Funding opportunities for MA degrees in journalism
Loan and scholarship funding is available for some students taking taught postgraduate degrees at Sheffield - some exclusively for journalism students. Read on to find out more.
The Department of Journalism Studies believes journalism can only fulfil its duties to a democratic society when it is equipped to represent a plurality of voices. We are deeply committed to ensuring that students from a wide range of backgrounds have the opportunity to study with us.
We work with our faculty and community to promote higher education to groups where participation is lower, and we strongly support the funding opportunities below which address this imperative.
Note: the deadlines have now passed to apply for funding for degree studies beginning in 2020. We will post new information here when it becomes available, relating to studies beginning in 2021.
The Dan Walker Journalism Scholarship
Degree course: MA Broadcast Journalism
Students: UK and European Union
Value: £10,000
Deadline: tba for 2021
As well as £10,000 in funding, the scholarship includes personal mentoring from the BBC's Dan Walker, who completed our Broadcast course to prepare for his career in journalism.
The award is open to high-achieving students and those from social groups that are underrepresented in higher education.
The deadline for 2020 applications has now passed. We will post information here if the awards become available again in 2021.
Sheffield Postgraduate Scholarship
Degree course: all
Students: UK
Value: £10,000
Deadline: 10 May 2021
The University of Sheffield awards more than 100 scholarships to students who either:
- belong to a group that's underrepresented in taught postgraduate study; or
- achieve a first in their undergraduate degree
Hit the link below to find out whether you can apply.
International Merit Postgraduate Scholarships
Degree course: all
Students: international
Value: 25 per cent of tuition fee
Deadline: 17 May 2021
The University of Sheffield has 150 awards for international postgraduates in 2021 who bring a strong academic profile and whose studies will help them pursue clearly articulated career goals.
Alumni Rewards
Degree course: all
Students: University of Sheffield graduates
Value: up to 20% of tuition fee
Deadline: see link below
The University of Sheffield offers a fee reduction to postgraduate students who have taken an undergraduate degree at the University.
Postgraduate student loans
Degree course: all
Students: UK
Value: variable
Deadline: see link below
Repayable loans similar to those available for undergraduate study are available for taught postgraduate study. Terms and values differ for students from the UK's four constituent nations – check the website for more information.
Scott Trust bursaries
Degree course: MA Journalism
Students: UK
Value: £6,000 + tuition fees + work experience with The Guardian
Deadline: tba for 2021
The Scott Trust Ltd, owner of Guardian Media Group plc, offers bursaries at the University of Sheffield each year for aspiring journalists to study for a postgraduate qualification in journalism. These awards actively seek applicants from groups who are underrepresented in the profession. Some of our former students who received Scott Trust bursaries include:
- Homa Khaleeli, commissioning editor, Guardian G2
- Michael Savage, political correspondent, The Times
- Helia Phoenix, editor, Welsh Assembly website
We will update this page for 2021 entry when information becomes available.
BAFTA Scholarship Programme
Degree course: MA Broadcast Journalism
Students: UK
Value: up to £12,000 plus mentoring
Deadline: tbc for 2021 – register your interest in advance using the link below
This award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) also offers mentoring support from a BAFTA member and free access to BAFTA events around the UK.
Journalism Diversity Fund
Degree course: MA Journalism
Students: UK
Value: tuition fees + some living expenses
Deadline: several cohorts through the year; check website for details
The Journalism Diversity Fund seeks to widen the social make-up of professional journalism. The fund offers financial support to students who may be unable to pay for NCTJ training courses.
The George Viner Memorial Fund
Degree course: all
Students: all
Value: various
Deadline: tbc for 2021
The George Viner Memorial Fund was set up by the National Union of Journalists specifically to help broaden the ethnic diversity of journalists working in the media in the UK and Ireland. We will post information here if the awards become available again in 2021.
The Orwell Society Bursary for Journalism
Degree course: all
Students: UK
Value: £3,000
Deadline: tbc for 2021
The Orwell Society offers a bursary of £3,000 to the winner of a competition focusing on journalistic writing in an 'Orwellian' style.