Seeking Financial Support
- WCSA
- Sep 15, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 16, 2019
University in itself is expensive, but there are also a lot of hidden costs beyond your tuition fees and accommodation costs that you will encounter during your time at Durham. This can include things like nights out, formals/gowns, textbooks, etc., which your student loan may not fully cover. The university does offer some financial support which you can access or apply for.
Hardship funds
All students (UGs and PGs) are able to apply for the University Hardship Fund if you experience financial hardship. It has very strict criteria, which can be found here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/finance/uk/hardship/. You apply for this through your college support team.
Support for undergraduates
An up-to-date list of available scholarships, and more information about the ones listed below, can be found here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/finance/uk/scholarships/.
Durham Grant - £2000 per year if household income is less than £25k. If you get your loan through Student Finance England, you will automatically receive this. If you live in college, the £2000 is deducted from your accommodation fee rather than going directly to you. Info here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/finance/uk/dgs/
College Accommodation Bursary - £1000 per year if your household income is between £25k and £35k and you live in college. If you get your loan through Student Finance England, you will automatically receive this. Info here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/finance/uk/bursaries/.
Laidlaw Scholarship - Up to £6000 across your degree. To apply, you need to be in Year 1 of a three-year degree or Year 2 of a four-year degree. You need to identify a research project that you are interested in (there is a list, or develop your own) and have a supervisor (a member of academic staff) to assist you in carrying out this project. If you are interested, this is a great way of getting more financial support and developing your research skills ready for your dissertation/further study! Info here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/finance/uk/scholarships/laidlaw/
Many of the other scholarships on the website are for students who are applying and have not yet started at Durham University. The University do not always advertise these scholarships well for students who have yet to start, and you may be too late. However, if you are eligible for the scholarship in all the other ways, there is no harm getting in contact with the scholarship contact to ask whether you can still apply to receive it this year or in future years - the worst they can say is no.
Support for postgraduates
An up-to-date list of available scholarships, and more information about the ones listed below, can be found here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/pg/finance/funding/bursaries/.
Postgraduate Student Support Scholarship - £3000 for most PGT students from the UK/EU. You must be in receipt of the full maintenance loan from Student Finance England and have had the higher tuition fee rate for your undergraduate course (£9000). Info here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/pg/finance/funding/bursaries/scholarships/psss/
PGR Studentships - If you are considering a PhD, you can apply for a Studentship with many research councils. Studentships may fund your tuition fees, living costs, and provide additional funding to help you carry out your research. https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/pg/studyoptions/research/dtc/
NINEDTP offers studentships to UK/EU students in the social sciences. You can apply for PhD funding (+3) or an integrated Masters/PhD (1+3) across their 12 pathways. Info here: www.ninedtp.ac.uk
The Northern Bridge DTP offers studentships for UK/EU students in the arts and humanities. Info here: http://www.northernbridge.ac.uk/studentships/.
Like the undergraduate scholarships, many of these are only eligible for students who have not yet started their course. If you are currently an undergraduate considering further study, looking into these scholarships early is beneficial. Otherwise, if you are eligible for the scholarship but have missed the deadline for applying/have already started your course, there is no harm getting in contact with the scholarship contact to ask whether you can still apply.
Colleges
Every college has a range of scholarships and hardship funds for students (UG and PG) who need additional financial support - your college should tell you who to contact within college for more information.
Amie Key (2018), ed. Frank Simpson (2019)
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