Postgraduate loans
A Postgraduate Master’s Loan can help with course / programme fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master’s programme.
Funding for postgraduate loans is different if you normally live in , , or .
If your course starts on or after 1 August 2024 you can get up to £12,471 for your whole course. If you’re studying for 2, 3 or 4 academic years, the loan will be divided equally across each year of your programme. The loan will be paid in 3 instalments of 33%, 33% and 34% each year. You get the first payment after your programme start date, once your university or college confirms that you’ve registered.
If your course started in academic year 2023/4 you can get up to £12,167.
The loan is not based on your income or your family’s and it’s paid directly to you.
All of our master's courses are eligible apart from MSc Professional Accountancy. Postgraduate Certificates or Diplomas are not eligible (England and Wales).
How it works:
- Apply for your master's programme via our course pages.
- - enter the àËÅöÊÓƵ (Worldwide) on the application.
- Provide a proof of your loan application which is a copy of a letter or email from Student Finance. This should include your:
- full name
- customer reference number
- academic year and course
Please send the proof by logging an enquiry and selecting the Postgraduate Loans category.
- When you receive your offer and we invite you to register, complete the registration process in full. Select the Western Union Quick Pay as your payment method. Let us know once completed via your previously logged enquiry so that we can release access to your Virtual Learning Environment.
The University will provide access to services based on confirmation of your application. We will allow up to 10 weeks for receipt of all due fees. - Once your loan application is approved, we will confirm your registration with Student Finance, who pay the loan either to you (England and Wales) or to the university (Northern Ireland). The loan will be paid in 3 instalments of 33%, 33% and 34% each year. After your application has been approved, you’ll be sent a letter with your instalment dates.
- You will need to budget appropriately to ensure that you meet the University's payment deadlines, regardless of when you receive loan instalments. You should therefore only register courses for which you can pay by the registration deadline.
- If after 10 weeks, we do not receive your payment, we will remove your access to the Virtual Learning Environment and will contact Student Finance to notify them that you are no longer receiving services which may affect payment of future instalments. You may be liable for any loan payments already made to you.
Key facts:
- Distance learning full master's programmes (full-time and part-time) are eligible for loans.
- Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are not eligible (England and Wales.
- Part-time students must study at an average intensity of 50% of a full-time programme.
- The loans are not means-tested.
- Students must be under the age of 60 at the point of applying.
- Applicants must not hold a master's level programme or equivalent (even from overseas).
- Applicants will not be eligible if they have outstanding student loan arrears.
You can learn more about Postgraduate Loans at .
More information
I started my programme in previous year, can I apply for a postgraduate loan?
You can apply for courses that started on or after 1 August 2016.
When will I receive my loan?
Students in England and Wales: you receive your loan after we confirm your registration to Student Loans Company. It will be paid to you directly in instalments over the duration of your programme (up to a maximum of four years). Students in Northern Ireland: your loan is paid directly to the university.
I've decided to transfer programmes. Do I need to inform the Student Loans Company?
Yes. You will need to notify the University and the SLC. If necessary, we will submit a Change of Circumstances request confirming these changes.
What happens if I withdraw from the programme?
You must notify us as soon as you decide to withdraw. Your fees are still payable except if you withdraw within the 14-day cancellation period as defined in the Terms and Conditions. We will notify Student Finance.
How long do I have to finish my master's?
You must complete your studies within the length specified for your programme on the online application. If you are studying full time, you will be expected to complete the course within the minimum time possible. If you are studying part-time, your study 'intensity' must average 50% of a full-time programme.
How much does the loan cost and how does repayment work?
Please refer to the .