Funding Your Studies

Obtaining financial support is an important part of becoming a research student. A list of current University fees can be found here. In addition, around £9000 per year is generally required for living expenses, including the cost of accommodation. For applicants who do not already have a source of funding, there is a variety of places where funding can be sought. These are all competitive.

For the Statistics M.Sc. by research degree, a number of sponsored studentships are available each year.  The remaining information below refers to the funding of Ph.D. study.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)  - Deadline: end of March each year

EPSRC is the primary source of funding for postgraduate research in Mathematics and Statistics in the UK.  EPSRC studentships pay fees and maintenance for UK nationals. Other EU nationals are eligible for fees only. Current EPSRC funding policy allocates resources to the School, which in turn awards studentships in accordance with EPSRC criteria, the most important of which is a minimum of an upper second class Honours degree. Applications for EPSRC Studentships from candidates who currently meet or expect to meet the EPSRC criteria  will be considered. 

Full applications including references should reach the school by the end of March of each year.  Late applications will be considered, but we strongly advise early applications to avoid disappointment.

Industrial CASE Studentships - Deadline: project specific

Industrial CASE Studentships: These are awarded on the basis of research project proposals, submitted by supervisors, for collaboration with an industrial partner. In order to be eligible for these studentships applicants must be based in the UK (for maintenance and fees) or the EU (fees only).

University/Faculty Postgraduate Scholarships - Deadline: end of January each year

University Postgraduate Scholarships are open to all and, in particular, allow very highly qualified candidates from overseas (who are ineligible for an EPSRC award) to compete with UK and EU nationals for financial assistance to partly fund their postgraduate studies. Overseas applicants also need to apply for an Scottish Overseas Research Student Award Scheme to fully fund their studies.  Applicants should submit a complete application  including references by the end of  January of each year if they wish to be considered for the Scholarship Competition for entry in October.

Annually, our College, the College of Science and Engineering, offer Graduate School awards.  A limited number of Postgraduate Scholarships pay a maintenance award comparable with an EPSRC studentship plus fees at the rate for home students. Students from elsewhere (referred to as `overseas' students) pay a higher fee. Applicants should submit a complete application including references by the end of  January of each year, if they wish to be considered for the Scholarship Competition for entry in October.

Scottish Overseas Research Student Award Scheme - Deadline: end of January each year

The difference between home and overseas fees can be met by an Scottish Overseas Research Student Award Scheme (SORSAS) award.
It is emphasised that overseas students need to apply for both a Postgraduate Scholarship and an SORSAS award to fully fund their studies.

Inevitably the competition for Postgraduate Scholarships is severe, but over the past few years, at least one Mathematics and Statistics candidate has been successful each year. If you wish to be considered for a Postgraduate Scholarship for entry in October, please make sure you submit a full application including references before the end of January. 

Application forms can be downloaded via this University link

Further sources of funding

Further sources of funding in Mathematics and Statistics are listed here. (We mention, in particular, a Carnegie Scholarship as a possible source of funding for highly qualified students in Scotland.)

Supplemental Earnings

All postgraduate students in the School have the opportunity to undertake tutorial work with first and second year undergraduates. Typical annual earnings are £500. There may also be opportunities to help staff with paid exam invigilation.