Funding opportunities for MA degrees in journalism, media and communication
Loan and scholarship funding is available for some students taking taught postgraduate degrees at Sheffield - some exclusively for journalism students. Read on to find out more.
The School of Journalism, Media and Communication believes journalism can only fulfil its duties to a democratic society when it is equipped to represent a plurality of voices. We are deeply committed to ensuring that students from a wide range of backgrounds have the opportunity to study with us.
We work with our faculty and community to promote higher education to groups where participation is lower, and we strongly support the funding opportunities below which address this imperative.
University of Sheffield funding sources
The Dan Walker Journalism Scholarship
Dan Walker is one of the University of Sheffield's most notable Journalism alumni. Each year, the department offers two scholarships, worth £10,000 each, for home fee paying students intending to study MA Broadcast Journalism.
Degree course: MA Broadcast Journalism
Students: home fee paying
Value: £10,000 each (x2 scholarship places)
Deadline: 24 June 2024, 1pm
Read more about the Dan Walker scholarship
Sheffield Postgraduate Scholarship
Degree course: all
Students: home fee paying
Value: £10,000
Deadline: 1:00pm 7 May 2024
The University of Sheffield awards more than 100 scholarships to students who either:
- belong to a group that's underrepresented in taught postgraduate study; or
- achieve a first in their undergraduate degree
Hit the link below to find out whether you can apply.
Sheffield Postgraduate Scholarship
Alumni Rewards
Degree course: all
Students: University of Sheffield graduates
Value: up to 20% of tuition fee, capped at £2500
Deadline: no need to apply - tick 'studied at Sheffield' box on application
The University of Sheffield offers a fee reduction to postgraduate students who have taken an undergraduate degree at the University.
International Merit Postgraduate Scholarship
Degree course: all
Students: International
Value: £5000 towards original tuition fee
Deadline: 1:00pm 13 May 2024
Each scholarship is a competitive award worth £5,000 towards the original tuition fee for a postgraduate taught programme starting in September 2024. The scholarships are available to all new international students who meet the eligibility criteria.
You must hold an offer to study at the University of Sheffield.
International Merit Postgraduate Scholarships
International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship
Degree course: all
Students: Africa; east, south and south-east Asia; Latin America; EU and EEA (see webpage for full list of countries)
Value: £2,000
Deadline: 14 June 2024 (to accept your offer of a place on a course)
Discounts of £2,000 will be applied by the University of Sheffield to all postgraduate tuition fees for international students applying for courses in the Faculty of Social Sciences, as long as they meet the criteria. See the website for more information.
International Postgraduate Taught Scholarships
External funding sources
Postgraduate student loans
Degree course: all
Students: home fee paying
Value: TBC for 2023 (up to £11,836 for 2022)
Deadline: Various
Repayable loans similar to those available for undergraduate study are available for taught postgraduate study. Terms and values differ for students from the UK's four constituent nations – check the website for more information.
Scott Trust bursaries
Degree course: MA Journalism only
Students: UK
Value: At least £6741 living expenses + tuition fees, work experience at The Guardian (expenses paid), a professional mentor and possible work opportunity after graduation.
Deadline: 5:00pm, 25 March 2024
The Guardian Foundation offers bursaries at the University of Sheffield each year for an aspiring journalist to study for a postgraduate qualification in journalism. These awards actively seek applicants from groups who are underrepresented in the profession.
BAFTA Scholarship Programme
Degree course: MA Broadcast Journalism
Students: UK
Value: up to £12,000
Deadline: TBC - applications open early 2024
This award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) also offers mentoring support from a BAFTA member and free access to BAFTA events around the UK.
Journalism Diversity Fund
Degree course: MA Journalism
Students: UK
Value: course costs and some living expenses
Deadline: several cohorts through the year; check website for details
The Journalism Diversity Fund seeks to widen the social make-up of professional journalism. The fund offers financial support to students who may be unable to pay for NCTJ training courses.
The George Viner Memorial Fund
Degree course: MA Journalism, MA Broadcast Journalism, BA Journalism Studies.
Students: Black and Asian students from the UK or Ireland, who have an offer for MA Journalism, MA Broadcast Journalism and BA Journalism Studies.
Value: Accommodation, books, course fees, travel expenses and other expenditure.
Deadline: TBC
The George Viner Memorial Fund was set up by the National Union of Journalists specifically to help broaden the ethnic diversity of journalists working in the media in the UK and Ireland. To apply, download the application form from the website and send it to georgeviner@nuj.org.uk.
The Aziz Foundation Scholarship
Degree course: all
Students: British Muslims
Value: 100% of tuition fees
Deadline: first cycle deadline 12:00 noon 29 March 2024. Second cycle 12:00 noon 1 April 2024.
This scholarship offers financial and professional support to British Muslims who are dedicated to bringing positive change to society. The postgraduate scholarships are for students with career aspirations in law, media, journalism or policy. Please note that there is an interview process for this scholarship.
Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust masters scholarships
Degree course: MA Global Journalism, MA International Public and Political Communication.
Students: International
Value: tuition fee waiver and maintenance stipend.
Deadline: TBC
The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust and the Sheffield Institute for International Development have teamed up to offer scholarships for international students from developing countries, for a number of courses that are affiliated with the Sheffield Institute for International Development.
There were four scholarships available in 2023 to academically strong individuals from developing countries. Details for 2024 are yet to be released.