Whether you're coming to the end of your third year and are wondering how you're going to pay for a Master's or you're thinking about going back to university and increasing your skills, these five postgraduate funding tips are for you. Our postgraduate vlogger, Nicole has been in your shoes and has learned a few tips along the way. Here are Nicole's top tips on how to pay for your Master's degree.
1. Postgraduate loans
Student loans don't end at undergraduate. The government now provides postgraduate loans worth £12,167 to spend on whatever you think would be most beneficial. You can use it to cover your tuition fees, help with maintenance, travel or use it to supplement your income if you've had to move to a part-time position. Find out more about the postgraduate loan and see how much your repayments would be with BCU's postgraduate loan calculator.
2. University financial support
The Student Affairs team at BCU is available to give you advice about possible funding assistance, how to manage your finances and help you realise the best way forward for your situation. If available and applicable, they may also help you apply for hardship grants. The best way to find out about your options and speak to the team before enrolment is to attend one of the Postgraduate Open Days.
3. Part-time work
Getting a part-time job or negotiating with your employer for relaxed hours at work is one of the best ways to cover your living and maintenance costs while studying for a postgraduate degree. Just be careful that you'll be able to fit everything in and that your work or studies don't suffer. There's also the option of studying for a postgraduate degree part-time, which means it's easier to work a full or part-time job alongside your studies.
4. Grants and loans from trusts and charities
There are lots of opportunities out there for funding and the Turn2Us website displays them all with a handy search feature. You can search for opportunities based on your profession, gender, address and health condition in order to get a list of grants that are tailored to you.
5. Employer assistance
If your desired postgraduate degree is related to your current job and career, your employer may be open to assist you, either by helping with funding or allowing relaxed hours/study leave. This can be a big help to postgraduate students who are returning to education, and you are completely within your rights to ask your employer for any assistance they might be open to providing. You can find out more about employer assistance here and download a template to structure your request in writing.