ask them.

  • Self-funding

    If you’re self-funding, we offer payment plans for those whose fees are £1,500 or more. 50% of your fees are paid at enrolment, with the remainder paid in instalments.

How to work alongside your postgraduate degree

Many students work alongside their postgraduate degree, usually to earn money and gain industry experience. We’ve put together your options for working and studying at the same time.

Balancing work and study

Finding part-time work in Birmingham

BCU's student employment scheme helps students to find paid part-time work with the University. Plus, we're at the heart of the UK's second-largest city, making Birmingham the perfect place to find part-time work.

Where to find a student job

BCU Boost

BCU Boost is a unique financial support package designed to simplify your student life at BCU. It includes helpful tips for managing your finances, access to professional financial support, and discounts on food and drink across our campuses.

More about BCU Boost

Postgraduate personal statement guide