Financial help for postgraduates
If you are a graduate you can apply for postgraduate funding to help you undertake study at a Higher Education institution in the UK.
This section includes an introduction to the main funding routes, called postgraduate awards, and a timetable outlining the application process.
What is the value of the different awards?
Studentships:
The value of these awards is not affected by parental or student income but those receiving comparable support from industry or a university may not be eligible for an award.
The basic rate of maintenance grant payable is £12,940. Additional grants dependent on place of study and discipline are also payable, and allowances may also be paid for dependants etc.
- For United Kingdom domiciled students the value of an award includes the cost of approved fees as well as the maintenance rates quoted above.
- An award offered to a student who is a European Community resident from outside the United Kingdom covers only the cost of fees (up to the maximum for United Kingdom students).
What other postgraduate awards are available?
CAST awards:
Three-year Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology (CAST) specifically support students working on research projects at Northern Ireland universities and involve a collaborating body in industry. The non means tested maintenance element (£12,940 pa) is supplemented by a payment from the collaborating body of at least 40% of the standard maintenance grant per annum for the duration of the CAST studentship. European Community residents from outside the United Kingdom may apply: if an award is made it will cover the costs of approved tuition fees only.
Johns Hopkins University: Bologna centre
Each year, the Department for Employment and Learning makes available to Northern Ireland students a one year Fellowship Award covering fees only. It is tenable at the Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna and is of interest to those seeking to undertake careers in international service in government, private business, international organisations, research and teaching. Application should be made to the Johns Hopkins University, Bologna Centre, Via Belmeloro 11,40126 Bologna, ITALY. The Department for Employment and Learning issues an award application form to the student recommended to it by the university.
Closing date 1 March.
Awards for the College of Europe, Bruges
The College of Europe, located at Bruges, provides postgraduate courses in administration, economics and law. The Department for Employment and Learning funds one Northern Ireland student each year to undertake a one-year bursary - applications initially being made to the College and considered on a United Kingdom basis. The Department for Employment and Learning issues award application forms to the student recommended to it for the award.
Awards for the European Institute, Florence
The Institute seeks to foster the advancement of learning in fields that are of particular interest to the development of Europe.
Two one year awards covering fees and maintenance for postgraduate study at the Institute are available to United Kingdom graduates on a competitive basis from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
(DIUS) in Darlington. Applications should be made direct to DIUS
Education and library board awards:
The Education and Library Boards make awards for study leading to the Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) to students who are offered a place in an institution. These awards are means tested.
What is the value of the different Department for Employment and Learning awards?
Studentships and bursaries
For United Kingdom domicile students the value of an award includes the cost of approved fees as well as the maintenance rates quoted here.
An Award offered to a student who is a European Community resident from outside the United Kingdom covers only the cost of fees (up to a maximum for United Kingdom students)
What types of awards are available for students wishing to compete for a Department for Employment and Learning award at the Northern Ireland universities?
Studentship awards:
Studentship awards are not means-tested. There are two main types: those for research (MPhil, DPhil, PhD) and those for approved courses of advanced study (Masters) in the fields of Humanities, Science and Technology and the Social Sciences. The Department for Employment and Learning does not make postgraduate awards in the fields of Agriculture or Medicine. Science awards include those in Biology and Biotechnology, Natural Enviornment, Particle Physics and Astronomy. Studentships are not available for study in the Republic of Ireland.