UK/EU students | Overseas students

Sources of Financial Support for UK/EU Students

The major sources of financial support for most UK/EU students wishing to undertake research or advanced programmes at the University of Surrey are the appropriate research councils (see below). Responsibility for the awarding of studentships is divided between these bodies according to the subject of study. If you are uncertain which research council covers your area of study, contact either the research councils or the Faculty or Department at the University as early as possible.

Awards are offered on a competitive basis, either in the form of open competition, through a scheme of quota awards to individual Faculties or through funding allocated to Faculties to administer. Awards are not made automatically to eligible students.

In certain circumstances, residents of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland are required to apply to their respective education authorities. Residents of Scotland seeking awards in subjects other than those covered by the research councils should apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, which operates a scheme similar to the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) scheme. Subject to certain requirements, students who are EU nationals, or children of EU nationals, and are ordinarily resident in the European Economic Area, may apply for research council funding on a fees-only basis.

Research councils

Full details of the studentships offered by the research councils are given in their handbooks which you can obtain by contacting them directly or on their websites.

Arts and Humanities Research Council

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is changing how it awards studentships. Please contact the relevant Faculty or Department for information on the availability of funding. 

Further information is available in the AHRC Guide to Student Funding, available from the AHRC website or from AHRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UJ.

Biotechnology and Biomedical and Life Sciences Research Council 

The Biotechnology and Biomedical and Life Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) offers postgraduate research awards through Faculties/ Departments by quota allocation and through special projects which the Council identifies as being of high priority within its fields of research. Application should be made through the Faculty or Department in which the proposed research is to be undertaken. The closing date for applications is 31 July each year. 

Further information is available from the BBSRC website or from BBSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UH. 

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has now ceased administering its own new awards and instead allocates funds to institutions for them to administer. Please contact the relevant Faculty or Department for advice. 

Further information is available in the EPSRC Guide to Postgraduate Training, available from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Postgraduate Training Support Section, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET.

Economic and Social Research Council

The University is part of the South East Doctoral Training Centre with the Universities of Kent, Reading and Royal Holloway, which is accredited by the ESRC. Studentships are available in a number of social science disciplines. Details of studentships opportunities can be found at http://southeastdtc.surrey.ac.uk 

Deadlines will usually be in the spring. Candidates must not apply directly to the ESRC. 

Further information is available in the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide for Accredited Doctoral Training Centres, available at www.esrc.ac.uk or from the Economic and Social Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UJ.

Medical Research Council

The Medical Research Council (MRC) offers postgraduate awards for research or advanced courses within the medical and dental fields. Enquiries should be made to the relevant Faculty or Department. 

Further information is available in the publication entitled Medical Research Council Research and Training Opportunities, available from the Medical Research Council, 20 Park Crescent, London W1N 4AL.

Natural Environment Research Council 

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) offers postgraduate awards for research or advanced courses in the subject area of the scientific aspects of the natural environment. Applications should be made through the relevant Faculty or Department, not directly to the NERC. The closing date for applications is 31 July each year. 

Further information is available in the publication entitled NERC Training Awards, available from the Natural Environment Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1EU. 

Science and Technology Facilities Council 

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) offers awards for research on a quota allocation basis, some available in collaboration with industry. Applications should be made through the relevant Faculty or Department, not directly to the STFC. The closing date is 31 July. 

Further information is available in the STFC Postgraduate Studentships Handbook, available from the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1SZ.

University of Surrey awards

Research studentships

Various firms and external organisations are cooperating with certain Faculties/Departments of the University by sponsoring research and by awarding research studentships to suitably qualified students. Faculties/Departments will be able to advise on the availability of the studentships.

Choral and organ scholarships

Choral and organ scholarships, tenable for up to three years, are offered in conjunction with the Dean and Chapter of Guildford Cathedral. Further details may be obtained from the Department of Music in the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences.

The Villis Award

A number of awards in the range of £100–£150 are made annually to assist self-financing students registered on  advanced programmes or research degree programmes on a part-time basis in subject areas covered by the Economic and Social Research Council. Information about the awards may be obtained from the University Registry.

Other sources of financial support 

The following publications provide information on other sources of financial support available: 

• The Grants Register, published by Macmillan Press
• Directory of Grant-Making Trusts, published by the Charities Aid Foundation
• Educational Grants Directory, Directory of Social Change, published by The British Council Education Information Service
• Guide to the Major Grant Making Trusts: Directory of Social Change, published by The British Council Education Information Service
• The Awards Almanac, published by Longman
• Postgraduate Study and Research, published by the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS)

Sources of Financial Support for Overseas Students

Contact the following organisations for details of the awards available for overseas students:

British Council awards 

British Council awards and scholarships are available to certain overseas students to pursue postgraduate study. Details of the award scheme should be obtained from the British Council representative, British Embassy or British High Commission in the candidate’s own country. 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office awards: Chevening scholarships 

Awards varying in value are offered to overseas students through a number of different schemes. There are special schemes for students from certain overseas countries. Further details are available from British missions in the candidate's own country.

Other sources of information

Further information on postgraduate study in the UK is available in the following publications:

• Awards for Postgraduate Study at Commonwealth Universities, published by the Association of Commonwealth Universities
• Study Abroad, published by UNESCO
• Higher Education in the European Community: A Handbook for Students, published by the Commission of the European Community
• Sources of Financial Assistance for Overseas Students, a leaflet published by the British Council as a reference guide to awards for overseas students