Funding, studentships and scholarships

All students require funding from some source. It is a condition of admission that all postgraduate students satisfy the University that they have adequate funds to support themselves financially throughout their period of study. The University will require a student to supply a satisfactory financial guarantee before admission to confirm that adequate funds are available to cover both fees and maintenance.

Undergraduates

For UK or EU students worried about funding their studies, please refer to the Student Funding Office for further options open to you.

Overseas students might like to refer to The Faculty of Engineering's Scholarships for Overseas Students, as well as referring to the Student Funding Office's informatione about overseas undergraduate funding.

Postgraduates

Details on all scholarships and studentships available to postgraduates are available from the Student Funding Office website. Candidates should check this site regularly for up to date information on closing dates for receipt of applications for awards and scholarships. Guidance on the cost of living can also be obtained from this site.

There are several different ways in which you can be funded to undertake research in the Department:

EPSRC project studentships

The Department wins a number of project studentships and assistantships form the UK research councils, in particular the EPSRC. These studentships will pay for all fees for British and EU residents. There is also a stipend of at least £13,590 per annum tax-free in 2010/11. These positions may become available at any time of the year, though October is the most common starting date. All studentships are advertised on jobs.ac.uk.

Doctoral Training Account (DTA) and other departmental scholarships

In addition to the studentships attached to specific projects, the Department has a small number of studentships available for projects in any area of the Department's activities. Eligibility and the degree of support are the same as for project studentships. We regret that we are only permitted to consider UK residents and EU students for these, and that EU students do not qualify for the maintenance stipend. The Department allocates these studentships at the beginning of March for an October start on the basis of academic merit; therefore you must apply before then if you wish to be considered.

Industrially funded projects

The Department obtains funding for various projects directly from industry. Support will be similar to that for a Research Council funded project, but often overseas students as well as home and EU students are also eligible to undertake these.

University of Bristol postgraduate research scholarships

Further information is available from the Student Funding Office.

Self funded (PhD)

Self funding means raising the funds privately yourself. The University may require a financial guarantee before allowing you to register.