Frequently Asked Questions

Use the frequently asked questions below to find out more about our new Postgraduate Progression Awards, to check your eligibility and to find out how to apply.

If you have any further queries or you cannot answer your question, you can use our Live Chat facility on our awards information page, or contact us via email.

What is the discount for the award?

The Postgraduate Progression Award provides a £1,500 tuition fee discount for eligible students.

Once it is applied for and confirmed, the discount is then applied automatically to your fees when you enrol on your programme of choice. You will therefore be asked to pay your fees with the discount already deducted.

Who is eligible?

Students who graduate with an undergraduate degree from the University of Birmingham in 2020 and progress directly to a postgraduate taught programme (see below) with us in the 2020/21 academic year (September 2020 or January 2021 entry).

The programmes eligible are:

  • LLM
  • MA (Taught)
  • MPH
  • MSc (Pre-reg)
  • MSc (Taught)
  • PGDipEd (QTS)
  • Postgraduate Diploma

Which postgraduate programmes are eligible for the scheme?

The discount will be applied for full and part-time postgraduate taught programmes including:

  • LLM
  • MA (Taught)
  • MPH
  • MSc (Pre-reg)
  • MSc (Taught)
  • PGDipEd (QTS)
  • Postgraduate Diploma

The award only applies to our programmes delivered at our Edgbaston Campus or online via distance learning.

The award will not apply to the following postgraduate programmes:

  • PG Certificate
  • SKE
  • EngD
  • LLB for Graduates
  • Intercalated programmes 
  • MA (Research)
  • MRes
  • MSc (Research)
  • MBChB
  • PhD
  • PhD with Integrated Study
  • Programmes delivered at our Dubai Campus 
  • Integrated courses (e.g. MSci and MEng) that are supported with undergraduate student finance
  • Schools Direct programmes

When will I hear that the award has been confirmed?

We will verify your application and confirm your discount after the 15 January deadline. The discount will then be applied automatically to your fees when you register for your programme.

How is the award applied? Do I have to do an application?

The discount is not applied automatically.

To be considered for it, you will need to have made an application to your intended postgraduate programme by the deadline of 15 January 2021 (for January 2021 start dates) and complete the Postgraduate Progression Awards application form.

Is there a deadline?

Yes, the deadline to apply is 15 January 2021 for January 2021 start dates.

Am I eligible if I already have a scholarship for my postgraduate programme?

The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University-funded scholarship or other discount, including the Birmingham Masters Scholarship. 

Students with funding from an external organisation will be eligible for the fee discount.

Am I eligible if I have funding from anywhere else? (NHS, bursary, etc)

If you benefit from funding from an external organisation, such as the NHS, you will still be eligible for the fee discount.

Am I eligible if I’m progressing into an MRes or a PhD?

No, the scheme is only available for Masters-level taught programmes

Am I eligible if I’m currently studying a Masters?

No, the scheme is not available to students already enrolled on a Masters-level taught programme. 

I am an international student. Does this award apply to me?

Yes, students recorded as Home, EU or International for fee-status purposes are all eligible, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Does the course have to be full-time or does a part-time programme also qualify?

Both full-time and part-time postgraduate taught programmes qualify.

Does distance learning count?

Yes, programmes delivered online are eligible. 

I’ve already applied for a postgraduate programme; is the award still available to me?

If you have already applied to a programme, you can complete the Postgraduate Progression Award application form and include your application details.

We will verify your application and confirm your discount after the 15 January deadline. The discount will then be applied automatically to your fees when you register for your programme.

My programme is charged per module. Can I still apply?

Students who are enrolled on an eligible course and charged fees on a modular basis can still apply for a Postgraduate Progression Award. A fee discount will be applied across your first two postgraduate modules (£750 per module).

If I’m on a part-time course, when will the discount be applied?

Part-time programmes will have the fee reduction applied, in full, in the first year of the course only. For example, a two year degree would have £1,500 reduction for the first year of study and the second year would be the full tuition cost.

This means the fee reduction is not applied pro-rata and is only applied to the tuition fees for the academic year 2020/21.

Will the fees be reduced in any way if we can’t come onto campus for the first term because of Covid-19?

Our fees have been set for the 2020 academic cycle and we do not envisage these changing, so your tuition fee discount will be applied to the advertised cost of your course.

If any aspect of your course is delivered online, in a change to the usual course structure, we will advise you of this as early as possible and will ensure our online facilities, resources and teaching are maintained at our usual high standard.

Can I apply for accommodation for September 2020–  will it be available?

At the moment we are planning for our accommodation to be available for a September start and are monitoring the situation carefully. Any changes will be communicated to our applicants and be published on our COVID-19 FAQs page as soon as there is an update.

You can still apply to us, and be assured that you are not committed to the contract or costs of the accommodation until you have firmly accepted your offer, met all conditions and have paid your Advance Rent Payment, which you pay to secure your accommodation (like a deposit). 

You can find out further information on the Accommodation section of our website. 

 

How can I find out more or discuss with the Postgraduate team?

If you have questions about the awards, your application or an existing offer, then you can:

Will I receive any refund for my final year of undergraduate study?

In these extraordinary circumstances, and having considered this carefully, the University is not anticipating offering any tuition fee refund, or general financial compensation related to this global event.  

However, and in line with our standard procedures, any student who wishes to raise a concern or formal complaint can do so. 

Details of the complaints procedure, for students, are available on the student intranet.  

You can also read more about our consideration on the COVID-19 FAQs for current students.