Scholarships·United Kingdom & Ireland· 8 min read

Postgraduate Master's Loans and Funding in the UK and Ireland Explained

Postgraduate master's and doctoral loan schemes plus other PG funding routes, and how they differ from undergraduate Student Finance. Verify on the official source.

Last updated 24 June 2026

Key facts

UK master's loan: Single contribution towards cost — paid to you, used for fees + living
UK doctoral loan: Separate scheme for doctoral study
Funded PhDs: Often via universities + UKRI Research Councils (fees + stipend)
Ireland: SUSI (means-tested) + research funding — verify on susi.ie

Postgraduate funding works differently from undergraduate

Funding for a master's or doctorate does not follow the same model as undergraduate Student Finance. Instead of a separate tuition fee loan paid to the university plus a means-tested maintenance loan, the main UK postgraduate schemes provide a single loan as a contribution towards the overall cost of study, which you then use for fees and living costs as you choose.

The schemes, amounts, and rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and between master's and doctoral study. Because the figures change each year, confirm the current amount and eligibility on the official source for your part of the UK.

A single postgraduate loan as a contribution, not split fee + maintenance
Separate schemes for master's and for doctoral study
Rules and amounts differ by UK nation and change yearly

UK postgraduate master's and doctoral loans

For eligible students, the UK offers a postgraduate master's loan and a separate postgraduate doctoral loan, administered by the student finance body for where you normally live. They are typically paid to you (not the university), and you decide how to split the money between fees and living costs.

Eligibility usually depends on factors such as your age, residence and immigration status, the course and its level, and whether you already hold an equivalent or higher qualification. Repayment is income-contingent, like undergraduate loans, but the specific plan and thresholds for postgraduate loans can differ — check the official rules.

Master's loan and doctoral loan are separate schemes
Usually paid to you to use for fees and living costs
Income-contingent repayment, with its own plan and thresholds

Postgraduate funding in Ireland

In Ireland, postgraduate funding routes differ from the UK. Some eligible students can receive SUSI support towards approved postgraduate courses, subject to the scheme's means-tested criteria. Funded research places (master's by research and PhD) are often supported through institutions and national research funding, which may cover fees and provide a stipend.

Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines for SUSI postgraduate support and research funding are set each year, so confirm the current rules on susi.ie and the official research-funding and institution sources before you plan your budget.

SUSI may support eligible approved postgraduate courses (means-tested)
Funded research places may cover fees and provide a stipend
Confirm current rules on susi.ie and official research-funding sources

Planning your postgraduate budget

Because a postgraduate loan is a contribution rather than a fixed amount that covers everything, work out the total cost of your course and living, then map which sources could cover which part — a loan, a scholarship or bursary, a studentship, savings, or sponsorship. Check the rules on combining sources, as some awards restrict holding others.

This guide explains how the schemes work — it is general information, not financial advice. For decisions about borrowing, consider a qualified adviser, and always verify current amounts, eligibility, and deadlines on the official source.

Total your fees + living costs first, then map funding to them
Check whether awards can be combined
Verify every figure and deadline on the official source

Frequently asked questions

Is the postgraduate loan separate from undergraduate student finance?

Yes. The UK postgraduate master's and doctoral loans are separate schemes from undergraduate Student Finance and work differently — they provide a single contribution towards the cost of study rather than a split tuition fee loan and maintenance loan. Eligibility and repayment have their own rules, so check the official source.

Does the postgraduate loan cover all my fees and living costs?

Not necessarily — the postgraduate loan is a contribution towards the overall cost rather than a sum that always covers everything, and the amount is set each year. Many students combine it with scholarships, studentships, savings, or sponsorship. Verify the current amount on the official source and budget accordingly.

How are funded PhDs paid for in the UK?

Funded doctoral places are often supported through universities and the UK Research Councils under UKRI, and can cover fees plus a stipend for living costs. Coverage, eligibility, and deadlines vary by scheme — check the specific studentship and university funding pages.

What postgraduate funding is available in Ireland?

Routes differ from the UK: some eligible students may receive means-tested SUSI support for approved postgraduate courses, and funded research places may cover fees and provide a stipend. Confirm the current rules and amounts on susi.ie and the official research-funding sources.

Can international students get UK or Irish postgraduate loans?

These government loan schemes have residence and immigration conditions, so many international students are not eligible and instead rely on scholarships, sponsorship, or home-country funding. Check your own eligibility against the current rules on the official source.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: GOV.UK — Postgraduate Master's Loan; GOV.UK — Postgraduate Doctoral Loan; UKRI — Studentships and doctoral training; SUSI — Student Universal Support Ireland.

Last verified: 24 June 2026.