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Best Graduate Student Loans

Best graduate student loans of september 2024.

Updated: Aug 30, 2024, 6:26pm

As a graduate student, you have the option to take out federal direct unsubsidized loans, graduate PLUS loans or private student loans. Federal direct unsubsidized loans generally have both the lowest interest rates and the most flexible repayment options. But you can only borrow up to $20,500 per year in direct unsubsidized loans, and some students need to borrow more than that. Below we have identified the best federal and private loan options for graduate students based on features like fees, repayment options and ease of the application process. Several lenders offer specialized loan programs for those pursuing a master of business administration (MBA), law or medical degree; for this list, we compared only generalized graduate degree loans for master’s or Ph.D. students in other fields. Annual percentage rates (APRs) and account details are accurate as of August 30, 2024. Related: Compare Personalized Student Loan Rates

• Best Private Student Loans
• Best Student Loan Refinance Lenders
• Best Low-Interest Student Loans
• Best Parent Student Loans
• Best Student Loans Without Co-Signer

Tips for Comparing Graduate Student Loans

Summary: best graduate student loans, methodology, what is a graduate student loan, how do student loans work for graduate school, types of graduate school loans, how to apply for student loans for graduate school, alternatives to graduate student loans, next up in student loans.

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Why you can trust Forbes Advisor: Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the loans methodology for the ratings below.

• 14 enders researched
• 12 data points evaluated
• 6 cateogires scored

Ascent Graduate Student Loan

Variable APR

7.84% to 16.20%*

4.69% to 15.21%*

7 years, 10 years, 12 years, 15 years or 20 years (medical and dental loans only)

Loan terms : 7 years, 10 years, 12 years, 15 years or 20 years (medical and dental loans only)

Loan amounts available : $2,001** up to total cost of attendance, to a maximum of $400,000 (aggregate)

Eligibility : Student borrowers with no credit history can qualify with a creditworthy co-signer. Co-signers must show income of at least $24,000 for the current and previous year. Co-signers must have a minimum credit score which can vary.*

Forbearance o ptions : When experiencing financial hardship, borrowers can suspend payments for up to three months at a time, for a total of up to 24 months throughout the loan term. Only four rounds of forbearance (up to 12 months’ worth) may be taken consecutively.

Co-signer release policy : Available after 12 months of consecutive automatic debit payments, if the primary borrower meets certain credit score requirements.

*Disclosures

*Other eligibility requirements apply. Learn more at AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. 

**The minimum amount is $2,001 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.

***Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent’s Terms and Conditions please visit: AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs . Rates displayed above are effective as of 8/14/2024 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% for credit-based college student loans and 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. The Full P&I (Immediate) Repayment option is only available for college loans (except for outcomes-based loans) originated on or after June 3, 2024. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions . The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school, and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits . The AscentUP platform is only available to eligible Ascent borrowers and subject to terms and conditions.

5.74% to 15.86% *

with autopay and rate sale discount

3.99% to 14.83% *

SoFi is perhaps best known as a student loan refinance lender, but it also makes loans to undergraduates, graduate students, law and business students and parents. Its undergraduate student loan product offers mostly industry-standard features, plus a few perks: no late fees, an interest rate discount of 0.125% if your co-signer already uses another SoFi product.

• Access to SoFi member benefits
• No late fees
• Interest rate estimate available without undergoing a hard credit check
• Maximum APR above 12%

Loan terms :  5, 7, 10 and 15 years.

Loan amounts available : $5,000 up to total cost of attendance (no aggregate limit listed).

Eligibility : Does not disclose credit score or income requirements.

Forbearance options: Qualified borrowers can take up to 12 months total forbearance.

Co-signer release policy : Available after 24 payments.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Among graduate student loan options, federal direct unsubsidized loans are the best overall deal: Their fixed interest rate is one of the lowest you’ll find, and this type of loan isn’t credit-based and doesn’t require a co-signer. All eligible graduate borrowers qualify, and they receive the same rate regardless of credit history.

While there’s a chance the most creditworthy borrowers could get a lower interest rate with a private student loan, they’ll miss out on a range of consumer protections that might be useful in the future. Borrowers of federal direct unsubsidized loans have access to  income-driven repayment  options that can lower the amount due and  loan forgiveness  for those who work in public service fields.

Direct unsubsidized loans come with an origination fee of 1.057%, while most private graduate loans do not. But in many cases, the low interest rate and loan benefits make the fee worth it.

• Low fixed interest rate
• Multiple repayment and forgiveness options available
• No co-signer required in order to get lowest rate
• Charges an origination fee

Loan terms: Terms of 10 to 25 years are available, depending on the repayment plan.

Loan amounts: Loan amounts up to $20,500 per year and $138,500 in aggregate are available , including loans used for undergraduate study.

Eligibility: You must be enrolled at least half-time in a school that participates in the federal direct loan program.

Forbearance options:  Forbearance available for up to three years in certain circumstances. Enrolling in an income-driven repayment program can lower monthly payments and result in loan forgiveness after 20 to 25 years.

Co-signer release policy:  N/A

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

(graduate school only)

The federal graduate PLUS loan also offers wide-ranging benefits to borrowers, but fewer than direct unsubsidized loans offer. Since borrowing limits are higher for PLUS loans than direct unsubsidized loans, they’re an option to cover any funding gaps after you’ve maxed out direct unsubsidized loans for graduate study.

The graduate PLUS interest rate is slightly higher than the unsubsidized loan rate; the origination fee—4.228%, which comes out of the loan amount that’s disbursed to you—is much higher. PLUS loans are also the only federal loan type that require a credit check, but it’s possible to get a PLUS loan even if you’re determined to have an adverse credit history (more on that below).

• High maximum loan amount

Loan terms: 10 to 25 years, depending on the repayment plan

Loan amounts available:  Up to total  cost of attendance , minus other financial aid received

Eligibility:  Must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible school. Must not have an adverse credit history.

Co-signer release policy:  None

5.99% to 16.20%*

3.69% to 15.21%*

Ascent offers both co-signed and non-co-signed student loans, which gives borrowers without co-signers more college funding options.

Ascent stands out for its range of payment reduction and postponement options, rare among private lenders. Borrowers can choose a graduated repayment plan, which provides a lower monthly payment to start that increases over time. That can be useful for graduates just starting out, who will likely make more money as they move up in their careers.

Borrowers also can pause payments if they’re experiencing a temporary financial hardship for one to three months at a time, up to a maximum of 24 months total. (Taking this forbearance means you will repay the loan over a longer period, though.) Interest continues to accrue during forbearance, which is true for the vast majority of private student loans.

Ascent also offers a graduation reward of 1% cash back on the loan’s original principal balance. Check the conditions you must satisfy to qualify.

• Both co-signed and independent loans available
• International and DACA students can qualify with a co-signer who has
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Maximum fixed APR is above 12%

Loan terms : Seven years, 10 years, 12 years, 15 years or 20 years (medical and dental loans only)

Citizens Bank

5.99% to 16.60%

3.99% to 15.60%

Citizens Bank provides an additional 0.25% loyalty discount if a student loan borrower or their co-signer has an existing account with the bank. (Checking and savings accounts are only available in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.)

It also makes its loans available to international students. But co-signers must wait a longer period of time to be released from the loan than what many other lenders provide.

• International students can qualify with a co-signer who has U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Up to 0.50% interest rate discount available for existing Citizens Bank customers
• Co-signer release after 36 months, about 12 months later than many other lenders’ policies

Loan terms: 5, 10 and 15 years

Loan amounts available: $1,000 to $350,000 (depending on degree)

Eligibility: Does not disclose credit score or income requirements.

Forbearance options: Up to 12 months of forbearance available.

Co-signer release policy: Co-signers can be released from the loan after 36 payments.

College Ave

5.59% to 17.99%

with auto-pay discount*

3.74% to 17.99%

College Ave offers a solid all-around private loan product with a few unique features. Borrowers can choose an eight-year term, which is in addition to the typical five-, 10- and 15-year terms many lenders provide. Borrowers can also access an extended six-month grace period beyond the initial payment-free six months allowed after separating from school.

• Long time period (210 days) before unpaid loans go into default
• Relatively high APR

Loan terms: 5, 8, 10 and 15 years

Loan amounts available: $1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance

Eligibility: Applicants must have a minimum credit score in the mid-600s.

Forbearance options: Up to 12 months of forbearance is available, in three- to six-month increments

Co-signer release policy: Available after 24 payments

* Borrowers with a co-signer who choose the shortest repayment term available and who make full monthly payments while in school qualify for the lowest rates.

1 – College Ave Student Loans products are made available through either Firstrust Bank, member FDIC or Nationwide Bank, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.

2 – All rates shown include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. Variable rates may increase after consummation.

3 – Cover up to 100% of your cost of attendance as certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.

5.65% to 15.49%

4.15% to 13.99%

PNC Bank offers an extra-generous 0.50% interest rate discount for making automatic payments, and it provides a 12-month loan modification program for borrowers in financial distress (in addition to 12 months of forbearance). Loan modification lowers the interest rate and monthly payment charged.

It also offers co-signer release, though after an even longer period than Citizens Bank’s policy: 48 months.

Loan amounts available: Up to $65,000 to $105,000 with an overall maximum limit of $105,000

Co-signer release policy: Co-signers can be released from the loan after 48 payments.

Rhode Island Student Loan Authority

3.85% to 8.54%

Rhode Island Student Loan Authority, known as RISLA, is a nonprofit based in Rhode Island that lends to students across the country. It offers two different loan types for undergraduate students, which each come with their own fixed interest rates. One loan requires immediate repayment, and one lets you defer payments until six months after you leave school. Everyone who qualifies for each of the loan types gets the same rate, which makes it easy to compare RISLA loans with others you’ve qualified for.

For borrowers who struggle to afford their loan after graduating, RISLA is one of the only private lenders to offer an income-based repayment plan, which limits payments to 15% of income for a 25-year period.

RISLA was a winner of Forbes Advisor’s best private student loans of 2020 awards. Learn more here .

• Low interest rates compared to competitors
• Co-signer release available after 24 consecutive months of on-time payments
• Interest rate discounts for using autopay
• Requires a minimum income of $40,000 per year
• Students are limited to borrowing $1,500 to $50,000 per year, with a $180,000 aggregate limit per borrower

Loan terms 10 and 15 years

Loan amounts available $1,500 to $50,000 per year, with a $180,000 aggregate limit per borrower

Eligibility Applicants or co-signers must show a minimum income of $40,000 per year and a minimum credit score of 680.

Forbearance options Forbearance is available for up to 24 months.

Co-signer release policy Co-signer release is available after 24 consecutive months of on-time payments. Periods during which borrowers use income-based repayment do not qualify.

Prodigy Finance

Minimum Variable APR

Many international students don’t qualify for federal student loans, and they typically need a U.S. citizen co-signer in order to get approved for a private student loan. Prodigy Finance is a London-based company that offers private student loans to international master’s students without requiring a co-signer.

You must attend an eligible school in one of the 18 countries Prodigy Finance lends in. All interest rates are variable, meaning they can change with market conditions, and borrowers receive rate offers based on their course of study and future earning potential. The average rate, according to Prodigy Finance, is 7.3%. The loan comes with a 4% administration fee.

Prodigy Finance doesn’t lend to U.S.-based borrowers living in these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

• No co-signer required
• Available to international students
• Multiple hardship repayment options available
• Only variable interest rates available
• High minimum APR

Loan terms: 7 to 20 years

Loan amounts available: $15,000 minimum; maximum amount based on individual application.

Eligibility: Must be a resident of an eligible state and country attending an eligible school either part-time or full-time

Forbearance options: Available for nine months. Borrowers with financial hardships may apply for an interest-free payment arrangement; those facing low incomes, medical emergencies, unexpected family responsibilities or unemployment can apply for $0 or reduced payments.

Co-signer release policy: N/A

5.37% to 14.97%

3.69% to 14.48%

Sallie Mae graduate loans offer loans from $1,000 up to the total cost of attendance. You’ll pay no origination fee or penalty for paying off your loan before its due date. What’s more, you’ll receive a 0.25% rate discount when you enroll in autopay.

Borrowers can qualify for a Sallie Mae graduate loan even if they’re attending school less than half-time, which not all lenders allow. After graduation, borrowers also have access to a few hardship repayment programs beyond forbearance, including a rate reduction or one year of interest-only payments.

Sallie Mae’s graduate loan offers a comparatively short time period—12 months—after which primary borrowers can apply to release their co-signers.

• No origination fee
• Co-signer release available after 12 monthly payments
• Students must apply for a new loan each school year
• No rate estimate available with soft credit check

Loan terms: Terms up to 15 years are available.

Loan amounts: Loan amounts of $1,000 up to the total cost of attendance are available.

Eligibility: Borrowers are eligible if they’re attending full-time, half-time or less than half-time.

Forbearance options: Sallie Mae offers a six-month grace period and 48 months of deferment.

Co-signer release policy: Co-signer releases are available after 12 on-time monthly payments.

5.89% to 15.97%

(includes .25% auto pay discount)¹

3.74% to 14.30%

Earnest offers a fee-free private loan option—no origination fees and no late fees—and borrowers have the ability to skip² one monthly bill every year, in addition to applying for standard forbearance when necessary. Borrowers have multiple repayment terms to choose from, and graduate students receive a nine-month grace period³ before they must make payments after graduation, which is longer than the typical six-month grace period.

Earnest doesn’t have a co-signer release program. That means borrowers who use a co-signer must keep that person on the loan unless they  refinance it into their own name.

• 9-month grace period for graduate students
• Option to skip one payment per year
• No co-signer release program

Loan terms: Five, seven, 10, 12 or 15 years ⁴

Loan amounts available: $1,000 up to the total cost of attendance with a $250,000 lifetime limit.

Eligibility ⁵ :  Students must be attending school at least half-time. International students can apply with a U.S. citizen co-signer.

Forbearance options:  Available for up to 12 months throughout the loan term

Disclosures

¹You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment from a checking or savings account. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. For multi-party loans, only one party may enroll in Auto Pay. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred.

²Earnest clients may skip one payment every 12 months. Your first request to skip a payment can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Please be aware that a skipped payment does count toward the forbearance limits. Please note that skipping a payment is not guaranteed and is at Earnest’s discretion. Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term.

³Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school.

⁴Earnest’s Loan Cost Examples: These examples provide estimates based on principal and Interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $118.28) and a 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $21,290.40. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $126.82) and a 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $22,827.79.

These examples provide estimates based on interest only payments while in school. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $145.41) and a 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $26,173.03. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $156.59) and a 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $28,186.67. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available.

These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $169.92) and a 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $30,584.74. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $188.42) and a 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $33,915.55. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available.

These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $174.79) and a 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $31,462.16. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $193.75) and a 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $34,874.28. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available.

⁵Loan Eligibility criteria: Eligible students must: 1) For college Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors, attend, or be enrolled to attend, a Title IV school full-time. For college Seniors and Graduate students, attend, or be enrolled to attend, a Title IV school at least half-time; and 2) be pursuing a Bachelor’s or Graduate degree. Earnest private student loans are subject to credit qualification, completion of a loan application, verification of application information, self-certification of loan amount, and school certification.

Responsible borrowing tip: Explore all scholarship, grant and federal options before applying for a private loan.

Earnest Private Student Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107

Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 535 Mission St., Suite 1663 San Francisco, CA 94105, NMLS #1204917, with support From Navient Solutions, LLC (NMLS #212430). One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America.

© 2024 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.

Federal direct unsubsidized student loans are a strong option for graduate students because they don’t require a credit check or a co-signer.

If you need more money for school than what unsubsidized loans provide, you might turn to graduate PLUS loans, which require a credit check. But there are specific negative marks the government is looking for. You’ll be considered to have “adverse credit history” if you have one or more of the following on your credit report:

• Debts totaling more than $2,085 that are at least 90 or more days past due or that were in collections or charged off in the past two years
• Default determination within the past five years
• Bankruptcy within the past five years
• Foreclosure within the past five years
• Repossession within the past five years
• Tax lien within the past five years
• Wage garnishment within the past five years
• Charge-off of a federal student aid debt within the past five years

But if you learn you have an adverse credit history after you apply, you can explain the circumstances that led to it and the government could determine that you’re eligible for a PLUS loan after receiving loan counseling. Another option is to get an endorser, similar to a co-signer, that can help you qualify.

Some borrowers might qualify for a lower rate on a private graduate student loan than on a PLUS loan. But when comparing interest rates among private lenders, know that only the borrowers with the highest credit scores, least outstanding debt and strongest incomes will get the lowest rates. For graduate students, that often means using a co-signer. All private student loan rates listed on this page also include a standard 0.25% interest rate discount for using automatic payments.

It’s best to identify the interest rate and terms you’d receive on a private loan, then compare the overall cost and features with those of a PLUS loan. A  student loan calculator  can help you determine how much you’ll pay over time.

We collected data from 14 student loan entities that offer graduate student loans in at least 25 U.S. states and scored them across 12 data points in the categories of interest rates, fees, loan terms, hardship options, application process and eligibility. We chose the best to display based on those earning three stars or higher.

The following is the weighting assigned to each category:

• Hardship options: 20%
• Interest rates: 20%
• Loan terms: 15%
• Eligibility: 10%
• Application process: 20%

Specific characteristics taken into consideration within each category included number of months of forbearance available, hardship repayment options beyond traditional forbearance, origination fees, availability of a post-school grace period and other factors.

Lenders who offered maximum interest rates below 12% scored the highest, as did those who offered more than the standard 12 months of forbearance, who offered interest rate discounts beyond the standard 0.25% for automatic payments, who charged no origination fees and who offered a co-signer release option.

In some cases, lenders were awarded partial points, and a maximum of 3% of the final score was left to editorial discretion based on the quality of consumer-friendly features offered.

To learn more about how Forbes Advisor rates lenders, and our editorial process, check out our  Loans Rating & Review Methodology .

Related:   Compare Personalized Student Loan Rates

Graduate student loans—whether federal or private—are designed for graduate students pursuing their master’s, doctorate or other advanced degrees.

Federal graduate student loans include Direct unsubsidized and grad PLUS loans. Direct unsubsidized loans have a maximum borrowing limit of $20,500 per year. Grad PLUS loans, on the other hand, let you borrow up to your school’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you’ve already received.

You can also find graduate student loans from private lenders, such as banks, credit unions and online lenders. Many let you borrow up to your school’s cost of attendance, though some set lower limits. Some lenders design loans specifically for MBA, law and medical school students.

While federal graduate student loans have fixed interest rates that are the same for all borrowers, private student loans offer a range of rates that may be fixed or variable. Borrowers with the best credit typically qualify for the lowest rates.

Whether you borrow a federal or private graduate student loan, you can use your loan on tuition, fees and other education-related expenses.

Featured Partner Offers

Via College Ave's Website

5.37 to 15.70%

3.69% to 15.49%

Via Sallie Mae's Website

Graduate student loans work similarly to undergraduate loans. Both federal and  private student loans  are available for graduate students. Federal loans are generally easier to qualify for, have more flexible repayment options and can come with lower interest rates than private debt. They also come with major benefits and protections, such loan forgiveness programs as well as the pause on payments and interest accrual that’s been in effect since March 2020 due to Covid-19.

Keep in mind that graduate student loans typically come with higher loan limits compared to undergraduate debt—meaning you can borrow a larger amount each year, up to your school’s cost of attendance or up to a lifetime limit. This is because options like business or law school are generally more expensive than a bachelor’s degree.

Along with higher borrowing limits, graduate student loans usually come with higher interest rates, too. For example, undergrads can borrow federal unsubsidized loans with a 3.73% rate in the 2021-22 school year while graduate students will pay 5.28% for the same loan.

Graduate Student Loan Limits

The maximum amount you can borrow for graduate school varies by loan type. Direct unsubsidized loans have an annual limit of $20,500 and an aggregate limit of $138,500 (no more than $65,500 of this can be in subsidized loans). Grad PLUS loans allow you to borrow up to the total cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you’ve received, as certified by your school.

Private student loan borrowing limits vary by lender. However, many allow you to borrow up to your school’s total cost of attendance.

There are three types of graduate student loans. Borrowers can choose between two federal options— direct unsubsidized loans  or  grad PLUS loans —or opt to borrow from a private lender. Keep in mind that while the interest rates and loan terms for federal loans are standardized for all borrowers, the terms you’re offered on a private loan can vary widely depending on your credit and other factors.

Here’s a look at how these student loans compare:

The process to apply for a graduate student loan will depend on whether you want to get a federal or private student loan.

Federal student loans

If you want to take out a federal student loan, you’ll need to fill out the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . This form determines your eligibility for all types of federal aid, including student loans and grants. While most undergraduate students must submit both their and their parents’ financial information, graduate students are only required to provide their own information. You’ll have to complete a new FAFSA for each year you plan to attend school.

After the FAFSA is processed, you’ll receive a financial aid award letter from your school detailing what federal student loans and other aid you qualify for. You can then choose which loans to accept and how much you need to borrow. Before the start of the semester, the money will be sent directly to your school. After tuition and fees are taken care of, any remaining amount will be refunded to you to use for other school expenses.

Private student loans

If you’d like to  get a private student loan , be sure to take the time to shop around and consider as many lenders as possible. Since each lender has its own individual rates and terms, comparing them can help you find the right loan for your needs. Many lenders allow you to prequalify for a loan, which will let you see the estimated interest rates you qualify for.

Also review each lender’s policies, including applicable fees, when repayment starts, how long you’ll have to pay off your loans and how the lender can help if you ever have trouble making payments.

When you’re ready to apply, you can typically submit an application directly on the lender’s website. Approval usually only takes a few days, and if you agree with the final terms and conditions, you can sign off on the closing paperwork. Most  private lenders  will send the funds directly to your school, which will apply the funds to your tuition and fees. Any remaining amount will be released to you.

While student loans can help you cover a gap in funding, you may want to keep borrowing to a minimum. Consider these alternatives to graduate student loans to help you pay for school:

• Grants.  You may qualify for federal, state or school grants, which require no repayment, based on your financial need or course of study. Federal grants for graduate students include TEACH grants and Fulbright grants.
• Scholarships.  It’s also worth applying for scholarships, which may be awarded based on financial need, academic merit, athletics or other achievements.
• Work-study.  Students with financial need can qualify for the work-study program, where they can find part-time jobs on or off campus.
• Part-time job.  If you don’t qualify for work-study, you might still seek out part-time work to make some money for school.
• Savings.  Drawing on your personal savings can also help you reduce the amount you need to borrow in student loans.
• Income-share agreements.  Another alternative to graduate student loans is an income-share agreement, through which you get help to pay for school in exchange for a portion of your future earnings for a set period of time.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can graduate students get subsidized loans.

Federal subsidized loans are only available for undergraduate students with financial need. Graduate students are not eligible for direct subsidized loans.

Can you use graduate student loans for living expenses?

You can use student loans to pay for living expenses, whether it’s rent, utilities, transportation costs or food. If you live on campus, those costs are included in your full cost of attendance and get paid directly to your school. Any leftover money from your loans will be refunded to you, which can then be applied to remaining living expenses.

How much graduate student loans can I borrow?

It’s always best to borrow as little as possible in student loans, which means maxing out scholarships and grants first. Make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the  FAFSA , each year you’re in graduate school to get all the financial aid you qualify for.

When deciding how much to borrow, graduate students have the potential added complication of still having outstanding loans from undergrad. Ideally, your total debt after leaving graduate school should be no more than you plan to earn your first year in the workforce with your degree. Undergraduate loans should be included in that total.

So if you are getting a master of arts in industrial and organizational psychology and expect to earn a starting salary of about $70,000 (according to a salary resource like PayScale), you shouldn’t have more than $70,000 in total student loans after graduating.

Does student loan forgiveness include graduate school?

Some types of graduate student loans are eligible for forgiveness. While unsubsidized federal loans are the only type of graduate loan eligible for  Teacher Loan Forgiveness , both unsubsidized loans and grad PLUS loans are eligible for  Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) .

Unsubsidized federal loans and grad PLUS loans may also be eligible for  income-driven repayment (IDR) plans , which promise forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of payments. Not all types of loans are eligible for every IDR plan, so review the requirements carefully.

Both private and federal grad school loans may also be eligible for  state-based repayment programs , which often offer student loan repayment if you work in a qualifying career in high-need areas. Some states or cities even offer loan repayment if you relocate to a qualifying area.

How is the interest rate on a private graduate student loan determined?

Private student loans usually offer variable and fixed interest rates that are based on the borrower’s creditworthiness. Variable rates rise and fall according to the index they follow. For example, the lender may use the prime rate as its benchmark.

If you have good or excellent credit, then you’ll be  eligible for a lower interest rate . But if you have poor or fair credit, prepare for an interest rate on the higher end of the range. Using a creditworthy co-signer can help you get a lower rate.

What is ‘co-signer release’?

Some private lenders offer to release the co-signer from a loan after the borrower makes a certain number of payments. That can protect the co-signer from a credit hit as a result of the primary borrower’s negative payment history. If you plan to use co-signer release, check your loan documents to see when it will be possible (in 36 months, for instance) and what additional requirements you might need to meet.

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Financial Aid for Graduate School: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

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Key takeaways

Financial aid for graduate school includes grants, scholarships, fellowships, assistantships and loans.

Exhaust all opportunities for free aid before considering student loans.

If you take out student loans, borrow federal direct loans first. For additional funding, compare offers between federal PLUS loans and private loans to see where you’ll get the best deal.

If you’re considering graduate school, make sure you have a funding plan in place ahead of time. Costs for graduate school can vary greatly depending on the type and length of the program, but there are opportunities to help cut down out-of-pocket costs.

Graduate students can get financial aid through:

FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid provides access to federal, state and some school-based grants.

Organization grants: Industry-specific organizations may provide grants to those studying in relevant fields.

Scholarships: State governments, schools and private organizations may provide scholarships for academic excellence or other factors, like studying in high-needs fields or increasing diversity.

Fellowships: Schools, private organizations and government entities offer fellowships based on field of study and academic performance in exchange for research activities.

Assistantships: Schools may award living stipends and tuition waivers to full-time students in exchange for work.

Employer tuition assistance: Employers may offer to reimburse their employees’ tuition expenses as an employment benefit.

Here’s who qualifies and how to apply for each type of aid.

» MORE: How to pay for grad school: 5 strategies for students

Top Private Student Loan Lenders

Best private student loan overall.

3.74-17.99% College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC.. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. Rates shown include autopay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 8.35% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 120 monthly payments of $179.18 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $21,501.54. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 8/12/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on the creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of full principal and interest payments with the shortest available loan term.

Variable APR

5.59-17.99% College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC.. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. Rates shown include autopay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 8.35% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 120 monthly payments of $179.18 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $21,501.54. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 8/12/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on the creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of full principal and interest payments with the shortest available loan term.

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3.69-15.49% Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 8/19/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

5.37-15.70% Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 8/19/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.

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Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA , as your first step to funding your graduate education. Citizens and eligible non-citizen graduate students, including permanent residents and U.S. nationals, are eligible to file.

You must file the FAFSA to qualify for federal and state-based grant awards. Many school-based grants also require the FAFSA.

Federal grants for graduate students include the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education, or TEACH, grant. The TEACH grant provides up to $4,000 a year to education students who will teach in a low-income school or high-needs field after graduation.

Contact the department of education for your state and your school’s state to learn more about state-based grant opportunities.

Contact your school’s financial aid office to learn more about school-based grants and ask your department head about industry-specific grants.

» MORE: Guide to grants for college

Scholarships

Scholarships are available at the state, local and school levels. These awards are based on various eligibility criteria, which can include field of study and academic achievement. Some scholarships are also need-based or allocated only for certain demographics.

Apply for as many scholarships as you qualify for to increase your chances of getting the most money.

Check the Department of Labor’s Scholarship Finder or National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ state-based scholarship search tool to find programs.

Contact your school’s financial aid office and department head about specific scholarship programs you may be eligible for.

» MORE: How to get a scholarship

Fellowships and assistantships

Eligibility requirements and service commitments for fellowship and assistantship programs vary. While fellowships are offered by schools, private organizations or government agencies, assistantships typically only come from the school.

With a fellowship, you may perform research activities outside of your school and payment may not be directly tied to tuition. As assistantships are generally school-based, they are more likely to directly provide full or partial tuition waivers. Some assistantships also come with living stipends .

Contact your financial aid office about school-based fellowships and assistantships, including teaching and resident assistantships. Search the zintellect database, which has ties to the Department of Education and a consortium of Ph.D.-granting institutions, for government and private-sector fellowships.

» MORE: Is a masters degree worth it?

Employer tuition assistance

According to a 2020 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, or SHRM, about 47% of employers offer tuition assistance as part of their benefits package. This benefit can be in the form of tuition reimbursement, where the employer gives a lump sum to employees after they prove their tuition expenses. Other companies may pay tuition costs directly to the school, so the employee doesn't have to front the bill.

The amount of reimbursement varies by employer. The most common benefit ranges from $5,000-$5,999, according to a 2019 report by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Contact your human resources team to ask about your company’s tuition assistance benefit. Make sure to verify that graduate school tuition qualifies. You also want to get an understanding of any service commitments that come with accepting the benefit. Some employers require you to stay with the company for a certain period after the reimbursement funds are disbursed.

If you exhaust all of your opportunities for aid that doesn’t have to be repaid, look to student loans to fill the remaining funding gaps for graduate school. Schools may include student loans as part of your aid package, but you have to repay them.

Filing the FAFSA typically qualifies you for direct unsubsidized federal student loans. As a graduate student, you can borrow up to $20,500 each year. These loans will accrue interest while you are in school, but typically come with lower interest rates than their private loan counterparts. They also offer repayment options that private student loans don’t, like income-driven repayment .

» MORE: Government student loans: What are the benefits?

If you still need more funding, compare offers between the Grad PLUS loan from the federal government and options available with private student loan companies .

Unlike other federal student loans, PLUS loans require a hard credit check and may come with a higher rate than you can get with a private lender. But if you think you’ll need the protections of federal student loans, they’re still a better option.

On a similar note...

• PhD Loans – 2023 Guide for Doctoral Students
• Funding a PhD
• A PhD Loan can fund a PhD in any field lasting between three to eight years .
• You can borrow up to £28,673 for courses that started on or after 1st August 2023.
• There are several eligibility restrictions, including that you must be a UK national resident and not receiving other funding (e.g. from Research Council or NHS).
• The repayments will be 6% of your annual income above  £21,000 .

What Is a PhD Loan?

A PhD loan is a form of UK Government loan made available to doctoral students residing in England or Wales. It is designed to help students fund their doctoral programme or equivalent degree, covering basic costs such as the tuition course fees and living costs.

The most common degrees they cover are:

• PhD – Doctor of Philosophy
• EngD – Doctor of Engineering
• EdD – Doctor of Education

Note: PhD Loans are formally known as Postgraduate Doctoral Loans, however, many postgraduate students commonly refer to Doctoral Loans as PhD Loans due to their primary use to fund PhDs.

Am I Eligible for a PhD Loan?

There are several requirements you must meet to be an eligible student for a PhD loan, such as your residency status. The eligibility criteria are summarised below into two categories – those that make you eligible and those that make you ineligible for a PhD loan.

Requirements That Make You Eligible:

• Be a UK or Irish citizen or have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme , and ordinarily a resident of England or Wales.
• Be under the age of 60.
• Undertake a PhD (or another doctoral degree) that is three to eight years long and provided by a university in the UK.

Note: A common misunderstanding amongst university students is that a Doctoral Loan can fund an MPhil degree. As an MPhil is a Master’s degree, it does not meet the ‘Doctoral or equivalent’ requirement for being eligible for a Doctoral Loan. Therefore, if you are considering undertaking an MPhil, you should instead be applying for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan. If more appropriate for your situation, you can find out more information about Postgraduate Loans here .

Requirements That Make You Ineligible:

You must not:

• Already hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.
• Already be receiving funding. This includes grants from the Research Council (studentships, stipends & scholarships etc.), a social work bursary or NHS bursary (note that being eligible for an NHS Bursary even if you’re not receiving one will make you ineligible for a PhD loan).
• Already have had a Doctoral Loan before, unless you left your course due to illness, bereavement or another serious personal reason. You are still eligible if you have received an undergraduate loan in previous study.
• Obtain your PhD through publication (as this won’t have a period of study associated with it)

Aspects That Don’t Affect Your Eligibility:

There are several aspects of your PhD course that do not affect your eligibility to receiving Doctoral Loans. These are:

• Your doctoral course – your PhD can be in any subject or field. The underlying requirement is that it is provided by a university in the UK; i.e. a university in either England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Full-time or part-time course – you need not pursue your PhD full-time to be eligible. The underlying requirement is that your PhD can be completed within eight years regardless of how you allocate your time.
• Taught, research-based or a combination of both – as long as your PhD has an aspect of studying associated with it, the method of obtainment of your PhD will not affect your eligibility.

How Much Funding Can I Get?

The amount of funding you can obtain isn’t means-tested. This means that it isn’t related to your financial background or household income and therefore you can qualify for the full amount regardless of your situation.

The maximum loan amount you can borrow falls into one of three categories:

• Up to £28,673 if your course starts on or after 1st August 2023 ,
• Up to £27,892 if your course started between 1st August 2022 and 31st July 2023 ,
• Up to £27,265 if your course started between 1st August 2021 and 31 July 2022 .

You may apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan in any year of study, however you may not receive the maximum amount if you apply after the first year of your PhD. For annual costs, you may receive:

• Up to £12,167 per year  if your course starts on or after 1st August 2023 ,
• Up to £11,836 per year  if your course started between 1st August 2022 and 31st July 2023 ,
• Up to £11,570 per year  if your course started between 1st August 2021 and 31 July 2022 .

When Will I Get Paid?

Your loan payments will be spread out across all academic years of your course.

Example: If you undertake a full-time PhD over 5 years and apply for a loan amount of £25,000, you will receive £5,000 in each academic year.

Further to this, the allocation for each academic year will be paid in three even instalments, with each instalment paid at the start of a new term.

Example: Continuing with the above example, the £5,000 per each academic year would be paid in three instalments of £1,667.

Your first instalment will typically be paid immediately after your course start date. This is because your university will first need to confirm to Student Finance England (SFE) or Student Finance Wales that you’ve officially enrolled with them before the student loan can be released to you.

How and When Do I Repay?

Repayment terms – You will need to start repaying your loan once you have completed your PhD and started earning an annual income over £21,000 .

Once both these conditions are met, you will start making your repayments at 6% of your income above £21,000 . This means that for the first £21,000 you earn, you won’t need to make any contributions towards your loan repayment, however, anything above £21,000 will be subject to a 6% deduction for repayment towards your student loan.

It’s worth noting that if you work for an employer after your PhD, your repayments will be automatically deducted from your salary and there isn’t anything you will directly need to do. However, if you decide to work for yourself as opposed for an employer, you will need to make the repayments yourself.

Like undergraduate loans taken for undergraduate degrees, a postgraduate Doctoral Loan is subject to interest, which will need to be paid on top of your original student loan value. The interest rate is the retail price index (RPI) plus 3%.

Example: The average UK RPI for 2019 was approximately 2.4%. This means that besides the mandatory 3% that is owed, the average interest rate on a Doctoral Loan in 2019 would have been 5.4%.

It’s worth noting that if you aren’t able to completely repay your postgraduate loan within 30 years from the date of your first payment, the remaining loan debt will be voided.

How Do I Apply?

You can apply in one of two ways – either online , by setting up an account on Student Finance England’s website, or by post , by filling in a printable form on GOV.UK ‘s website. Click the respective below to be taken directly to their websites where you can find out more. Note that you will only have to apply once for Postgraduate Doctoral Loans; Student Finance England will contact you every year to confirm the amount you will receive.

Online Application – Student Finance England

Postal Application – GOV.UK

Note: While English residents and EU students who will study in England need to apply to Student Finance England, Welsh residents and EU students who will study in Wales will need to apply to Student Finance Wales .

The application deadline is based on when your doctoral programme is due to start; you should apply within 9 months of this start date.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Other PhD Funding Options

A PhD Loan is only one of several sources of funding to support your PhD studies and living expenses. The other postgraduate funding options available to you are:

• Research Council funding and studentships
• Scholarships and bursaries
• Employer sponsorship
• Charities and Trusts

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PhD loans 2024

PhD loans are available in 2024/25 to help Doctoral students living in England or Wales pay for their course fees and living expenses

PhD loans at a glance

• Worth up to £29,390 for 2024/25.
• For UK nationals resident in England or Wales.
• Study at any UK university that awards PhDs.
• Repayments combined with Masters loans .

How much can I borrow?

With these government-backed postgraduate Doctoral loans, you can borrow any amount up to £28,673 if your course started between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024, or £29,390 if it starts on or after 1 August 2024.

PhD loans are not means-tested, so you can apply for the full amount regardless of your financial background. Also, the loan can be used however you like - to cover fees, other study-related costs or to help with your living expenses.

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to additional support in the form of Disabled Students' Allowances .

Am I eligible for a PhD loan?

• be a UK or Irish national or have settled/pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme 
• be ordinarily resident in England
• have lived in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years before starting the course
• be under the age of 60 on the first day of the first academic year of your course
• not already hold a PhD or equivalent qualification
• not be receiving a Research Council studentship (including fees-only), NHS funding or other government finance towards your PhD.

You can't get the loan if you began your PhD before the 2022/23 academic year.

To discover whether you qualify for PhD funding, see GOV.UK - Doctoral loan eligibility .

Is my Doctorate eligible?

Most full and part-time PhD programmes, Professional Doctorates and PhDs 'upgraded' from Master of Philosophy (MPhil) are eligible, provided they are hosted by a UK university.

Your programme must last for at least three years and no longer than eight years. There are no restrictions on what subject you can study and your PhD proposal will not be assessed as part of your loan application.

PhDs by publication are not eligible because they do not involve an active period of studying. You also can't get a PhD loan for a research Masters degree such as an MRes or a standalone MPhil - for these you should apply for a postgraduate loan instead.

If you're studying for a PhD within a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) or Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), your eligibility depends on whether your research is funded by a Research Council studentship. If it is, you won't be able to get a loan.

How do I apply?

Visit  GOV.UK - Apply for a Doctoral loan for full details of how to apply for PhD funding via Student Finance England.

The deadline for Doctoral loan applications is nine months after the first day of the final academic year of your PhD - meaning you can still apply after you have started studying.

How will I receive my PhD loan?

Your loan will be paid in three instalments (33%, 33% and 34%) per academic year directly into your bank account by the Student Loans Company (SLC). It will be spread evenly across your studies.

You'll stop receiving your loan if you withdraw from your PhD or transfer to an ineligible programme, but you'll still be liable to repay what you have borrowed.

When do I start repaying my loan?

Repayments will start once you have completed your PhD and you're earning at least £21,000 per year (£1,750 per month before tax and other deductions). You'll pay at a rate of 6% of your income over this threshold.

If you're employed, your repayments will be taken out of your salary automatically on a monthly basis. If you're self-employed, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will calculate how much you must repay on completion of your annual self-assessment tax return.

You'll be charged interest on your loan from the date you receive the first instalment from the SLC. This is calculated at the retail price index (RPI) +3%, meaning that that the interest accrued will typically be the annually reviewed RPI percentage, plus an additional 3%. The interest rate currently stands at 7.8%.

Any outstanding balance will be written off 30 years after your loan first becomes due for repayment.

Be aware that if you have previously taken out a postgraduate loan to fund Masters-level study, this will be combined with your PhD loan. You'll therefore repay a single debt at a rate of 6% of your income over £21,000.

However, debt from your undergraduate student loan is paid concurrently rather than combined. This means you may find yourself repaying up to 15% of your income - 9% for your undergraduate loan and 6% for your postgraduate/PhD loan.

What other PhD funding is available?

• PhD studentships
• Research Council funding
• Scholarships and bursaries
• Employer sponsorship
• Crowdfunding

Remember that PhD loans cannot be combined with other public funding such as Research Council studentships or NHS funding.

PhD loans in Wales

In 2024/25, the Welsh government has confirmed that eligible students ordinarily resident in Wales are able to borrow up to £28,655 to study for a full or part-time PhD. As with the postgraduate Doctoral loan scheme for residents in England, it isn't means-tested.

If your course started in 2023/24, you can apply for a loan of up to £28,395.

Explore how and when to apply by visiting  Student Finance Wales .

Doctoral funding in Scotland and Northern Ireland 

PhD loans are not currently available in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but there are other options you can pursue in order to fund your education.

For instance, organisations such as Student Information Scotland and the Department for the Economy (DfE) provide details of the PhD scholarships available to residents of Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

Find out more

• Search for PhDs in the UK .
• Learn about PhD study .

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• PhD Loans for Doctoral Students – A Guide for 2024

Written by Mark Bennett

A UK PhD loan is worth up to £29,390 from Student Finance England or £28,655 from Student Finance Wales. The money only needs to be paid back when you earn over £21,000 a year.

On this page

You can borrow a PhD loan of up to £29,390 from Student Finance England for 2024-25 study or £28,655 from Student Finance Wales. All of the money is paid directly to your bank account . You can use it for PhD fees, research expenses, maintenance or other costs.

Doctoral loans aren't based on household income or means tested, so the amount you can borrow isn't affected by your income or savings.

It's up to you to decide how much you want to borrow (up to the maximum, of course). This amount will then be spread evenly across your PhD, in three instalments per academic year .

Frequently asked questions

Below we've answered a selection of commonly asked questions about PhD loan amounts.

Is the value of the doctoral loan linked to my fees?

No. You can borrow the same amount with a doctoral loan regardless of how much your PhD project or programme costs.

Can I change the amount I borrow?

Yes. You can change your PhD loan amount later by submitting a PhD loan request form (PDF). You can't do this online.

Can I borrow more than the cost of my PhD?

Yes. Any extra loan can be used to help with living costs or other expenses.

Do I have to borrow the full amount?

You can borrow anything between £1 and £29,390/£28,655 (for a 2024-25 PhD). Whatever you request will be divided equally across your PhD , but you can't receive more than £12,167 in any one year if your course started between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024, and £12,471 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2024.

Are extra loans available for maintenance?

No. You can use some of your doctoral loan for living costs, but there isn't any separate PhD maintenance loan.

Will the loan value increase?

The value of a doctoral loan usually increases slightly with inflation each year. However, this change only applies to new students. The maximum you can borrow with your PhD loan will be capped at the amount available when you began your PhD.

Why can't I borrow more than £12,167/£12,471 per year?

Capping the annual amount for a PhD loan at £12,167/£12,471 is designed to match the Masters student loan system : it means that doctoral students and Masters students can borrow the same amount per year.

The timing of your loan payments will be based on your intended submission date . This means that your loan payments may already have finished if your PhD takes longer than you expect, or you spend extra time 'writing up' your thesis. You should bear this in mind as you plan your project and budget for it.

Student eligibility

You can apply for a PhD student loan if you're a UK national and:

• You've lived in the UK for at least three years (not including time abroad for short-term travel or study)
• You are ordinarily resident in England or Wales (you don't just live there to study)
• You will be aged under 60 (59 or under) on the first day of the first academic year of your PhD (usually 1 September for degrees beginning in the autumn)
• You don't already have a PhD or other doctorate
• You won't be receiving UKRI funding for your PhD (and haven't been funded by a Research Council in the past)
• You won't be receiving other UK public funding for your doctorate, such as a Social Work or Educational Psychology bursary
• Your doctorate isn't eligible for NHS funding (if it is, you should apply for this instead)

PhD loans for Scottish and Northern Irish students

UK doctoral loans are currently only offered by Student Finance England and Student Finance Wales. You won't normally be eligible to apply for their support if you are resident in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Student Finance Northern Ireland and Student Awards Agency Scotland may offer doctoral loans in the future. We'll let you know as soon as that happens.

PhD loans for EU students

You can apply for a UK doctoral loan as an EU student if:

• You began your PhD in the 2020-21 academic year or earlier
• You applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021

EU students who are coming to study in the UK from 2021-22 onwards will count as international students (see below).

PhD loans for Irish students

Irish students can still apply for a UK PhD loan to study in either England or Wales. This right is guaranteed by the Common Travel Area and isn't affected by Brexit.

PhD loans for international students

International (non-UK) students aren't normally eligible for UK doctoral loans, but an exception may apply if:

• You have settled status in the UK
• You are an EU national and have applied to the UK's EU Settlement Scheme (see above)
• You are an Irish national (see above)
• You or a family member have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
• You are 18 or over and have lived in the UK for at least 20 years and / or half of your life

If you aren't sure whether you qualify for UK student finance, check advice from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

We've answered several questions about student eligibility for doctoral loans, covering residency criteria and more.

Where can I study?

If you are ordinarily resident in England or Wales before your course, you can use your PhD loan to study any UK PhD .

If you are ordinarily resident outside the UK, you can only use your PhD loan to study in England or Wales.

What if I have moved from England or Wales to another part of the UK for previous study?

You will still count as an English- or Welsh-resident student if you have studied your undergraduate degree or Masters in Scotland or Northern Ireland and want to continue straight on to a PhD. This means you will be able to apply for a doctoral loan.

What counts as being ordinarily resident in England or Wales?

To be eligible for a doctoral loan as a UK student you must be ordinarily resident in England or Wales. This means that you normally live in England or Wales and you haven’t moved there just to go to university.

You will normally count as being ordinarily resident in England or Wales if any or all of the following are true:

• You lived in England or Wales before you went to university for your Bachelors degree
• You received an undergraduate student loan from Student Finance England or Student Finance Wales
• You have lived and worked in England or Wales after graduating from university

Can I combine a PhD loan with a Research Council studentship?

No. Unfortunately you can't apply for a PhD loan if you're also receiving any form of Research Council funding from UKRI – including a 'fees-only' award.

Can I get a PhD loan now and apply for Research Council funding later?

Potentially. Some Research Council awards allow students to apply again for the second year of their PhD. Having had a PhD loan may not stop you doing this, provided you cancel it before receiving your Research Council funding.

Note that this still doesn't work the other way around: you can't apply for a PhD loan once you've been awarded Research Council funding.

Can I combine a doctoral loan with other PhD funding?

You can't combine a PhD loan with other funding from the UK Government, including Research Council studentships or Social Work, Educational Psychology or NHS bursaries. However, you can potentially top up your PhD loan with other PhD funding , including:

• A scholarship or bursary from your university
• A grant from a charity or trust
• One of our own FindAPhD scholarships

Are EU students still eligible for doctoral loans?

EU eligibility for UK student finance has changed following Brexit :

• All EU nationals can still apply for a doctoral loan for a PhD that began in the 2020-21 academic year
• EU nationals who applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before 31 December 2020 can also apply for a loan for a PhD that begins in 2021-22 or later
• EU nationals who are arriving in the UK after 1 January 2021 and beginning a PhD in the 2021-22 academic year will not normally be eligible for a doctoral loan

These criteria also apply to students from the EEA (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland.

Are doctoral loans available for international students?

Non-UK students aren’t normally eligible for UK student loans, unless they are Irish nationals or have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Exceptions may apply if you have lived in the UK legally for a very long time, have been granted humanitarian protection or have refugee status.

For more information on UK fees and finance as a postgraduate student we recommend you check the resources produced by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

And, if you can't get a loan, you might still be eligible for other international PhD funding in the UK .

Are Irish students eligible for PhD loans?

Yes, Irish students are able to apply for UK doctoral loans as part of the Common Travel Area. You will need to be doing your PhD in either England or Wales.

How will my residency be checked?

You’ll be asked to provide at least three years’ address history during your postgraduate loan application. Student Finance England may query any details that might affect your eligibility.

What if I have stayed in another part of the UK to work after university?

Living and working in a different part of the UK means you aren’t just there to go to university. This can change your residency status.

For example:

• You live in Scotland but go to university in England. After graduating you settle and work in England. If you eventually decide to study a PhD, you will now count as being ordinarily resident in England and can apply for a doctoral loan, even though you were once resident in Scotland.

The same would be true for an English student who had lived and worked elsewhere in the UK after graduating – it's possible that this could mean you are no longer classed as English-resident for student loan purposes.

If you aren’t sure about your residency status, check with Student Finance England .

What if I have moved to England or Wales from another part of the UK for previous study?

Because you only moved to England or Wales to study, your residency status won’t have changed. You will still count as being ordinarily resident elsewhere in the UK and, unfortunately, won't currently be able to apply for the PhD loan.

Are PhD loans means-tested?

No. You can borrow the same amount regardless of your income, savings or credit rating.

The only exceptions concern outstanding arrears to the Student Loans Company (for repayments you were eligible to make, but didn't). However, you may be able to apply for a loan if you clear these.

Can I get a doctoral loan if I’ve lived outside the UK in the last three years?

In order to apply for a student loan as a UK citizen you must have lived in the UK for three years prior to your course. You can travel abroad for holidays or other periods of ‘temporary absence’ during this period, but you shouldn’t have become ordinarily resident in another country.

Will a PhD loan affect my benefits?

Potentially, yes. Because the loan is paid directly to you it may be regarded as a form of income by the Department for Work and Pensions. You should check this if you are concerned about your benefit entitlement with a PhD loan.

Can I also apply for Disabled Students' Allowance?

Yes. You can have a PhD loan and receive Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) during your PhD.

Can I have a PhD loan as well as a postgraduate Masters loan?

You can apply for a postgraduate doctoral loan if you've previously had a postgraduate Masters loan . However, you can't be receiving them both at the same time (you'll need to finish your Masters before you begin your PhD).

Course eligibility

The PhD loan is available for all types of research doctorate, in any subject . This includes academic doctorates such as a PhD and DPhil, as well as professional doctorates such as a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) or EdD (Doctor of Education) .

However, you can't get a doctoral loan for a PhD by publication (you must be funding a programme of research and / or study).

UK students can study at any UK university . Eligible students who normally live outside the UK can use the doctoral loan to study at any English or Welsh university.

You can study full time or part time provided your PhD lasts between 3 and 8 years . You will be able to choose from different course lengths when you apply. These will be set by your university based on the intended submission date for your thesis.

Your course must have started on or after August 2018.

Below you can find the answers to a selection of questions about PhD loan course eligibility.

Can I study my PhD part time?

The loans don't actually distinguish between full-time and part-time students. Your PhD can last between 3 and 8 years, however you study.

In practice, most UK universities will regard a 3-4 year PhD as 'full time' and a 6-8 year PhD as 'part time'. You will agree the exact length of your programme with your university.

Can I get a loan for a PhD by publication?

No. You can't apply for a loan if you're submitting a PhD by published work (based on a portfolio of research you've already completed). In this case there would be no new project or programme for the loan to pay for!

Can I get a loan if my doctorate begins as an MPhil?

Yes. You can still apply for a doctoral loan for a programme that initially registers students at MPhil level before upgrading them to PhD candidacy.

However, if you are only enrolling for an MPhil, you should apply for a Masters loan instead.

Can I get a loan for a doctorate by distance learning?

Yes, provided you are living in England or Wales (depending on which loan you are applying for) on the first day of the first academic year of your PhD and living in the UK for the entire course.

You can't get a PhD loan to study by distance learning and live outside the UK.

Can I apply for a loan for a PhD that includes a Masters degree?

Yes. You can still get a loan for a PhD that also awards a Masters degree, including an integrated doctorate or a '1+3' programme. However, you must be registering to graduate with the doctorate, not the Masters.

Can I apply for a loan to 'top up' an existing qualification to PhD level?

No. To be eligible for a loan your project or programme must be a complete doctorate, begun after 1 August 2018. You can't get a loan to extend or 'top up' and existing MPhil or other qualification.

Can I get a loan for a joint doctorate?

Yes, provided the UK university is the lead institution for your PhD and you spend at least 50% of your course in the UK.

Can I study at a private university?

In order to receive a doctoral loan you must be doing your PhD at a university with Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAPs). Most established UK universities have these powers, but your institution should be able to confirm if you aren't sure.

Can I get a loan if I've previously begun a PhD, but not completed it?

Yes, provided you haven't earned a doctoral qualification and you are starting a completely new doctorate (not continuing or resuming your previous programme or project).

However, you can't normally apply for a second doctoral loan, even if your first loan was for an incomplete qualification. Exceptions may apply if you can demonstrate compelling personal reasons for exiting your first doctorate - Student Finance England will consider your case if so.

Can I get a loan to study a doctorate abroad?

You can't get a PhD loan to study your entire doctorate abroad. However, you can spend part of your degree outside the UK, provided this does not exceed 50% of your programme and your UK university is the lead institution awarding your PhD.

Can I get a PhD loan for a professional doctorate?

Yes. All types of doctorate are eligible for PhD loans, provided the qualification is awarded for a programme of work at a UK university.

Applications

PhD loan applications are now open for doctorates beginning in 2024-25 (or earlier).

Make sure you apply to the correct student finance provider. This will be:

• Student Finance England for English-resident students or Irish students coming to study in England
• Student Finance Wales for Welsh-resident students or Irish students coming to study in Wales

If you have an existing student finance account and Customer Reference Number (CRN) you should use this to apply for your PhD loan. The application system will also ask for details about your PhD (or other doctoral degree), residency status and how much you want to borrow.

The application deadline is fairly relaxed – you have to apply within nine months of the first day of the final academic year of your doctorate. Depending on when you start your PhD during the year, there are four possible ‘first days’, which you can see in the table below.

As an example, if you start a three-year PhD on 22 October 2023, you should apply for a doctoral loan before 31 May 2026.

Remember though, that applying later in your PhD could limit the maximum amount you can borrow (you can't receive more than £12,167 in a single academic year if your course started between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024, or £12.471 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2024.).

If you have any further questions about applying for a PhD loan, hopefully the FAQs below will cover them.

When can I apply for a PhD loan?

Applications for 2024-25 PhD loans opened in June 2024. You can apply online or by post (PDF).

Will I receive a loan whilst I'm 'writing up' my PhD?

Only if you are still ahead of your submission date. Your university may allow you extra time to finish writing up your thesis, but you won't receive any extra payments if you've already had your full loan by that point.

When will I receive my first instalment?

You'll receive the first payment for your PhD loan once you start your PhD and your university confirms that you have registered on your project or programme.

When will I stop receiving my loan?

Your payment schedule will be based on the intended submission date for your doctoral thesis, agreed with your university at the start of your degree.

Should I apply at the beginning of my course, or wait?

This is up to you and depends on your funding circumstances.

The PhD loan is meant to be flexible though: you could apply for a loan to help support you throughout your doctorate, or use it to bridge gaps between funding or replace income from a part-time job as you focus on the later stages of your project.

Do I have to reapply in each year of my PhD?

No. You only have to apply for a doctoral loan once.

Can I use an existing student finance account?

Yes. If you have already have an account with Student Finance England you must use it to apply for your doctoral loan.

Do I need to be accepted for a PhD before I apply for a loan?

No. You will need to state which university you intend to research your doctorate at (and how long for) but you don't need to prove you've been accepted before you can apply for a PhD loan. However, you will need to register for your PhD before you receive any actual loan payments (your university should confirm this for you).

Can I apply for a loan for a PhD I've already started?

You can apply after the beginning of a PhD, but it must have started after 1 August 2018.

Doctoral loan repayments are income contingent . You only repay your PhD loan when you are earning over £21,000 a year (£1,750 a month or £404 a week) and you only repay 6% of what you earn over that threshold.

You'll begin repayments in the first April after you leave your course or in the April four years after your PhD starts (whichever is sooner). This means that you can be eligible to start repaying the doctoral loan during your PhD, but only if you're earning enough.

How you repay depends on your employment status:

• If you are employed in the UK HMRC will automatically deduct repayments from your salary on behalf of the Student Loans Company. This will usually happen monthly.
• If you are self-employed you will need to make repayments to HMRC as part of your annual tax return.
• If you are working outside the UK you will need to make repayment arrangements with the Student Loans Company. You should do this before you leave the UK.
• If you are unemployed you won't make repayments. The same applies if you are ever earning less than £21,000 a year.

You may also need to repay other student loans along wth your PhD loan:

• PhD and Masters loan repayments are combined – you will make one repayment of 6% of your income over £21,000 towards a single postgraduate loan debt
• All postgraduate loan repayments are concurrent with those for undergraduate loans – you will repay 6% of your income over £21,000 towards your Masters and / or PhD loan and 9% of your income over £26,575 towards your undergraduate loan

Interest is charged on a PhD loan at the same rate as Masters loans: RPI (the Retail Prices Index) +3%. As of June 2024, the rate is 7.8%, but this changes every year.

Any remaining PhD loan debt (including interest) is cancelled after 30 years from the point at which you begin repayments.

We've answered a few more FAQs about PhD loan repayments below.

When do repayments begin?

You will become eligible to start repaying your doctoral loan on one of the following dates:

• 6 April after your PhD ends
• 6 April four years after you begin your PhD

Note that this is slightly difference to repayments for other student loans, which only ever begin after graduation.

It means you could begin repaying your loan whilst you're still studying for your doctorate (and potentially still receiving loan payments). However, you will only ever make repayments when you're earning over £21,000 a year.

Do repayments still begin after 4 years if I study part time?

Yes, regardless of how you study, you will become eligible to repay a PhD loan (providing you're earning enough) four years after your course begins or in the April after you graduate (whichever is sooner).

Could I have to make PhD loan repayments on my pension?

Potentially, yes. If the money you receive from a pension counts as income you will need to make student loan repayments on it (alongside other potential deductions such as income tax). It's a good idea to check this with your pension plan provider.

Welsh PhD loans

Wales offers its own PhD loan for Welsh-resident UK students. You can borrow up to £28,655 for a degree that begins in 2024-25.

Welsh PhD loans work the same way as English PhD loans. The only difference is that you should apply to Student Finance Wales, not Student Finance England.

Scotland and Northern Ireland don't offer a doctoral loan yet.

Still looking for a PhD?

Head over to our PhD course listings to find the latest opportunities from around the world.

Like hearing about postgraduate funding changes?

So do we it really helps when we're putting together our free weekly newsletter., you may also like....

Our detailed guides and blogs cover everything you need to know about PhD loan eligibility, applications, repayments and much more.

It's time to start applying for postgraduate student finance. Read some tips and advice from the experts at the Student Loans Company.

Have your funding applications been unsuccessful? This blog discusses what it's like to self fund with a UK doctoral loan, and what it might mean for your studies.

PhD loan applications are open! Our handy checklist will help ensure yours is simple and successful.

You can now apply for a PhD loan for 2022! Here are a few things to bear in mind before you start your application.

Don't get lost looking for PhD funding. This simple guide will help you prioritise your search.

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The ULTIMATE guide to Postgraduate Funding

19 th December 2023

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Figuring out how to fund your postgraduate studies can seem immensely confusing, so we’ve created our Ultimate Guide to Postgraduate Funding to help you discover what your options are and how you can pay for your education. Routes for funding postgraduate degrees are quite different to undergraduate degrees, most of which are paid via Student Finance. For postgraduates, you’ll have a few different directions you could follow. From bursaries to budgeting, you will find lots of useful information here for you to consider when applying for your postgraduate degree, along with tips for helping you save money while you study. 

How much can a postgraduate degree cost?

What living costs should you consider, what postgraduate degree funding options are there.

• Postgraduate loans
• Bursaries and scholarships

Teacher Training Bursaries and Scholarships

Nhs learning support fund and social work bursaries, subject related funding, scholarships for under-represented groups, location related funding, disabled students’ allowance, enhanced learning credits scheme for the armed forces, research councils, employer sponsorship, part-time employment, crowdfunding, tips for saving money while studying.

The costs for postgraduate degrees and undergraduate degrees are notably different, while undergraduate degrees are subject to a tuition fee cap (currently £9,250 per year), postgraduate degrees are not. The universities themselves set the tuition fees for postgraduate degrees, which means there can be quite a lot of variation. 

Costs for postgraduate degrees average around £11,000 per year, depending on the qualification, course and university. Check out the table below to get an idea of the tuition fees per year for some of the most popular postgraduate qualifications... 

To find out up to date costs for degrees that you are interested in, have a browse using our Course Search feature, which can sort courses from the lowest to highest if you’re looking to find an affordable master’s course. 

Next: Search for postgraduate courses

Alongside tuition fees, postgraduate students will also need to take into account the associated living costs for the years they will be studying. This will include things like rent, bills, food, travel and course materials, among others. The cost of living will depend on where in the country you live as rent can vary between cities, and some degrees can require you to buy more course materials than others. It’s wise to put together a realistic budget for living costs and plan your monthly expenses accordingly, which could include the items on this list below below... 

• Rent + Bills 
• Course materials 
• Travel 
• Entertainment 
• Clothes  

A note on Council Tax – as a student, you shouldn’t have to pay it. However, if you live with non-students or with a partner and you want to contribute to the Council Tax bill (bear in mind you don’t legally have to), you should double check that your property is in the right band to avoid unnecessary costs. 

There are several options available for postgraduate students when it comes to funding their education. This includes loans from the government specifically for postgraduate students, a range of bursaries and scholarships, employee sponsorships, crowdfunding and even salaried teacher training courses. Previously, the Professional and Career Development Loan scheme was a popular route for postgraduate students, but the government closed applications for it in 2019. 

Postgraduate Loans

In 2016, the government introduced loans for students looking to embark on postgraduate studies. This began with the Master’s Loan and continued with the Doctoral Loan introduced in 2018. These are not means-tested loans, and they are paid directly to the student. They can be used to pay for course fees and living costs. 

For the Master’s Loan , students can get up to £11,836 for courses that start after 1 August 2022. The loan will be paid in three installments over the academic year (or equally divided across each year of your course if it is longer than one year). You must be taking a full, standalone master’s course worth at least 180 credits, and it can be a taught or research-based master’s.  

For the Doctoral Loan , students can get up to £27,892 for courses that start after 1 August 2022. The loan will be divided equally across each year of your course. You must be taking a full, standalone doctoral course, and it can be a taught or research-based course (or a combination of the two). 

There are other requirements that you must fulfil to be eligible to receive a postgraduate loan from the government, details of which you will be able to find on the gov.uk website.  

Similar to the standard undergraduate degree loan, students will have to start repaying their postgraduate loan once they begin to earn an income over a certain threshold. 

Go to: Read more about Loan Options for Postgraduate Students

Bursaries and Scholarships

Bursaries and scholarships are also popular for students looking to make postgraduate education more affordable. The names are sometimes used interchangeably, and they can be quite similar, though getting a scholarship is usually a competitive process, while bursaries are available to any student that qualifies for them. However, neither scholarships nor bursaries have to be repaid. 

When looking for bursaries or scholarships, the first place you’ll want to look is the university. There will often be university-wide bursaries as well as department-specific bursaries, depending on your subject and/or circumstances. Some postgraduate courses come with a certain number of scholarships attached. 

Most universities also offer discounts on postgraduate courses for alumni. If you have completed an undergraduate degree at a university, you could consider staying on or returning to take advantage of this discount. However, your course is an investment; evaluate the department and the reputation of the course carefully and don’t be enticed solely by cost. 

Next: Search for bursaries and scholarships

If you're looking to become a teacher, you might be eligable for a bursary from the government depending on the subject you want to teach. You'll need a 2:2 or higher bachelor’s degree, a master’s or a PhD in the subject to qualify for the bursary, alongside some more terms and conditions which are available on the gov.uk website. The subjects and bursary can be found on the table below...

There are also scholarships available for people looking to become teachers in certain subjects, offered by other independent institutions. Students will need to apply directly to the institution for these scholarships, and meet the institution's critera. The subjects, scholarship amounts and institutions are listed on the label below...

*French, German and Spanish only

Go to: Read more about How to Fund a PGCE

The NHS provides a Learning Support Fund as additional funding for students on pre-registration postgraduate courses for a number of subjects. Eligible students can get a training grant of £5,000 per academic year which is not means-tested and does not need to be repaid. You’ll have to reapply for the training grant for each academic year of your study. The Learning Support Fund can be received by students studying for the following courses: 

• Dental Hygiene or Dental Therapy (level 5 or 6 courses) 
• Dietetics 
• Midwifery 
• Nursing (adult, child, mental health, learning disability, joint nursing and social work) 
• Occupational Therapy 
• Operating Department Practitioner (level 5 or 6 courses) 
• Orthoptics 
• Orthotics and Prosthetics 
• Paramedic Science (DipHE and FD courses are not eligible for NHS LSF) 
• Physiotherapy 
• Podiatry or Chiropody 
• Radiography (diagnostic and therapeutic) 
• Speech and Language Therapy 

Students can also receive a Specialist Subject Payment of an additional £1,000 aper academic year if they are studying one of these particular courses: 

• Mental Health Nursing 
• Learning Disability Nursing 
• Radiography (Diagnostic and Therapeutic) 
• Prosthetics and Orthotics 
• Orthoptics and Podiatry 

The Learning Support Fund features more funding alongside the training grant. There is a £2,000 annual Parental Support grant for students who have parental responsibility for a child. The Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses to help pay for excess travel and accommodation for students undertaking clinical placements for their practical training. The Exceptional Support Fund also provides funding for students facing unforeseen financial difficulties. 

The NHS can also provide a bursary for postgraduate students who are studying an approved Social Work course, comprised of a non-means-tested basic grant and a means-tested maintenance grant. 

You can also look further afield for bursaries and grants, as various charities, trusts, and societies across the UK will offer them to students studying in related subjects, since it is in their interest to further research in that area or train more individuals to work in the sector. Explore the established groups that exist in and around the subject you are looking to study to see if there is funding available to you. 

For example, The Royal Geographical Society supports fieldwork projects with grants for master’s and PhD students. Cancer Research UK also supports PhD students looking to help make medical breakthroughs in the line of research. The Scott Trust offers multiple bursaries each year for students looking to take an MA in journalism.  

Several societies and trusts offer scholarships to members of under-represented groups to support academics from all backgrounds and build diversity of ideas in sectors that need it. Some companies will even work with the universities themselves to help establish these scholarships and bursaries, so get in touch with the institutions you’re interested in to see if they have any funding that you can receive. 

For example, the Windsor Fellowship works with the likes of UCL, DeepMind, Cancer Research UK and Visa to offer scholarships for students from under-represented communities for a variety of postgraduate courses. The Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Scholarship offers funding for future diversity leaders, complete with mentoring and training. 

You may be able to access funds from a local council or charity where you live, or where you will be living during your studies. Often small towns and rural communities have charities and hardship funds where money goes unclaimed. If you can demonstrate that you were, or are, a contributing member of the community, and that you are hoping to further your education and job prospects, you may be able to secure a financial contribution. Reaching out to your local council to see what is available should form part of your university funding research. 

The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) can be used by postgraduate and undergraduate students to support with study-related costs. Students can get up to £25,575 in the 2022 to 2023 academic year to help meet disability-related costs of studying, which can include paying for specialist equipment, non-medical helpers and extra travel expenditure.  

Eligible students may be asked to book a needs assessment to determine what will be needed for their courses. The DSA does not need to be repaid. You’ll be able to find more information, including eligibility criteria, on the gov.uk website. 

The Ministry of Defence aims to promote "lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces" with its Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC). This scheme provides financial support for a maximum of three separate years to contribute towards the costs of a degree with a qualifying institution. The ELC can be claimed by personnel who have recently left or serving members of the Armed Forces depending on their eligibility. 

Research Councils are publicly funded bodies that exist to further research in various academic fields and subject areas. Part of their role is to fund PhD and master’s students. Your university applies for funding, and courses or subjects that have received grants from research councils should advertise this when prospective students are researching courses or applying.  You will then have to apply to the department or school, so it varies from university to university as to the competition and application requirements. 

If you are interested in completing a postgraduate course to advance your career prospects in the organisation you work for, it’s worth asking if the company will sponsor you in some way. Some businesses will have official schemes in place for this, but if there is no official scheme, it’s up to you to negotiate an arrangement and hope that your employer will see the potential.  

Whether you are planning to do a part-time course, either in attendance or through distance learning, or take time out to complete a full-time course, you need to think about the logistics and the terms of your employment. Ensure you are clear on any agreements you make with your employer when arranging your sponsorship, as some agreements may require you to return funds used for your course should you leave the company within a specified period. 

If you need to provide an argument for why your employer should sponsor your education, think about presenting how it will help your contribution to the business, how it fits in with your long-term development goals at the organisation and the value it could add to the company.

Next: Read more on Balancing Work and Study on an MBA

Part-time work can help contribute towards living costs while studying for your postgraduate degree. Many places will have part-time jobs, but we also recommend looking to find a part-time job at your university. Whether it’s acting as an ambassador for open day, helping with administration tasks or shifts working at the Students’ Union, they will respect that you are there first and foremost for your education. 

You should speak to your tutor prior to finding part-time work to check whether they think you will have enough time to make it a realistic option. Depending on how intense your course is, it may get in the way of assignments and/or increase your stress levels. 

Next:  Read more on Does Postgraduate Study Mean Giving Up Work?

If you are looking for further assistance paying for your tuition fees or living costs, you may want to consider crowdfunding as an option. Appealing to friends, family, and strangers the internet will not be the dependable method for raising the full amount needed for your degree, but combined with other funding routes, crowdfunding a small portion of the money needed can help make progressing through your studies much more achievable from a financial standpoint.  

Websites like GoFundMe and Crowdfunder can be used to host your crowdfunding campaigns, though be aware that they will charge fees for using their service. You can use social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to get the campaign out into the world and post updates. Marketing is a vital part of crowdfunding, as it will allow you to show why taking your postgraduate degree is important. Try to think about how your study will help develop not only your prospects, but also a particular field or specific community. 

Alongside the funding options available, many students will also be looking for ways to save money while studying for their postgraduate degree. With that in mind, we’ve put together a handy selection of tips to help you look after your money at university.  

Graduate Accounts

The first place to start is your bank account. As obvious as it sounds, having the right account with benefits tailored to graduates is essential when assessing your funding options for postgraduate study. Some graduate accounts will offer an interest-free overdraft for up to three years, which is useful for clearing your overdraft debt without adding to it in the meantime.  

You may want to stick with the bank where you had your student account, but it is worth your time looking around to see what features the graduate accounts from other banks have. This can include different sizes and lengths of overdraft, along with other freebies. 

A huge number of shops and brands will offer student discounts, which can really help to save you money. You’ll usually need to show your student ID or provide your university email address to benefit from student discounts. There are also student discount cards available, like the TOTUM card (previously known as the NUS Extra card), which have even more exclusive deals to offer. 

Many shops will also have loyalty cards for you to use when you shop to collect points or get money off your purchases. This includes the likes of the Tesco Clubcard, Nectar Card, and the Boots Advantage Card. These cards are almost always free and can be used online and in person, so they’re worth picking up if you regularly shop at these places. 

If you need to travel by train frequently, take a look at the selection of Railcards available from National Rail. Many of these, like the 16-25 or the 26-30 Railcard, can let you get 1/3 off train tickets across the country. Students in London can also get an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard to save 30% on Travelcards and Bus and Tram Pass season tickets. 

Some universities will offer various incentives to encourage students to travel by bike, including free bike checks. If you already have a bike, or can find a good student discount on one, this can help you save money on train and bus tickets throughout your studies. 

Cooking food with housemates is a good way to save money, as these meals will often work out to be cheaper than cooking just for yourself. Plus, you’ll get to spend time with your housemates, and if you’re in student accommodation, this is a great way to make friends. 

Similarly, cooking in bulk and freezing portions to eat for the next couple of days is another good way to save money on ingredients, with the added benefit of saving you time in the evenings. You can find plenty of recipes on the internet for bulk cooking, and there are even cookbooks dedicated to bulk cooking, too. 

Student discounts will once again be your friend should you need to eat out, as a host of restaurants will have some tasty student deals. You may also find that some student discount cards also come with access to a Tastecard, which can get you exclusive deals in all sorts of restaurants and cafes. 

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Postgraduate loans for doctoral students

If you’re coming to Manchester this year to begin or continue postgraduate doctoral research, you could qualify for a loan from the UK government.

The maximum loan available for those starting a programme on or after 1 August 2024 is £29,390. Applications are open now.

This postgraduate student loan is paid directly to you and is non-means tested. The loan is a contribution towards the cost of study and is unlikely to fund the full cost of your doctoral studies. You will need to research how to fund any shortfall.

The information on this page is about the loan available to English students studying in the UK. There are similar funding arrangements for UK students resident in Wales; apply online at Student Finance Wales . Students ordinarily resident in Jersey , Guernsey and the Isle of Man may also be eligible for support.

Eligibility

To apply for a postgraduate doctoral loan, you must:

• be a UK or Irish national or have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme  or indefinite leave to remain so there are no restrictions on how long you can stay;
• normally live in England;
• have been living in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland for three continuous years before the first day of your course, apart from temporary absences such as going on holiday; 
• UK applicants from Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man who move to England solely for the purpose of attending the course will not be eligible.

If you’re an EU national or a family member of an EU national

You may be eligible if you’re an EU national or a family member of an EU national, and all the following apply:

• you have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme;
• you’ve normally lived in the UK, Gibraltar, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for the past three years (this is also known as being ‘ordinarily resident’);
• you’ll be studying at a university or college in England.

You could also be eligible if you’re:

• the child of a Swiss national and you and your parent have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme;
• a migrant worker from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status, or a family member of a migrant worker where both have pre-settled status;
• a resident of Gibraltar who is a UK or EU national, or their family member.

You may also be eligible with another residency status. See the gov.uk website for full details.

You must be under 60 on the first day of the first academic year of your course to get a postgraduate doctoral loan.

Previous study

If you have a loan from a previous undergraduate course or postgraduate master’s course, it won’t affect your eligibility for a postgraduate doctoral loan.

You can only get a postgraduate doctoral loan if you don’t already have an equivalent doctoral qualification or a higher-level qualification such as a PhD.

If you borrow a postgraduate doctoral loan for a course but don’t complete it, you won’t be able to get a second postgraduate doctoral loan. However, if you have to withdraw from your course for compelling personal reasons, such as illness, you may still be able to apply for another postgraduate doctoral loan.

Other eligibility

You won’t be able to get a postgraduate doctoral loan if you are getting any Research Council funding.

Course eligibility

The course you’re studying must be a full postgraduate doctoral course leading to a qualification such as:

• subject specialist doctorates: a formal programme of study such as a PhD;
• integrated subject specialist doctorates: a supervised research project undertaken alongside a more structured taught course, or may depend on successful completion of taught elements and be undertaken in later years. Integrated doctorates normally offer exit awards at master's level based on successful completion of taught course units (students must register for the doctoral degree at the outset to be eligible for a postgraduate doctoral loan);
• professional and practice-based doctorates: post-experience qualifications aimed at mid-career professionals, for example, an Engineering Doctorate (EngD).

A postgraduate doctoral loan isn't available to students wanting to ‘top up’ a lower-level qualification to a doctoral degree. Your course must be a full standalone doctoral course. The loan is available whether you are studying your course in person or by distance learning, and your course can be:

• a full-time course lasting at least three years;
• a part-time course lasting up to eight years.

How to apply

You only need to apply once for the postgraduate doctoral loan, as the application and funding are for the duration of your course. If you’re studying over three or more academic years, you’ll get a letter each year confirming your payments for the upcoming academic year.

The quickest way to apply for a postgraduate doctoral loan is online. If you’ve taken out a loan with Student Finance England before, use your account to apply . If you do not already have one, you can create an account .

If you can’t apply online, you should download a paper application form .  

When to apply

You should apply as soon as possible so that the Student Loans Company can contact you if they need any further information or evidence. You must apply no more than nine months after the first day of the last academic year of your course.

Please note if you apply after your first year, you might not get the maximum loan amount. 

When you’re paid

You get the first payment after your course start date, once your university or college confirms that you’ve registered.

The loan will be paid in three instalments of 33%, 33% and 34% each year. After your application has been approved you’ll be sent a letter with your payment dates or you can check them in your online account.

The repayment threshold currently stands at £21,000, and repayment amounts are 6% of income above the relevant threshold. For full details on repayment of student loans please visit the gov.uk website .

Find out more

Find out more about the Doctoral Loan on the UK government website.

Go to gov.uk

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Postgraduate Loan

Lendwise offers private postgraduate student loans with fair, student-friendly terms at competitive rates for students who require funding to further advance their education with a postgraduate degree. Lendwise Loans can also be used alongside the Government postgraduate loans, effectively bridging the funding gap that often exists so students have better chances of fulfilling their ambitions through the pursuit of higher education.

Key Features:

Applications are assessed based on future earnings potential, not just a credit score

Borrow up to £100,000

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Frequently asked questions

What are postgraduate studies.

Postgraduate studies refer to courses that are being taken after a first university degree (BSc, BA, LLB). The most usual postgraduate study qualification is the Masters Degree (MSc, MA, LLM) whilst the highest is usually doctorate level studies (PhD). There are also many other postgraduate studies such as certificates (PgCert) and diplomas (PgDip) which can be accomplished in a similar or less time and usually cost less but do not confer the same title level to the student.

Do postgraduate studies have tuition fees?

The tuition fees for postgraduate study vary widely depending on the university, programme, how competitive the entry to the programme is, and range from a few thousand pounds to top ranked two year MBA programs that might reach or exceed £100,000 in tuition fees. One must also not forget to budget for maintenance or living expenses during the time of the course, lost earnings during the time studied (although the objective and aim of most of these courses is better preparations and tools to achieve higher earnings when accomplished) and servicing ongoing financial obligations.

Are postgraduate studies sponsored by government?

The UK government has recognised that postgraduate studies are becoming mainstream, a necessity rather than an optionality and since 2016 has been providing student finance for masters courses and doctorate level courses with postgraduate loans.

What is the cost of a postgraduate course?

The tuition fee cost of a postgraduate course can range from £2,500 a year for some distance learning diplomas and masters courses all the way up to nearly £100,000 for an executive MBA from a very exclusive and competitive business school. In addition to the tuition fees any aspiring student will be spending considerable time effort and the decision to embark on a postgraduate course is not an easy one. Considering also that in almost all cases the government student finance will only offer a government postgraduate loan once or only for the first attempt and that this opportunity is eligible until the age of 60, one should not rush into the decision of undertaking such an endeavour. The cost of the course and the institution offering it matter as much as the skills that each course offers, the opportunities for practical training or industry placements, the network of friends and associates that one can cultivate during the course and keep all their lives through friendships and alumni network and how employers view the graduates of any program as potential employees or the opportunities offered for entrepreneurship.

Who is eligible for student finance for a postgraduate course?

Following the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union at the end of 2020, residents of the United Kingdom (as well as the Republic of Ireland) will be eligible for student finance from the UK Government using a postgraduate loan. The amounts offered, the courses and universities eligible differ in each of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the fees and funding pages. Dedicated student finance platforms like Lendwise look at a large number of data points to decide on granting a postgraduate loan that can assist a student if the government loan is not enough to cover the cost of studies. Previous credit history, education, employment, employment prospects and salary expectations are some of the key areas that are assessed to ensure that the any loan is affordable and will be affordable by a student and become a helping force in their lives and not a burden.

Postgraduate loan payments

Postgraduate loans in England and Wales are not paid directly to the Universities, as the practice is with undergraduate student loans but are paid directly to the student’s bank account in three equal instalments. The student then has to pay the university tuition fees. If the tuition fees are lower than the postgraduate loan the students can use the remainder funds for their maintenance and living expenses during the course. If the tuition fees are higher than the postgraduate loan amount (as is usually the case) the student is responsible for the remainder amount and this is usually funded through savings, parental contribution, earning while studying or dedicated student finance platforms like Lendwise . In England for courses that started after the 1st of August of 2022 the postgraduate loan amount is £11,836 and is paid in three instalments to the student’s account. Practically, when dedicated student finance platforms are used, they settle part or all of the tuition fees directly with the university finance office and the students use the government postgraduate loan to finance their maintenance and living expenses as for most individuals there is no maintenance loan from government similar to the undergraduate student loan.

How is a postgraduate loan repaid?

Repayments for a postgraduate loan do no start until after graduation and until earnings have reached a certain threshold published by the government. When earnings rise above the threshold a set percentage of ones salary is deducted by the employer to go towards repayment of the loan. This repayment amount does not increase if the student has undergraduate student loans or will take a doctorate loan later. Depending on the student finance agency (Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) , Student Finance NI) after the age of retirement or a number of years after the loan is taken the remainder amount is written off. It should be also noted that student loans are not reported to credit rating agencies and do not appear on your credit report.

In the case of private postgraduate student loans if the course is full time and the student is not working it is usually expected that repayments will start after the end of the course and with an additional grace window to allow for finding employment and settling down into professional life. In the case of part time courses, short courses, bootcamps and remote courses it is usually expected that repayments start one month after the start of the loan. This practice is beneficial to the students as they do not incur interest for a longer time and over a larger loan balance.

What is the interest rate for a postgraduate loan?

Currently for the postgraduate loan the interest rate is 5.4% per annum. This changes every September and is pegged to the Retail Price Index (RPI), which measures inflation in the United Kingdom, plus 3%. For private postgraduate loans the interest rates vary by provider and for each individual depending on their circumstances. Lendwise aims to provide lowest possible interest rate that can be achieved from Lenders on its platform and if the calculated rate is too high or unattainable to be affordable to the student then a loan proposal will not be presented. Currently loans on the Lendwise platform have been funded at rates between 7% and 12%.

Where do I apply for a postgraduate loan in England?

To see if one is eligible for a postgraduate loan in England they should apply to Student Finance England. Application usually open in March for courses starting in September onwards and one can apply until the 9 months after the start of the last year of their course. It is however strongly recommended for anyone aiming to pursue a postgraduate course to begin their budget early and confirm their financing sources as early as possible. The Lendwise loan application form providers a budget calculator that allows the student to enter their budgeted expenses and sources of funding and see whether and how much they need for a university postgraduate course. For more information and detail on eligibility criteria for Student Finance England the Lendwise Postgraduate Student Loan Almanac has gathered a lot of information useful to the student.

Where do I apply for a postgraduate loan in Scotland?

To see if one is eligible for a postgraduate loan in Scotland they should apply to Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Application usually open in March for courses starting in September onwards and one can apply until the 9 months after the start of the last year of their course. It is however strongly recommended for anyone aiming to pursue a postgraduate course to begin their budget early and confirm their financing sources as early as possible. The Lendwise loan application form providers a budget calculator that allows the student to enter their budgeted expenses and sources of funding and see whether and how much they need for a university postgraduate course. For more information and detail on eligibility criteria for Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) the Lendwise Postgraduate Student Loan Almanac has gathered a lot of information useful to the student.

Where do I apply for a postgraduate loan in Wales?

To see if one is eligible for a postgraduate loan in Wales they should apply to Student Finance Wales. Application usually open in March for courses starting in September onwards and one can apply until the 9 months after the start of the last year of their course. It is however strongly recommended for anyone aiming to pursue a postgraduate course to begin their budget early and confirm their financing sources as early as possible. The Lendwise loan application form providers a budget calculator that allows the student to enter their budgeted expenses and sources of funding and see whether and how much they need for a university postgraduate course. For more information and detail on eligibility criteria for Student Finance Wales the Lendwise Postgraduate Student Loan Almanac has gathered a lot of information useful to the student.

Where do I apply for a postgraduate loan in Northern Ireland?

To see if one is eligible for a postgraduate loan in Northern Ireland they should apply to Student Finance Northern Ireland (Student Finance NI). Application usually open in March for courses starting in September onwards and one can apply until the 9 months after the start of the last year of their course. It is however strongly recommended for anyone aiming to pursue a postgraduate course to begin their budget early and confirm their financing sources as early as possible. The Lendwise loan application form providers a budget calculator that allows the student to enter their budgeted expenses and sources of funding and see whether and how much they need for a university postgraduate course. For more information and detail on eligibility criteria for Student Finance Northern Ireland (Student Finance NI) the Lendwise Postgraduate Student Loan Almanac has gathered a lot of information useful to the student.

Do I need a guarantor for a postgraduate loan?

Regarding the government postgraduate student loan no guarantor is required and the loan and amount is not means tested or subject to a student’s credit record nor reported in it. Some private lenders may require a guarantor. Lendwise loans do not require a guarantor.

What is the postgraduate loan amount?

The postgraduate loan amount one can get depends if they are resident in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and where they will study.

In England, Student Finance England can provide up to £11,836 if your course starts on or after 1st August 2022.

In Scotland, Student Awards Agency Scotland may offer up to £7000 towards tuition fees for public universities. Students are eligible for funding of courses in the rest of the United Kingdom as long as the same course is not available in Scotland. SAAS postgraduate loans also funds full time postgraduate diplomas that have a study period of one year or less. Students that meet the residency requirement of SAAS may also be eligible for a maintenance loan of up to £4,500.

In Wales, Student Finance Wales allows a maximum of £18,430 which is made up of a loan and a grant (a maximum grant of £6,885 and loan of £11,545 if your household income is £18,370 and below OR a grant of £1,000 and loan of £17,430 if your household income is not taken into account or is above £59,200).

In Northern Ireland, the maximum loan amount offered by Student Finance Northern Ireland (Student Finance NI) is £5,500 for a tuition fee loan and under specific circumstances for a extra help in the form of an allowance that is non repayable for costs related to a disability or long term health condition. Residents of Northern Ireland can use their tuition fee loan for certain postgraduate diplomas or certificates.

Postgraduate loan for a diploma

Student Finance England and Student Finance Wales offer loans for Masters level courses and not for postgraduate diplomas or postgraduate certificates.

Student Finance Northern Ireland offers its tuition fee loan for Postgraduate Master’s, Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) which can be studies in university attendance or remotely through distance learning and be research based or taught and can be studies part time or full time but must not last longer than three academic years.

Student Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) offers support for Postgraduate Diplomas but not Postgraduate Certificate courses.

Postgraduate loan for GDL

The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a postgraduate diploma that allows graduates or professionals without a qualifying law degree to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to progress and be eligible for embarking in a Legal Practice Course (LPC) to become a solicitor or a Bar Practice Course (BPC or previously known as the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)) to become a barrister. Students with a non-legal education background are also attracted to such courses as they give a good legal education that is a good to have skill in many industries and professions. Some GDL courses are structured as integrated masters courses and thus are eligible as any other Masters courses for a government postgraduate course. Other students opt for a non integrated masters for the GDL and undertake an integrate masters with their LPC known as the LLM which is again eligible for student finance if it is the first professional qualification. Dedicated student finance platforms such as Lendwise provide private postgraduate loans for the GDL, LPC and BPC.

Postgraduate loan for part time masters

Part time masters courses are usually eligible for student finance under the government postgraduate loan scheme. There may be some eligibility restrictions depending on the time required for completion of the course and the loan is disbursed in instalments that span the length of the course.

Postgraduate loan for MBA

MBA courses are usually eligible for student finance under the government postgraduate loan scheme. Due to their appeal, competition for places and expected boost in employability and earnings the most prominent attract a high number of applications both from the UK and from overseas students. A global student body is a lot of times a major factor in the decision of the students to select a specific business school or course. As the fees are usually quite high in comparison to other postgraduate courses and some courses are 15 or 24 months in duration the government postgraduate loan is not sufficient to cover the tuition fees and / or living expenses and dedicated student finance platforms like Lendwise offer loans that bridge the funding gap.

Postgraduate loan for distance learning masters

Distance Learning masters courses are usually eligible for student finance under the government postgraduate loan scheme. There may be some eligibility restrictions depending on the time required for completion of the course and the loan is disbursed in instalments that span the length of the course.

Postgraduate Loan for Bootcamp courses

Bootcamps are quite a new form of postgraduate course that aim within a short period of time to teach practical skills that can allow an individual to reskill or upskill. There are usually no set prerequisites as each company or training provider makes its own selection and their duration, course content, tuition fee and mode of attendance are set by the training provider. Bootcamp courses are usually not eligible for student finance through the government postgraduate loan but some may be eligible through the apprenticeship scheme. Dedicated student finance platforms such as Lendwise offer:

• Postgraduate Loans for Bootcamps
• Other Professional Qualifications

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Funding for students on postgraduate taught courses

Funding for Master's study can be limited, so most students piece together different funding sources to cover their costs. Find out about the available options below.

Current scholarship spotlight

UCL Masters Bursary

UCL Global Masters Scholarship

Chevening Scholarship at UCL

This guidance is for students studying for an MA, MSc or MRes at UCL and includes:

How much does a Master's cost?

Government loans, scholarships, funding for disabled students, other sources of funding, current master's students.

When calculating the cost of a Master's there are two elements to consider - tuition fees and living costs.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees will vary from programme to programme, and depend on whether your fee classification . 

Below are the full-time tuition fees for the 2023/24 academic year - they do not include fees set by other providers. Part-time or modular fees are normally charged pro-rata. Check the Graduate Prospectus for information on what your fees may be for any particular programme.

UCL tuition fees (2023/24 entry)

Living costs

The amount spent on living costs may vary greatly from student to student and depend on lifestyle and individual circumstances.  Information on the cost of study can be found on  UCL's cost of study page .

Some governments offer loans for students pursuing postgraduate study. Check with your home government to see what funding they may offer.

Postgraduate Master's Loan from Student Finance

Some students may be eligible for a Postgraduate Master's Loan from Student Finance. Unlike undergraduate Student Finance, this is a single loan that acts as a contribution towards the cost of study. It is unlikely that it will cover the cost of both tuition fees and maintenance. For courses starting in the 2024/25 academic year, you could get up to £12,417.

The loan is paid to you directly to use in any way you choose. This means you will be responsible for arranging payment of your own tuition fees, as the loan will not go directly to UCL like an undergraduate tuition fee loan.

Eligibility

Information on the loan including full eligibility details can be found on the Student Finance Master's Loan website .

Please note that you must be doing a full standalone Master's of 180 credits to be eligible for the loan. You will not be eligible for the loan if you are studying on a modular/flexible mode of attendance, or are using credits from previous study towards your Master's under UCL's Recognition of Prior Learning scheme .

How your Postgraduate Master's Loan might affect your benefits

If you receive means-tested benefits, 30% of the maximum Postgraduate Master's Loan is treated by the Department for Work and Pensions as being for living costs and hence will be considered income when assessing any benefit award. For benefit purposes, you will be treated as having this amount, regardless of whether you actually take up the loan. 

Interest and Repayment

You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment until your loan is repaid in full or cancelled. 

Find out more about interest and repayment of Student Finance loans on the  Student Finance repayment website .

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Sharia-compliant loans

The government has been looking in to the possibility of an alternative Sharia-compliant funding system which would be available alongside traditional student loans. However at present this system is not yet in place.

UCL participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loans). This is the main U.S. Federal funding available to American students in the UK. 

The processing of loans at schools outside the US is different from the process when applying to a school inside the US. Students applying to Direct Loans for study at UCL should follow the instructions carefully as we will not be able to administer your loan unless you submit that application to the Student Funding Office as outlined in the guidance.

Find out more about US Loans

Canadian Loans

Students from Canada may be able to apply for Canada Student Loans and provincial or territorial student assistance. 

Find out more about Canadian Loans

UCL and some external organisations provide scholarships to Master's students. 

UCL Scholarships

There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship  for international students. You can use the scholarships finder to search for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.

Use the scholarships finder

External Scholarships

Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships , Scholarship Search ,  Postgraduate Funding  and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.

Postgrad.com has a selection of bursaries that are open to postgraduate students from anywhere in the world.

If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.

Find out more about external funding options

Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.

Disabled Students' Allowances

If you're a Home student, you can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) to cover some of the extra costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.

You can get the allowances on top of your other student finance. You won’t need to repay DSAs.

UCL Student Support and Wellbeing provide information around DSAs and other support available for disabled students at UCL.  

Disabled students who are not awarded a Disabled Students’ Allowance may be eligible for a Student Health Association Bursary .

Disabled students may also wish to read more information about the Snowdon Masters Scholarships which are offered by The Global Disability Innovation Hub and the Snowdon Trust.

Disabled International Students

UCL recognises that disabled students may have to incur additional costs in order to pursue their studies. If you are an international student who would like to discuss this further please contact Student Support and Wellbeing .

As a student, it is unlikely you will be able to claim benefits unless you have a disability or have children.

The charity Turn2Us have guides on what benefits students may be eligible for.

If you are experiencing problems with your benefits, contact the Student's Union UCL Advice Service .

Council Tax

Full-time students do not need to pay council tax

Some charitible organisations provide small amounts of money to students with particular backgrounds or studying particular subject areas.

From time to time external organisations contact the UCL Funding team with funding opportunities. We place these on an online Hootboard notice board . UCL does not administer or take responsibility for any of these schemes. If you are unable to access the Hootboard when logged in to a Hootboard account, please sign out and refresh the page.

Some students choose to apply for personal loans provided by private finance companies. UCL is not affiliated with or able to endorse any private loan providers. Information on these types of private loans can be found here. 

The Turn2Us Grants Search database contains information on over 3,000 charitable funds offering welfare and educational grants, as well as other support and services. 

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online is a portal for alternative sources of funding - especially charities - which can make awards (fees, maintenance, research costs) to any student regardless of subject or nationality. UCL has purchased a licence to the Guide so it’s free for all students and staff to use. If you are a prospective student who has applied to the university  email student funding  to get an access PIN. 

Lists of charitable grants and awards are kept in the following directories which are held in UCL libraries - see references below:

Charities Digest: Selected charities & voluntary organisations

• 1x Main Library - Reference R 20 CHA
• 1x IOE Library - Reference Collection, Level 4, RF3 HEW CHA

Directory of Grant Making Trusts 

• 2x Main Library - Reference R 20 DIR
• 1x IOE Library - Reference Collection, Level 4, RF3 HEW DIR

Grants Register

• 1x Main Library - Ref Collection M, Reference R 20 GRA
• 1x School of Pharmacy Library - Reference Shelves, Pharmacy 378.3 GRA

Guide to Educational Grants

• 1x Main Library - Reference R 20 GUI
• 1x IOE Library -  Reference Collection, Level 4, RF3 EDU

Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need

There are a number of sources of financial support for Master's students who are currently enrolled at UCL.

The Financial Assistance Fund

The Financial Assistance Fund is a fund for UCL students who fall into unexpected financial hardship. Please note this is for living costs only, and students who have an outstanding tuition fee debt to UCL are not eligible to apply.

Short term Loans

Limited cash loans of up to £250 are available to students who have experienced a delay in their normal funding being paid.

External grants and funding

Some charities and organisations give financial support to current students studying particular subjects or in particular circumstances.

Reduce costs and increase income

If you are struggling to cover the costs of study, you can look at ways to reduce your costs and increase your income .

As a full-time postgraduate student, you have the opportunity to become a Student Residence Adviser  (SRA) and eliminate your accommodation costs completely by living in UCL halls. SRAs deliver inclusive community events and activities, provide peer-to-peer pastoral support, and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all student residents.

Student Residence Adviser positions are advertised on the UCL Jobs site in May each year.

• Postgraduate study

PhD scholarships

Postgraduate doctoral loans

Considering a research degree at the University of Sheffield? Loans are available to eligible home fee-paying doctoral students studying postgraduate research courses.

• Non-means tested loans are available to eligible home fee-paying students.
• The loan can be used for fees or living costs.
• Students must be aged under 60 on the first day of their course to be eligible.
• Repayment of the loan will involve a single repayment of 6% above the income threshold (currently £21,000) to cover the combined balance of any postgraduate masters and postgraduate doctoral loans.

The information on this page relates to the academic year 2024-2025 for  Student Finance England . Students from Wales can find out more information about postgraduate doctoral loans on the Student Finance Wales web pages .

Apply online via Student Finance England

Further information

The loan is available to UK nationals, or individuals with settled status in the UK, who are ordinarily resident in England.

For further details about who else may be eligible, please find the full list of nationality and residence criteria on the Student Finance England web pages .

The loans will be up to £29,390 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2024 and are intended to be a contribution to the cost of doctoral study. The amount students can borrow depends on which year they started their course.

Students can choose how much they borrow up to the maximum. The money can be used towards the cost of the course, whether on tuition, maintenance, or any other costs associated with study.

The total loan requested will be divided and paid each year of study. 

The Student Loans Company will then pay the yearly amount in three instalments. Each year's amount will be paid in instalments of 33%, 33%, and 34%.

As part of the registration process, students can decide to pay their fees in two or three instalments across the year.

For more information about paying your tuition fees as a postgraduate research student, please visit our web pages:

Tuition fees for postgraduate research home fee-paying students

You must be under 60 on the first day of the first academic year of your course.

The academic year is a period of 12 months starting on:

• 1 September, if your course starts between 1 August and 31 December
• 1 January, if your course starts between 1 January and 31 March
• 1 April, if your course starts between 1 April and 30 June
• 1 July, if your course starts between 1 July and 31 July

The government has decided that the loan will be available for doctoral programmes that last between 3 and 8 years in duration.

Your course must be: a full, standalone doctoral course (not a top-up course); have started on or after 1 August 2018; last between 3 to 8 academic years; and be provided by a university in the UK with research degree awarding powers.

Your course can be full-time or part-time.

For further details about eligibility, please visit the Student Finance England web pages .

Students in receipt of any Research Council studentships (full or fees only) or an NHS bursary for doctoral study are not eligible to take out doctoral loans.

You can apply for a loan if your doctoral programme includes an integrated masters degree.

No, students already holding an equivalent or higher level qualification will not be eligible for the loan. 

The doctoral loan will be repaid as 6% of eligible income above the repayment threshold (currently set at £21,000). For students with an existing masters loan, the doctoral and masters loan will be treated as a single balance, subject to one combined repayment. 

Repayments will be made concurrently alongside repayment of any outstanding undergraduate student loan.

Your repayments automatically stop if you stop working or your income goes below the threshold.

Any outstanding balance on the doctoral loan will be written off 30 years after the loan becomes subject to repayment.

Students in receipt of funding from a Research Council will not be eligible to apply for a postgraduate doctoral loan.

If you are concerned that your masters course will overlap with the start of your doctoral programme and you may experience a delay in receiving your doctoral loan, please contact our Student Registration Team using [email protected] .

If you have any questions about the postgraduate doctoral loans, please contact [email protected] .

Related information

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Postgraduate Loans

Find your perfect postgrad program search our database of 30,000 courses.

For postgraduate students planning to study in the UK, there are lots of options for funding. If you're a UK resident, then there are plenty of UK Government options for borrowing the money you need. International students may have fewer choices but it is still worth checking out what is available to you in the UK, as well as considering funding options from your home country. Plus, there are plenty of private student loan options that PG students can consider when it comes to funding their postgraduate studies. It’s important that students give private loans full consideration, choose a trusted reputable provider and do not enter into a loan agreement lightly. We work with two private loans companies – Lendwise and Prodigy Finance – that may be able to help you fund your studies, however we recommend that you consider other funding options too. As well as considering private companies like Lendwise , postgraduate students from the EU can borrow money from some UK Governments for 2020-2021, but this may change for the following years due to Brexit. There are lots of issues to consider when planning your postgraduate funding and postgraduate student loan options, such as your budget, lifestyle, repayments, guarantors and credit checks. Luckily, there is a good range of different options for those needing help funding their studies – so let's take a look at what these options are.

Masters Loans

Discover everything you need to know about your masters loans options as a postgraduate student in the UK.

Postgraduate Law & LLM Loans

If you are studying an LLM course or other postgraduate law program there are some postgraduate loans for you.

MBA students are considered for many MBA loan options – let's take a look at the various choices.

If you are planning on studying a PhD you may find that you need some help funding your doctorate.

Lendwise is a private funding option that offers loans worth up to £100,000 to eligible postgraduate students.

Prodigy Finance

Prodigy Finance offers and excellent funding option for postgraduate students with their tailor-made student loans.

UK Government loans

Each of the four nations that make up the UK – England , Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – have their own systems and regulations that cover government-backed loans to postgraduate students. These governments offer differing amounts for various aspects of postgraduate study and to different levels of study, eg masters or PhD. In some areas of the UK, all postgraduate students will have access to some form of postgraduate loans, whilst in other areas, it is only masters-level students that are eligible for government-backed postgraduate loans. This table illustrates the percentage of masters students taking out a Government loan in England by age.

Alternatively, there are private loans that can cover all sorts of expenses associated with postgraduate study and are tailor-made for postgraduate students. For both private and government loans in the UK, there are age restrictions for some loans and this depends on where you are normally resident. If you are a UK resident who has just completed an undergraduate student, then you will probably be familiar with the student loans application process. The majority of people apply online through the different student finance bodies of Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland and the Student Awards Agency Scotland. They all have similar deadlines, but it’s best to sort out your funding as early as possible so you can concentrate on your studies rather than worry about money. Private loans usually have more flexible deadlines compared to the Government-sponsored ones.

Private loans

There are plenty of private loan options that postgraduate students can consider when it comes to funding their postgraduate studies, but it’s very important to choose a trusted reputable provider and not enter into a loan agreement without giving it full consideration. All private loans providers will have different eligibility requirements and repayment terms so make sure you opt for the one that's right for you. We work with two private loans companies – Lendwise and Prodigy Finance – and they may be able to help you fund your studies, however we recommend that you consider other private funding options too before making your decision.

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We've launched our new Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries for 2024. Full-time, part-time, online and blended-learning students eligible. 2024 & 2025 January start dates students welcome. Study postgraduate courses in any subject taught anywhere worldwide.

What can you spend a postgraduate loan on?

Whether you qualify for UK Government postgraduate loans or choose a private loan option, what you are able to spend your postgraduate loan on depends on the loan. Some funding bodies will actually pay the funds directly to your university to cover the tuition fees. For example, some private providers work with specific universities to provide loans, and this means that there may be some restrictions such as paying for tuition fees first. Otherwise, you are free to spend the money on any living costs or other expenses that you have. For UK Government loans, students either have their tuition fees paid directly by the loan provider or they receive all of the funds themselves.

What about the loan repayments?

The repayments that you need to make will depend on the postgraduate loan you have taken out and from where. For UK Government loans, each of the home nations has different charges and repayment amounts, but they are all paid in the same way. Payments are made once you have graduated and are earning above a certain threshold, they are taken before you pay tax either directly from your wages or through your tax assessment once you have graduated. The amount you pay is a percentage of what you earn over the threshold set by the Government from the area of the UK you borrowed money from. Payments to private loan companies are made differently, and either begin straight away as soon as the loan is taken out at a small amount or others start taking repayments six months after you graduate. Payments are made directly to the loan provider, and the calculations use both your expected income and the amount you borrowed. The different governments of the UK set the interest rates for their students and these can change, so you need to check on these. Private loans also demand different interest rates, and these are in the terms and conditions of your loan, so do make sure you read the small print so you know what you are expected to pay and when.

The importance of budgeting

Knowing the amount you need to borrow will help keep your repayments and the cost of your postgraduate loan down. When you apply for your postgraduate loan, you will find out what the tuition fees are, which for some courses is a significant part of the cost, and you will be able to work out what the cost of living is at the institution you are considering. Speaking to current or past students could help you find out what to expect financially, and bear in mind that much of what you spend does depend on your lifestyle. Choosing accommodation that includes all of your bills will help with your budgeting decisions and private loan providers will have advice about how much other students at your university have needed to borrow.

Credit checks & eligibility

Private student loan providers use a student's credit history as part of the assessment over eligibility for a loan. However, if you have little or no credit history, you should keep in mind that student loan providers are used to loaning money to young postgraduate students. Often the course you are studying, and your possible potential future earnings dictate the terms and conditions of your private loan. UK Government loans are not the same as other loans, and they do not check your credit history. Eligibility for a Government loan tends to rely on your age, subject area and where you are studying, rather than your credit history.

Guarantors & co-signers

Postgraduate students who are older with a good credit history do not usually require a guarantor for a private student loan. Students who are younger without credit history or who don't have a good credit history will probably require someone to be a guarantor for their loan. A guarantor is someone who agrees to be liable for the full loan if the postgraduate student does not pay the loan back. UK Government postgraduate student loans do not require a guarantor. Tailor-made private loans companies such as Prodigy Finance and Lendwise don’t usually require the student to have a co-signer.

International & EU students

International students often choose to borrow money for their studies privately. Many postgraduate student loan providers work in many countries and some – such as Prodigy Finance – pride themselves in specialising in international students, and this means that students can travel using the same loan provider for their studies. Some private student loan providers have a great deal of experience and knowledge about the problems that face international students studying in the UK. In some UK nations, EU students can still access UK Government student loans on a similar or the same basis as residents, but in other areas, they need to have settled or pre-settled status. Check with the university you are applying to for specific local advice over funding options if you are an international or EU postgraduate student.

Other funding options

There are other options aside from borrowing the money. If you are working and studying part time, then you might be able to fund your studies directly with a bit of clever budgeting. Tuition fees are usually paid across the year rather than in one payment, so you may find you can afford them this way. Many universities offer scholarships and bursaries, as do many charities and other organisations such as the Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries worth £500 towards your tuition fees. Students on some subject areas, for example many medical postgraduate students, will find they qualify for bursaries from the UK Government, so they are not eligible for UK Government student loans. If you've been planning your career and postgraduate study, then the most affordable way to pay for your course is through your savings. This table provides a breakdown of how self-funding masters students pay for their studies.

Disclaimer:  Prodigy Finance and Lendwise are two of many potential funding options for postgraduate students. Other student funding options are available; research all your options thoroughly before making a commitment. Please be aware that Postgrad Solutions Ltd receives a commission from both parties for any successful loan applications taken out by Postgrad.com and LLMstudy.com users. Postgrad Solutions accepts no responsibility for your choice of loan and does not endorse or support Prodigy Finance or Lendwise. Prodigy Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and entered on the Financial Services Register under firm registration number 612713. Lendwise Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm registration number 782496.

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• Your university
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• Postgraduate loans

Fees and funding

• UCAS Conservatoires tuition fees and finance

If you’re thinking of starting a master's course, you could be eligible for a loan from the UK Government of up to £11,295 to help with course fees and living costs.

• You can   apply for this new postgraduate loan  now.
• You can use it however you like – either towards your tuition fees, living costs, or other costs associated with your postgraduate study.
• The loan is not means tested.
• It will be paid directly into your bank account in three instalments during the academic year.
• If your course is longer than one year, the loan will be divided equally across each year of your course.
• If you study part-time, you can only get payments in the first two years of your course.
• You’ll repay the loan once you’ve finished or left your course, and are earning over £21,000.

Am I eligible for the loan?

You will be eligible for this loan if you:

• are a British citizen, or have been ordinarily resident in England for three years on the first day of your course
• are under 60 years of age on the first day of your course
• are studying a taught or research master’s course
• don't already have a postgraduate master's qualification, or another higher level qualification, such as a PhD

You may also be eligible for this loan if you are:

• an EU national, but don’t currently live in the UK
• a refugee, or a relative of one
• under Humanitarian Protection, or a relative of someone who is
• an EEA or Swiss migrant worker, or a relative of one
• the child of a Swiss national
• the child of a Turkish worker

Having a loan or loans from a previous undergraduate course will not affect your eligibility for a postgraduate loan.

Read the full eligibility criteria and regulations

Which courses are eligible?

The course must be in the UK and must lead to a master's qualification. You can study either at the course provider, or by distance learning.  Postgraduate loans are  not  available for postgraduate level courses such as PgCert, PgDip, or where the course is funded by undergraduate student finance, such as Initial Teacher Training (ITET).

If you're not sure the course you're interested in is eligible for the loan, check with the course provider directly.

If you're studying full-time, your course can last for one or two years. If you're studying part-time, your course can last for up to two years for the equivalent of a one year full-time course, up to four years for the equivalent of a two year full-time course, or up to three years where there's no equivalent full-time course.

How do I apply?

You can apply at www.gov.uk/postgraduateloan  now. You should apply as early as possible to make sure your loan is ready for the start of your course. As with applying for undergraduate student finance, you don't need a confirmed place in order to apply.

Before you apply, make sure you've got the following to hand:

• valid UK passport (if you have one)
• course provider and course details
• bank account details
• National Insurance number – if you don't have one, you might need to provide proof that you are actively trying to obtain one

You don't need to complete your loan application all in one go – you can save your progress and go back at any time to complete it.

Remember to print your student declaration form, sign, and return it . If you're asked to provide any evidence or supporting documentation, send it as quickly as possible to avoid delays with your application.

If your personal details, course, or course provider change, let Student Finance England know before the start of your course – find out how to do this by signing in to your account at www.gov.uk/postgraduateloan .

Once your application is complete, Student Finance England will assess it and send you an entitlement letter, confirming how much you'll get. They will also send you a payment schedule to let you know when you'll be paid. You will have to register at your course provider and start your course before the first payment can be made.

How do I repay the loan?

If you're studying full-time, you'll start repaying your loan the April after you finish or leave your course. If you're studying part-time, you'll start making repayments the April two years after the start of your course, or the April after you finish or leave your course, whichever comes first.  No repayments will be taken before April 2019 .

You will only make repayments once your income is over £21,000 a year (£1,750 a month, or £404 a week), and you'll repay 6% of your income over £21,000. Interest on your loan is charged at the Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 3% from the day of your first payment, until your loan is fully repaid.

Your repayments will be made to the Student Loans Company (SLC), and will be collected through the UK tax system, either:

• through PAYE, where repayments are collected by your employer in the same way as income tax and National Insurance, or
• through Self Assessment if you are self-employed

At the end of the tax year, you'll receive a statement letting you know how much of your loan you've repaid. HMRC will let your employer know when to stop taking repayments from your salary.

If you're planning to work or travel abroad for more than three months after you finish or leave your course, you need to let Student Finance England know so they can arrange for you to make repayments.

 Any loan remaining 30 years after you're due to start making repayments will be written off.

Support for disabled students

If you are also applying for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), you will need to complete a DSA1 application form, and provide supporting evidence. Student Finance England will send you the form if you specify on your main loan application that you want to apply for a DSA. You can also download the form from  www.gov.uk/postgraduateloan . It can take up to 14 weeks to process a DSA application, so make sure you send your application as soon as possible.

You might also like to read

Postgraduate fees and funding, mature conservatoire students, sponsored articles ucas media service, how to find a job, apprenticeships – the facts, how to save money at uni.

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Doctoral Loan

How to apply.

You can apply now for courses that start or started in the following academic years:

• 2024 to 2025
• 2023 to 2024

Check whether you’re eligible before you apply.

You only need to apply once for the Postgraduate Doctoral Loan. Student Finance England will write to you in the summer to tell you how much you’ll get in the next academic year.

You will not be eligible for an Adult Dependants’ Grant, a Childcare Grant or Parents’ Learning Allowance from Student Finance if you’re studying a doctoral course.

Apply online

If you’ve taken out a loan with Student Finance England before, use your account to apply .

If you do not already have one, set up an account .

Apply by post

If you cannot apply online, apply by post – the address is on the form.

Courses that start in the 2024 to 2025 academic year

Fill in the ‘Postgraduate Doctoral Loan application form - 2024 to 2025’   

Read the ‘Terms and conditions - 2024 to 2025’

Courses that started in the 2023 to 2024 academic year

Fill in the ‘Postgraduate Doctoral Loan application form - 2023 to 2024’   

Read the ‘Terms and conditions - 2023 to 2024’

Courses that started before 1 August 2023

Contact Student Finance England Postgraduate Loan Team if you cannot apply online.

Read the student finance privacy notice to find out how the information you provide will be used.

When to apply by

The deadline for applying depends on when you start your course.

You need to apply within 9 months of the first day of the last academic year of the course.

The academic year

The academic year is a period of 12 months.

If your course started on 17 October 2022 and you’re studying for 3 years, you need to apply before 31 May 2025.

Proof of identity

Include valid UK passport details in your application.

Use the ‘UK passport details’ form if you need to send the details after your application. Do not send the passport itself.

If you do not have a UK passport (or it has expired), send your original birth or adoption certificate to Student Finance England.

Include your name and address. You should also include your customer reference number if you have one. This is an 11-digit number. You can find it on letters or emails you’ve had from Student Finance England.

Fill in the ‘UK passport details form - 2024 to 2025’

Fill in the ‘UK passport details form - 2023 to 2024’

If you’re an EU national

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you only need to provide your share code to prove your immigration status and identity . You do not need to send your passport. Someone will contact you to ask for your share code after you apply.

If you do not have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, send your non-UK passport or identity card the first time you apply.

Supporting information

You should use the evidence return form for extra information to support your application, for example evidence of your residency status.

You may also be asked to complete the UK employment status form.

Fill in the ‘Document return form - 2024 to 2025’

Fill in the ‘UK employment form - 2024 to 2025’

Fill in the ‘Document return form - 2023 to 2024’

Fill in the ‘UK employment form - 2023 to 2024’

Change an application

Use your online account to change your personal details, for example bank or contact details. Contact Student Finance England directly if you do not have an account.

Change the amount you’ve asked for

Use the loan request form to change the amount you’ve applied for - you cannot do this online.

Courses that start in the 2024 to 2025 academic year:

Fill in the ‘Loan request form - 2024 to 2025’

Courses that started in the 2023 to 2024 academic year:

Fill in the ‘Loan request form - 2023 to 2024’

Other changes

Use the change of circumstances form if you need to change any other details, for example your university or course. You cannot do this online.

Fill in the ‘Change of circumstances form - 2024 to 2025’

Fill in the ‘Change of circumstances form - 2023 to 2024’

Taking a break or withdrawing from your course

Contact Student Finance England Postgraduate Loan Team and your institution straight away if you need to withdraw from your course. It may affect your future payments and eligibility for funding.

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Postgraduate Loan

The Postgraduate loan is available to you if you are considering undertaking a full time postgraduate course. Our Postgraduate Loan is an easy and affordable way for you to cover your fees.

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Educational Leadership

3

Core Courses – 24 Credits

Curriculum Development	3
Guidance and Counselling	3
Educational Management	3
Educational Assessment	3
Theories and Practices of Teaching and Learning	3
Emerging Technologies in Teaching and Learning	3
Practical Teaching	6

Elective Courses – 3 Credits (* Choose ONE only)

Instructional Technologies	3
Inclusive Education	3
Kaedah Pengajian Syariah	3

Malaysian Learner Fees

Year 1	RM2,772 (Sem 1)	RM2,772 (Sem 2)	RM3,696 (Sem 3)
TOTAL	RM9,240

Discount for the Physically Challenged Learners (OKU) and Senior Citizens

* Fees applicable to Malaysians and Permanent Residents only. * The University reserves the right to revise the fees without prior notice.

The University offers 50%  discount for: 1. Senior citizens aged 60 and above on registration date; and 2. Physically challenged learners – a valid Orang Kelainan Upaya (OKU) is required. The discounts are not valid for second time registration and repeating of subjects. Learners who receive this discount are  not entitled  to other discounts and promotions.

Note Processing fee:  RM50 Re-registration fee of RM220 per semester is chargeable for extension of the Research Thesis/Dissertation 

EPF (Account 2); or	JomPAY
Education or Personal Loan from commercial banks; or	Internet Banking
HRDF (subject to employer’s eligibility); or	Debit/Credit Card.

International Learner Fees

Year 1	RM3,326 (Sem 1)	RM3,326 (Sem 2)	RM4,435 (Sem 3)
TOTAL	RM11,087

Notes: 1 – Fees applicable to International applicants 2 – The fee above excludes registration fee, processing fee and resource fee. Fee imposed first semester only-non refundable . (Diploma RM2,700; Bachelor RM3,200, Master RM3,700, PhD/Doctorate RM4,200). 3 – Financial method: Telegraphic Transfer , PayPal (Invoice will be prepared in MYR and will be added 6% to cover PayPal transaction fees.) 4 – The fees are for subject fees only and are not applicable for research, registration, repeating of subjects and other fees. 5 – 60% payment of the semester fees must be made before the semester starts, 40% payment before the examination week.

* The University reserves the right to revise the fees without prior notice.

**LATEST UPDATE: 31 October 2021

Entry Requirements

Program educational objectives (peo).

This programme aims to produce graduates that are:

PEO 1: To produce Education Practitioners who have advanced knowledge with practical skills capable of using selected advanced numerical techniques and digital technologies in the educational settings.

PEO 2: To produce Education Practitioners who lead with autonomy, communicate and interact with internal and external stakeholders when working in various educational settings.

PEO 3: To produce Education Practitioners who uphold and defend professional and ethical practices in all education settings.

PEO 4: To produce Education Practitioners with positive attitude, entrepreneurial mind set in and sustainable practices progressing their career and the profession.

Programme Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:

PLO 1:	Analyse knowledge of specific subject areas related to teaching and learning in meeting the challenges of a dynamic curriculum.	1. Knowledge and Understanding
PLO 2:	Demonstrate practical skills in using current teaching techniques, including the use of current digital technique/technology in different educational settings.	3. Practical Skills 6. Digital Skills
PLO 3:	Integrate analytical and advanced numerical skills in solving and enhancing teaching practices and organisational performance.	2. Cognitive Skills 7. Numeracy Skills
PLO 4:	Demonstrate leadership with responsibility and autonomy in emerging educational setting.	8. Leadership, Autonomy and Responsibility
PLO 5:	Contribute with commitment either individually or through multi-disciplinary team with good communication and interpersonal skills in delivering educational services to stakeholders.	4. Interpersonal Skills 5. Communication Skills
PLO 6:	Uphold professionalism and ethics to fulfil professional teaching standards and maintain the good image of the profession at all times.	11. Ethics and Professionalism
PLO 7:	Exhibit positive attitude and commitment to life-long learning with entrepreneurial mind-set in response to the changing world of education and for professional Development.	9. Personal Skills 10. Entrepreneurial Skills

Question 1 What is PGDT? Answer: It is a professional qualification programme for teachers that is fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

Question 2 Who is eligible to register for the PGDT? Answer: The PGDT is intended for those who have a tertiary qualification and wish to pursue the teaching profession but do not hold a government-recognised teaching qualification, regardless of their specialisation.

Question 3 How long does the PGDT course take? Answer: It is a 1-year programme consisting of 3 semesters.

Question 4 When does PGDT study start? Answer: In January, May or September.

Question 5 What are the PGDT fees? Answer: See the OUM portal. The fees are subject to the OUM guidelines. Also, you are not required to pay per semester. You can also make a partial payment each semester, but you must settle it before the examination of that semester.

Question 6 PGDT structure Answer: Visit the OUM portal.

Question 7 How many PGDT credit hours? Answer: 30 credit hours

Question 8 What about the assessment of the PGDT course? Answer: Students are required to take coursework (60%) and a final examination (40%). Some courses consist of 100% coursework.

Question 9 How are the courses conducted in PGDT? Answer: It is a blended learning (online or e-tutorial learning support and self-directed learning)

Question 10 Who arranges the placement for the students? Answer: Students have to indicate their schools or other teaching institutions.

Question 11 What is the duration of my teaching practicum? Answer: 8-12 weeks. If student teachers are unable to complete the teaching practicum within this time frame due to work commitments, they can extend the duration

Question 12 Do I have to give up my job to do my teaching practicum? Answer: No. You must choose a school or training institution close to your home or workplace. Choose a day or two when you can take time off. Negotiate with the school or teaching institution the day you can teach and work from there. In addition to teaching, student teachers must participate in school activities during school hours or on weekends to meet the 6 credit hours.

Question 13 How many teaching hours do I have to teach during the teaching practicum period? Answer: 50 hours. You must spend the remaining 190 hours on school activities such as extracurricular activities, PTA meetings, school field trips, and weekend murals, invigilation.

Question 14 Do I have to choose my own teaching supervisor? Answer: No. OUM will appoint your tutor.

Question 15 Who can I contact to participate in the PGDT? Answer:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosinah binti Mahmood Programme Director Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDT) Faculty of Education 0102440434 or 0378012179

How to Apply

Request information, financing your education, do you have more questions.

Here are some common types of career fields and examples of career opportunities for graduates of a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching:

Career Field	Career Opportunities
K-12 Education	1. Classroom Teacher (Primary or Secondary Level) 2. Special Education Teacher 3. School Counselor 4. Educational Administrator (Principal, Vice-Principal)
Higher Education	1. College or University Professor 2. Academic Advisor 3. Educational Researcher 4. Curriculum Developer
Online Education	1. Online Instructor 2. E-Learning Course Designer 3. Instructional Technologist 4. Online Education Coordinator
Corporate Training	1. Corporate Trainer 2. Training and Development Specialist 3. Learning and Development Manager 4. Employee Onboarding Specialist
Educational Technology	1. EdTech Consultant 2. EdTech Product Manager 3. Instructional Designer 4. Educational App Developer
Private Tutoring	1. Private Tutor 2. Test Prep Instructor 3. Educational Consultant 4. Homeschool Educator
Education Administration	1. School Principal 2. School Superintendent 3. Admissions Director 4. Educational Policy Analyst
Nonprofit Organizations	1. Program Manager for Educational Nonprofits 2. Outreach Coordinator 3. Fundraising and Development Specialist 4. Education Advocacy Specialist
Language Teaching	1. ESL Teacher 2. Foreign Language Instructor 3. Language School Manager 4. Language Program Director

The struggle to balance study and work gave me better insight into productivity and efficiency. I was able to apply the lessons learned to my occupation. My study at OUM was my progress in development. The encouragement and guidance from OUM gave me the platform and confidence to succeed in my studies. Today, my degree has given me generous employment recognition, added edge in promotion, and salary advances.

Look for other programmes that you might be interested:

• Bachelor of Teaching (Primary Education) (Honours)
• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)
• Bachelor of Education (TESL) (Honours)
• Diploma in Early Childhood Education
• Doctor of Philosophy (Education)
• Doctor of Education
• Master of Early Childhood Education
• Master of Instructional Design and Technology
• Master of Education
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