Studying a postgraduate course is a big commitment, requiring both time and money, but offers fantastic opportunities to study what you love at a higher academic level. And gaining a postgraduate degree can open doors to lots of career options, too.
We know that finances are a big consideration for many students, so we’ve put together some information and tips on how you can manage your money.
Research your tuition fees
Postgraduate courses can vary in cost depending on where you study and what course you study. At Edge Hill University, full-time postgraduate taught courses usually cost £9,535 per year (with a few exceptions, such as MBAs), full-time MRes courses cost £5,950 per year, and full-time PhD courses cost £6,350 per year (prices for academic year 2025/26). Be sure to look at the specific course you’re interested in to confirm the tuition fee amount.
Find out what help you can get
In England, the government offer Master’s loans of up to £12,858, and you can apply for one of these if you’re studying a taught Master’s course or an MRes. If your course lasts for more than one year, your loan will be divided equally across each year of the course, so it’s important to bear that in mind. If you’re looking to study a PhD, you can apply for a government doctoral loan of up to £30,301. Take a look at the eligibility criteria for government loans for full information and details.
If you’re studying a postgraduate research course, you could apply for a research council grant for further funding, too.
PGCE’s work a little differently, and for these courses you can apply to Student Finance England in the same way as an undergraduate degree. Subject to eligibility, you can apply for a loan for your tuition fees, and a separate maintenance loan which is means tested based on household income.
Set yourself a budget
Although there is help available through government loans, it’s unlikely that this will cover everything you need. So, it’s important to set yourself a budget and work out how much you’ll need on a weekly basis. Things to consider in your budget include living costs (if you plan to live away from home), travel costs, food and toiletries, course materials, and monthly outgoings like your phone bill, Spotify or Netflix. Many students work part-time alongside their studies, as even full-time courses are often only timetabled for 2-3 days per week. This can be a great way to build experience and earn extra cash alongside your course.
I decided to work through the summer to save money to help support me whilst studying and I worked on Saturdays in the shop on campus to earn some extra money too. If you struggle with budgeting, the University have a great Money Advice Team who can help you.
Laura, PGCE Primary Education with QTS
Keeping your costs down
Being thrifty isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also great for your wallet. Shopping second-hand on Vinted is an easy way to save money, and you can list things you no longer need to make some cash back too.
Ask about student discounts wherever you go. Here in Ormskirk, most bars, restaurants and cafes offer student discounts, and signing up Student Beans or TOTUM will get you discounts at retailers across the country. And if you’re planning to use public transport, you’ll be able to apply for a student bus or railcard.
When it comes to the food shop, planning out your meals in advance and creating a list, or even pitching in with your roommates and taking turns to cook, can keep costs down a lot. Shopping late at night is usually the best time to get discounted groceries, and Aldi in Ormskirk is great for this.
When it comes to socialising and down-time, most Universities put on plenty of free-to-attend events. At Edge Hill, our Students’ Union and our Student Life Team organise events specifically for postgraduate students, as well as free breakfasts for students who commute onto campus, all of which are free or heavily discounted.
As a postgraduate student, I lived close to campus, so I chose to stay at home and commute by car, allowing me to save on rent and bills. I took advantage of student discounts when buying new clothes and avoided unnecessary expenses like pricey coffees. I also purchased an annual student membership for the Sports Centre and made use of the facilities before or after class, which was much cheaper than other gyms.
Anais, MA Marketing Communications & Branding
Ask our students
You can chat to our current postgraduate students and ask about their experience by using our online chat feature. We’re confident that they will have some great advice and top tips on managing money, as well as what it’s like to study at postgraduate level.
Chat with our studentsTo find out more about fees and funding for postgraduate courses at Edge Hill, visit our 2025/26 Fees and Funding pages.
April 1, 2025
