Planning a postgraduate taught degree (such as an MSc, MA, or LLM) at the University of Bristol requires careful financial preparation. The good news is that there are numerous funding avenues available, from government loans to prestigious University scholarships. This guide clarifies the fees and outlines your best options for financial support.

Part 1: Understanding Your Taught Programme Costs

The total cost of your Master’s degree is primarily made up of two elements: tuition fees and living expenses.

Unlike undergraduate courses, postgraduate taught fees vary significantly depending on the specific programme and its faculty.

1. Fee Status: Your tuition rate is determined by whether you are classified as a Home student (UK resident) or an Overseas (International) student. Home fees are generally lower and are subject to government regulations, while International fees are typically higher and vary by subject complexity (e.g., laboratory-based courses often cost more than classroom-based courses).
2. Where to Find the Fee: Always check the individual programme page in the online prospectus for the accurate fee for your specific course and year of entry.

If you are an international student who is self-funding your studies, you will often be required to pay a non-refundable deposit (usually around £2,000) to formally accept and secure your place. This amount is later deducted from your total tuition fee.

Bristol is a fantastic city, but it is important to budget for the cost of living. This includes accommodation, food, travel, and personal expenses. The University provides guidance, often suggesting a figure to set aside per academic year for living costs.

Part 2: Funding for Home Students (UK Nationals)

The main sources of financial aid for UK Master's students are government loans and merit-based University support.

This is the most common form of financial support for Home students pursuing a Master's degree.

1. What it is: A non-means-tested loan provided by the UK Government (Student Finance England/Wales/etc.) that is paid directly to you.
2. How to use it: You can use the loan amount—which is fixed annually—towards either your tuition fees or your living expenses, or a combination of both.
3. Eligibility: You must typically be a UK national (or meet specific residency criteria) and under the age of 60. You cannot already hold an equivalent or higher qualification (like another Master’s degree or a PhD).
4. Repayment: You repay the loan only once you are earning over the government's set income threshold.

The University offers internal scholarships designed to promote diversity and accessibility in postgraduate study.

1. Focus: These scholarships typically offer a grant (e.g., £2,000) for talented UK students from specific underrepresented backgrounds or those who meet specific widening participation criteria.
2. Note: Eligibility criteria often include being an external applicant (not a previous Bristol graduate) and holding a strong academic record (2:1 or First Class Honours).

Part 3: Major Scholarship Opportunities for International Students

The University of Bristol has invested heavily in large scholarship programmes to attract the best international talent.

This is Bristol’s flagship scholarship scheme and a vital opportunity for international Master's applicants.

1. Awards: These scholarships offer substantial awards towards tuition fees, valued at various levels (e.g., £6,500, £13,000, or £26,000).
2. Eligibility: They are for applicants classified as Overseas (International) for fee purposes who have applied for an eligible postgraduate taught or research course.
3. How to Apply: You must submit a separate online scholarship application form after applying for your course. Deadlines are typically early in the calendar year.
4. Specialised Awards: Look out for specific 'Think Big' awards targeted at certain faculties, like the Business School or the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Bristol participates in several prestigious external schemes:

1. GREAT Scholarships: Often offered in partnership with the British Council for students from specific countries (e.g., India, Mexico, Thailand) for one-year Master’s courses.
2. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships: Available for students from Commonwealth countries for specific courses, covering tuition and providing a stipend.

Part 4: Leveraging Alumni Status

If you previously completed an eligible degree at the University of Bristol and are returning for a taught Master’s degree, you may be eligible for the Alumni Discount.

1. Benefit: This usually offers a 25% reduction in your tuition fees.
2. Eligibility: This discount is typically applicable if you are wholly or partially self-funding your fees and cannot be combined with some other full fee-covering scholarships.

By combining the UK government loan with University scholarships, or by successfully applying for a competitive international award like the Think Big Scholarship, you can create a robust financial plan for your postgraduate study at Bristol.

References

1. University of Bristol: Fees and Funding - Overview
2. University of Bristol: Funding for Postgraduate Study
3. University of Bristol: Alumni Discount
4. University of Bristol: Bristol Master's Scholarship
5. University of Bristol: International scholarships