Most postgraduate applicants will also have to apply for funding to cover their tuition fees and living expenses during their studies. You can find out the estimated costs for your course via the online directory. The University has produced a very useful guide on how to apply for funding. Full-time students will need to confirm they have sufficient funds for their whole course to meet the financial conditions of their offer.
Funding from the University of Cambridge
Postgraduate students at Homerton hold the full range of centrally-awarded University studentships, including Gates, Trust, Vice-Chancellor’s, Harding, and Departmental awards.
The University’s Postgraduate Funding search pages provide a comprehensive overview of available awards and eligibility criteria. For most of these awards, if you indicate on your application form that you would like to be considered for funding, you will be entered into the relevant schemes. However, for others, you may have to provide additional information, including an extra reference, or submit a separate application as well.
Make sure you watch out for funding deadlines, as these will close earlier than course deadlines.
Funding from Homerton College
Homerton makes numerous postgraduate awards each year, and is actively increasing the number of studentships on offer, with the assistance of generous donors as well as central College funds.
Studentships and awards for new students
- Amount: £1,500 per annum for one year (Masters’-level courses) or three years (doctoral-level courses)
- Eligibility: students embarking on a new course of postgraduate degree study from October 2025 who have named Homerton College as first or second choice when applying to the University.
- Criteria: decisions will be made on the grounds of academic merit and connection with the College's values, vision, and mission. Please note that approximately half of the available awards will be reserved for existing (matriculated) members of the College planning to embark on a new course of postgraduate degree study in October 2025.
- Application process: via an application form sent to all eligible offer holders. The email was sent out on 2nd May 2025. If you believe you are eligible but haven't received the link, please contact Tutorial Office as soon as possible to let us know. You will need to answer the following questions: 1) How does your research fit with the values, vision and mission of Homerton College? (max 300 words). 2) What is the wider impact or significance of your research? (max 300 words).
- Deadline for applications: Sunday 25 May 2025.
- Notification of decisions: July 2025.
- Amount: £5,000. Homerton also has a fund to which College athletes can apply for support towards the additional costs of participating in sport - which might include costs of personal equipment, travel, and attendance at training camps.
- Eligibility: postgraduate students of any gender, in any subject, working towards any postgraduate-level qualification of the University of Cambridge, who are of international standard in any sport.
- Criteria: Academic and athletic ability, and connection to the College's values, vision, and mission. In cases of doubt, the College will take advice on the international level of applicants’ sporting achievement from experts nominated by the College on the advice of the University of Cambridge’s Director of Sport.
- Application process: via the University's applicant portal as part of your online application. You will need to answer the following questions: 1) How does your research fit with the values, vision and mission of Homerton College? (max 300 words). 2) Please provide an outline of your sporting achievements written for a non-specialist audience (max 300 words).
- Deadline for applications: Sunday 25 May 2025.
- Notification of decisions: July 2025.
- Amount: In addition to the annual stipend of £100, choral scholars receive a generous further subsidy towards singing lessons, free Formal Hall, and other perks. Tenable for the duration of study (usually three years).
- Eligibility: Scholarships are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Criteria: Musical ability and choral scholars are required to take part in the musical services of the Charter Choir at the neighbouring Church of St John the Evangelist, attend choir practices, and are expected to take an active part in the secular musical life of the College.
- Application Process: Formal applications can only be made once an academic place has been offered and happen as part of the intercollegiate Choral Awards Scheme. Prospective choral applicants are welcome to contact the Director of Music for informal advice about making an application.
- Deadline for applications: 15th February 2025. The deadline for 2025-26 has now passed.
- Notification of decisions: As soon as possible after the auditions in late March.
If you receive an offer after the deadline, please contact Dr Daniel Trocmé-Latter, the Director of Music, at your earliest convenience to see if there are any remaining vacancies in the Charter Choir.
Financial support during your course
We have a College Finance Tutor, who helps matriculated students in planning their finances and provides information and help with grants or loans. There is also a comprehensive list of the various schemes available within the College.
The College has small Postgraduate Research and Training Grants, available to help students with academic-related expenses, and a limited, means-tested hardship fund for students who – after they have started their course – find themselves in exceptional financial difficulties for reasons outside their control. Student Representation Awards are made to those who contribute at a University level to sports, societies, music, or drama. Students are forwarded forms and details at the appropriate time throughout the year.
The College also supports students in applying to relevant University and Department funds, for assistance with childcare costs, medical expenses, unexpected hardship, fieldwork costs, etc.
Funding from other sources
Many students are supported by funding sources from outside of the University, College, or Departments, including via charitable organisations, employers (particularly for part-time students), home governments, local organisations, or learned societies offering subject-specific awards. The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding collates a large number of opportunities in its useful database; please see the University website for further details of how to access this resource for free.
Some students also fund their studies via loans or bursaries, including via UK Government loans and US loans (see consumer information).
Please contact the Tutorial Office or Postgraduate Admissions Tutor if you have any further questions.
