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International Postgraduate Research Funding

Everything you need to know about Postgraduate Research funding at Northumbria University for International applicants. Navigate between the tabs to find out more about our funding options for different academic years.

 

2024/25 Postgraduate Research Funding and Scholarships

This information is for applicants with Overseas fee status applying to study at Northumbria University in the academic year 2024/25.

In this changing world Northumbria is dedicated to support our students to achieve their ambitions, to encourage their curiosity, creativity and confidence, so they can confront the challenges of the future head on. 

Masters or Postgraduate Research study may give your career the edge you need to reach your goals, or to change direction. Northumbria offers affordable fees and payment plans for Masters and MRes/PhD study.

Financial support opportunities have associated eligibility conditions, therefore it is essential applicants consider all requirements and observe application processes and deadlines.

Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Alumni Discount for continuing and former Northumbria students. 

Other Sources Of Postgraduate Research Funding

There are a number of other sources of funding available. There are Government backed schemes such as the Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDL) and many private providers offer loans to students that help to contribute towards tuition fees and living costs whilst studying. We would always encourage students to research the full range of options for funding, and ensure that they are completely clear about what they are signing up for before they commit.

Sources of funding that might be worth investigating include:

In relation to loans, Northumbria University does not endorse or recommend any particular companies or products, and it is important to check all details and terms and conditions before applying for or taking out a loan, ensuring that you are aware of repayment schedules, and interest rates and other charges that might be applied.

Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDL) are bank loans to pay for courses and training that help with your career or help get you into work. You may be able to borrow between £300 and £10,000. Loans are usually offered at a reduced interest rate and the government pays interest while you’re studying.

Providers, such as Future Finance, offer loans to cover tuition fees and costs of living, with variable interest rates depending on your credit history. (N.B. Northumbria does not endorse or have any connection with Future Finance and we are not able to advise on specific financial products of this or other companies.) Loans are available for both UK and international students (including EU). Loans generally have arrangement fees and may require a guarantor. Repayments may start before you have graduated from your course and, where this is the case, you must ensure that you are able to meet the loan repayments in addition to meeting all of your other course and living costs.

 

Research Studentships

Northumbria University offers a range of funding schemes to support research students. These include full-time Doctoral studentships including payment of a stipend and home fees.

These may be funded wholly by Northumbria University or in collaboration with external partners. In addition, Doctoral studentships funded by UK Research Councils may be on offer at Northumbria.

If you are an applicant from overseas, you should also consider if funding opportunities are offered by your own government. To view all current studentships vacancies at Northumbria, visit our research degree opportunities page.

If you have any further queries about postgraduate funding and you would like to speak to an Adviser, please come to a drop-in session at Student Central, Library Building, City Campus West:

Mon-Fri (10.00am-4.00pm)

Wed (1.00pm-4.00pm)

Tel: 0191 227 4127

E: sv.welfareandinternational@northumbria.ac.uk

Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the main UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives.  The CSC is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)  The CSC operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and is a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. 

Commonwealth Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are offered to citizens from low and middle income Commonwealth countries.  The majority of scholarships aim to contribute to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.

Northumbria University is in partnership with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) for the below scholarship.

The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and you must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who come to the UK with you.  For more information, see the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows, available on the CSC website under Handbook, Policies and Forms. 

For queries, please email: fc.international.sponsors@northumbria.ac.uk

 

Last updated: 21/11/2023

2023/24 Postgraduate Research Funding and Scholarships

This information is for EU/International Postgraduate Research applicants applying to study at Northumbria University in the academic years 2023/24.

In this changing world Northumbria is dedicated to support our students to achieve their ambitions, to encourage their curiosity, creativity and confidence, so they can confront the challenges of the future head on. 

Masters or Postgraduate Research study may give your career the edge you need to reach your goals, or to change direction. Northumbria offers affordable fees and payment plans for Masters and MRes/PhD study.

Financial support opportunities have associated eligibility conditions, therefore it is essential applicants consider all requirements and observe application processes and deadlines.

University Scholarships for 2023/24

Alumni Discount for previous Northumbria students. 

Other Sources Of Postgraduate Research Funding

There are a number of other sources of funding available. There are Government backed schemes such as the Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDL) and many private providers offer loans to students that help to contribute towards tuition fees and living costs whilst studying. We would always encourage students to research the full range of options for funding, and ensure that they are completely clear about what they are signing up for before they commit.

Sources of funding that might be worth investigating include:

In relation to loans, Northumbria University does not endorse or recommend any particular companies or products, and it is important to check all details and terms and conditions before applying for or taking out a loan, ensuring that you are aware of repayment schedules, and interest rates and other charges that might be applied.

Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDL) are bank loans to pay for courses and training that help with your career or help get you into work. You may be able to borrow between £300 and £10,000. Loans are usually offered at a reduced interest rate and the government pays interest while you’re studying.

Providers, such as Future Finance, offer loans to cover tuition fees and costs of living, with variable interest rates depending on your credit history. (N.B. Northumbria does not endorse or have any connection with Future Finance and we are not able to advise on specific financial products of this or other companies.) Loans are available for both UK and international students (including EU). Loans generally have arrangement fees and may require a guarantor. Repayments may start before you have graduated from your course and, where this is the case, you must ensure that you are able to meet the loan repayments in addition to meeting all of your other course and living costs.

 

Research Studentships

Northumbria University offers a range of funding schemes to support research students. These include full-time Doctoral studentships including payment of a stipend and home fees.

These may be funded wholly by Northumbria University or in collaboration with external partners. In addition, Doctoral studentships funded by UK Research Councils may be on offer at Northumbria.

If you are an applicant from overseas, you should also consider if funding opportunities are offered by your own government. To view all current studentships vacancies at Northumbria, visit our research degree opportunities page.

If you have any further queries about postgraduate funding and you would like to speak to an Adviser, please come to a drop-in session at Student Central, Library Building, City Campus West:

Mon-Fri (10.00am-4.00pm)

Wed (1.00pm-4.00pm)

Tel: 0191 227 4127

E: sv.welfareandinternational@northumbria.ac.uk

Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the main UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives.  The CSC is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)  The CSC operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and is a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. 

Commonwealth Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are offered to citizens from low and middle income Commonwealth countries.  The majority of scholarships aim to contribute to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.

Northumbria University is in partnership with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) for the below scholarship:

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

  • Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
  • Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
  • Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2022
  • By September 2022, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree). The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study
  • NOT be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in your home country before September/October 2022
  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
  • Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

Each scholarship provides:

  • Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed)
  • Approved tuition fees
  • Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,133 per month, or £1,390 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2021-2022 levels)
  • Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
  • Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
  • Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location), where approved
  • Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country (unless you have claimed (or intend to claim) spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home country for fieldwork)
  • Family allowances, as follows (rates quoted at 2021-2022 levels):
  • If you are accompanied by your spouse but no children: spouse allowance of £244 per month for a maximum period of nine months, if you and your spouse are living together at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply)
  • If you are accompanied by your spouse and children: spouse allowance of £244 per month and child allowance of £244 per month for the first child, and £120 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if your spouse and children are living with you at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply)
  • If you are accompanied by your children but no spouse: child allowance of £485 per month for the first child, and £120 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if your children are living with you at the same address in the UK

The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and you must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who come to the UK with you.  For more information, see the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows, available on the CSC website under Handbook, Policies and Forms. 

For queries, please email: fc.international.sponsors@northumbria.ac.uk

 

Last updated: 01/11/2022

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