How on earth do people get funding/finances to study postgrad.

Evening forum!

I'm set to start working towards an LLB Law (Undergraduate degree in Law) in October of this year and I know it seems like I am jumping the gun but I seem to be quite inclined to study for a Masters degree in Politics or Social Policy or something, however cost puts me off.

As a student who's going to be in London for the duration of his degree and will more than likely want to stay in London for his postgraduate (seems like I've been in London all my life so far and will do! :tongue:

) , cost seems to be a major worry. Especially given the fact that postgraduate fees (as far as I know??) don't come with any government mandated funding and the fees are quite pricey! EG: c.£11,000 per annum at LSE!

So I ask, how do people manage to fund their postgraduate study let alone get money to survive! Particularly if you are spending all your time studying. Cost is such a big barrier as it isn't as if I have come from a huge pot of money or something :s

Reply 1

ZakV

Family, funding, saving up, part time etc

Germany

Loans, working, savings etc. Money is not that hard to get if you have the time and a job.

Also, some places in Europe are cheaper or even free. I plan on doing an MA in Sweden in the very near future,

Reply 4

MrSupernova

They do postgrad in fields where the research they do is actually useful, so there is funding available

Reply 5

russellsteapot

Usually either taking time out to save up, career development loans, or from family money. Funding for postgrad masters level qualifications is like rocking horse ****, irrespective of what course you're studying.

Reply 6

wakeypuzziegirl

Funding can come from family resources, scholarships, loans, part-time employment or government/foundation grants if you are lucky. For whatever reason you seem to be very intent on staying in London. For someone so concerned about cost and expenses, have you looked at universities in continental Europe? Tuition fees are very affordable and the education system just as excellent.

Reply 7

redferry

Original post by Lord Jon

Options=

1) have rich parents
2) inheritance from grandparents
3) part time masters and work
4) take time out before the masters to raise the funds for fees and living costs.
5) personal development loan

Reply 8

El Salvador

Family.

It's difficult for international students to get funding, though I'm sure your country offers some.

Reply 9

Lord Jon

I'm British! Lol

Think I might look into Northern Ireland/ Republic of Ireland. Seems cheaper to do postgrad there

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Reply 10

Camilla83

Wow clh_hilary response was quite shocking. I guess he didn't know there are black people in the UK. How wonderful!

Good luck with sourcing funding Jon.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 11

killthebatman

I took a year out to work for the money, and I still didn't save up enough! My mum's loaning me what I didn't earn. I'm currently working alongside uni to pay for ridiculous travel costs in London (I'm at UCL but live in zone 5 with my parents). To be honest, working and studying together isn't as hard as it sounds as long as you manage your time properly. :smile:

Reply 12

nunugab

Original post by Camilla83

Wow clh_hilary response was quite shocking. I guess he didn't know there are black people in the UK. How wonderful!

Good luck with sourcing funding Jon.

wait what?

Reply 13

Xyloid

Do it elsewhere in Europe.

Bare Universities will offer similar courses which are completely free. Like someone said above, i'm planning on doing my masters in Sweden or Denmark after my undergrad. In Sweden, tuition fees are completely free for EU nationals.

Reply 14

SophiaKeuning

I thought universities themselves offered funding? :frown:

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 15

Klix88

Original post by SophiaKeuning

I thought universities themselves offered funding? :frown:

No, sorry. Universities don't have a pot of money to fund Masters students. Even those which control their own Research Council Block Grant now give preference to PhDs and post-docs, although policies vary between universities. Sometimes a uni will give a discount to alumni, which helps. My current uni gives Masters students (and other postgrads) a 20% fee discount if they did their undergrad there and got a First. You can also get a 5% "Early Payment" discount on top of that if you pay your fees in advance.