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Birkbeck Access to Postgraduate Study Scholarship

The Access to Postgraduate Study Scholarship is intended to provide support for students whose circumstances or background may mean they face barriers accessing education or may face greater challenges while undertaking their degree.

This funding is made possible thanks to the generosity of alumni and supporters of Birkbeck who believe in Birkbeck’s mission to ensure access to education is possible for anyone with the ability and drive to study.

Please read all the information before applying.

We have a limited number of scholarships to offer each year. Applying for a scholarship is not a guarantee that you will receive it, even if you meet all the eligibility criteria. Details of the selection process are provided below.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must meet all of the conditions for application set out below and at least one of the eligibility criteria. Identifying in more than one category may be used as a factor to prioritise applicants to receive this award.

Conditions for application

  • You have been accepted onto a master’s degree programme at Birkbeck beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. If you have made an application but not yet received a decision, you may still apply but your application will only be considered if you have been accepted onto your course by the scholarship application deadline.
  • You have made provision to fund the remainder of your studies should you be successful in your application for this scholarship.
  • You do not already hold a master's degree or other level 7 qualification.
  • You have Home fee status.
  • Your household (your, and your spouse/partner if you live together) income is less than £40,000 (single applicants) or £45,000 (co-habiting applicants) in the 2026-27 tax year.
  • You must be applying to study on a Birkbeck programme that is based at our Bloomsbury campus in London (this includes programmes delivered online).

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applications from students who meet one or more of the following criteria (in addition to the above):

  • Have a declared disability.
  • Identify as a care leaver (a care leaver is a young person, under the age of 25 who is currently or has been in public care for a minimum of three months. This would include foster care, semi-independent living, residential care homes).
  • Are carers (a carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness or disability).
  • Hold refugee status.
  • Have Black or Black mixed heritage.

Selection criteria

Awards will be made to the applicants who best demonstrate:

  • how the scholarship will help them successfully complete their chosen course of study
  • how completing the course will have a positive impact on themselves and society.

  • Evidence of eligibility

    If you are selected for an award, you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility, as follows:

    Household income

    • If receiving benefits: A letter dated within the last four weeks confirming receipt of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit
    • If working: Evidence of income for the most recent tax year, for both the student and any partner if cohabiting:
      • a P60, or
      • a self-employment tax return, or employment tax return employment tax return
      • an Employment History or PAYE Income Tax Summary from HMRC, downloadable from the Personal Tax Account or HMRC app
    • If no income during the most recent tax year and not receiving benefits: An Employment History or PAYE Income Tax Summary showing no income recorded for that period

    Disability

    PIP (Personal Independence Payment) award letter (downloadable “proof of benefits” letter is available) OR Evidence of Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) from SFE.

    Care leaver

    Local Authority letter (typically provided by a Personal Adviser or Leaving Care Team) confirming care status and dates; OR equivalent letter from a social worker.

    Carer

    Carer’s allowance award letter.

  • Terms and value of award

    The scholarship is a non-repayable grant of £3,000 paid directly towards tuition fees. For part-time courses, this will be paid in equal instalments divided by the number of years of your programme. Scholarship payments will not be made for any years in which study is being repeated, including examinations, coursework and complete modules.

    To be eligible for the award, students must have been accepted onto a master's course at Birkbeck and made provision to fund the remainder of their studies.

    Applicants will be initially checked for eligibility against the criteria outlined. Eligible applications will be assessed by a selection panel based on the responses given in the application form.

    Recipients of the award must acknowledge that they accept the award and agree to the terms and conditions.

    Funding is subject to the recipient being fully enrolled onto their course and appropriate evidence of eligibility being supplied.

    Recipients will be asked to share their Birkbeck experience and story to be used in publications and reports that are shared with donors and, where appropriate, attend donor events if possible. 

    The maximum value of fee discount available for recipients of this award is £3,000, inclusive of other discounts that the recipient may be eligible for, e.g. the Birkbeck Lifelong Learning Guarantee.

  • How to apply

    Please apply using the online application form.

  • Further information

    Please raise any questions via ASK under the category ‘Financial Support’ -> ‘Access to Postgraduate Study scholarship’.

    Birkbeck reserves the right to withdraw or amend a scholarship without prior notification. Scholarships are offered subject to funding and availability.

    The decision of the selection board is final and they will not undertake or participate in any individual correspondence with applicants, either before or after the decision has been made.