Hundreds of students in the North East will receive £10,000 postgraduate funding boost

More than £3 million has been allocated to students in the North East to allow those from under-represented groups to do a master’s degree.

A total of 610 students in the region will receive a £10,000 postgraduate scholarship award, aimed at supporting those unable to pursue further study due to issues such as financial barriers or family responsibilities.

Northumbria University will give the highest number of postgraduate scholarship awards in the North East, having been allocated £775,000 of government funding, which will be match funded by the University to create 155 bursaries worth a total of £1.5 million.

This is closely followed by Durham University with an allocation of £750,000; Newcastle University with £730,000; The University of Sunderland with £445,000; and Teesside University with £350,000.

Adam Dunlop, Marketing Director at Northumbria University, said: “At Northumbria we are making a significant investment to help grow and diversify our postgraduate community with the availability of 155 bursaries.

“We know that funding remains one of the biggest concerns for students; however, studies show that a master’s degree can boost earning potential by over £200,000.

“These bursaries, along with Northumbria’s new postgraduate loan scheme, mean that even more students will have the opportunity to take their career to the next level.”

In the Autumn Statement, the Government confirmed that £50 million would be provided to institutions during 2015-16 to create postgraduate scholarships.

Chris Crame, 26, a graduate of Northumbria’s MA in International Development, said: “There are many people who would love to take up further study but who cannot afford to pay the fees. I think more funding in this area would make a huge difference to the number of people who are able to continue their studies.”

He continued: “There are countless benefits that come with taking your education to the next level. For me, the biggest issue when I was considering further study was whether a Masters would help me become more employable. I didn’t just want an extra qualification; I wanted a course that would set out a pathway into employment.

“Although my two degrees are in different disciplines, my Masters helped me develop many of the elements I had studied as an undergraduate, but it made them more relevant to a specific profession. It allowed me to focus my skills development according to the graduate roles I was interested in applying for.”

Chris now works as a Student Recruitment Administrator for Northumbria, a role that involves international travel in order to visit prospective students in their home countries and understand their expectations in relation to higher education.

Anyone wishing to find out more about Northumbria’s bursary scheme, including details of eligibility and how to apply, should visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/masters.