Studying in the UK : Postgrad fees and scholarships

Good financial planning is essential when undertaking postgraduate study. Before deciding on a course, you will need to find out how much you will pay in course fees and other associated costs, and what funding opportunities are available.

How much are postgrad course fees?

Course fees vary depending on the type and level of course you wish to study and the university you attend. International fees will be higher than those of home students and it is the university that makes the final decision on whether you qualify as a home or overseas student.

Universities UK produces an annual Survey of Tuition Fees for International Students , giving a breakdown of fees by level of study (undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA) and type of degree (taught degree, diploma, certificate, research degree).

Fees for postgraduate research degrees range from around £9,000 - £14,500 for classroom-based study (with a median fee of £10,600) and from £10,300 - £16,100 for laboratory-based courses (with a median fee of £13,000). Fees for taught postgraduate courses are in a similar range. Fees for postgraduate certificate and diploma courses are generally slightly lower. Fees for clinical research degrees, e.g. medicine and dentistry, are substantially higher, rising to over £30,000. Fees for MBAs range from £12,000 - £33,000, with a median fee of £15,600.

Contact individual institutions direct for details of their course fees and any other additional charges and costs.

Fees are only one element of the expenses you will incur as an international student, so good financial planning is essential. Using tools such as the UNIAID International Student Calculator  will help you to budget for your education in the UK.

Can I get a scholarship?

There are a number of scholarships available to international students, covering partial or full payment of fees and, in some cases, other expenses such as living costs. These can be government funded, university funded or from private or charitable organisations. Competition is likely to be strong and strict criteria applied, e.g. academic performance, so researching in advance and ensuring you meet all the criteria will help with making successful applications.

Sources of funding information include:

• Education UK - Scholarships for international postgraduate students ;
• British Council - Funding your studies ;
• university websites - sections on fees and funding for international students;
• funding my further study on this site;
• postgraduate study/funding websites, e.g. Postgraduate Studentships  and Postgrad.com .

Some international organisations and agencies, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)  and the European Commission , operate their own award schemes, usually for developing countries.

You may also be able to get a grant or award from a charitable body or other organisation. To find postgraduate awards, search postgraduate funding and take a look at The Grants Register: The Complete Guide to Postgraduate Funding Worldwide. Ask your careers centre for further information.