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

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.