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When you have decided to study at Ulster, you will need to identify how much it will cost and what funding options are available to you.
The majority of postgraduate courses offer no maintenance funding support, therefore, students will need to ensure they have sufficient savings, regular income, or sponsorship to cover their daily living costs whilst studying. Please see the Additional Sources of Funding section below for potential supports.
If you have previously studied at Ulster University, you may be eligible to avail of the Alumni Discount
Any queries regarding funding, please email sma@ulster.ac.uk
Postgraduate Funding
Students completing a full-time PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education) are funded through the undergraduate student funding system.
Tuition Fee Funding
- Students domiciled in Northern Ireland can apply to Student Finance NI (Tuition Fee Loan) for a Tuition Fee loan.
- GB students can apply to their respective funding bodies for Tuition Fee support. SAAS, SFE, SFW.
- ROI & EU students can apply to Student Finance EU for a Tuition Fee loan.
- International students must arrange payment of Tuition Fees with the Finance Department.
- The Student Funding bodies will pay Tuition Fees directly to Ulster University.
Maintenance Funding
- Students domiciled in Northern Ireland can apply to Student Finance NI for a maintenance loan and grant. Calculations are based on household income and as such, not all students who apply will be eligible for a maintenance grant.
- Those with dependents may be eligible to Special Support Grant and Extra Help through Childcare Grant, Adult Dependents' Grant and Parents' Learning Allowance. Calculations are based on household income and not all students who apply will receive a grant. Please refer to SFNI website for full details of available support.
- GB students can apply to their respective funding bodies for Maintenance support. SAAS, SFE, SFW.
- ROI Students can apply to SUSI for a means-test grant.
- Maintenance support is not available for EU or International students, therefore you must be able to meet your own daily living costs whilst completing your course.
Maintenance funding is to help with essential daily living costs whilst completing your course. Payments are made in three instalments during the academic year. Please refer to the payment schedule found on your Student Finance Notification of Entitlement letter.
Funding Exceptions
Students who already hold a PGCE are not eligible for funding. As such, students will need to meet these costs themselves. Please see the Self-Funded Study section below.
Additional Mandatory Costs
Due to the nature of these courses, additional mandatory costs can be expected, please ensure you are aware of these and have made sufficient provisions to cover these before commencing your course. For further information on such costs, please view course specific information at Ulster University.
Additional Funding Information
Students who complete a PGCE can also avail of an SFNI Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan (see 'Other Postgraduate Study' section below).
Tuition Fee Funding
- Students domiciled in Northern Ireland can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan.
- ROI students can apply through Student Finance EU for a Tuition Fee Loan.
- GB students can apply to their respective funding bodies for Tuition Fee support. SAAS, SFE, SFW.
- UK & ROI students who are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan through Student Finance NI can apply for Bank of Ireland Graduate Medical School borrowing to cover the cost of tuition fees each year of the course.
- International students, will need to arrange Tuition Fee Payment directly with the Fees office. If you have studied at Ulster university before, you may be eligible for a discount.
- NI & ROI students may also be eligible to apply for Medical Education Scholarship.
Maintenance Funding
- Students domiciled in Northern Ireland can apply to Student Finance NI for a maintenance loan only. Calculations are based on household income and as such, not all students who apply will be eligible for the maximum amount. Maintenance grants are not available.
- Due to the nature of this course, students may also be eligible to receive a Travel Grant to alleviate the cost of travel to practical education placements.
- GB students can apply to their respective funding bodies for Maintenance support. SAAS, SFE, SFW.
- ROI and International students will need to ensure they are able to meet their own daily living costs for the duration of their study.
Maintenance funding is to help with essential daily living costs whilst completing your course. Payments are made in three instalments during the academic year. Please refer to the payment schedule found on your Student Finance Notification of Entitlement letter. If the funding available will not cover your essential daily living costs, please see the Additional sources of funding section below.
Additional Mandatory Costs
Due to the nature of this course, additional mandatory costs can be expected, please ensure you are aware of these and have made sufficient provisions to cover these before commencing your course. For further information on such costs, please view course specific information at Ulster University.
Tuition Fee Funding
Postgraduate Tuition Fees loans are available to students completing a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and taught or research Masters. The course must be completed within three years or less, whether on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Students domiciled in Northern Ireland can apply to Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan for EU students - Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan.
- GB students can apply to their respective funding bodies for Tuition Fee support. SAAS, SFE, SFW.
- ROI students can apply to Student Finance EU for a Tuition Fee loan.
- International and EU students must arrange payment of Tuition Fees with the Finance Department.
- The Student Funding bodies will pay Tuition Fees directly to Ulster University.
The maximum SFNI tuition fee loan available is £6,500. Maintenance support is not available through SFNI, therefore an alternative source of funding should be arranged, such as savings, part-time work or sponsorship.
PhD Research
PhD researchers should visit The Doctoral College for course specific information. You may be eligible to apply for a Studentship.
Funding Exceptions
The Postgraduate Tuition Fee loan is available to students who already hold a postgraduate qualification of any level providing that you have not already availed of this loan in previous years. If you have already taken a loan, you will need to arrange Tuition Fees Payment. If you have studied at Ulster university before, you may be eligible for a discount.
Additional Mandatory Costs
Due to the nature of these courses, additional mandatory costs can be expected, please ensure you are aware of these and have made sufficient provisions to cover these before commencing your course. For further information on such costs, please view course specific information at Ulster University.
University Funding
Scholarships and Prizes are available through various schools, courses and external organisations. Each has its own eligibility criteria. Please take your time to read through the information provided to ensure you are eligible before applying.
External Funding
Commonwealth Scholarships Commission provides support to International Students studying in the UK. Scholarships provide talented and motivated individuals with the opportunity to enhance knowledge and skills in their given sector, in order to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.
Students completing Graduate Entry Medicine can apply for Bank of Ireland Graduate Medical School borrowing to cover the cost of tuition fees each year of the course.
Student bank accounts off access to interest free overdrafts for the duration of your course. Graduate accounts are available through some high street banks. They are the cheapest and most flexible way to borrow money, if managed wisely.
Personal Loans can sourced online or through local high street branches. Shop around for the most affordable deals with the lowest interest rate.
- Get information about loans online via Money Supermarket
- Get information about high street banks via Which
Credit Union loans can be sourced through your local branch both in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. You will need to be a member and will require some savings first. Credit Unions offer loans without any hidden charges or fees for early repayment.
NI & ROI students may be eligible to apply for a North/South Postgraduate Scholarship should they choose to study a Master’s Degree or are entering the first year of a PhD programme at a university in the island of Ireland that is not in the same jurisdiction as the university where they have previously studied
Part-time work
If you are currently employed, speak to your employer about sponsorship to help fully or part-fund your course.
Self-fund your course by working whilst studying part-time.
Visit Employability and Graduate Futures for support with CV writing and employability skills.
Search for available placements and jobs through Handshake.
You can search Job Apply NI and NI Job Finder for current vacancies.
Don't forget to check local recruitment agencies and in-store advertisements for local vacancies.
