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The Official Funding questions/moans/possible joy Thread

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What kind of academic performance should I be looking at in order to have a chance at across-the-board funding for an MA/MPhil (in preparation for a doctorate)? I ask since I don't really see any way that I'd be able to contribute even a minimal amount to postgrad funding. (I'm a second year Cambridge undergrad, I got a borderline first last year [average 71%] and I'm waiting for this year's results -- if I were to get a 2:1 this year how badly would that affect my chances?)
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 661
Had a feeling you were a History bod. With regards to finding a job/working, my History MA was only 6hrs a week contact time and I worked one 8 hr day a week until the Easter without any issue.

Really hope you find some way of doing it :smile:
I am coming to the end of my 2nd year of undergrad, and seriously considering further study, probably in Medieval French. This year, once I was able to specialise in medieval, my marks have risen to fairly consistent firsts, and I have won a couple of prizes and travel grants. However, in my first year I didn't do amazingly, averaging high 2.1 in French with a first in essay paper, but high 2.2 in spanish due to an abysmal spanish grammar mark. I can't tell whether or not this will hold me back in standing a chance for getting funding at all, or if I had good enough references and whatnot with solid predictions it wouldn't matter?

I have vaguely mentioned doing post-grad to my tutors and they seem enthusiastic, but I can't tell whether they are just like that with anyone...
Reply 663
Original post by pinstriped.flower
I am coming to the end of my 2nd year of undergrad, and seriously considering further study, probably in Medieval French. This year, once I was able to specialise in medieval, my marks have risen to fairly consistent firsts, and I have won a couple of prizes and travel grants. However, in my first year I didn't do amazingly, averaging high 2.1 in French with a first in essay paper, but high 2.2 in spanish due to an abysmal spanish grammar mark. I can't tell whether or not this will hold me back in standing a chance for getting funding at all, or if I had good enough references and whatnot with solid predictions it wouldn't matter?

I have vaguely mentioned doing post-grad to my tutors and they seem enthusiastic, but I can't tell whether they are just like that with anyone...


Getting funding at masters level is almost impossible. Oxford has three AHRC awards for research preparation masters in French this year. Some universities might not have any awards at masters level (Bristol do not I think). And that is for all French students irrespective of their specialism. It is not good enough simply to be the best medievalist.

If you graduate with a first and have a strong research proposal then your relatively poor first year mark will be ignored by most. But a lot depends on where you plan on applying to and what your research will be on. I would discuss this with your tutors. They will know of other academics and departments that would be a good fit for you, and you can check to see if they have any funding available.

In order to increase your chances of securing funding you should consider using your undergraduate dissertation as a trial run of a larger research project you could do at masters level; and perhaps link this to taught units you can select as well; and make reference to specific members of staff and their research specialisms and local resources at any university you apply to etc., etc..
any help appreciated! i've just completed the second year of my LLB at KCL and if it's at all possible, i absolutely want to do postgrad with a view to either a general LLM or specialism in human rights (and related areas - public international is a possibility but i'm hesitant to say that before i've done my undergrad module in it). it's likely i'll graduate with a 2.1 due to mitigating circumstances but a first is still potentially within reach, just improbable.

self-funding the LLM is not an option (at least not immediately) - i come from an extremely low income bracket and received maximum bursaries and grants for undergrad. i have approx £9k savings which could go towards postgraduate study although i'd rather keep it earmarked for the BPTC as that's slightly more essential.

in an ideal world i'd be looking at applying to UCL, LSE, possibly ox/cam; but if i were accepted to any of those institutions i'd need to factor in living costs. there's only one university within reasonable commuting distance (i say reasonable - i did actually commute to KCL for a while, so i'm fine with doing that physically/timewise, but the cost of commuting became greater than the cost of living in london because of timetable constraints) and that's southampton. i did consider the possibility of living at home and commuting to southampton for the LLM but the course modules and specialisms don't particularly interest me and it would be doing it for the sake of it, rather than through love of study. there'd also be the additional concern of having taken an academic step down or side step from KCL as the only reason i'd be applying would be for a 'cheaper' postgraduate degree - not out of particular interest for the course or the academics there.

i'm at the very early stages at the moment; i'm aware of some university scholarship awards (but having looked into it i suspect i'd definitely need additional funding) but that's about it. does anyone have any advice for someone starting to seriously think about postgrad and the financial side?

i did toy with the idea of applying to US colleges so if anyone has any additional information on relevant funding for UK students considering study abroad that would be fantastic. the colleges i've looked at so far have financial aid programs but deduct expected parental contribution (not possible) so i'd still come up short even if i got incredibly lucky.

a last consideration - i'm considered to have multiple disabilities by my university and receive disabled students' allowance, so if anyone knows of any funding sources for disabled students that could also be an avenue.

i suspect that my most likely option is to move back home for a year, possibly two after graduation and try to paralegal and save as much income from that time as possible to go towards postgraduate study and most likely do postgraduate study part-time whilst working... but i'd prefer to avoid that if possible by getting funding as i'm already 23 and pretty eager to start postgrad asap.
Original post by evantej
Getting funding at masters level is almost impossible. Oxford has three AHRC awards for research preparation masters in French this year. Some universities might not have any awards at masters level (Bristol do not I think). And that is for all French students irrespective of their specialism. It is not good enough simply to be the best medievalist.

If you graduate with a first and have a strong research proposal then your relatively poor first year mark will be ignored by most. But a lot depends on where you plan on applying to and what your research will be on. I would discuss this with your tutors. They will know of other academics and departments that would be a good fit for you, and you can check to see if they have any funding available.

In order to increase your chances of securing funding you should consider using your undergraduate dissertation as a trial run of a larger research project you could do at masters level; and perhaps link this to taught units you can select as well; and make reference to specific members of staff and their research specialisms and local resources at any university you apply to etc., etc..


Thank you for your reply. Forgive me for being dense, but would it be therefore better for someone in my position to apply for courses post-graduation with degree in hand, having completed the optional extended essay? I am trying to envisage how my life might pan out..
Reply 666
Original post by pinstriped.flower
Thank you for your reply. Forgive me for being dense, but would it be therefore better for someone in my position to apply for courses post-graduation with degree in hand, having completed the optional extended essay? I am trying to envisage how my life might pan out..


In theory, yes. But in reality it would mean taking a year out of the university system. Not everyone is comfortable doing that; it might make gathering references harder, for example. (It seems to happen a lot more between masters and doctoral degrees because so many people are dependent upon funding).

I felt self conscious about stepping up an academic level at masters level and compensated for this by making far too many applications (in retrospect), which wasted a lot of time during potentially the most important time of the my undergraduate degree (minus finals). If you leave your application until you graduate then it will give you time to write a very good research proposal and do some more reading for your course, and will also make the entire application process much easier. But once you get past the initial busy stage (you will graduate in June and basically have from then until the following January to prepare and submit your application) you have the rest of the year to wait (i.e. January until September at least). What are you doing to do with your time? Will you feel like the whole thing has been a waste of time if you do not secure funding?

Again, there are positives and negatives to both choices. But only you can decide which is best for you.
Original post by pinstriped.flower
Thank you for your reply. Forgive me for being dense, but would it be therefore better for someone in my position to apply for courses post-graduation with degree in hand, having completed the optional extended essay? I am trying to envisage how my life might pan out..


Not who you asked, but thought I'd jump in anyway. Personally, I would advise a year out unless you feel inclined against it or there's some pressing reason why it's a bad idea. Doing applications in the same year as finals is horrendous (I've seen many friends do it; I myself took time out), and you have all the stress of hearing the replies during Hilary or even early in Trinity. You'll be able to focus much better if you've already finished - also, I do think a solid, completed first-class degree makes a difference. The other thing is that you can do some application-building things in the interim to boost your profile (although if you're getting prizes already, that's great!). I'm recommending this not because I think it's automatically right for everyone, but because it worked well for me - obviously don't feel you should do what I suggest if it feels wrong for you! I did my BA at Oxford (English), took time out - meant to be one year, stretched to two for personal reasons - and thus applied with a finished degree. In between finishing and applying, I took some of my undergrad work to conferences, and also published a few things - I do think it helped. (I applied to five places and was offered funding at four of them.) Best of luck with your plans! Medieval French must be so much fun. :biggrin:

Original post by evantej
it might make gathering references harder, for example.


I'm sure you're right and this is the case for some people, but I think it's unlikely to be true at Oxford. The tutorial relationships are close enough that no one would be forgotten after just one year, and probably not for much longer - OP is lucky in that respect! :smile:
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 668
Original post by thatfineframe
[...] I'm sure you're right and this is the case for some people, but I think it's unlikely to be true at Oxford. The tutorial relationships are close enough that no one would be forgotten after just one year, and probably not for much longer - OP is lucky in that respect! :smile:

That might be the case for you, but some people might also feel uncomfortable asking for a reference given that they are no longer studying at the university.
Original post by evantej
That might be the case for you, but some people might also feel uncomfortable asking for a reference given that they are no longer studying at the university.


I don't think my tutors would mind - I get on well with all of them who'd be potentially giving references, and I can't imagine them kicking up a fuss. But I appreciate that others/at other universities might find it more difficult.

Original post by thatfineframe
Not who you asked, but thought I'd jump in anyway. Personally, I would advise a year out unless you feel inclined against it or there's some pressing reason why it's a bad idea. Doing applications in the same year as finals is horrendous (I've seen many friends do it; I myself took time out), and you have all the stress of hearing the replies during Hilary or even early in Trinity. You'll be able to focus much better if you've already finished - also, I do think a solid, completed first-class degree makes a difference. The other thing is that you can do some application-building things in the interim to boost your profile (although if you're getting prizes already, that's great!). I'm recommending this not because I think it's automatically right for everyone, but because it worked well for me - obviously don't feel you should do what I suggest if it feels wrong for you! I did my BA at Oxford (English), took time out - meant to be one year, stretched to two for personal reasons - and thus applied with a finished degree. In between finishing and applying, I took some of my undergrad work to conferences, and also published a few things - I do think it helped. (I applied to five places and was offered funding at four of them.) Best of luck with your plans! Medieval French must be so much fun. :biggrin:


It does seem to make much more sense to apply afterwards, and it would be lovely not to have to stress about everything during finals. I know chances are slim to get funding for masters, but I'd like to try and put myself in the best position possible. I wouldn't mind taking a gap and having proper amounts of time to apply, and I suppose I can try and earn some money of my own (although moving back home would be stressful for everyone involved!)

And yes, Medieval French is fun! I really like the look of Oxford's MSt in Medieval Studies with the interdisciplinary aspect of it...

Thanks both of you for your advice!
Reply 670
Anyone recieved an official commonwealth awards letter yet??????
Reply 671
Just curious as i shall be going into second year but what would be my chances of getting funding for a Masters (taught) in Economics/Public Policy/Political Economy/Politics from any of the universities below assuming i got a First in Economics from Leeds Met.

queen mary
newcastle
essex
lancaster
exeter
glasgow
kent
dundee
birmingham
soas
bath
surrey
ucl
nottingham
york
edinburgh
bristol
durham
warwick
lse
oxford
cambridge
st andrews

Basically i know that i want to do a masters and i know that i want to do one of those 4 (currently narrowing down) but i want to know what kind of funding would be available for the subjects as coming from a benefits background there is minimal chance that i will be able to make much of a contribution.
Reply 672
Original post by Rakas21
Just curious as i shall be going into second year but what would be my chances of getting funding for a Masters (taught) in Economics/Public Policy/Political Economy/Politics from any of the universities below assuming i got a First in Economics from Leeds Met.

queen mary
newcastle
essex
lancaster
exeter
glasgow
kent
dundee
birmingham
soas
bath
surrey
ucl
nottingham
york
edinburgh
bristol
durham
warwick
lse
oxford
cambridge
st andrews

Basically i know that i want to do a masters and i know that i want to do one of those 4 (currently narrowing down) but i want to know what kind of funding would be available for the subjects as coming from a benefits background there is minimal chance that i will be able to make much of a contribution.


I assume economics comes under the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). ESRC funding is distributed to 21 Doctoral Training Centres, and you can check this document to see who they are and whether or not they have funding for economics. You should then check the university websites to see whether they will offer funding in the year after you graduate (2014/15?). Some might not have this information displayed so you will probably have to contact them personally. Unfortunately, I do not think ESRC gives funding for masters programme so you would have to apply for one of their 1+3 programmes (i.e. a masters and PhD).
Reply 673
I've just accepted my place to study for an MA in Film & Television Research and Production at Uni of B'ham - apart from a Career Development loan, is it too late to apply for funding for a course starting in September?

The uni funding deadline was months and months ago, but does anyone know if there's any chance of me getting any funding?

Thanks
Original post by nnnomi
I've just accepted my place to study for an MA in Film & Television Research and Production at Uni of B'ham - apart from a Career Development loan, is it too late to apply for funding for a course starting in September?

The uni funding deadline was months and months ago, but does anyone know if there's any chance of me getting any funding?

Thanks


Highly unlikely, sorry :frown: Unless it's a scholarship from a charity or some other third-party organisation; university funding competitions are usually well over at this stage.
Reply 675
Original post by nnnomi
I've just accepted my place to study for an MA in Film & Television Research and Production at Uni of B'ham - apart from a Career Development loan, is it too late to apply for funding for a course starting in September?

The uni funding deadline was months and months ago, but does anyone know if there's any chance of me getting any funding?

Thanks


Original post by gutenberg
Highly unlikely, sorry :frown: Unless it's a scholarship from a charity or some other third-party organisation; university funding competitions are usually well over at this stage.


Yeah, even some of the applicants that met the deadline wouldn't have been successful. It's safe to assume that there's no funding available at this stage. Don't let that discourage you though!

Congratulations on the MA acceptance. I'm now finishing my MA in Film Studies at UEA. I notice that some people have their reservations regarding a CDL. I received a small scholarship from UEA and took out a CDL in order to fund the rest. I've also worked part-time (weekends) throughout the MA in order to have some cash available and, if worst comes to the worst, I could even keep the part-time job and afford to make my CDL repayments after the MA (otherwise I don't think I would have taken it out without that kind of security). I'm hoping to hop straight onto a PhD in September, but need to wait a few more weeks regarding funding for that. Otherwise I'll have to wait a couple of years, but that's no big deal really seeing as I've completed the MA at 22. Finally, that is another reason I would encourage anybody to go straight onto the MA from BA if you feel confident in the step-up in academic difficulty, and if you intend the MA as a bridge to PhD. A PhD is more difficult to self-fund, given that it runs over a longer period of time than a Masters. With the MA completed earlier, you'll have more time to think ahead career wise at either a PhD or otherwise, whereas if I was looking ahead after undergrad., thinking 'I've still got to do an MA yet', I think I'd be discouraged from pursuing further academia altogether. But that's just my way of seeing it!
Reply 676
Original post by LewisFTV
[...] A PhD is more difficult to self-fund, given that it runs over a longer period of time than a Masters. With the MA completed earlier, you'll have more time to think ahead career wise at either a PhD or otherwise, whereas if I was looking ahead after undergrad., thinking 'I've still got to do an MA yet', I think I'd be discouraged from pursuing further academia altogether. But that's just my way of seeing it!


I am not sure I agree with this. On the face of it, a PhD is only more difficult to self-fund because it is a longer qualification. However, you no longer have classes which means there are fewer restrictions on part-time employment. You can find your research around your work commitments whereas at undergraduate and masters levels the university show no concern whatsoever about the implications of their timetabling. If you do your PhD part-time then you have even more flexibility. In addition, bizarrely enough, there are more doctoral awards available than at masters level so you might find it easier to find funding.
This is in all likelihood a slightly idiotic question and has probably been asked and answered numerous times (though in a brief scan of the site and the FAQ page I haven't found a definite answer), but what's the deal with postgraduate scholarships? More specifically, when are they allocated? Is it done only after you've accepted a university for a postgraduate course, or are they sometimes offered beforehand as a way of sweetening the deal? Just wondering, as my ability to study my arts subject at postgraduate level will depend almost entirely on academic scholarships and whatnot, and so I could really only accept an offer if I knew that it came with guaranteed funding of some sort.
Technical question here.

If you apply for a research council studentship and you also write to charities for money saying ' I am unlikely to receive a studentship because only X percent of students get them' and then you end up racking £10,000 from charities and it turns out that a research council has chosen you; does this mean you would have to pay the charities money back.

It is probably a silly question with a logical answer.
Original post by Of the Standard of Taste
Technical question here.

If you apply for a research council studentship and you also write to charities for money saying ' I am unlikely to receive a studentship because only X percent of students get them' and then you end up racking £10,000 from charities and it turns out that a research council has chosen you; does this mean you would have to pay the charities money back.

It is probably a silly question with a logical answer.


Generally speaking charities that are willing to fund postgraduate research stipulate that should you win research council funding or any other substantial source of funding then the funding received from the charity will be rescinded.
Charities have been hit hard the past few years and so it would certainly be the right thing to do to not take their money if you don't need it.

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