External Sources of Funding

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

The AHRC funds postgraduate study in the Arts and Humanities. The deadline for receipt of all applications for postgraduate awards by the AHRC for the 2012-2013 academic year will be 1st March 2012. Please note that the 1st February 2012 2012 is the deadline for the Department of International Politics and the Institute of Geography & Earth Sciences.

Please see details of the arrangements for the AHRC Block Grant Partnership funding for the years 2009 to 2013.

Access to Masters Scholarships

Funded places are available for UK/EU students living in the Convergence Area of Wales to undertake specific taught Masters courses at Aberystwyth University, which will also involve working with businesses in the Convergence Area. Deadline: 27th April 2012. Further information.

Economic and Social Research Council

The ESRC provide studentships for students who undertake a year Research Training Masters and a 3 year PhD research programme. Studentships can therefore cover a period of 4 years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. These studentships are offered on a competitive basis. Successful applicants will receive a studentship which covers their tuition fees and provides a subsistence allowance of approximately £13,290.

This competition provides funding for those who wish to undertake a one year Research Training Masters and then a three year PhD programme. Those who have already completed a Research Training Masters may also apply. You are eligible to take part in this competition if you have been accepted for a research place in one of the following departments at Aberystwyth and have a first or upper second in your first degree:

Application is through the department so please contact the department for further information. Further information is also available from the ESRC website.N.B. Deadline of 1st February 2012 for the Department of International Politics and the Institute of Geography & Earth Sciences.

Professional and Career Development Loans

Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for work related learning.  You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year’s relevant unpaid practical work).  The Young People’s Learning Agency will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards.  The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses.  You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support such as grants or bursaries.  Because the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, they should only be considered as an option once all other student funding options have been investigated.  For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact Careers Advice on 0800 100 900.  Our learning provider registration number is: 1021

The Cardiganshire Intermediate & Technical Fund

The purpose of this fund is to help with College or University fees or to supplement existing grants.

Eligibility:

  • You must be over 25 years of age at the start of the Academic Year; and
  • You must be a past pupil of a Secondary School or maintained establishment of Further Education within the County of Ceredigion for a minimum period of 2 years.
  • Application for financial assistance can only be made up to three times.

Application closing date: None stated.

For further information and application forms contact:
Tristan Edwards or Beryl Davies,
Student Finance Team,
Department of Education & Community Services,
Canolfan Rheidol, Rhodfa Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3UE
Telephone: (01970) 633658 or 633662; Fax: (01970) 633663; E-mail: tristane@ceredigion.gov.uk or E-mail: beryld@ceredigion.gov.uk

Thomas and Elizabeth Williams Scholarships

This fund provides grants towards fees and living expenses for those pursuing post graduate courses at college or university.  This usually constitutes a payment of about £5,000 for the academic year.

Eligibility:

  • Those who have been resident in Llanelli or Kidwelly of South West Wales for at least two years during the ten years immediately preceding the date of application.  Preference is given to the Llanelli/Kidwelly school  districts.
  • You must be under 30 years of age at the date of application; and
  • You should possess a good honours degree (I or IIA), but  under certain circumstances a lower second class honours may be considered.

Application closing date: End June each year.

For further information and application forms contact:
Director of Education & Children’s Services
Carmarthenshire County Council
County Hall, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA31 1JP
Telephone: (01267) 234567; Email: direct@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

(Students ordinarily resident in the UK only)

Please contact the University's Disability Office at the earliest possible opportunity. Further information is available on the following websites:

O'Reilly Foundation

(Students ordinarily resident in the Republic of Ireland only)

For further information please see the following website: http://www.oreillyfoundation.ie/. Please note that applications must be received by the O'Reilly Foundation at the start of November 2012 for awards available during the 2012-2013 academic session.

Schools Competition Act Settlement Trust

This is an open competition for students who have attendd the relevant schools in the UK private sector. Further details are available at the Trust's website.

GO Wales Graduate Training and Development Fund

SMEs* in Wales can access the above fund to help with hte cost of training their graduate employees to develop new skills for the business. GO Wales would fund 50% of the course up to a maximum of £1,500. The SME submits an application to GO Wales to explain how the training wil lbenefit their business. Terms and conditions apply. See www.gowales.co.uk/training for further details. Please e-mail Beverly Herring [bch@aber.ac.uk] at the University's Careers Advisory Service should you require further advice.  

* SMEs are small to medium-sized enterprises (250 employees or under)