Government grants and loans

If you're applying for a postgraduate course at the University of Brighton for the 2027–28 academic year, you may be eligible for government funding to help with your tuition fees and living costs. The funding available depends on your course, when it starts and your personal circumstances.

There are different funding arrangements for postgraduate master's and doctoral courses, teacher training

Government loan schemes:

Pre-registration Health and designated PGCE courses:  

  • Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) for eligible pre-registration health courses and designated, non-salaried PGCE courses starting on or after 1 January 2027.
  • Other funding may be available for these courses, including teacher training bursaries and scholarships, NHS Learning Support Fund payments and University of Brighton bursaries.
Students talking

Postgraduate masters loan

The UK government offers a postgraduate master's loan to eligible students studying a qualifying master's course. The loan can help towards tuition fees and living costs and is paid directly to you in instalments.

The amount available and the eligibility criteria are set by the government and may change. Check the latest information on gov.uk before applying.

Eligibility

You may be eligible to apply if you meet the relevant requirements relating to:

  • your age
  • your nationality and residency status
  • your previous study and qualifications
  • the course you intend to study
  • your university or college.

You must normally live in England and meet the applicable residency requirements. Students who normally live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland should contact their relevant student finance authority.

See the full eligibility requirements for a postgraduate master's loan on gov.uk.

Eligible courses

Your course must be a full, standalone master's course worth at least 180 credits.

Eligible qualifications may include MSc, MA, MRes, LLM and MBA courses, provided they meet the government’s requirements.

A postgraduate master's loan is not available for:

  • Postgraduate certificates (PGCert)
  • Postgraduate diplomas (PGDip)
  • Master's top-up continuation courses that continue from a previously completed PGDip or PG Cert qualification rather than constituting a full, standalone masters course, for example. This restriction relates to the course structure and student finance eligibility, not the academic value of the qualification.
  • Other courses that do not meet the government’s eligibility criteria.

How to apply

Apply through Student Finance England if your course is eligible for a postgraduate paster's loan. 

For current information about loan amounts, eligibility and applications, visit postgraduate master's loan on gov.uk.

Additional support

You may be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) if you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. 

Find out more about Disabled Students' Allowance on gov.uk.

Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) is the new student finance system for eligible courses and modules starting on or after 1 January 2027. It replaces the previous higher education student finance arrangements for courses covered by the scheme.

If you're starting an eligible postgraduate pre-registration health course or designated, non-salaried PGCE in 2027–28, you may be able to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to help cover your tuition fees and a Maintenance Loan to help with living costs. Additional grants or allowances may also be available if you meet the relevant criteria.

Eligible courses include some postgraduate-level qualifications, such as:

  • designated, non-salaried Postgraduate Certificates in Education (PGCEs)
  • certain pre-registration postgraduate healthcare courses.

Not all postgraduate courses qualify for LLE funding. Eligibility depends on the course, its credit value, your previous study and your personal circumstances.

Check the funding arrangements for your chosen course before applying.

Find out more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement on gov.uk.

Other funding options

Teacher training

Bursaries or scholarships may be available for eligible teacher training courses, depending on the subject and the funding arrangements for your course.

Eligible PGCE courses starting in 2027–28 may qualify for student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. The funding available will depend on the course and your circumstances.

For information about teacher training bursaries and scholarships: Get into Teaching.

Healthcare courses

Some pre-registration postgraduate healthcare courses may qualify for student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement for eligible courses starting on or after 1 January 2027.

Depending on your course and circumstances, you may also be eligible for support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

The NHS Learning Support Fund can include a non-repayable training grant and additional allowances for eligible students. The support available depends on the applicable scheme rules.

Find out more about the NHS Learning Support Fund.

University of Brighton bursary

Eligible students studying certain postgraduate pre-registration healthcare courses or designated non-salaried PGCE courses may also qualify for a University of Brighton bursary, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria. 

Check the course and funding information to find out whether a bursary is available and whether you need to meet additional requirements.

More information at University of Brighton bursary.

Repaying your master’s loan

Student loans are repayable, but repayment arrangements vary according to the type of loan you receive.

For details of repayment thresholds, repayment rates and when repayments begin, visit the relevant government student finance guidance:

Postgraduate doctoral loan

If you're starting an eligible doctoral course in 2027–28, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate doctoral loan to help with your course costs and living expenses.

Eligibility depends on your course, age, nationality, residency status and previous qualifications.

You must meet the government’s requirements for an eligible doctoral course and normally live in England.

For the latest information about loan amounts, eligibility and applications, visit postgraduate doctoral loan on gov.uk.

 

Where to find more information 

For further advice about student finance, eligibility and applications, use the official government guidance:

Always check the funding arrangements for your chosen course before applying, as eligibility and funding amounts can change.