If you have decided to follow a full time postgraduate degree or diploma, you can apply for help from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). They administer a fund to help towards living and travel costs while studying, the Postgraduate Professional and Vocational Awards Scheme (PVA). People following postgraduate courses and studentships in librarianship and archive administration are eligible for grants from the AHRB.
Prospective students will only be able to apply for a grant through the institution to which they apply, and then only for one course.
You might also be eligible for Young Dependents’ Allowance, if you are a single parent with sole responsibility to support a child or children under 17 and you have already qualified for a full award.
This award will cover one academic year for any one course. An extension can be discussed.
Scottish students should apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, which organizes the Postgraduate Student Allowances Scheme. Certain courses in Scotland have a quota of grants for which institutions can nominate students each year. Eligible students from the European Community will be included in these nominations. This is assessed every May.
Students from Northern Ireland may also contact the Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI); and students who are normally resident in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man may find it useful to contact their island education authority or department.
CILIP administers the Mitchell Memorial Fund. The Institute can provide a limited number of interest free loans to help members follow a relevant course further to their professional qualification.
Employers can sometimes help with postgraduate study. It is worth asking at job interviews if such schemes exist. They may have a day release programme, partly or even fully pay for the course. Be aware that the more favourable the scheme, the more likely it is that there will be a waiting list to take advantage.