Research degrees
Funding your research degree
Find sources of funding for your postgraduate research degree.
Funding from York St John University
Scholarships for alumni
We offer scholarships for our recent graduates. All our alumni can also get a reduced postgraduate course fee. Find out more on our Alumni scholarships page.
Scholarships for all research students
We offer a range of scholarships for different areas of research. See current funding opportunities on our Scholarships page.
Government funding
You may be able to get a loan from the UK government for your course.
For PhD or professional doctorate courses, you may be eligible for a Doctoral loan. For master's courses, you may be eligible for a Master's loan.
Find out about eligibility and how to apply on the gov.uk website.
The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding is a database of funding opportunities. The Guide also includes advice and tools to help you prepare a winning grant application.
We have a licence to the Guide which makes it free for you to use.
If you have applied to study with us you can contact the Funding Advice team to get an access PIN. Contact the team at fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
Other sources of funding
Our Research students created this list of funding sources. It is a tool you can use to help you find funding for your research degree.
If you find a funding source that does not appear below, please let us know. Email the details to fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk and we will add it to the list.
Funding bodies
British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG)
The BFWG gives annual awards to women in their third and final year of doctoral studies. The awards are given on the basis of evidence of academic excellence. They are not expected to provide for financial need. Find out more on the BFWG website.
Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust
The Trust promotes interest in education, international friendship, world peace and understanding. The Trust gives grants to charitable organisations that support these interests. It also gives grants to students who are on a gap year or studying for a PhD. Find out more on the Ferguson Trust website.
Funds for Women Graduates (FfWG)
FfWG offers Foundation Grants to help women graduates with living expenses (not fees). To apply, you must be registered for study or research at an approved higher education institution in Great Britain. Find out more on the FfWG website.
Higher Education Academy (HEA)
The HEA provide funding opportunities. They also give access to other funding for learning and teaching projects across higher education in the UK. Find out more on the HEA website.
Jobs.ac.uk
Find jobs in universities, colleges, research institutions, charities and more. Start your job search or subscribe to 'Jobs by Email.' Find out more on the jobs.ac.uk website.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
The JRF give grants to projects that seek the creation of a peaceful world, political equality and social justice. Find out more on the JRF website.
Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust
The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust gives grants for political, campaigning or lobbying purposes. Find out more on the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust website.
Leverhulme Trust
The Leverhulme Trust makes awards for the support of research and education. The Trust emphasises individuals and includes all subject areas. Find out more on the Leverhulme Trust website.
Nuffield Foundation
The Nuffield Foundation has several funding programmes which aim to improve social wellbeing. Some are open for direct applications, and some through partner organisations. Find out more on the Nuffield Foundation website.
Postgraduate Search
This search engine lists over 1,200 scholarships. Find out more on the Postgraduate Search website.
Prospects
The official UK graduate careers website has a section on funding further study. Find out more on the Prospects website.
Ruby and Will George Trust
You need a connection to commerce to apply for this. This does not need to be part of your studies. It can be a current or past job in commerce. Find out more on the Ruby and Will George Trust website.
Scarborough Municipal Charities
To apply for this funding you need to have a connection to Scarborough. Find out more on the Scarborough Municipal Charities website.
Yorkshire Ladies' Council of Education (YLCE)
The YLCE give awards towards fees to British women aged 21 or over. To apply you must have been offered a place at a British educational institution. Find out more on the YLCE website.
Your secondary school
Some secondary schools may have funding to provide support during postgraduate study. This depends on individual schools.
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
The AHRC supports world-class research across the arts and humanities. Find out more on the AHRC website.
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) research networking scheme
This scheme aims to stimulate new debate in the arts and humanities. To do this, the grant covers the costs of workshops, seminars, and networking events. Visit the AHRC website to find out more about the research networking scheme.
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
The BBSRC funds research in plants, microbes, and animals (including humans). It also funds research into the tools and technology that underpin biological research. Find out more on the BBSRC website.
British Academy
The British Academy offers grants in the humanities and social sciences. You can apply whatever your academic or employment status. Most awards are made to staff in universities and other higher education institutions.
Awards are not available to support courses which lead to a professional qualification. Find out more on the British Academy website.
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
The ESRC funds research and training in social and economic issues. Find out more on the ESRC website.
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. Find out more on the EPSRC website.
Experimental Psychology Society (EPS)
The EPS give annual awards to research in experimental psychology. Find out more on the EPS website.
Guarantors of Brain
This charity promotes teaching, education and research in neurology and other clinical-academic disciplines. Find out more on the Guarantors of Brain website.
Medical Research Council (MRC)
You can apply at any time within one of the science areas listed. Find out more on the MRC website.
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
NERC funds world-leading research across the environmental sciences. Find out more on the NERC website.
Postgraduate Solutions
Postgraduate Solutions offer 15 bursaries across different subject areas. Find out more on the Postgraduate Solutions website.
Rothschild Foundation
Funds research and projects related to Jewish studies. Find out more on the Rothschild Foundation website.
Royal Historical Society
The Royal Historical Society offers research grants for postgraduate research in history. Funds are available to subsidise conferences, training courses, and archival visits. Find out more on the Royal Historical Society website.
Royal Society
The Royal Society runs funding schemes to enhance the UK science base. They also seek to foster collaboration between UK and overseas scientists. Find out more on the Royal Society website.
Royal Society Research Grants
These grants provide seed-corn funding of up to £15,000 for scientists. You must be in the first 5 years of your first permanent academic position. Find out more on the Royal Society Research Grants website.
Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust
The Trust supports students of medicine, dentistry or veterinary science. It also supports postgraduate students in all fields of study. Find out more on the Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust website.
Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust aims to improve human and animal health. They give funding to support the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. Find out more on the Wellcome Trust website.