Additional funding for postgraduate study

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External resources

There are a range of really helpful existing websites to help you identify and search for funds available to support you with your studies - the below are only suggestions.

General

There are a few sites that act as a search engine for funding opportunities and may save you time searching for individual schemes.

• The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding (AGPF) is available to help postgraduate students find alternative sources of funding, particularly from charities. Simply click 'Login' if you are on campus or register using your student email address (ends in @sheffield.ac.uk).  If you are a prospective student, please email financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk to obtain a PIN. 
• Blackbullion’s Funding Hub enables students to find additional funding for university and include details about funds offered by companies, charities and other organisations. You will need to register to search for funding.
• The Turn2us Grants Search allows individuals to enter details and be matched to grants for which they may be eligible.

Examples of specific funding opportunities available:

• The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) offer scholarships for those studying MA Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
• British Medical Association (BMA) Charities provide support to doctors and medical students who are in financial need; this includes annual grants to medical students who are taking medicine as a second degree.
• Harvard University has opportunities for British postgraduates to study via the Frank Knox Fellowship or a Kennedy Scholarship.
• The Inderpal Rahal Memorial Trust is for women who are from an immigrant or refugee background and who intend to practise or teach law in the UK. More information can be found on the Garden Court Chambers web page, under 'Equality and Diversity'.
• The Law Society provides information about funding opportunities for law students.
• The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust offers financial support for grocers, pharmacists, commercial travellers and their families.
• Masters Compare, an online course comparison site, offers a scholarship opportunity; available to home and overseas students.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) students can find out more information about bursaries and scholarships on the Get Into Teaching website.
• NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) Student Services are responsible for assessing and paying various funding schemes to eligible students. More information about the support available and eligibility can be found on their website.
• The Nuclear Industry Benevolent Fund (TNIBF) bursary scheme provides one-off grants to individuals for education and training opportunities to help them begin or further their professional career in the UK Nuclear Industry.
• The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries to support students of architecture throughout their Part 1 and Part 2, as well as research funding for academics and practitioners.
• The Yorkshire Ladies' Council of Education offers grants to support eligible students with course fees.

Students with disabilities

• Disability Grants is a website to help individuals save time finding grants that they may be eligible for.
• The Snowdon Trust delivers two financial award programmes to help students with a disability to achieve goals in further education, higher education or vocational training.
• The Student Health Association runs the Student Enablement Fund to help students with disabilities to keep up with their studies. They expect students to have applied for the Disabled Students' Allowance before applying to the fund.

Refugees

• Displaced Student Opportunities UK provides information about study support for refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK.
• Refugee Study provides a list of websites that may be useful for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
• Schwab and Westheimer Trust provides funds towards education for refugees.
• Student Action for Refugees (STAR) has a list of nationwide scholarships and grants that are available.

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Part-time work

Many students choose to work part-time. As well as boosting your finances, working whilst studying has a range of benefits, such as improving your employability skills. The University recommends that students on full-time courses work no more than 16 hours per week during term time.

The University Careers and Employability Service runs the Employability & Placements Hub based in the Students’ Union and advertises a range of employment opportunities on Career Connect, the University’s job board. 

Careers and Employability Service - prospective students

Careers and Employability Service - current students (student login required)

Career Connect (student login required)

Current students who have worries about affording formal clothing for upcoming job interviews, assessment centres, or a new job can get a free referral to The Suit Works, a Sheffield not-for-profit organisation that offers free outfits from their huge range of pre-loved formal wear, with clothes for all shapes, sizes, and tastes. Just drop into the Employability and Placements Hub in the Students’ Union, where staff will help you with the referral.

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Funding schemes for current students at the University of Sheffield

It is expected that you will have secured sufficient funding before you start your course to support yourself and pay your tuition fees for the duration of your studies. If you are a prospective student, please refer to the postgraduate funding hubs for signposting to information about government loans and support, alumni discount, scholarships and funding for international students.

Postgraduate taught funding

PhD study

However, there is some additional funding available to eligible current students, including:

• The Participation Grant - eligible students can apply for up to £150 to help them take part in sports and activities led by the Students’ Union and Sport Sheffield
• Enhanced support for students who are care leavers, students who are estranged, or students with caring responsibilities for an ill or disabled family member
• Emergency financial assistance - if students face financial difficulties due to exceptional circumstances, they can apply for financial support from the university. Assessments are made based on information students are asked to provide about their income, outgoings and personal circumstances.

Current students can find out more about the existing funding schemes on our web pages.

Funding and financial support from the University (student login required)

In addition, leading up to the publication of undergraduate and postgraduate results, academic departments can award prizes in recognition and celebration of academic achievements. Prizes are usually performance-based against set criteria, such as getting the top mark in a unit of study. They often (but not always) come in the form of a monetary award, a book voucher, or a medal. Prizes are discretionary and may not be awarded every year.

Prizes for academic achievements (student login required)

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Help and advice

If you are a prospective student and have any other general enquiries, contact us.

If you need to discuss your financial situation with someone, you can contact the Student Advice Centre in the Students' Union (both prospective students with an offer and current students). 

Student Advice Centre

They have also provided some useful money management information online, available to all.

Student Advice Centre - Money Management