It’s important not to overlook the thousands of small charities that operate across the UK. Even though their educational grants might not be as substantial as those provided by larger bodies, they can be a valuable source of funding for postgrads hoping to top up their finances.
If you try really hard, you might even be able to fund your entire degree using small grants from charities (just ask Luke from the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding).
Although it would be impossible to list all of them (after all, that’s the job of the Grants Register and Turn2us), we thought it would be useful to show you how diverse these organisations are. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover that you’re eligible for a Masters grant from a charity you didn’t know existed!
Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust
This charity offers postgraduate bursaries to students who are the child, spouse, widow or widower of a travelling sales representative, pharmacist or grocer (or employed as one themselves). Please note that this is a separate organisation to the Leverhulme Trust mentioned above (although both were established by the Will of the same man, William Hesketh Lever).
Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
If you can prove that you’re descended from one of the signers of the American declaration of independence, you could receive a scholarship from this organisation.
The Vegetarian Charity
The Vegetarian Charity offers small grants to young vegetarians and vegans.
The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust
The Stapley Trust provides grants of between £550 and £1,250 for UK-based students taking higher postgraduate degrees, postgraduate certificates and postgraduate diplomas in any subject, or Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine as a second degree.
The Leathersellers’ Company
You don’t have to be a leatherseller to receive a scholarship from the Leathersellers’ Company! Their educational awards are open to all UK students on full-time degrees (apart from postgraduate conversion courses).
Clan Forsyth Society
If you play your cards right (and happen to have Forsyth as a surname), you could apply for a small grant from the Clan Forsyth Society.