Postgraduate funding

Budgeting and money saving

This information is for students starting or following a postgraduate programme (taught or research) at Queen Mary University of London. 

On these pages we explain the possible options to fund postgraduate study. It is aimed at home students (UK domiciled).

International Students who require student immigration permission to study in the UK and students assessed by Queen Mary to pay the international overseas rate of tuition fee should read the international money pages  for information about funding options. This may include some nationals of the EU, EEA and Switzerland who are new to the UK (from 1 January 2021 onwards) and who do not have citizens’ rights to remain in the UK under the EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Planning your funding

Undertaking postgraduate study is a big financial commitment. When you are planning your funding before starting your course, you will need to know how much your expenses will be. You can use our  budget planning resources to help you calculate what your cost of living will be.

To make sure you can optimise the opportunity to study at postgraduate level, it is essential that before you enrol you secure a reliable package of funding that will cover your tuition fees and living costs in full, for the course duration.

Finding adequate financial support once you have started studying is very difficult and you could risk having to interrupt your studies or even leave your course if you don’t have sufficient funds. For many students, a combination of loans, personal savings, family support, and part-time work can be a viable way of funding postgraduate study. Studying part-time, which allows you to spread the cost over a longer period and to earn money while you study, can also be a viable way of funding yourself . If you have just finished your undergraduate degree, you may need to consider delaying postgraduate study until you have worked and saved enough money to pay your fees and living costs.

This information will help you explore these possible options for funding postgraduate study, before you begin and during your course. If you have questions after reading this information or would like individual advice about your circumstances, please contact a Welfare Adviser.