Many universities have a limited number of studentship awards available, for specific courses, which usually cover fees and maintenance. Criteria and deadlines for applications vary, so do your research well in advance with the admissions officer of the university you want to go to.

Individual university departments may also be able to help in one of two ways.

The first is just to ask – it’s a long shot, but if you’re a complete star in your chosen subject you might just get lucky. Your best bet for funding direct from your university or department is having a specific tutor take up your cause individually, which is most likely to happen if you stay in the same department where you’ve already done an undergraduate or lower postgrad degree.

They’ll probably be championing your cause because they want you to become an academic, however, so expect to take on some tutoring responsibilities.

The second option is to get a job within the department more formally as a research assistant. You’ll get paid and so long as you write up your research appropriately, it’ll be assessed for a qualification.

The jobs are usually advertised in the normal way, although if you’re already in a department keep your ear to the ground, just in case you can get in there early and persuade them to look no further.

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

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