Other sources of postgraduate funding

A wide range of funding sources are available to help you during your postgraduate research degree at Leeds. 

Postgraduate Doctoral Loan

If you are a UK national starting a doctoral degree you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan to help with course fees and living costs. The loan is a contribution towards the costs of study; it will not necessarily cover all tuition and living costs. For more information please see the Government website.  

Trusts, charities and foundations

The types of award vary widely, some amount to a few hundred pounds a year and may only cover research expenses such as travel and fieldwork. 

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance. It can help you to access alternative funding sources, especially charities, which can make awards (fees, maintenance, research costs) to any postgraduate researcher regardless of subject, or fee status. You can sign-up to access the guide for free through the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Research funding Gateway, using your university @leeds.ac.uk e-mail address. Applicants can also access the guide, please contact Research admissions for the PIN number. 

Some learned societies, such as the Royal Society, have grants that members can apply for to help with conferences and travel costs.  Your supervisor can advise on which societies are relevant to your area.  It is often worth joining early in your degree, in order to become eligible for funding later on. 

Prospects provides information about funding postgraduate study in the UK. It offers guidance on finding funding from public funding bodies as well as charities, trusts and foundations. 

The government also publishes an advice page on their website about postgraduate funding, as does Leeds University Union.   

Reference books such as the Grants Register and the Directory of Grant-Making Trusts are available from the Leeds University Library.

Student Ideas Fund

The Student Ideas Fund is a collaboration between the University, Leeds University Union and students and provides funding of between £500 to £5000 to help bring your idea for improving the University and student experience to life.  

Cumberland Lodge

The British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG) aims to promote women's opportunities in education and public life. National BFWG scholarships are awarded to women research students in their final year of formal study towards a PhD degree.

Sports scholarship programme

Sport and Physical Activity offers two sports scholarship programmes to support elite athletes as they combine academic and sporting excellence during their time at the University.