Master's Funding
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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
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.
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:
- who do not already have a masters or higher degree
- undertaking masters level courses in any subject (excluding Distance Learning, PGDip and PGCert);
- studying full-time or part-time for a maximum of two years;
- 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.
- Submit a complete application to undertake a postgraduate taught programme at the School;
- Complete the online studentship application form and send any supporting evidence to SAS Registry (studentships@sas.ac.uk)
The deadline for applications is 23:59 (UK time), 20 March 2025.
SAS Coffin Studentships (Coffin Fund for Promising Students)
The School is able to provide a SAS Studentships via the Coffin Fund for Promising Students. In 2024/25 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.
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 two years;
- undertaking masters courses in any subject (excluding Distance Learning, PGDip and PGCert)
- Submit a complete application to undertake a postgraduate taught programme at the School;
- Complete the online studentship application form and send any supporting evidence to SAS Registry: studentships@sas.ac.uk
The deadline for applications is 23:59 (UK time), 20 March 2025.
SAS Convocation Trust Bursary
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 four awards of £10,000 each available. Two awards are available for the MA in History, Place and Community and two further awards are available for any other SAS Masters programme.
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
- Submit a complete application to undertake a postgraduate taught programme at the School;
- Complete the online studentship application form and send any supporting evidence to SAS Registry: studentships@sas.ac.uk
The deadline for applications is 23:59 (UK time), 20 March 2025.
University of London MA in Languages and Cultures Across Borders - Convocation Trust Bursary
The Convocation Trust provides funding to projects through a combination of grants, scholarships and academic prizes. The Trust aims to enhance the academic and extra-curricular opportunities available to students and staff across the Federation.
The University of London MA Languages and Cultures Across Borders programme has secured three individual awards of £10,000 each, to cover the tuition fee at the Home rate. The studentships are competitive, and decisions are based on academic merit.
To apply, you must already have been offered a place to study on the UoL MA in Languages and Cultures across Borders. Awards are open to students who are self-funded and studying full-time for one year or part-time for a maximum of two years. Overseas candidates may apply but are not eligible for funding of the full overseas tuition fee. The equivalent of the Home student fee will be deducted from the total cost of tuition fees for an overseas recipient of the award.
The primary criterion on which applications are judged is academic merit. The successful applicants will be of exceptional quality, evidenced by past achievements. Successful applicants will have a genuine and demonstrable interest in undertaking the intercollegiate ‘MA in Languages and Cultures across Borders’ at the School of Advanced Study.
1. Submit an application to study for the UoL MA in Languages and Cultures across Borders.
2. If offered a place on the MA, complete the online studentship application form.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 28 March 2025.
The American Friends of the Warburg Institute offered by the Warburg Institute
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 2024-25.
Further information on how to apply can be on the Warburg Institute website.
Friday 25th April 2025 at 5pm
Aziz Foundation Scholarship Programme
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 2025-26 academic year at the School of Advanced Study (SAS) and up to one for the Institute in Paris. 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 2025/26 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 2025/26.
Students must have received an offer of a place for, or already studying on, one of the following programmes:
- 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
- MA in Urban History and Culture (University of London Institute in Paris)
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.
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.
- School of Advanced Study programmes: Aziz Foundation scholarships application form
- Institute in Paris MA Urban History and Culture: Aziz Foundation scholarships application form
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.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 6 June 2025, 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 2025.
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
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. 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.
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.
- Submit application to IES through SAS application system via the course and select Apply.
- 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 2025 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 for scholarship applications is 20 June 2025, 5pm BST.
Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust scholarship offered by the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (SAS)
The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust scholarship provides the following funding for the LLM in Drafting Legislation, Regulation and Policy programme to be studied in person on campus in London at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies:
- the full-time, international programme fee for one year
- a UKRI-based London Maintenance stipend (for academic year 2025/6 of £21,874)
- a travel stipend (for academic year 2025/6 of £840)
- a student visa processing fee (for academic year 2025/6 of £515)
- a governmental health surcharge (for academic year 2025/6 of £815)
Applicants must have already received an offer of a place on the LLM Drafting Legislation, Regulation and Policy for academic year 2025/6 to be studied in person on campus in London (the Online mode of study for this programme is not eligible).
Applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- applicants will be resident in a low or middle-income country, as defined by the World Bank at the time of applying for the programme;
- applicants will demonstrate excellent academic merit or potential in the field of study, evidenced particularly by past achievements;
- applicants will normally be in a position where undertaking the LLM Drafting Legislation, Regulation and Policy would be difficult due to financial/personal circumstances.
Download and complete the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust scholarship Application Form and email to studentships@sas.ac.uk
Applications must be received by Thursday 20th March 2025 (5.00pm GMT)
Applicants will be notified if they have been successful or not. We expect to be able to notify applicants in May.
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.