Postgraduate Master’s Loans

Postgraduate Master’s Loans

UK students commencing a postgraduate Master’s programme in the 2026/27 academic year may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan (PGL). Funding is administered by the relevant student finance body, depending on a student’s normal place of residence:

Eligible (SFE) students may receive:

EU students may also be eligible for postgraduate funding depending on their residency status and immigration arrangements. Eligibility criteria can vary, and students are advised to seek guidance from the relevant funding authority.

For further information and to check eligibility, students should visit the website of the appropriate student finance body, such as Student Finance England, or the equivalent agency for their home nation.

• Student Finance England (SFE) – England
• Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) – Scotland
• Student Finance Wales (SFW) – Wales
• Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI) – Northern Ireland
• Up to £13,206 per student (SFE) (confirmed for the 2026/27 academic year)
• The loan is considered as a contribution towards the cost of study; the loan can be used at the student’s discretion for tuition fees, living costs, or other study-related expenses
• The loan is Non-means-tested. (Does not depend on the household income)
• Payments made directly to the student
• Eligibility Criteria (SFE) To be eligible, you must meet all of the following conditions: Be a UK national, or hold settled or pre‑settled status in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before the first day of the academic year in which your course begins. Be aged 59 or under on the first day of the academic year of your course Not already hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification. Not be in receipt of an NHS Bursary or a Social Work Bursary If you are eligible for an NHS bursary, you will not be eligible for the postgraduate loan. Eligibility criteria may vary between funding bodies, and students who are resident in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or who are EU nationals are advised to check directly with the relevant funding authority (SAAS, SFW, SFNI, or the appropriate body) to confirm their entitlement
• Be a UK national, or hold settled or pre‑settled status in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before the first day of the academic year in which your course begins.
• Be aged 59 or under on the first day of the academic year of your course
• Not already hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
• Not be in receipt of an NHS Bursary or a Social Work Bursary
• If you are eligible for an NHS bursary, you will not be eligible for the postgraduate loan.
• Eligibility criteria may vary between funding bodies, and students who are resident in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or who are EU nationals are advised to check directly with the relevant funding authority (SAAS, SFW, SFNI, or the appropriate body) to confirm their entitlement
• Course Eligibility (SFE) The course you are studying must lead to the award of a Master’s qualification. Courses may be undertaken on campus or by distance learning. You may study: Up to two years for a course equivalent to a one‑year full‑time programme Up to four years for a course equivalent to a two‑year full‑time programme A three‑year part‑time course where there is no full‑time equivalent Eligibility criteria for full‑time and part‑time study can vary between funding bodies. Students ordinarily resident in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the EU are advised to check directly with the relevant funding authority (SAAS, SFW, or SFNI) to confirm course eligibility. Additional general guidance is also available via the Student Room website. Your course must also meet the following requirements: Be a full, standalone Master’s degree (top‑up courses are not eligible) Carry a minimum of 180 credits, with no credit transferred from prior study Have started on or after 1 August 2016 Eligible part‑time courses at Durham University The following part‑time programmes are eligible only when studied over two years: (V60707) Digital Theology (MA) (X9K907) Education (MA) (X3K807) Intercultural Communication and Education (MA) (V60507) Theology and Ministry (MA) Please note: this list is not exhaustive.
• Up to two years for a course equivalent to a one‑year full‑time programme
• Up to four years for a course equivalent to a two‑year full‑time programme
• A three‑year part‑time course where there is no full‑time equivalent
• Be a full, standalone Master’s degree (top‑up courses are not eligible)
• Carry a minimum of 180 credits, with no credit transferred from prior study
• Have started on or after 1 August 2016

Eligible part‑time courses at Durham University

Durham University makes every effort to ensure that the information published or contained on its website is accurate. However, the University cannot guarantee the information may not be altered owing to circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) change in Government policy, or change of law. Any changes will be incorporated into the University’s website. Any person wishing to obtain confirmation of any particular item should contact the University via pg.loans@durham.ac.uk .

• (V60707) Digital Theology (MA)
• (X9K907) Education (MA)
• (X3K807) Intercultural Communication and Education (MA)
• (V60507) Theology and Ministry (MA)
• Repayments (SFE) You will only start repaying your postgraduate loan once your annual income exceeds £21,000. Repayments will begin from the earliest of the following: The April after you complete or leave your course, or April four years after the course start date, if you are still studying or have not completed your course Once repayments begin: Repayments are income‑contingent, meaning you only repay when you earn above the threshold You will repay 6% of your income above £21,000 Repayments are normally collected automatically through the UK tax system (PAYE) if you are employed If you are self‑employed, repayments are made through self‑assessment If your income falls below the repayment threshold, repayments will stop automatically Interest is charged from the date the loan is paid to you, and voluntary repayments can be made at any time without penalty. If you live or work outside the UK, you remain responsible for repaying your loan and must contact the Student Loans Company to agree a suitable repayment arrangement. Important: Repayment terms, thresholds, and arrangements may differ for other funding bodies, such as SAAS (Scotland), SFW (Wales), or SFNI (Northern Ireland). Students are strongly advised to check directly with their relevant funding authority for details specific to their loan.
• The April after you complete or leave your course, or
• April four years after the course start date, if you are still studying or have not completed your course
• Repayments are income‑contingent, meaning you only repay when you earn above the threshold
• You will repay 6% of your income above £21,000
• Repayments are normally collected automatically through the UK tax system (PAYE) if you are employed
• If you are self‑employed, repayments are made through self‑assessment
• If your income falls below the repayment threshold, repayments will stop automatically
• Application process The application process for the 2025/26 academic year is still open, and the quickest way to apply is online. Student Finance England (SFE) Funding arrangements for postgraduate loans vary depending on where you normally live in the UK. If you are ordinarily resident outside England, you should contact the relevant funding body for further information: Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI) Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) Student Finance Wales (SFW) If you have any questions, you can also contact us at pg.loans@durham.ac.uk .
• Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI)
• Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
• Student Finance Wales (SFW)

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