Postgraduate student funding
Investing in a postgraduate degree is more than just a financial decision - it's a step towards achieving your ambitions and advancing your career. Funding can help to cover the cost of your master's or doctoral degree. You also won't pay back your loan until you are earning over the threshold.
Explore the wide range of postgraduate funding options available to help you make your master's or doctoral study affordable.
Master's loans - up to £12,858
If you're starting a master's degree on or after 1 August 2025, you could be eligible for a UK government postgraduate master's loan of up to £12,858.
This loan can be used towards both your tuition fees and living costs, whether you're studying:
- Full-time
- Part-time
- 100% online
How it works
- The loan is paid directly to you in instalments.
- You'll pay your tuition fees directly to Teesside University.
- Any remaining funds can help cover living or study costs.
- For multi-year master's programmes (2 - 4 years), the loan is split evenly across each academic year.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify, you must be:
- a UK national living in England, or an EU, EEA or Swiss national with EU settled status
- under 60 years old on the first day of your course
- studying a stand-alone master's course (180 credits) - not a top-up or RPL-reduced programme.
Find out more and apply for a master's loan
Doctoral loans - up to £30,301
Planning to pursue a PhD or professional doctorate? Eligible students starting a doctoral degree on or after 1 August 2025 can apply for a UK doctoral loan of up to £30,301.
Key details
- The loan contributes towards tuition fees and living expenses.
- You can apply in any year of your course, though applying earlier ensures you receive the full amount.
- Loan amounts are subject to government confirmation.
Find out more and apply for a doctoral loan
Online learning funding
At Teesside University, we offer flexible ways to pay for your online postgraduate degree.
- Choose our pay-per-module scheme.
- Check if your employer can fund your studies.
- UK-based students may be eligible for a postgraduate master's loan.
Research funding
Some research projects at Teesside University include full or partial funding, covering tuition fees and/or living costs. These may form the basis of MRes or PhD programmes.
NHS Learning Support Fund
If you're studying a master's in nursing, midwifery, or allied health professions, you may be eligible for NHS bursaries to help with course and living costs.
Teacher training funding
Training to become a teacher? You could receive a bursary or scholarship if your subject qualifies, and your course isn't salaried.
Employer sponsorship
Your employer may sponsor your postgraduate study - covering all or part of your tuition fees. A confirmation letter from your employer is required; otherwise, you'll be invoiced directly.
Armed Forces and ELC support
Teesside University proudly supports members of the UK Armed Forces. We accept Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) for most undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
The MOD's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme helps fund higher-level learning (Level 3 or above) and promotes lifelong education among service personnel.
Other sources of postgraduate funding
Additional funding opportunities may include: