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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 bursaries to offer each year. Applying for a bursary 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 bursary, 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 2026-27 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 (31 July 2026).
  • You have made provision to fund the remainder of your studies should you be successful in your application for this bursary.
  • You do not already hold a master's degree or other level 7 qualification.
  • You have Home fee status.
  • Your household income is less than £42,875.

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 single parents.
  • 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.
  • Are the first generation in their family to participate in Higher Education.

  • 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. 

  • How to apply

    Complete the online application form by the deadline of 31 July 2026.

  • Closing date for applications

    Applications for this scholarship must be received by 31 July 2026.

  • Further information

    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.