Funding for Overseas Postgraduate Students

Funding for postgraduate work in the humanities is unfortunately increasingly difficult to obtain. It helps to have a top first or a very strong performance in the area of your proposed research. If you are considering supporting yourself through your postgraduate career you should be aware of the costs. Up-to-date details of fees and charges can be found in the Postgraduate Prospectus. The Student Registry (the body which administers postgraduate study in the University) requires you to provide evidence that you will be able to support yourself through your course before you are finally admitted. If the money runs out during your course, there are a very limited number of scholarships and bursaries available from the University and Colleges. The Faculty also has a number of prizes and awards for postgraduate students. However, none of these supplementary sources of funding can be relied upon as a means of support, so it is essential to ensure that you have reliable sources of funding before you arrive.

There are a number of awards and grants available to students through the University. Details of all the awards can be found in the Postgraduate Prospectus.

Before you arrive you will have to satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Office that you have sufficient funding for your proposed course. Many overseas students obtain awards from their normal place of residence.

Further details of costs for postgraduate students are listed in the postgraduate prospectus.

Faculty Awards

The Corpus Christi College and Faculty of English MPhil Studentship

The Faculty of English is pleased to announce a Master's scholarship aimed at students from under-represented Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. In partnership with Corpus Christi College, and supported by the Faculty's Judith E Wilson Fund, the studentship will consist of the University composition fee (tuition/College fees) at the home rate plus the standard UKRI-level maintenance award, at the pro-rata rate for the period of an MPhil (9 months). All Home students who are offered a place to study the MPhil in the Faculty of English and who indicate that they are seeking funding will be considered for the award.

The Estelle Trust & Judith E Wilson MPhil Studentship

This studentship will consist of the university composition fee (tuition/College fees) at the home rate plus the standard UKRI-level maintenance award, at the pro-rata rate for the period of an MPhil (9 months). The successful awardee will be chosen based on academic merit. Home and overseas applicants will be considered, but please note that the level of funding available is only available at the Home rate. All students who are offered a place to study the MPhil in the Faculty of English and who indicate that they are seeking funding will be considered for the award.

Winchester Reading Scholarship

The Winchester Reading Scholarships will be offered to three candidates for MPhil study from October 2025 whose research focuses on English prose and poetry pre-1867. The scholarships will consist of the university composition fee (tuition/College fees) at the home rate plus the standard UKRI-level maintenance award, at the pro-rata rate for the period of an MPhil (9 months). The successful awardees will be chosen based on academic merit. Home and overseas applicants will be considered, but please note that the level of funding available is only available at the Home rate. All students who are offered a place to study the MPhil in English Studies and who indicate that they are seeking funding will be considered for the award.

The prizes come with a requirement to produce a short video for public dissemination – e.g. on the Faculty’s website – of the candidate reading aloud from an author that is the subject of their dissertation research and discussing how aurality/orality adds to a sense of its appreciation.

Judith E Wilson PhD Studentships

The Judith E Wilson Studentships will be offered for funding towards two PhDs for the purpose of furthering the study of literature, especially of literature relating to drama and poetry, with particular emphasis on contemporary practices. The studentships will cover fees and maintenance for a PhD at the University’s home rate. It is tenable for one year and will be renewed for a further two subject to satisfactory progress. All students who are offered a place to study a PhD in the Faculty of English and who indicate that they are seeking funding will be considered for the award.