
Master's Funding
Our students fund their studies in a variety of ways including scholarships, bursaries and fellowships, as well as government loans and postgraduate loans.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that you don't need to pay back and are awarded based on personal circumstances or academic achievement. Funding at postgraduate level is competitive so it’s a good idea to plan financially before starting your course.
SAS Masters Studentship
What is available?
The Masters Studentship aims to support students who wish to undertake a postgraduate taught programme and is awarded on the basis of academic merit.
There are two awards to a value of £18,000 each to cover fees plus maintenance.
Eligibility
The primary criterion on which applications are judged is academic merit. The successful applicant will be of exceptional quality, evidenced by previous academic achievement at undergraduate level, with an outstanding mark achieved in the final-year project/dissertation. Successful applicants will have a genuine and demonstrable interest in undertaking a master’s degree at the School of Advanced Study. In addition, awards will be restricted to masters students who are:
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who do not already have a masters or higher degree
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undertaking masters level courses in any subject (excluding Distance Learning, PGDip and PGCert);
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studying full-time or part-time for a maximum of two years;
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self- funded
NB: It is for the School to determine which students are from under-represented groups among the School’s taught masters population. Data and examples will be provided to the panel.
How to apply
- Submit a complete application to undertake a postgraduate taught programme at the School;
- Complete the online studentship application form(Opens in new window) and send any supporting evidence to SAS Registry (studentships@sas.ac.uk)
Deadline
30 June 2023.
SAS Coffin Studentships (Coffin Fund for Promising Students)
What is available?
The School is able to provide a SAS Studentships via the Coffin Fund for Promising Students. In 2023/24 there is one award of £12,000 to cover tuition fees and contribute towards maintenance costs (where applicable) and will be awarded to a student who has excelled in their undergraduate degree.
Eligibility
The primary criterion on which applications are judged is academic merit. The successful applicant will be of exceptional quality, evidenced by previous academic achievement at undergraduate level, with an outstanding mark achieved in the final -year project/dissertation. Successful applicants will have a genuine and demonstrable interest in undertaking a master’s degree at the School of Advanced Study. In addition, awards are open to students who are:
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self-funded and domiciled in the UK, European Union (EU) or overseas;
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studying full-time or part-time for a maximum of two years;
- undertaking masters courses in any subject (excluding Distance Learning, PGDip and PGCert)
How to apply
- Submit a complete application to undertake a postgraduate taught programme at the School;
- Complete the online studentship application form(Opens in new window) and send any supporting evidence to SAS Registry (studentships@sas.ac.uk)
Deadline
30 June 2023.
SAS Convocation Trust Bursary
What is available?
The Convocation Trust originated from the University of London Convocation, the association of graduates established by Charter in 1858, which ran until 2003. The Trust was constituted in 1953 with funds provided by members of Convocation and continues to be supported by generous donations from alumni and philanthropists. The Convocation Trust Bursary aims to support students from underrepresented groups.
There are six awards of £10,000 each available for the following programmes:
Two Awards – open to MA Understanding and Securing Human Rights applicants only
Two Awards – open to MA History Place and Community applicants only
Two Awards – open to all other SAS postgraduate taught programme applicants
Eligibility
The primary criterion on which applications are judged is academic merit. The successful applicant will be of exceptional quality, evidenced by previous academic achievement at undergraduate level, with an outstanding mark achieved in the final-year project/dissertation. Successful applicants will have a genuine and demonstrable interest in undertaking a master’s degree at the School of Advanced Study. In addition, awards are open to students who are:
-self-funded and domiciled in the UK, European Union (EU) or overseas;
-studying full-time or part-time for a maximum of one year;
-undertaking a SAS Masters programme (excluding Distance Learning, PGDip, PGCert)
-from a group that is evidentially under-represented among the School’s taught masters population
How to apply?
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Submit a complete application to undertake a postgraduate taught programme at the School;
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Complete the online studentship application form(Opens in new window) and send any supporting evidence to SAS Registry (studentships@sas.ac.uk)
Deadline
30 June 2023.
Yusuf Ali Scholarship offered by Institute of Commonwealth Studies
What is available?
The Yusuf Ali Fund was established in 1956, following the death of Mr Yusuf Ali. Its purpose then was to assist University of London students from India and Pakistan and was used in a discretionary manner for many years.
Today, we are honoured to offer the Yusuf Ali Scholarship for students of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi descent to enable them to study on one of the campus-based postgraduate programmes offered by the Institute of Commonwealth Studies and the Human Rights Consortium at the School of Advanced Study, University of London. Currently, these are the MA in Understanding and Securing Human Rights(Opens in new window) and its pathway in the Human Rights of Latin America(Opens in new window), and research degrees.
Awards will range in value between £3,000 and £7,300 depending on the financial need of applicants. The decision to make an award will be dependent on the excellence of the applicant’s academic and professional experience. The total amount awarded to any applicants is at the discretion of the selection panel.
How to apply
Applications should be sent to Kay Musonda, Institute Administrator, including:
- a filled application form
- an up to date CV
Deadline
The deadline for applications are 23:59 (BST), 1 July 2023. Any applications received after this time may not be considered.
The American Friends of the Warburg Institute offered by the Warburg Institute
What is available?
The American Friends of the Warburg Institute will fund two scholarships which will cover the fees for two students from North America to study on one of the Warburg MA programmes in 2023-24.
How to apply?
Further information on how to apply can be on the Warburg Institute website.
Deadline
28th April 2023 at 5pm
The Peltz-Roden Scholarships offered by Warburg Institute
What is available?
The Peltz-Roden Scholarships cover the fees up to the maximum rate of the home fee for home/EU students who have a place on either the one-year full-time MA in Art History, Curatorship and Renaissance Culture or the MA in Cultural, Intellectual and Visual History. There will be eight scholarships available to students for the academic year 2023-24.
How to apply?
Further information on how to apply can be on the Warburg Institute website.
Deadline
28th April 2023 at 5pm
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
What is available?
Our MA in Understanding and Securing Human Rights programme has been allocated two scholarships from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Details of the awards can be found under the 'Financial assistance' tab on the scholarship website.
The two scholarships are for candidates from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries, to undertake full-time taught Master’s study.
Eligibility
To apply for these scholarships, candidates 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 their academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2023
- By September 2023, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
- Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high-income country
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK university without this Scholarship
- Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make an impact. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. For further information on the support available to candidates with a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.
The CSC is committed to administering and managing its Scholarships and Fellowships in a fair and transparent manner. For further information, see the CSC anti-fraud policy and the guidance on reporting fraud.
The CSC is committed to proactively safeguard and promote the welfare of our beneficiaries, and to protect its staff, Commissioners, beneficiaries and all those with whom the CSC comes into contact. The CSC requires staff, members of the Commission, applicants for and recipients of CSC awards and suppliers to act consistently with its requirements for safeguarding. Applicants should note the CSC’s Safeguarding Policy which sets out the obligation for staff, members of the Commission, applicants for and recipients of CSC awards and suppliers to act consistently with its requirements for safeguarding. Any safeguarding concerns should be reported to the Commission at: csc.safeguarding@cscuk.org.uk
How to apply
Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships must be made using the CSC’s online application system.
Deadline
The closing date for applications is 13 December 2022 at 16:00 GMT.
Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships
What is available?
The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust will be supporting two students per year to undertake the School of Advanced Study’s MA in Understanding and Securing Human Rights.
Two scholarships will be offered per year and the first recipients will take up their studies in September 2023. Each scholar will be funded for tuition fees and maintenance costs, at a rate of £28,000 per year (for full time students) and £12,795 per year (for part time students).
Eligibility
The criteria is as follows:
- Scholars will be enrolled on the MA in Understanding and Securing Human Rights.
- Scholars will originate from low- and middle-income countries, as defined by the World Bank.
- Scholars will be resident in the UK for the duration of their studies.
- The scholarship scheme will begin in September 2023 and run for a period of three years.
How to apply
To apply, please download the application form. Once completed, please send the form and your CV to ics@sas.ac.uk.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is 1 May 2023 (16:00 GMT).
Aziz Foundation Scholarship Programme
What is available?
Enabled by the generous support of the Aziz Foundation, the University of London is pleased to announce up to four Master’s scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year at the School of Advanced Study (SAS). These scholarships will be awarded to exceptional students who are active in British Muslim communities and keen to build bridges with all parts of British society.
Scholarships for the 2023/24 academic year will cover tuition fees only for one year for full-time students or for two years for part-time students, regardless of the length of the programme. Applications are open to students who are continuing on eligible programmes as well as new students registering for the first time in 2023/24.
Eligibility
Students must have received an offer of a place for, or already studying on, one of the following programmes:
- MA Understanding and Securing Human Rights
- MA Human Rights
- MA Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies
- MA Cultural, Intellectual and Visual History
- LLM Drafting Legislation, Regulation and Policy
- MA in the History of the Book
Through this scholarship programme, the University and the Aziz Foundation wish to widen access to individuals from social groupings who have been historically under-represented within higher education.
The University invites applications from candidates who:
- are eligible for Home Fees status [Students with an international fee profile will not be eligible];
- have received an offer of a place on one of the above eligible programmes or are about to enter Year 2 or Year 3 of one of the eligible programmes;
- are demonstrably active in British Muslim communities;
- can demonstrate a long-term commitment to community/societal development and how the programme will increase their effectiveness in one of the following areas relating to British Muslims: effective advocacy and enhancement of public perception; community service; or social development.
How to apply
Candidates must apply directly to the University of London for a place on one of the eligible programmes and secure a conditional or unconditional offer. Continuing students must have successfully registered for their programme and be on course to progress to Year 2 or Year 3 of their chosen course of study.
Candidates must complete the Aziz Foundation scholarships application form, dependent on the selected programme. Where indicated on the form, candidates should demonstrate how they meet the criteria for the Aziz Foundation scholarships and how they would use the scholarship in their future work.
Deadline
The closing date for receipt of applications is 9th June 2023, 5pm BST.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short dialogue with representatives from the University of London and the Aziz Foundation, to discuss the candidate’s application and any further information the candidate believes would support their application.
The dialogues will be conducted electronically via telephone or digital platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. A timeframe for these dialogues will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates, but they are anticipated to take place in late June/early July 2023.
The University selection panel will assess candidates’ applications based on information provided on scholarship application forms and the information they provide in their dialogues. A representative from the Aziz Foundation will review applications in order to participate in the dialogue.
The Aziz Foundation welcomes informal enquiries from candidates considering an application. Enquiries should be made to scholarships@azizfoundation.org.uk
The Maggs Scholarship offered by the Institute of English Studies
What is available?
The Maggs Scholarship covers the ‘whole fee’ for the MA/MRes History of the Book programme, comprising two Core Module fees, four Elective Module fees, and the Dissertation module fee. For the 2023/24 year, this is equivalent to fees of £7,5230 over the lifetime of the award. There are no maintenance fees attached to the award.
The studentship does not cover any other costs not directly payable to the University (such as the purchase of additional materials or electronic equipment), resubmission fees, and payment of further elective modules if the student decides to transfer, or any other fees not covered above. Applicants must ensure they can cover such costs from other financial sources.
Eligibility
Applicants for the Maggs Scholarship must:
- have been interviewed by two members of academic staff at the Institute and have received an offer of registration for the MA/MRes History of the Book for the relevant upcoming academic session;
- demonstrate excellent academic merit or potential in the field of study, evidenced particularly by past achievements; and
- normally be in a position where undertaking the MA/MRes History of the Book would be difficult due to financial/personal circumstances.
If studying part-time, fees will be waived for both years of the programme.
Overseas candidates may apply, but are not eligible for the funding of the full overseas tuition fee. The equivalent of one Home/EU student fee would be deducted from the total cost of tuition fees for an overseas recipient of the award. For the 2023/24 session this would bring the total tuition fee to £9,907.
How to apply
- Submit application to IES through SAS application system (https://www.sas.ac.uk/graduate-study/our-courses/masters-degrees/mamres-history-book#apply(Opens in new window)
- After submitting application to IES, you will be interviewed by the programme leader and one other member of IES academic staff.
- You will be notified by Registry Services if your application has been successful. Upon receipt of this notification, you may then apply for the studentship.
- Download and complete the Maggs Scholarship Application Form and email to iesMA@sas.ac.uk
- You will be notified by 18 July 2023 as to whether your application has been successful or not.
Should you have any questions about the award, the application process, or the MA/MRes programme, please contact ies@sas.ac.uk.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is 30 June 2023 5pm BST.
Postgraduate Loans
Postgraduate Master’s Loan Scheme
The UK Government has introduced a Postgraduate Master’s Loan. These non-means-tested loans are available to both taught and research master’s students. Find out more information about the loan scheme.
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
The SAAS are an agency of the Scottish Government giving financial support to eligible students doing a course of higher education in the UK. Find out more information about their loan scheme. If you are applying for funding from the SAAS you will need to contact us beforehand so that we can get this set up for you.
Federal Direct Loans for US Students
The School of Advanced Study participates in the Federal Direct Loan programme. Unsubsidized Loans and Plus Loans are available through the Direct Loan programme operated by the US Education Department. Direct Loans are educational loans to assist US citizens with the costs of studying.
Funding for Spanish Master's Students
The Spanish government offers interest-free loans to Spanish students studying Master's degrees in Spain, the European Higher Education Area, the US or Canada. The maximum study period is 21 months. Find out more about funding for Spanish Master’s Students.