Fund your studies
Research how you will support yourself financially before starting university.
You may be eligible for financial support whilst studying, including scholarships, bursaries, grants and student loans. You may also wish to undertake part-time work alongside your studies.
Working while studying is a great way to boost your income, learn new skills, and take time out of university to meet others.
Working Hours
Part-time work should not interfere with your academic priorities. If you are a full-time student, the University recommends you do not work more than 15 hours per week.
The University will not employ full-time postgraduate research students for more than an average of 9 hours per week across the academic year and recommends that postgraduate research students apply this limit to employment outside the University. PhD students should discuss any proposed employment within the University or with any other employer with their principal supervisor.
How many hours you should work as a student
Finding part-time work
The Careers Service regularly advertises hundreds of part-time jobs throughout the year on MyCareerHub. You will be able to access MyCareerHub approximately 6 weeks before the start of your studies.
Find a part-time job on MyCareerHub
Careers Service Video Guides
The Careers Service have put together some short video guides providing a useful overview of the service and how you can make the most of what's on offer. Click on the links below to watch the videos most relevant for you.
All students - Guide to using the Careers Service
Early Years - Guide to using the Careers Service
- Video: How to find a part-time job while studying
- A quick guide for all students who want to work part-time while studying at the University of Edinburgh.
Scottish students: SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland)
If you live in Scotland and choose to study full-time at a Scottish university or college, you will not have to pay tuition fees. However, you will need to apply to SAAS to have your tuition fees paid for you, as this is not automatic.
Student Finance in Scotland (UCAS website)
Apply for SAAS funding (SAAS website)
Students from the rest of the UK
You should apply for student funding as early as possible and there are different options depending on where you live in the UK.
Student Finance Northern Ireland
International students
Depending on your country of residence and your programme of study, you may be eligible for student loans.
Hardship funding
The University has a number of funds available to help students in financial difficulty. You should speak to your Student Adviser or support staff in your School about any financial difficulties that could affect your studies.
You may be eligible for a bursary, scholarship or other funding opportunities. You can use the University's Scholarship Search tool to find out what's available for prospective students.
Undergraduate funding
There is a range of funding specifically for undergraduate students available through the University.
Funding options for undergraduate UK students
Postgraduate funding
For postgraduate students, although there may be funding available through the University for your degree, you can also access financial support from a range of sources.
Funding options for postgraduate UK students
Watch our short video on funding for UK undergraduate students
This video will cover the government funding available from the national governments of the UK, and the scholarships and other funding opportunities you might be entitled to if you are an undergraduate student from the UK.
- Video: How to... Funding for UK Students (UG)
- This video will cover the government funding available to UK undergraduate students from the national governments of the UK, and the scholarships and other funding opportunities students might be entitled to. This video is part of the 'How to...' 2023 series.
Funding
Depending on your country of residence and your programme of study, you may be eligible for student loans.
The University also offers a number of general and subject-specific funding schemes to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Funding for undergraduate international students
Funding for postgraduate international students
Part-time employment
Most international students who are studying in the UK for a year or more are eligible to work part-time. You should always check your visa to see what your individual situation is.
The Student Immigration Service offers clear and detailed advice on working during your studies, including information about:
- the type of work Tier 4 visa holders are allowed to do, and not allowed to do
- the number of hours Tier 4 visa holders can work
Working in the UK during studies (Student Immigration Service)