msc/mphil funding

[stonekicker]

is it possible to get any help with funding for post graduate courses? i know there is plenty of financial support and means for undergraduates, but the same for post grads seems to be a minefield. any suggestions or tips for searching more effectively on this topic? cheers

[buildersmate]

I think the way it generally works is that either industry or one of the research councils fund universities to undertake a piece of research, then the university takes on the role of identifying a good student to undertake the research work (since all Masters degrees involve an element of new research). There are 7 reasearch councils (where the grant has originated from central Government). This is one that deals with most science research.
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/AboutEPSRC/default.htm
I think you start the process by talking to the university where you would like to undertake the course - you don't talk to the research councils direct. Most Masters students supplement their income by doing some paid work with the undergraduate courses - the unis know that the post-grads need to have earn a bit to have something to live on.

[Buenchico]

The various methods of funding postgraduate studies are considered on the Prospects website:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_p age/Funding_my_further_study/p!edLff

Chris

[Eve]

It can also depend on the area that you want to go into.

I have friends who have done chemistry, genetics, molecular biology and similar Phd's and my brother did maths and stats and they have been very well funded by industry throughout their studies, not for their masters degrees though.

Their main additional income came from doing bits of lecturing and helping our with seminar groups although again mainly from Phd level.

Maybe you could help run study groups for students from degree level down to A Level to make up some extra money.

I had no funding for my post grad studies so worked really hard in all kinds of jobs at uni to clear my debts before I did them.