Postgraduate loans
Postgraduate Master’s Loan for Home students
Postgraduate Master’s Loans to help with course fees and living costs are now available through the government for students from the UK studying taught or research Masters programmes.
For full-time study you can get up to:
- £11,222, if your course starts on or after 1 August 2020
- £10,906, if your course started between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2020
- £10,609, if your course started between 1 August 2018 and 31 July 2019
Important points to note
- The loan has no subject restrictions - MA, MSc, MBA, LLM, MRes and MPhil are included, for example.
- It isn’t means tested, so isn't dependent on your income or your family's income.
- Loans are available for full-time, part-time (with at least 50% intensity) and distance learning courses.
- The loan is paid directly to you in three instalments over the year.
- For part-time study (two years), the loan amount will be split across the two years.
For further information and how to apply
Brexit
Following the UK's decision to withdraw from the European Union, the Government has confirmed that EU students starting in 2021 will be charged fees at the International rate, and will no longer be eligible to receive a loan from the UK Government.
Students from Wales
Students starting a postgraduate Master's course (taught or research based) from 1 August 2020 can apply for a loan up to £17,489 as a combination of loan and grant to help with their
course and living costs.
Policy changes for academic year 2020 to 2021 are subject to regulatory approval by the Welsh Assembly.
If you’re studying for 2, 3 or 4 academic years, the loan will
be divided equally across each year of your course. To check eligibility and for further details
please visit the Student Finance Wales website.
Students from Northern Ireland
If you're from Northern Ireland you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £5,500 for the
duration of your course. If you’re studying for 2, 3 or 4 academic years, the loan will be divided
equally across each year of your course. To check eligibility and for further details please visit
the Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI) website.
Students from Scotland
If you're from Scotland you can apply for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee loan of up to £5,500 for the
duration of your course. If you’re studying for 2, 3 or 4 academic years, the loan will be divided equally
across each year of your course. Full time students can also apply for a loan towards their living costs
of up to £4,500. To check eligibility and for further details please visit the
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) website.
Private loans
The best option when financing your studies is a government-funded student loan, but if that isn’t enough to cover
all your expenses, or you’re not eligible for government support, Future Finance offer loans to UK, EU and international students with a UK domiciled address. They offer amounts
from £2,000 - £40,000 to cover both tuition and living costs.
US Direct loans
If you're from the United States, you may be eligible for a
federal direct loan from the US Department of Education.