Letter to Apply for Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate education is an expensive business. Many students are put off studying altogether by the cost, while others are forced to take a job alongside.

There is funding available for postgraduate study. This can come from a range of different sources. If you require some financial help to get you through your course you need to consider who best to approach, and how best to approach them.

What are Studentships?

In some cases, a place on a postgraduate programme of study will come with funding. This is known as a studentship.

The terms of studentships vary. Some will cover both your tuition costs and your living expenses, while others will cover one of the two. Others still will simply give a lump sum that you can spend at your discretion.

Studentships are a great way to fund your postgraduate study. But they can be very difficult to come by. The number of studentships available has been scaled back, and competition for this funding is very high. Often, institutions reserve them either for those with exceptionally high academic performance and those who would otherwise be unable to complete their study.

School Fees Letter Writer

Write about school fees, payment plans, bursaries, or financial difficulty. Takes 2 minutes.

Try our School Fees Letter Writer free, here on this site →

Where Should I Look for Funding?

If you cannot get a studentship, or if it will not cover the full cost of your study, you may need to look elsewhere for funding. There is a large number of bodies and organisations that could potentially provide funding – but many of these only give money to individuals in very specific circumstances.

Many charities and charitable trusts provide money for postgraduate study. Some of these bodies accept proposals from individuals in any circumstance, and studying in any discipline. Others, meanwhile, will only consider applications from those conducting research in certain areas or studying in a specific field.

You might also choose to investigate sponsorship from private individuals. Scholarships of this sort are often administrated by your place of study – but you may also choose to pursue them yourself.

The following is a letter seeking financial support from a private individual. It should serve, however, as a good springboard for funding applications to various other bodies.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Example Letter

Your Name
Anytown
Postcode

Dear [Name]

I am a prospective postgraduate student. I have recently graduated from Anyuniversity, where I was awarded a first-class honours degree in Anysubject.

Having completed my undergraduate degree, I am now keen to continue my studies. I would like to further specialise in Anysubject, with the ultimate intention of carrying out a research-based PhD.

Unfortunately, I cannot currently afford to pay my own way through a postgraduate course. Despite being the recipient of a scholarship from Anyuniversity, the combined cost of tuition fees and living expenses is simply unworkable.

I am therefore writing to ask whether you would consider offering some form of sponsorship to help me complete my course. I understand that you have existing links with Anyuniversity, and that you have previously, and very generously, sponsored students through postgraduate study.

My academic record is excellent, and I have been lucky enough to receive excellent references from my undergraduate tutors. My final marks were amongst the best in my graduating year. I intend to devote myself entirely to my postgraduate study, and would eventually like to forge a career in the field.

Please find attached my undergraduate references, along with a breakdown of my final marks.

Any help that you might be able to offer would be very gratefully received.

With thanks and best wishes,

[Signature]

What if I am Unsuccessful?

Of course, there is no guarantee that your request will be successful. If it is not, and you have exhausted all other potential avenues of funding, you need to consider whether or not you can truly afford to complete your course.

Many people choose to take on a part-time job to help them finance their postgraduate study. While this may well be an option, you should remember that it could detract from your study. Wherever possible, try to take a job that is flexible enough to allow you to concentrate on your study – at least during the times at which you will have the most work.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our School Fees Letter Writer lets you write about school fees, payment plans, bursaries, or financial difficulty. Takes 2 minutes. Try it now →