Sources of Financial Support
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.
The 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) offers, on an open competition basis, studentships for full-time and part-time Masters and full-time or part-time doctoral degrees in the arts and humanities. Applications should be made through the Faculty or Department. The closing date for applications is usually early May each year. Further information is available in the AHRC Guide to Postgraduate Studentships in the Humanities and Guide to Postgraduate Professional and Vocational Awards, available from the website below.
AHRC, Whitefriars, Lewins Mead
Bristol BS1 2AE.
www.ahrc.ac.uk
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
BBSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon SN2 1UH.
www.bbsrc.ac.uk
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.
www.epsrc.ac.uk
Economic and Social Research Council
The University is a recognised institution for the receipt of Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) studentships within specified Departments. There is competition for studentships on a 1+3 basis, that is, advanced course followed by research. Those who have already pursued a suitable advanced course will be able to apply for a research studentship only. The closing date is 1 May and applications must be made through the relevant Faculty or Department, who should be contacted for more information. Candidates must not apply direct to the ESRC. Further information is available in the ESRC Studentship Handbook, available from the Economic and Social Research Council Training Division, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UJ.
www.esrc.ac.uk
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.
www.mrc.ac.uk
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.
www.nerc.ac.uk
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.
www.scitech.ac.uk
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 from 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
