Often students worry about the cost of postgraduate study, but there are many funding opportunities available for studying in the UK. From government loans and university scholarships to working while you study. This guide will set out the funding available from the university and some external sources. The information provided in this section is not a comprehensive list of funding sources.

Applying for funding available from the University is part of an integrated, online, postgraduate admissions process. An offer of a place at Queen’s does not constitute an offer of financial support.

For 2025 entry, Faculties and Schools in the University will be setting their own deadlines for postgraduate applications for admissions, studentships, and scholarships. Applicants who wish to apply for postgraduate funding available from the University for 2025 entry should refer to the relevant Faculty and School websites for information.

Student Finance Northern Ireland provides a non-means-tested loan of up to £6,500 and how much you get will depend on the length and cost of your course.

Postgraduate loans are paid directly to the university, and you will have to repay this loan when you have finished your course and earn over the income threshold. If you also pay an undergraduate student loan you will make both repayments at the same time.

You will apply to a different funding organisation if you normally live in England, Wales or Scotland. ROI and EU students can apply through Student Finance NI.

A limited number of scholarships and bursaries will be available for specific courses. Further details can be found in our scholarships and funding finder.

North-South (Ireland) Postgraduate Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships may be available for outstanding students from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to undertake postgraduate study and experience life in the other Irish jurisdiction.

Available to students who have been accepted to undertake a recognised 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.

Further details are found at universitiesireland.ie

Note: where it states ‘UK residents’, please note that qualifying residency and citizenship/nationality criteria apply.

Department For The Economy Postgraduate Research Studentships

Studentships funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE) are offered in a wide range of subject areas across all Faculties and Schools. UK Residents: fees plus maintenance. A number of awards are also available for non-UK residents covering fees plus maintenance, these will be identified at point of advertisement

Department For The Economy CoOperative Awards In Science And Technology (CAST) Postgraduate Research Studentships

These studentships funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE – formerly DEL) are for specific research projects in collaboration with an industrial sponsor. UK Residents: fees plus maintenance. A number of awards are also available for non-UK residents covering fees plus maintenance, these will be identified at point of advertisement.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

A number of EPSRC research studentships may be available for research in eligible areas. Details will be advertised on the relevant Faculty/ School website at qub.ac.uk/schools UK Residents: fees plus maintenance.

A number of awards are also available for non-UK residents covering fees plus maintenance, these will be identified at point of advertisement

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

A number of studentships may be available for research degrees in Arts and Humanities subject areas. Details of the AHRC Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership will be advertised at go.qub.ac.uk/NorthernBridge UK Residents: fees plus maintenance. A number of awards are also available for non-UK residents covering fees plus maintenance, these will be identified at point of advertisement.

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Postgraduate Studentships

A number of studentships may be available for research in economic and social science subject areas. Details of the ESRC Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP) will be advertised at go.qub.ac.uk/NINE-DTP UK Residents: fees plus maintenance. A number of awards are also available for non-UK residents covering fees plus maintenance, these will be identified at point of advertisement

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Postgraduate Research Studentships

A number of studentships may be available for research degrees to address key themes Environmental Management, Biodiversity and Earth Systems. Details of the NERC QUADRAT Doctoral Training Partnership will be advertised at quadrat.ac.uk UK Residents: fees plus maintenance. A number of awards are also available for non-UK residents covering fees plus maintenance, these will be identified at point of advertisement.

Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Algorithmic Solutions (LINAS)

The LINAS Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) seeks to develop a cohort of Doctoral Scholars who can address the implications of massive-scale data processing, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for both the actual operation of algorithmically driven public decision-making in wider society, and within science and engineering.

LINAS brings together legal scholars, social scientists, physical scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists and engineers to develop a distinctive cohort of doctoral students working across the boundaries of their own disciplines. Our ambition is to support the development of integrated, effective, scientifically rigorous, and socially responsible algorithmic solutions.

It is hosted by The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice in collaboration with the Schools of Law, Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics, History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics and Social Sciences, Education and Social Work.

For more details visit the LINAS page

The Wellcome Trust and National Institutes of Health Postgraduate Research Studentships
This annual competition may offer postgraduate students collaborative PhD training at academic laboratories in the UK or Republic of Ireland and at the National Institutes of Health in the USA. https://wellcome.org/grant-funding

*Funding arrangements for EU students starting courses at UK universities following the agreed transition period are required to pay will depend on what is agreed as part of the UK's exit negotiations.

University International Postgraduate Research Studentships

University-funded studentships for international (non-EU) students may be available for postgraduate research into specific strategic research areas. Find out more

We currently have over 15 flagship doctoral training programmes, funded centres and partnerships, which aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide world-class training within a thriving research culture across a number of disciplines.

Benefits of undertaking a doctoral programme through one of Queen's Doctoral Training Centres typically include:

• Competitive stipends and maintenance grants
• Unique multi-disciplinary, fully-funded opportunities
• Access to world leading experts
• Involvement of leading industry, business, government and charity partners in both training and research

Doctoral Training Programmes

Open to applicants from all countries

You may be able to apply for funding or support from the following organisations:

• British Chevening Awards
• British Council
• Royal Commission 1851

If you are a current Queen's student, you can check the Alternative Guide to Funding for opportunities.

If you are a prospective student, please register to receive the pin for the Alternative Guide to funding.

Applicants from the USA

Scholarships

Applicants from the USA may be entitled to the following Scholarships:

• Fulbright Scholarships
• Mary McNeill Scholarship
• Marshall Scholarships
• The Hillary Rodham Clinton Award

US Federal Loans

Many US students opt to finance their studies at Queen’s through US Federal Loans. Queen’s is approved by the US Department of Education for participation in the Title IV Federal Loans programme. US Federal Loans are generally available to eligible students who will be undertaking Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programmes at Queen’s, except for medical and nursing programmes.

Graduate students, or dependent undergraduate students and their parents, can normally borrow up to the full cost of attendance of their programme (including tuition, subsistence, and airfare).

Full details are available at US Loans and for further guidance, please contact the US Federal Loans Administrator at usloans@qub.ac.uk

Applicants from Mexico

Applicants from Mexico can apply for the CONACyT award.

Applicants from Low and Middle Income Commonwealth Countries

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme for Postgraduate Taught Study
At Queen’s, subject to availability of funding from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, normally there will be up to three scholarships allocated for eligible taught postgraduate students on one of the eligible one-year courses (subject to confirmation): The scholarship covers the student’s tuition fees, a maintenance grant, travel costs and some additional allowances. Only students from least developed, low, and lower middle income Commonwealth countries are eligible to apply

For further details please refer to the Funding and Scholarship Finder.

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
A range of scholarships and fellowships are available for citizens of developed and developing Commonwealth countries.

Aga Khan Foundation Awards
For outstanding students from developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Postgraduate Research Studentships

DAERA (formerly DARD) normally funds research courses relevant to the agricultural, horticultural, forestry, fishing or food processing industries. Applications should be made directly to DAERA.

To be eligible for a full DAERA postgraduate studentship award, you must have been resident in Northern Ireland for the full three-year period before the first day of the first academic year of the course. Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals meeting the three year NI residency are eligible for a full award under the Common Travel Area arrangement. EU, EEA or Swiss nationals meeting the three year residency must have settled or presettled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. Non-EU nationals meeting the three year residence must be settled in the UK by the closing date of the application. The main purpose of residence in NI must not have been to receive full-time education during any part of that three year period. For further information on residency and citizenship see terms and conditions:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/daera-postgraduate-studentship-research-needs