The Government is (indirectly) by far the biggest bill-footer of postgrad study. Its award-making bodies give out funds to students doing masters or doctorates and to full-time students doing professional or vocational training.

These awards might pay for your fees or your maintenance (living) costs (sometimes called a stipend), some allowances (for children, for example) or some additional expenses such as travel, but probably not all of them.

In 2005-06, the minimum stipend was £12,600 a year, with London stipends up to £2,000 extra, thanks to the capital's penchant for all things pricey.

You might also be able to wheedle additional funds such as support grants for research training.

All awards are made on a competitive basis, so it’s hardly worth bothering unless you can boast a squeaky clean result in your undergraduate studies – usually a good 2:1 or a 1st.

How to apply:
First check with the university department about how to apply.

Sometimes they handle the application themselves – although by no means all courses or departments attract funding. Just because you’ve been accepted to do a course or research that’s eligible for studentships, don’t assume that you personally will receive one.
Often you’ll need to contact the award-making body directly.

There are now seven of them handing out the Government dough. There are separate arrangements for social work qualifications – the General Social Care Council (www.gscc.org.uk) is in charge of bursaries that usually cover tuition fees and include a grant.

Each body gives funding for separate subject areas, so make sure you’re going to the right one and if they turn you down, don’t bother trying the others.

Before you apply, check that they cover the right subject and to get full details about all the various strings attached to the money they might or might not give you.

For contact details, surf along to www.rcuk.ac.uk

• What about postgrads
• How do postgraduates pay for it?

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