UK Funding for US students

[devona]

So, I know this topic has been addressed in the past, but I wondered if anyone is applying to study in the UK for the 2013 year and perhaps facing the same questions I am.

 

I have applied for a PhD in Theology at King's College London-- the school is an excellent fit for me, and the professor who has agreed to supervise could not be better suited to oversee my project, so I have no intention of going elsewhere. I knew funding is sparse for US students wanting to study in the UK, but I never expected it to be this hard to find grant sources for those of us attempting this cross-cultural academic endeavor. I have applied for full funding from the University, but the odds of my success are slight, since they only give out 20 fully-funded awards to international students across the entire Arts and Humanities Department (just trying to be realistic; I have a very strong application, but these are super slim chances we're talking here).

 

For me it's only one year and then I am elligible for residency (I moved here almost two years ago on a spouse visa, and my husband is a UK citizen) and therefore for lower fees. But I am eager to get my degree started. I am wondering if any of you are facing similar circumstances, and if so, do you have any advice for those of us who are still struggling to find some information? Those of you studying in the UK who are from abroad (not EU), what have you done to finance your degree?

[uromastyx]

Greetings devona,

I have been searching for funding so that I may accept my place at Oxford. There is NOTHING outside of university/faculty/college scholarships, which aren't decided until late March at the earliest (and often months after that). So I am sitting around waiting. If you could find funding opportunities, chances are that the deadlines have passed.

It sucks, and I'm with you. But why not just wait another year? Think of the money you'd save.

[devona]

I am definitely thinking about waiting another year! To save ~12,000 pounds, it would probably be worth it. I am an impatient lady, and a lot of it depends on working out my spouse's schedule with my own, but I think I might be crazy to pay 13,900 instead of the 2,000 for home fees. 

 

Congrats on Oxford, by the way! I hope you are able to find the money to get there.