For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

When applying for postgraduatestudy, you will need todemonstrate a genuine interest

in the programme to which you areapplying and outline why you are a strongapplicant.

Application formsApplication forms can differ from collegeto college and from course to course, butthere are certain things you can expect tobe asked where ever you are applying:you are likely to be asked about academicachievements, professional qualifications,employment experience and whether youhave been awarded any scholarship.

Personal statements are frequentlyrequired, in particular when applying forbusiness courses such as MBAs. You aretypically allowed about one page to ‘sellyourself’. Don’t use the same statementfor all applications: each will need aslightly different emphasis, depending onthe college you are applying to.

How can I make myself stand out?Be positive and enthusiastic, and usegood English. If your statement is fresh,lively, and different, you’ll be puttingyourself ahead of the crowd. Be clear andconcise, and stay within prescribed wordlimits. Pay attention to presentation: typethe statement if your handwriting is poor.Read and re-read your statement verycarefully, and spell and grammar check it.Get your final draft checked by friends,academics or the careers adviser.

What if…I’m a mature student?Mature students frequently have adiverse range of skills and life experiencesto share. It is important to be able to linkthe relevance of these skills andexperiences to the particular course, andthus convey your suitability for theprogramme. Think about how you canshow that you will be able to cope with aparticular programme. You may be askedthe following questions:• Do you feel your work experience is

relevant for this course? Why?• Do you feel that your previous courses

(if any) are relevant? Why?• Why should we choose you?

I’m thinking about part-time study?Students applying for part-timeprogrammes should be able to conveyexcellent time management skills and anenthusiasm for the course. Showing anability to multitask, such as jugglingvarious commitments, will helpstrengthen your application.

I’m an international student?Students from outside of Ireland whosefirst language is not English must provideevidence that their English languageability meets the required standard foradmission. The required standard is theresults of an acceptable English languageproficiency test undertaken no more thantwo years prior to the commencement ofyour programme at the institution. Fordetails on the English languageproficiency tests TOEFL and IELTS,see www.ets.org/toefl and www.ielts.org.These websites include information ontesting centres and dates.

The secret of successful postgraduate applicationsWhat to expect from a postgraduate course application form, and how to make yourself stand out.

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For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

The German education system offersthousands of degree programmes atmore than 300 institutions. You can

take a research-orientated programme ata university, a more vocational course ata Fachhochschule (university of appliedscience) or an artistic programme at oneof the colleges of art, film or music.

Germany has a two-cyclebachelors/masters system similar to thatof ROI and NI. This means that it is noweasier for graduates with a primarydegree from ROI/NI to study a mastersqualification in Germany. Many of thesecourses are taught in English inconjunction with a German languagecourse. You can also undertake a doctoralprogramme: many international studentscomplete research in Germany,particularly in the sciences. Bachelors,masters and doctorates have replaced theconventional German degrees(Diplom or Magister).

How to applyTo apply for a masters or doctoralprogramme, contact the university direct.If you are applying for a structuredprogramme you will need to contact thecourse director for admission. Otherwiseyou can contact the internationaldepartment, which is responsible foradmissions from students with non-German qualifications. If you want tocarry out a doctorate that is not part of astructured programme then you shouldcontact the person you’d like to superviseyou directly.

Entry requirementsAlways check the language requirementsof specific courses and universities beforeapplying. To study the masters courses inEnglish there is usually no need to pass aGerman language test. More informationabout German language requirementscan be found at www.daad.de >information for foreigners > learnGerman > how to learn German > testsfor the access of higher education.

FeesEach federal state has its own policy oncharging tuition fees, and at what level,but many now charge for the masterscourses. An average fee is around €500per semester plus an additional ‘semesterfee’ of around €50–€250. At someuniversities the fee includes a ‘semesterticket’, which allows you to use publictransport in your university town free ofcharge. Doctoral programmes are stillfree.

Funding your courseInformation about scholarships forinternational students can be found atwww.daad.de.

Postgraduate study in GermanyThere is a great variety of postgraduate options to choose from in Germany.

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One in three PhD theses in France isprepared by an internationalstudent. The French education

system actively welcomes internationalstudents – who make up 12 per cent ofthe student population – and one of thebenefits they offer is that tuition fees areamong the lowest in Europe.

France’s three-level higher educationsystem is based on the European systemof Licence (equivalent to a bachelorsdegree), Master and Doctorat (PhD).

Institutions are a mixture of public –offering standardised governmentaccredited degrees or diplômesnationaux – and private. CampusFrance,the agency promoting French universitiesto international students, had more than227 member institutions in 2009. Theserange from traditional universities tospecialised schools offering engineering,business and other specialist disciplines.There are also Grandes Ecoles, prestigiousinstitutions (public or private) traininghigh-flying graduates for top-level jobs.They enrol fewer students than theuniversities and are highly selective.

How to applyIn most cases you need to apply direct tothe institution. However, it is possible toapply online for certain disciplines(engineering, law, arts, economics andmanagement, literature and humanities,and maths) via CampusFrance. This

means you only have to make oneapplication, which is then forwarded tothe institutions you have chosen.

Entry requirementsEach institution sets its own admissionstandards, and the selection process islikely to include both written applicationsand interviews. Selection committeesmeet in June. Grandes Ecoles are difficultto get into but if you achieve this yourqualifications will be highly respectedwhen you leave. They have their ownadmission process for foreign students,which is based on degrees and exams.Lectures and seminars for most coursesare held in French so you will need a goodcommand of the language.

FeesGovernment subsidies mean thatuniversity fees are affordable, andinternational students pay the same asFrench students.

University tuition is rarely more than€300 per academic year, apart fromengineering schools where fees areapproximately €600. Tuition fees atGrandes Ecoles are higher: for businessand management courses you can expectto pay between €4,500 and €7,000. Youwill also need to find living expenses,which CampusFrance estimates ataround €1,000 per month.

Funding your courseConsiderable funding is available forinternational students. Use theCampusFrance search engine to searchfor funding by subject area, level of study,country of origin and type of grant. Somegovernment funding may be availablefrom the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,which administers a variety ofscholarships and grants. You shouldcontact your French Embassy orConsulate to find out about these.Research grants are also available fromthe French Ministry of Education. Don’tforget European Lifelong Learningprogrammes such as Erasmus andLeonardo, which provide grants across theEU: your careers service can give youinformation about these.

For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

Postgraduate study in FranceInternational students are very welcome in France, but you’ll need good language skills.

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For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

EuropeErasmus: Exchange programme grantsare available for study for a one-yearperiod in a wide selection of EUuniversities. Erasmus is part of theLifelong Learning Programme. www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus

PLOTEUS: An excellent resource ofEuropean education and trainingopportunities.• www.eurograduate.com Outlines

career and study opportunitiesthroughout Europe.

• www.eurydice.org A comprehensiveand thorough source of information onwork and study in European countries.Many EU governments offerscholarships for postgraduate study intheir country. Check with your CareersService.

Specific countriesBelgiumThe CUIF: International courses andscholarships. The College of Europe in Bruges offersfurther study in four disciplines: Law,Economics, Political and AdministrativeSciences. Grants are available from theEuropean Movement Ireland.FinlandStudy in Finland: Database of degree andnon-degree programmes and informationabout Finland as a study destination.FranceÉgide: Course database and informationabout studying in France.GermanyDAAD: German academic exchangeservice.

ItalyStudy in Italy: Information portal forstudents looking at both under- andpostgraduate courses in Italy. The European University Institute inFlorence welcomes research studentsfrom the Humanities, Economics, Politicaland Social Sciences, it also provides anLLM in European and International Law.Grants are available.NetherlandsNuffic: Netherlands organisation forinternational cooperation in highereducation.SwedenStudy in Sweden: Comprehensiveresource for information about highereducation in Sweden.SwitzerlandSwitch: Swiss Education and ResearchNetwork.

Postgraduate study in Europe and ScandinaviaUseful websites for postgraduates studying in Europe and Scandinavia

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There are over 160 higher educationinstitutions in England, Scotlandand Wales, including some of the

oldest in the world, such as Oxford andCambridge. All of these are regulated by anumber of official bodies to maintain ahigh standard of research and teaching.The basic postgraduate degree structuresare the same as those in the Republic andNorthern Ireland: taught and research.Studying in England, Scotland or Walesoffers you the chance to study away fromhome, but not so far away that you spendall your time and money travelling.

How to applyThere is no central body for applicationsso you need to apply directly to individualinstitutions. It is advisable to shortlistabout four to six courses. Apply as earlyas possible in the academic year and beaware that some courses, such asmedicine, law and teacher trainingcourses, have earlier deadlines.

Entry requirementsAn undergraduate degree from an Irish orNorthern Irish university will generally betreated the same as a British qualificationbut check with the admissions office ifyou’re not sure. For a research degree, youwill be asked to write a proposal for yourintended field of research and might beinvited for an interview. If English is notyour first language, you will need aminimum score of 6.5 in the InternationalEnglish Language Testing System (IELTS).

FeesNI and ROI residents are not consideredinternational students and can expect topay ‘home’ student fees. According to theBritish Council the annual home fee forfull-time taught courses, includingmasters degrees, ranges from £3,200 to£6,000. Full-time research programmesvary between £2,800 and £3,800.Accommodation, food, bills andsocialising will vary depending on whereyou choose to live: London can beexpensive, while Scotland has relativelylow living costs.

Funding your courseYou may be able to get funding from theUK Research Councils. Graduates fromNorthern Ireland can apply for fullfunding while graduates from theRepublic of Ireland (and other EUcountries) can apply for a fees-onlyaward.

The Gardiner Awards fromCambridge University are offeredspecifically to students of Irish andNorthern Irish universities. These areavailable for undergraduate orpostgraduate study but preference isgiven to applicants intending to doresearch.

Other sources of funding includeinstitutional scholarships and awards,charities, foundations and trusts, careerdevelopment loans and professional loanschemes. Make sure you apply forfunding at least a year before your coursebegins.

For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

Postgraduate study in BritainYou could find yourself at one of the oldest universities in the world if you choose to study in Britain.

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For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

Australia and New Zealand arepopular postgraduate destinationsfor Irish students, attracted by the

quality of education, cultures andlifestyles offered. Postgraduatequalifications in Australia and NewZealand take a similar amount of time tocomplete, are taught in much the sameway and go by most of the same namesas they do in Ireland. This means thatpostgraduate students in Australia andNew Zealand will usually have similarbackgrounds and be a similar age to theirIrish counterparts.

For a course longer than threemonths you must get a student visa.Before you can apply, you must first havebeen given and accepted a formal offer ofa university place and paid a depositmade up of the first semester’s tuitionfees plus compulsory insurance cover.

How to applyApplications for taught postgraduatecourses can be made directly via StudyOptions (www.studyoptions.com), whocan provide application forms as well as achecklist of the supporting documentsrequired. For research masters, you mustfirst contact the faculty to discuss yourintended research work with anacademic. If the faculty provisionallyapproves it, you can then submit a formalapplication via Study Options.

Entry requirementsAll universities will require anundergraduate degree from a recognisedinstitution.

Entry requirements are individuallyset by the universities and can vary: somewill be looking for a minimum grade of2.1 while others are more concerned withthe relevance of the undergraduatedegree subject.

FeesIn Australia, full international tuition feesvary, but in most cases will range fromAU$9,000–AU$16,000 per year (c. €6,350–€11,350; £5,580–£9,930) forgraduate certificates and graduatediplomas, to AU$11,000–AU$18,500 (c. €7,800–€13,100; £6,800–£11,500) formasters degrees and PhDs. In NewZealand, expect to pay approximatelybetween NZ$17,000 and NZ$30,000 (c. €8,000–€15,000; £7,000–£13,000). Allnew international PhD students pay thesame fees as New Zealand domesticstudents for their PhD studies.

Funding your courseThere are some scholarships available fordoctoral study in New Zealand. Fundingoptions in Australia are limited so youmay need to fund the bulk of your studyprivately.

Postgraduate study in Australia and New ZealandWhy further study down under is so popular – and how to apply for and fund it.

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www.studentfinance.ie is operated bythe HEA and as such is the mostcomprehensive on-line source ofinformation on the student grant. Thiswebsite contains information on coursefees and details on eligibilityrequirements for free fees, as well asother sources of assistance for students,such as the Fund for Students withDisabilities, the Back to EducationAllowance and the Student AssistanceFund.

www.citizensinformation.ie also hasa huge amount of relevant informationand is very well maintained, so theinformation is usually accurate and up-to-date.

Key Budget 2012 change: Studentsentering new postgraduate courses fromthe 2012/13 academic year onwards willnot be entitled to any maintenancegrants.

Research Councils Awards from the Irish Research Councilfor the Humanities and Social Sciences(IRCHSS) and the Irish Research Councilfor Science, Engineering and Technology(IRCSET) are extremely important forstudents seeking funding for research inthe Republic of Ireland. In 2011 annualawards of just over €30,000 after tax forIRCHSS Postdoctoral Fellowships, andaround €24,000 after tax for IRCSET’s‘Embark’ initiative postgraduatescholarships, were available. IRCSET alsooffered Postdoctoral Fellowships, and anEnterprise Partnership Scheme forpostgraduate and postdoctoralcandidates. The Scheme links withindustry and eligible public bodies toaward co-funded scholarships andfellowships to Irish research students.Awards are announced early in theacademic year. However…

Research Councils to mergeIn November 2011 it was officiallyannounced that IRCHSS and IRCSET are tomerge, becoming the Irish ResearchCouncil. The merger won’t affect existingpostgraduate scholarships or researchfellowships, but it is unclear at this stagewhat funding will be available (and onwhat basis and to whom) for 2012 andbeyond. The exact timings andarrangement of the merger are yet to beconfirmed at the time of writing.

Follow the two websites irchss.ie andircset.ie to ensure you are informed ofdevelopments during the year.

We will update the Advice andFunding pages on postgradireland.comthroughout 2012 as soon as informationbecomes available.

For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

Useful information & further sourcesHuge changes to postgraduate funding are in the process of being decided and implemented.None of these changes are likely to be good news for students, most will be cut-backs to grants orincreases in fees. Many of these changes are not yet confirmed, so it is vital that you keep yourselfup-to-date on the implications of any of these changes as and when they are introduced.

PGI Handouts_Layout 1 13/02/2012 16:12 Page 7

For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

When can I make my grantapplication?The details of the 2012 Student GrantScheme are due to be announced in Mayand the SUSI online application systemwill be available from that date. Checkwith your careers service or online atpostgradireland.com andwww.studentfinance.ie for informationand updates throughout the year.

How do I make my grantapplication?As soon as the online application systemopens for the 2012/13 academic year, youwill be able to register online with SUSIand then complete the online applicationform. The online application facility willbe available throughwww.studentfinance.ie. Remember, it willnot be necessary to have received an offerof a college place or to be enrolled incollege in order to apply online.

How will I submit mysupporting documentation?Following initial assessment of yourapplication, if eligible, you will receive bypost a provisional grant approval and apersonalised list of the supportingdocuments you will need to return tocomplete your application. When youreturn all the necessary supportingdocuments SUSI will process yourapplication to award stage, subject toconfirmation of your acceptance on anapproved course.

When will I receive a finaldecision from SUSI?When you confirm acceptance of a placeon an approved course (usually lateAugust/early September), your grant isawarded and payment will be made on amonthly basis (subject to confirmation ofattendance) directly into your designatedIrish bank account.

Where can I get moreinformation on SUSI?As part of SUSI’s support to students,there will be a SUSI Helpdesk available inthe lead up to and following the launchof the online application system for bothemail and telephone queries. TheHelpdesk will provide extended servicesin the evenings from the launch date inMay.

New Grant Applications for 2012–13A new ONLINE ONLY grant applications system is being introduced for 2012. All new applicationswill be made online to a single awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI)through www.studentfinance.ie.

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For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

Sponsorship by employersIn technological, scientific and,sometimes, business areas, funding mayoccasionally be made available for aresearch topic of interest to employers.This funding is normally applied for atdepartment level and through researchteams rather than by individuals. Somestudents may make personalarrangements to have part-time studyfees paid for by their employers. If you’rein work and thinking about apostgraduate course related to yourcurrent career, consider asking youremployer whether they would pay atleast part of the costs. Ensure you presentyour request in a way that highlights thebenefits that your employer would derivefrom your study.

Finding information onfunding at your institutionYour careers service will have publicity onits noticeboards and website aboutfunding opportunities announced bygrant-awarding bodies and institutions.You can also discuss your options with acareers adviser.

Tips• Recognise that funding is limited and is

highly competitive to obtain.• Begin your search for funding at the

same time as you initiate your searchfor a place, and make sure to follow upon all awards as they are announced.

• All the rules about applying for a placecome into play when applying forfunding – maybe more so. It is mostimportant to pay attention to your‘personal statement’ and questionsrelating to work and future plans.

• Go to your careers adviser and tutorsfor advice when filling out yourapplication for funding.

• Keep an eye on deadlines for fundingapplications: some fall as early as 1March.

How to fund your courseWherever you choose to study, there are ways of finding help with funding your course.

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For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

The institution• What is its reputation for research in

your field? What support structures arein place for research students?

• What resources are available – will yoube given your own lab space andcomputer; how flexible are the collegeopening hours?

• What other duties that will be requiredof you? Some schools have seminar andtraining programmes thatpostgraduate research students canparticipate in.

• What process will you have to gothrough to complete a PhD?

The topic of your researchWill completing the research fit into yourcareer plan? Make sure to choose yourtopic very carefully before opting tobecome specialised in a particular area. Insome colleges you can propose your owntopic, but often an academic member ofstaff will have set proposals, so make surethat you are happy with these.

Your supervisorStudents are dependent on theirsupervisor for guidance, so it is absolutelyvital that this relationship is a good one.You’ll need to find out about thesupervisor’s reputation and their trackrecord in postgraduate researchsupervision and publications.

Teaching opportunitiesThere may be opportunities tosupplement your grant with paidteaching. Some colleges paypostgraduate research studentsadditionally for any tutorials ordemonstrations given, while othersexpect students to undertake this as partof their research programme.

Money• What grants are available for your

chosen research area?• What funding is available for

conference participation?• What are the accommodation and

transport costs in your choseninstitution?

How to find the right research programmeFive key considerations when deciding where to study. If you’ve decided that life as a researchstudent is the right choice for you, there are several things you need to look carefully at.

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For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

In some ways, you will find thatapplying for funding is a similarprocess to applying for a place on a

course, or even applying for a job. In fact,in some cases applications for academicplaces and for funding may overlap. Forexample, when the host university isoffering financial support on acompetitive basis they are likely to takethese two applications as one.

The application process may involvea number of items. For example you mayneed to collect academic transcripts,obtain academic references, prepare a‘statement of purpose’, undergo amedical examination, or provide astatement from your bank manager orguarantor.

The statement of purpose is,according to Petersons, publishers ofpostgraduate guides for the US, youropportunity to give a glimpse into yourcharacter, background and writing ability,so you should make sure this is the bestyou can possibly do.

There is usually a lot of competitionfor funding. You should be a good studentacademically and be able to displayappropriate motivation and a sense ofdirection and you should be a good fit forthe programme concerned. Fundingbodies expect the best possible resultsoverall throughout your academic course,normally at least a 2.1.

Timing it rightYou will need to apply early forpostgraduate funding. If you want tostudy at a North American university thismeans early on in the previous year,usually at the same time that you applyfor your university place. You will find thatcompetitive awards are announced fromthe start of final year, with deadlinesfrom November onwards.

How to improve your chancesRead forms and directions carefully,making sure to answer specific questionsby giving the information required.Accuracy, clarity and attention to detailare critical: avoid careless errors andleaving blanks or gaps.

Make a balanced case for supportwhile displaying evidence of your trackrecord in and passion for the topic,department and location concerned.Many universities appreciate evidence ofall-round participation in extra-curricularactivities, such as college societies, sports,cultural activities or volunteering, as wellas a strong academic profile.

Make sure all requested informationis enclosed – and always meet thedeadline!

Where to find help• Attend briefings at your college from

funding bodies such as ResearchCouncils. Follow the guidelines giventhere and on their websites.

• Attend any preparatory sessions offeredby your careers service.

• Have your application checked by anacademic mentor if possible.

How to apply successfully for fundingCompetition for funding is rising, so follow our advice to help make the application process easier.

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For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

Fees for postgraduate study byresearch vary from institution toinstitution and within each

institution depending on the area ofstudy. They range from below €4,000 foran MSc by independent research, to over€7,000. Non EU students can expect topay approximately twice the fees paid byEU applicants. Fees vary little withininstitutions between masters and PhDsthough you can normally expect to paymore for those based onexperimentation. Slightly lower feesapply as you move beyond year two ofstudy.

As with all postgraduateprogrammes you will need to think aboutmaintenance costs. While there arealways hidden costs that are difficult tobudget for, there are a number that aremore obvious. For those undergoingresearch in either science or socialsciences, attendance at conferences, bothat home and abroad, are an importantpart of developing your profileacademically.

How to fund yourselfWhile most postgraduates supportthemselves, there are a number of otherways of funding postgraduate study. Thefollowing are specific to researchstudents.

Funded postgraduate research positionsMost institutions, in both the Republicand Northern Ireland, advertise fundedpostgraduate research positions on thePostgraduate Study/Research section oftheir website. These studentships arefunded as part of a larger projectawarded to principal investigators withineach institution. In Northern Ireland thereare two types of full-time researchstudentship available: ResearchStudentships and Cast Studentships. You can view full details of these on the postgraduate sectionofwww.delni.gov.uk/index/funding-support.htm. To be eligible for theseawards you must have been a resident in the UK (or, for fees-only awards,elsewhere in the EU) for three yearsbefore applying.

Research councilsTwo research councils have beenestablished in the Republic, while the UKhas seven. These awards are consideredhighly prestigious and are made on thebasis of excellence, with competition veryintense.

Working within yourinstitutionMany university departments offerpostgraduates paid roles as teachingassistants or tutors. However, there isnormally a maximum number of hoursthat you can be allocated to ensure thatthere is no negative impact on your ownstudies.

Funding from your institutionMany institutions provide bursaries ortravel funds to help cover the cost ofattendance/travel to conferences.Applications are dealt with throughoutthe year, and money is allocated on a firstcome basis. Visit the Graduate Studiesoffice of your intended institution fordetails.

Funding your researchThere is help available from various sources to fund your life as a research student.

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Studying in Great BritainFunding is offered by some universities(on a competitive basis and mainly forresearch) and by Research Councils,which offer access to ‘fees only’ awards toEU nationals on the same competitivebasis as ‘home’ students.

As with Irish universities, there may beinternal university awards available. TheGardiner Awards from Cambridge Universityare offered specifically to students of Irishuniversities. These scholarships are availablefor undergraduate or postgraduate studybut preference is given to applicants wishingto study for a research degree, or who areapplying for a master’s degree with a view toprogressing to research at a later date.Students of any university in the Republic orNorthern Ireland are eligible. Thescholarships are normally for one year in thefirst instance but may be renewed for twofurther years. Applications forms areavailable from the Awards Clerk, The OldSchools, Cambridge, CB2 1TN and theclosing date is 20 June each year.

Students in Northern Irelandwanting to pursue study in England,Scotland and Wales can apply for a CareerDevelopment Loan.

Information on studying in Scotlandis available from the Student AwardsAgency for Scotland (www.student-support-saas.gov.uk).

Studying in EuropeFees for universities in some Europeancountries are low and in some (egGermany, Netherlands, Sweden andFinland) there is a drive to attractstudents from elsewhere throughEnglish-speaking courses and

scholarships for foreign students. In theNetherlands, for example, living costs areestimated at €700-1000 euros per month.Fees start at €1,620 but courses run inEnglish could cost upwards of €10,500(see www.nuffic.nl).

Funding opportunities exist throughCouncil of Europe Exchange Awardsannounced annually on behalf of anumber of member countries.Examples of awards for studying inEurope

College of EuropeThe College of Europe in Bruges andNatolin offers awards to Irish studentsstudying in politics, law, economics andEuropean studies (www.coleurope.eu).Students from the Republic of Irelandshould apply through the Institute ofInternational and European Affairs, whichis the Irish selection body for the Collegeof Europe (www.iiea.com). NorthernIreland students should apply throughthe Department for Business, Innovationand Skills (www.bis.gov.uk).

DAAD – German Government AwardsThis scheme offers one-year grants forgraduate students (open to students ofall disciplines). Closing dates are inNovember for architecture, design, film,dance, theatre, music and art. For allother academic subjects, the deadlinesare in January. The value is €750 permonth plus an initial extra payment anda lump sum towards travel(www.daad.de).

European University Institute,FlorenceThe EUI awards grants of €1,376 a monthto successful applicants who are noteligible for other grants. Candidates mustsubmit their application online by 31 January (www.eui.eu).

International fundingThe O’Reilly Foundation scholarships canbe held in any country. The Foundationsupports scholarships each year forpostgraduate studies at PhD or equivalentlevel (www.oreillyfoundation.ie). O’Reillyscholars are expected to have an excellentacademic record and demonstrateleadership qualities along with ‘thepotential and desire to make a significantcontribution to the future of Ireland’.While outstanding candidates of anyrecognised academic discipline areencouraged to apply, preference will begiven to those planning to study inbusiness studies, law, marketing, mediastudies, science, technology and the arts.

The Fulbright Commission offersawards for studying in the US (seewww.fulbright.ie and www.fulbright.co.uk).Fulbright Ireland Awards are for Irishstudents and scholars to undertakepostgraduate study and research atrecognised colleges and academicinstitutions in the United States. The studentgrant is only available for one year butstudents may remain in the US for the fullduration of masters and PhD programmes.Fulbright UK awards are advertised in latesummer, with early autumn deadlines.

Students at US universities may alsofind on-campus work available as part of thefunding package offered by their university.

For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

Funding for study outside IrelandThere are several potential sources of funding for postgraduate study in Great Britain, Europe, and beyond.

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For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

Department for Employmentand Learning (DEL) ResearchStudentshipsThese cover tuition fees and an annualmaintenance award of at least £13,590 ayear. Full awards are only available tostudents resident in the UK. Applicantsmust have, or expect to achieve, an uppersecond-class honours degree in a relatedsubject in summer 2012.

Studentships and CASTSThree-year Co-operative Awards inScience and Technology (CASTs) are forspecific research projects undertaken atNorthern Ireland universities incollaboration with industry bodies.(Mathematical Physics postgraduates canapply for CASE style CAST awards.) Theycover fees, maintenance allowance andpotentially a contribution from thecollaborating industry sponsor. Theaverage maintenance grant for NorthernIreland residents for 2012–13 is likely tobe at least £15,000 per year. EU residentsare eligible for a fees-only award.

UniversitiesIndividual institutions will have details ofall the types of funding they provide –these may be attached to a particularcourse or given to those studentsundergoing financial hardship. Checkthe University of Ulster and Queen’sUniversity Belfast websites for details offunding for research.

Other bursariesThere are other bursaries available forpostgraduates in particular fields and atcertain institutions. The DisabledStudents Allowance (DSA) could pay forextra course costs incurred as a directresult of a disability. For details,visit direct.gov.uk.

The Fund for Students withDisabilities covers most full-timepostgraduate courses in both NorthernIreland and the Republic. You don’t haveto be in the first year of your course to beeligible for supports from the Fund; aclaim is made by the institution on behalfof the student after an assessment ofneed. Students themselves cannot applydirectly to the Fund. For more informationvisit studentfinance.ie.

An overview of and guidance onavailable funding in Northern Ireland canbe found on the Department forEmployment and Learning website. To beeligible for these awards you must havebeen resident in the UK – or, for fees-onlyawards, elsewhere in the EU – for threeyears before submitting your application.

All the information supplied in this articlewas correct at the time of writing, January2012.

Funding for postgraduate study in Northern IrelandWe take a look at the different types of postgraduate funding currently available in Northern Ireland.

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In spite of continued uncertaintysurrounding state support for thisyear’s crop of fourth-level students,

there is still a variety of funding availablefor both taught and research-basedpostgraduate education in the Republic.

Research Council fundingThe Government of Ireland Awards fromthe Irish Research Council for theHumanities and Social Sciences andthe Irish Research Council for Science,Engineering and Technology areextremely important for students seekingfunding for research in the Republic ofIreland. Annual awards of just over€30,000 after tax for IRCHSS PostdoctoralFellowships, and around €24,000 aftertax for IRCSET’s ‘Embark’ initiativepostgraduate scholarships, are available.IRCSET also offers PostdoctoralFellowships, and an EnterprisePartnership Scheme for postgraduate andpostdoctoral candidates. The Schemelinks with industry and eligible publicbodies to award co-funded scholarshipsand fellowships to Irish researchstudents. Awards are announced early inthe academic year.

Research Councils to mergeIn November 2011 it was officiallyannounced that IRCHSS and IRCSET are tomerge, becoming the Irish ResearchCouncil. The merger won’t affect existingpostgraduate scholarships or researchfellowships, but will, the government

hopes, ultimately result in astrengthening of focus on early stageresearch careers. The Irish ResearchCouncil will remain the principal body ofpostgraduate study and research inIreland. The exact timings andarrangement of the merger are yet to beconfirmed at the time of writing.

The Student Grant SchemeBoth the Higher Education GrantsScheme (HEGS) and the VocationalEducation Committees’ ScholarshipScheme (VEC Scheme) have beenabsorbed by the new Student GrantScheme. This single, unified schemereplaces the previous four grant schemes(which also included the Third LevelMaintenance Grants Scheme for Traineesand the Maintenance Grants Scheme forStudents Attending Post-Leaving CertCourses). The idea is that this conflationwill make the grant application process asimpler one for students across the boardfor the academic year 2012–13.

Grants awarded under the StudentGrant Scheme are reviewed annually. Beaware that the value of grants in thewake of the December 2011 budget issubject to change. No maintenancegrants will be paid for new postgraduatestudents in the 2012–13 academic year,although fee grants will continue to bepaid for those postgraduate studentswho would previously have been eligiblefor the special rate of grant. Based onmeans testing, 4,000 postgraduate

students will have access to a €2,000 feecontribution grant. For more detailssee citizensinformation.ie. Information oneligibility conditions, including closingdate and application forms, are availablefrom the appropriate local authority andthe grants section of studentfinance.ie.

Universities and institutes of technology fundingSeveral of the higher educationinstitutions in Ireland offer postgraduatefunding – studentships or scholarships –on a competitive basis. They do so mainlyfor research degrees, in order to attractthe best possible funding. You will finddetails of individual institution fundingpolicies on the fees/funding sections ofthe institution websites.

Other bursariesThe Fund for Students with Disabilitiescovers most full-time postgraduatecourses in both Ireland and NorthernIreland. You don’t have to be in the firstyear of your course to be eligible forsupports from the Fund; a claim is madeby the institution on behalf of thestudent after an assessment of need.Students themselves cannot applydirectly to the Fund. For more informationgo to studentfinance.ie.

All the information in this article wascorrect at the time of writing, January2012

For more information visit postgradireland.comAll of this information is accurate at the time of writing. However, current cut-backs in funding/increases incourse fees in Ireland, the UK and beyond mean that the situation with regard to funding is highly volatile.It is imperative that you explore funding and costs in detail when researching your course and institution.The information contained here is for general guidance only, and is likely to change during 2012 and beyond.

Funding for postgraduate study in IrelandThere are several potential sources of funding for postgraduate study in Ireland.

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