Postgraduate fees and funding

• What you pay will be determined by the duration of the course, its perceived quality and reputation, its level and how much it costs the university to manage.
• A doctorate costs more than a master's, a MBA more than a PhD. Tuition fees range from around £4,900 a year to over £30,000, with the average around £11,000 per year.
• Fees are normally higher for international students.

• The average cost per year of study in the UK for international students is around an average of £11,000 per year in tuition fees. However some fees can be £8,000 to £9,000 a year or up to £30,000 a year.
• Normally, you will pay the 'home' fee if you have a EU passport. But other international students can qualify too.
• Find further details on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website. 

If you're a refugee or asylum seeker applying to higher education, there's support available to help you with finance and your studies.

It's a good idea to contact universities or colleges before you apply, to discuss what support they can offer you. This will depend on your circumstances, and you will need to let them know your refugee status.

Find out more

• The cost of renting a room. To help you make the right choice, use our accommodation search to research your options and find both uni and private student accommodation.
• Materials used in your studies.
• Travel costs.
• Food, phone, local council tax, heating, lighting and water costs, and other general expenses.

Average student living expenses are estimated between £8,000 - £11,000 a year. The location of your university will affect your housing costs. Our regional guides give details of average local rents.

Tuition fees per year are lower for part-time qualification. However, it will take you longer to complete your studies. So, overall, the amount you pay will be the same or maybe even higher, due to costs covering two years of study rather than one. The main advantage of studying part-time is that it allows you to balance work/home life and study.

If you require a student visa to study in the UK, you'll be unable to study a part-time course.

• That really only happens for a select number of PhD students, although some universities do offer discounts and scholarships on their courses.
• The majority of master's students, those studying for a MBA and doctorate level postgraduates need to secure their own funds.

You may be entitled to Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs) for physical or mental impairments, long-term or mental health conditions, or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. This funding covers the cost of the support you need – e.g. specialist equipment and non-medical helpers – like a note-taker or reader.

1. First you’ll need either a letter from your doctor or consultant confirming your impairment or health condition, or a diagnostic assessment of your learning difficulty from a psychologist or specialist teacher.
2. Then you can apply for DSA through your regional funding organisation – Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, Student Awards Agency for Scotland or Student Finance Wales. It can take up to three months to arrange, so make sure you apply early.
3. If you’re eligible, you’ll then have an assessment to work out what you need – find an assessment centre near your course provider via the DSAs Quality Assurance Group website.
4. Once everything’s arranged, the money will be paid directly to your service/equipment providers, or to your bank account.

Find out more about DSAs

You will usually have the option to pay for your tuition fees either by credit/debit card or by bank transfer. Many universities will let you pay in instalments – often for a small charge.

• Chevening Scholarships – the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The scheme awards to outstanding scholars with leadership potential from around the globe to study postgraduate courses at UK universities.
• The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan for students from particular commonwealth countries.
• Scholarships for international students who want to study in Scotland 

It’s also worth contacting the national branch of the British Council to see if there are other forms of help. And your own government, private companies or charities in your own country may also be able to help.

Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans to pay for courses and training that help with your career or help get you into work.You may be able to borrow between £300 and £10,000. Loans are usually offered at a reduced interest rate and the government pays interest while you’re studying. Find out more on the GOV.UK website.

A number of banks and specialist financial organisations also offer loans specifically for MBA students.

If your employer is generous enough to fund your postgraduate study, you will almost certainly need to guarantee to work for them for a set period of time – or pay them back.