Funding your studiesPostgraduate study at the University of Sussex can widen your skill base, further your knowledge in your chosen field and greatly improve your job prospects. Investing in your futureIn the most recent employment survey of the destination of UK postgraduates six months after completing studies in 2006, 92 per cent of Sussex respondents were either working or studying. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 2006, the median salary of Sussex postgraduates who reported their income was £28,000. How much does it cost?The University’s annual tuition fees and payment methods are set out on Fees and funding. The tuition fee you are charged is different depending on whether you are classified as a ‘home’ or an ‘overseas’ student (refer to Fees and funding - Fee Status). How do I finance my studies?The majority of postgraduate students in the UK are self financing. However, the quality of research at Sussex means that we attract a high level of funding each year. Set out below are some of the key funding opportunities available to students at the University of Sussex. Also set out below are other means by which you might finance postgraduate study if you do not receive funding. Full details can be found on the Career development and part-time work page and the Funding table [pdf 200k]. Funding opportunitiesResearch fundingUK Research CouncilsThis is the most important source of research funding for UK and EU students. Sussex attracted 60 new research council studentships in the academic year 2007-08. University of Sussex research studentships and graduate assistantshipsA limited number of research studentships and graduate assistantships are available, primarily in science subjects. They often include an opportunity to gain some paid experience in undergraduate teaching by taking seminars or acting as demonstrators. Sussex International Research ScholarshipsThese awards are available for overseas fee-paying students. They provide funding to pay the difference between the international student tuition fees and the home/EU student tuition fees. Industry, Government and charitiesThe sciences at Sussex receive financial support for research from industry, governmental and charitable organisations. These funds are used to purchase equipment and to finance research personnel in the form of research assistants. Faculty research grantsIndividual supervisors may, from time to time, have specific funding for their research programmes enabling them to provide funding for a research student. For more information, refer to Fees and funding. Masters fundingUK Research CouncilsThe Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) provides funding for stand-alone Masters programmes, and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) provides funding for Masters programmes linked to research degrees (1+3 scheme). In 2007-08, the University was awarded funding for 11 new AHRC Masters students, eight ESRC 1+3 quota awards and was able to submit 11 applications for 1+3 ESRC competition awards. Chancellor’s International ScholarshipsUp to 40 Chancellor’s International Scholarships of £2,500 are available to new overseas fee- paying students. For more information, refer to the Funding table [pdf 200k]. Employment opportunitiesA large number of postgraduate students work part-time as a means of helping them to fund their studies. The University’s Career Development and Employment Centre (CDEC) recognises the importance of part-time work and aims to advertise a broad range of opportunities. Many positions are within the University itself, including administrative posts that are often targeted specifically at postgraduates. There are also opportunities for research students to obtain paid employment and gain experience in teaching as graduate assistants, demonstrators and associate tutors. If you are in employment, you might consider approaching your employer to sponsor your studies. This arrangement would allow you to study for a qualification that would improve your ability and career prospects, and benefit your employer by producing a better qualified and better motivated employee. Career Development LoansTo help fund your studies Career Development Loans are available for UK-based students. Non-UK applicants should check what loan schemes are available in their respective home countries. Further details can be found on Fees and funding - Career Development Loans. Funding for disabled studentsIf you are funded by a research council (eg the General Social Care Council or the Arts and Humanities Research Council) you may be entitled to additional financial support. Postgraduates can apply for the Disabled Student’s Allowance from their Local Education Authority. For more information, contact the disability advisors in the Student Support Unit. Alumni Study AwardsFor the last five years, Sussex has been showing its commitment to helping its own graduates to stay on in higher education through its Alumni Study Award Scheme - one of the few universities in the UK to do this. The Scheme helps former students to re-register for postgraduate study at Sussex, via a cash loyalty reward payment. More than 650 current Sussex postgraduate students benefited from the Scheme in 2009. Further details can be found on the Funding for postgraduate study table [pdf]. |
Anneka’s perspective
![[photo of Anneka]](/Units/publications/pgrad2009/perspective/photo/funding_your_studies.jpg "Anneka's perspective") ‘I wanted to continue at Sussex as a postgraduate as I’d greatly enjoyed my time here as an undergraduate and I found a supervisor for my DPhil with whom I could work well. To receive Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding I first applied directly to the University for a place on the DPhil programme, which required two references and a research proposal explaining what I wanted to examine and how my research could add to the academic field. ‘My department allocated me ESRC funding for 1 + 3 study, which comprises a Masters followed by a DPhil. I then had to send my research proposal directly to the ESRC for confirmation of my place. The whole application process takes quite a long time, so making sure that you know when all the deadlines are – both for Sussex and your funding body – is very important so you can give yourself enough time to get your application in. ‘Having this funding has enabled me to take part in a fascinating research project with my supervisor, which wouldn’t otherwise have been open to me, and it’s also given me the opportunity to work as an associate tutor teaching undergraduate seminars. This has given me many opportunities to improve my career prospects – including invaluable teaching experience – and some extra cash too!’ Anneka Dawson |
| Contact details and term dates | ||
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For pre-application enquiries:Student Recruitment Services |
For post-application enquiries:Postgraduate Admissions |
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Teaching term dates 2009-2010 | ||
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Autumn term |
Spring term |
Summer term |
| Postgraduate students will normally be registered from 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010 | ||