Postgraduate Access Scholarships

The Postgraduate Access Scholarship provides £4,000 financial contribution towards tuition fees for students from under-represented backgrounds beginning a Masters degree at the University of Birmingham. As part of £1.4 million worth of scholarships for Home postgraduate students, these newly-established scholarships aim to alleviate the barriers restricting students from widening participation backgrounds in pursuing postgraduate study. The scholarship is available to students domiciled in the UK studying a 180-credit postgraduate taught degree full-time or part-time. In addition to the financial support, the scholarship includes comprehensive developmental opportunities and wraparound support throughout all stages of study. Benefits include a special induction event, enrollment as a Birmingham Scholar, tailored study support from the Academic Skills Centre, mentoring and careers opportunities, access to an alumni mentor, enrollment onto the Postgraduate Birmingham Award, access to the Masters Consultancy Challenge, employability skills sessions, and access to a named postgraduate careers adviser. Applicants must be from groups evidentially under-represented among the institution's taught-Masters population, including completion of a University Widening Participation Scheme, care leavers, students with disabilities, black and ethnic minority backgrounds, bereaved or estranged from both parents, those with caring responsibilities, or households with annual income of £42,875 or less. Awards are allocated on the basis of merit, and simply meeting the criteria does not guarantee success.