Funding
We arrange funding for as many applicants as possible through the Research Councils, our own industrial sources and University research bursaries. There are some key points to remember when thinking about funding:
- Funding is arranged on receipt of your application.
- Funding is allocated on the academic strength of your application.
- If you have some funding already arranged (e.g. you are partially self-funded or sponsored by an industrial link) we can sometimes arrange to 'top-up' the funding you already have to the fully-funded level.
- If you have full funding available you will be accepted if you meet the academic requirements (2:1 degree or equivalent).
Funding for UK & EU Applicants
There are primarily three types of funding available to UK and EU students:
- Research Council Funding - This is the most extensive source of funding available to research students and is usually provided by NERC, STFC or EPSRC. Research Council funding is allocated on a competitive basis (i.e. those with the best applications secure the funding) and pays the complete fees (tuition fee and bench fee) plus a tax-free stipend of around £12,000 towards your living costs each year (although currently EU students from outside the UK do not receive the stipend). If you wish to be considered for one of our Research Council studentships you will be invited for an interview (usually in early March). It is therefore important that we have your application by mid-February.
- Industrial Funding - There is a wide variety of industrial funding available. Such funding may take the form of sponsorship by a company or a bursary for a specific research project. It is generally left up to the student to arrange his/her own industrial funding, although you should feel free to contact us and find out if there are any industrial sponsors or funded projects available. Even if you can only secure part-funding from an industrial source you will be more likely to secure additional funds from the School to make up the difference.
- Self Funding & External Scholarships - Some students are able to cover some or all of their own funding, possibly from external scholarships. If you can partially fund your studies, you will be more likely to secure additional funds from the School to make up the difference. Again, if you wish to talk about part-funding opportunities you should contact us at the address below.
Funding for Non-EU Applicants
- Overseas Research Students (ORS) Equivalent Scholarship - The ORS equivalent scholarship will pay the difference between the UK/EU fee and the non-EU fee which is currently £9600.
- Faculty Scholarships - Each year the Engineering & Physical Sciences Faculty distributes scholarships to students in receipt of ORS equivalent funds to cover the rest of the fees and to put a small amount towards living expenses. From time to time, the Faculty provides additional scholarships and bursaries to help high-quality overseas students study at Manchester.
- Industrial Funding - There is a wide variety of industrial funding available. Such funding may take the form of sponsorship by a company or a bursary for a specific research project. It is generally left up to the student to arrange his/her own industrial funding, although you should feel free to contact us to find out if there are any industrial sponsors or funded projects available. Even if you can only secure part funding from an industrial source you will be more likely to secure additional funds from the School to make up the difference.
- Self Funding & External Scholarships - Some students are able to cover some or all of their own funding, possibly from external scholarships. If you can partially fund your studies you will be more likely to secure additional funds from the School to make up the difference. Again, if you wish to talk about part-funding opportunities you should contact us at the address below.
