Sources of funding
Home fee status students are eligible to take out a government loan at both Master's and PhD level. However, in contrast to undergraduate study, there are many more opportunities to secure non-repayable scholarships and funding at the postgraduate level, particularly PhD.
Details of funds available directly through Cambridge can be found on the Postgraduate Admissions website.
The Alexander Crummell Fund provides fully-funded scholarships for students with Black or Black-mixed ethnicity applying for science-based subjects.
Tips for applying for postgraduate funding
- Get funding or arrange financing before you start studying - without proof of finances you will not be admitted to the University and will not be able to study here. Do not expect to be able to find funding after your course starts.
- Research early - many scholarship deadlines are around early December, for admission in the following year. If your course starts in January or April you may need to apply for funding up to 18 months in advance.
- Apply for many funding opportunities - both internal and external to the University. If you’re applying for a departmental award or funded place, do also apply for other funding schemes so you don’t miss their deadlines if the department does not offer you an award. You can accept smaller amounts from each fund if you are awarded multiple scholarships.
How I made three successful funding applications to Cambridge...
"Funding was a major factor in my Cambridge application. I ensured I had considered all possible funding I might be eligible for. I checked possible departmental studentships with potential principal investigators, College funding, and the University-wide funding sources - mainly Gates Cambridge and Cambridge Trust and ensured I had prepared my application to be competitive for all the possible funding I was eligible for. I received three different sources of funding for my PhD at Cambridge but had to choose. I eventually was supported by all three because I wanted to be identified as a scholar of all the scholarships, but I received funding to the level that I would ordinarily receive if I was with one. I would therefore encourage any prospective student to ensure you have considered all the funding opportunities, including from external sources."
- PhD student