Open Spaces. Open Minds.

Postgraduate study

Postgraduate sources of financial support

Most postgraduate taught students at Roehampton are self funded. Finance can be a significant factor when choosing to embark on postgraduate study and there are several ways that students can fund their studies. Additional options, including Internal Funding Opportunities are listed by the Graduate School.

Career development loans (CDL)

CDLs can be taken out for between £300 and £8,000 to help fund up to two years of study (or up to three years if the programme includes one year of relevant practical work experience). Repayment on CDLs begins a minimum of one month after the student has stopped studying as the Learning and Skills Council pays the interest on the loan until that time. Repayments on the loan are then made over an agreed period at a fixed rate of interest.

CDLs are offered by Barclays Bank, the Cooperative Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland. For more information, see the government's website on CDLs.

A CDL is a personal loan from the bank and students are therefore responsible for repayments. Before taking out a loan, students should ensure that they will be able to manage the monthly repayments.

Employers

Some students receive full or partial funding from their employer throughout their studies. Employers value postgraduate study as it can bring additional skills and knowledge to their organisation.

“I had always thought of doing an MBA as I hadn't previously been to university. My career had progressed rapidly and I had enjoyed many successes but I felt an MBA would offer something extra for my own learning and for future career opportunities. After an appraisal with my boss he suggested I investigate an MBA which, with the company’s support, meant that I could start my learning and career progression sooner than I had thought possible.” Annalie York, part-time MBA student

Charities and scholarships

A range of foundations, charities and trusts also award partial funding for postgraduate study, from the world’s largest medical charity, the Wellcome Trust, which awards hundreds of studentships each year, to the British Federation of Women Graduates, which offers a small number of cost-of-living bursaries for female postgraduates in the second year of their research degree. Grants and scholarships are also awarded by companies, trade unions, arts organisations and even wealthy individuals in their wills.

International scholarships

Roehampton offers a range of scholarships to international students.

TDA funding

TDA funding: find out if you are eligible

Teachers with QTS and who are resident in England are eligible to apply to Roehampton for funding to undertake their masters-level study. Significant levels of funding recently made available by the Training and Development Agency (TDA) are aimed at supporting teachers who commit to 60 credits of masters-level study during an academic year. Funding is available to teachers of pupils and students of all age groups, from the Foundation Stage through to Key Stages 1 to 4 and post-16 education.

More information about TDA funding.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council

The Arts and Humanities Research Council runs a national scheme of postgraduate studentships in the humanities. The studentships are open to ‘home’ students studying the humanities (archaeology, classics, drama and theatre studies, English, film studies, history, history of art and architecture, law, linguistics, modern languages, music, philosophy and theology). Students from European Union countries can apply for a fees only award.

Further information is available from:
The Arts and Humanities Research Council
Postgraduate Studentships Office
10 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AH
Tel: 020 7969 5200
Website: www.ahrc.ac.uk

Vocational Awards

The Arts and Humanities Research Council also runs a vocational award scheme (previously run by the Department for Education and Employment) for certain vocational programmes. The awards are open to ‘home’ students studying subjects with a professional or vocational nature (librarianship and information science, fine art and design, drama, journalism, language interpretation, museum studies and media studies).

Further information is available from:
Professional and Vocational Awards Office
The Arts and Humanities Research Council
10 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1Y 5AH
tel: 020 7969 5205
website: www.ahrc.ac.uk

Useful funding websites

Support with financial management at Roehampton University

Roehampton, in association with the Financial Standards Authority, has pioneered the scheme to help students to manage their finances.

Access to Learning Fund (ALF)

If you are in financial hardship and you have made reasonable provision for your course, you may be eligible for help through the Access to Learning Fund (ALF). This is a discretionary fund from the government to help those with additional financial need.

 
 
 
 
 
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