Further study & funding in the UK

In a competitive graduate market, a postgraduate course can really make a difference to your career plans. However, if you are planning to stay in the UK, be aware that many graduate jobs are open to graduates from any discipline, so it's not always necessary to study for a more specific postgraduate degree. Before you sign up, make sure that the degree programme you are considering will really add value to your CV. To find out more about this, visit the Career planning and Employability sections of our website or have a chat with a Careers Adviser.

Staying on for further study

If you want to continue studying in the UK, you will need to consider a number of things:

• Finding the right course – Our general section on UK study has information on the types of courses available in the UK and tips on choosing the course that's right for you. If you are thinking of returning to your home country, do your research and make sure that the course you choose will be recognised there.
• Extending your stay – If you want to continue studying in the UK, this will probably take you over the time you are allowed to stay here as a student and you will need to apply for an extension. If you are a current student, the International Student Advisers can provide you with information on this. You can also use our Further Information below to find further information.

How much will it cost?

A standard postgraduate course currently cost around £10,000 in fees if you are classed as an overseas student and around £3,000 if you are classed as a home/EU student but this will vary depending on the course and institution. MBAs and medical courses usually have higher tuition fees. Make sure you check this when you research courses.

Sources of funding

Finding funding opportunities and scholarships can be difficult for international students. If you are classed as an overseas student, then you cannot take up studentships which are funded through public money in the UK, for example the Research Councils.

However, there are some sources of funding you can consider:

• Institutions – Universities sometimes make money available for particular courses or more widely (e.g. the College of Arts and Social Sciences at Aberdeen). Sometimes they also have scholarships specifically for international students. Check University websites for information on these.
• International Scholarships – Some scholarships are restricted to internationals students but whether you can apply will usually depend on a variety of things such as the course you want to study or your home country. Search databases listed in our Further Information or check University websites for details.
• Charities and Trusts – This can vary from a few hundred pounds to full fees. The Careers Service has a database of organisations like this, called FunderFinder, you can search.

Competition for any funding is usually fierce and closing dates can be as early as October for the following autumn, so make sure you start your research early. If you would like help in finding funding, Careers Service staff will always be happy to help but we can't give any guarantees!

Further Information

Our virtual library contains searchable resources available online and at the Careers Service.  Use the links below to find the resources related to further study and funding in the UK.

Resources on further study in the UK

Resources on funding in the UK