BU is participating in the HEFCE Postgraduate Support Scheme for September 2015 entry. We have 10 new £10,000 bursaries available for students from under-represented groups who have applied to study a taught Master’s degree with us and who meet certain eligibility criteria.
These bursaries have been jointly funded by the UK Government and provide valuable funding support for UK/EU students considering postgraduate study.
Applications have now closed for 2015 and we are considering applications.
What are the criteria?
- You have applied to study a full Master’s degree
- You are progressing from an undergraduate course in the UK/EU for which you were charged the higher tuition fee (the fee that has applied since 2012-13).
The following groups of students are eligible to apply for an award:- English students entering undergraduate study at any UK institution from September 2012
- EU (non-UK) students entering undergraduate study at any English Institution from September 2012
- Scottish students entering undergraduate study at any English, Welsh or NI institutions from September 2012
- Northern Irish students entering undergraduate study at any English, Welsh or Scottish institution from September 2012.
- You meet your chosen Master’s course entry requirements, and will start the course (full/part-time) in 2015 and complete it in a maximum of 24 months
- You are domiciled in the UK or EU and not charged international rate fees
- You need to meet one or more of criteria below:
- You were in receipt of a Maintenance Grant as an undergraduate student or, if an EU student, your household income is less than £25,000 or was at the time of applying for your undergraduate course
- You have been in full-time care as a looked-after child for three months or more, within five years of starting your undergraduate degree
- You have been in receipt of Disabled Students' Allowance or are registered disabled
- You are a carer for an ill or disabled family member
- You come from one of the most deprived areas of the country as defined by the Government's IMD (Indices of Multiple Deprivation) database. If your postcode IMD value is 16,250 or less, you meet this criterion (condition). You can check your postcode using the IMD search tool. Please note this map only covers England and the postcode we will use is that of your home address in your last year of school or college
- You come from an area where it is unusual for people to go to university. For students resident in the UK during their last year at school/college, this will be as defined by the government’s classification called Polar 3. To meet this criterion, your address must fall into quintile 1 or check your address using the Participation of Local Areas (POLAR) search tool. We will use your home address in your last year of school or college. Please note this information only covers the UK.
Exclusions
- Students looking to study a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Integrated Master’s, or course funded by public bodies, including the NHS
- Students who have applied to study MA Social Work are eligible to apply. However, if you are subsequently awarded the Social Work Bursary, then you will no longer be eligible to receive the Postgraduate Support Scheme bursary
- Students from Wales who entered undergraduate study from September 2012, since the Welsh Government through the Student Loans Company provided tuition fee grants to all Welsh students to cover the increase in fees
- Non-EU students and those who are from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
- You must not already hold a Master’s level qualification.
How do I apply?
Applications have now closed for 2015 and we are considering applications.
Evidence required from you
We will require evidence to support your application which is clearly stated in the online application form.
This evidence can be sent via email to [email protected]. Use the subject heading: ‘Postgraduate Support Scheme Supporting documentation’ or posted to the following address:
askBU (Postgraduate Support Scheme)
The Base
Poole House
Talbot Campus
Bournemouth University
BH12 5BB
If you are considering sending your documents by email then please see our sending sensitive data information to find out more about how to encrypt your attachments before emailing them.
What is the selection process?
Applications will be considered by a panel of senior university staff and their decision will be final, all applicants will be notified by 30 June 2015.
The eligibility criteria that you meet will be taken into account and your personal statement will be considered, in particular we look for the following.
- A clear rationale for applying for a postgraduate course at BU
- How the scholarship will be beneficial to your student experience
- The future ambitions that will flow from achieving the MA or MSc, including the benefit(s) that will result for other people.
If you have any questions regarding the scheme please email us.
How will the award be paid?
The bursary will be given as a tuition fee bursary with any balance paid to you as a contribution towards your maintenance expenses. This will be paid by 9 equal monthly instalments, from October to June, through a pre-paid Mastercard. If you discontinue your studies at BU or you cease to study for a full Master’s degree, the bursary will be cancelled and no further monthly instalments of the balance will be payable by BU.
BU offers a loyalty discount to BU graduates. This will be applied to bursary recipients who are BU graduates, so you will receive more money on your Mastercard towards maintenance expenses.
BU’s early payment discount does not apply to recipients of this bursary.