Carnegie Masters Grants 2026–2027 | Funding Support for Master’s Students from Low-Income Households in Scotland

Pursuing a postgraduate degree can open doors to new career opportunities, advanced research, and professional growth. However, the financial cost of earning a master’s degree often prevents many talented students from continuing their education.

To help address this challenge, the Carnegie Education Fund has introduced the Carnegie Masters Grants for the 2026–2027 academic year. This initiative is designed to improve access to postgraduate education by providing financial assistance to eligible students living in lower-income households in Scotland.

The grant helps cover the remaining cost of tuition fees after the Scottish Government postgraduate tuition fee loan has been applied. In certain circumstances, the grant can also contribute towards additional study-related expenses, making postgraduate education more affordable and accessible.

If you have received an offer to study an eligible master’s programme at a Scottish university and meet the residency and financial requirements, this funding opportunity could significantly reduce the financial burden of your studies.

About the Carnegie Masters Grants

The Carnegie Masters Grants are funded by the Carnegie Education Fund to widen participation in postgraduate education across Scotland.

The programme specifically supports students who demonstrate financial need and aims to remove barriers that often prevent capable individuals from undertaking master’s-level education.

Unlike a loan, this grant provides funding that does not need to be repaid, helping students focus on their academic and professional goals rather than financial concerns.

What Does the Grant Cover?

Successful applicants may receive funding that includes:

• A contribution towards Home-rate postgraduate tuition fees
• Funding to cover the remaining tuition costs after the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) postgraduate tuition fee loan has been applied
• Additional financial assistance for eligible study-related expenses, which may include:
  • Travel costs
  • Childcare expenses
  • Essential equipment required for study

The information provided in the application will be used to assess eligibility for both tuition support and any additional financial assistance.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must satisfy all eligibility requirements.

You may be eligible if you:

• Are ordinarily resident in Scotland
• Have a meaningful connection to Scotland
• Live in a lower-income household
• Hold an offer to study an eligible postgraduate master’s programme at a Scottish university
• Do not already possess a master’s qualification

Applications are accepted from students studying through different learning modes.

Eligible study options include:

• Full-time master’s programmes
• Part-time master’s programmes (minimum 0.5 FTE)
• Distance learning master’s programmes

Eligible Master’s Programmes

The Carnegie Masters Grants support both:

• Taught Master’s degrees
• Research Master’s degrees

These programmes must be offered by eligible Scottish universities.

Courses That Are Not Eligible

The following programmes are not eligible for Carnegie Masters Grant funding:

• Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) programmes
• Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) programmes
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes

Applicants should carefully confirm that their intended programme qualifies before submitting an application.

Application Process

Applying for the Carnegie Masters Grant involves two important stages.

Step 1: Apply for the SAAS Tuition Fee Loan

Applicants must first submit an application to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for the postgraduate tuition fee loan.

The loan provides funding of up to £7,000 towards eligible tuition fees.

Step 2: Apply to the Carnegie Education Fund

After applying for the SAAS tuition fee loan, eligible applicants can then submit an application directly to the Carnegie Education Fund for additional financial support to cover the remaining tuition fee costs and, where applicable, extra study expenses.

Applications are submitted directly through the Carnegie Education Fund.

Application Timeline

Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year opened on:

1 May 2026

Application Deadline

31 July 2026

Applicants are encouraged to prepare all required documentation and complete both the SAAS tuition fee loan application and the Carnegie Masters Grant application well before the closing date.

Why Apply for the Carnegie Masters Grants?

The Carnegie Masters Grants offer several important benefits:

• Reduces the financial burden of postgraduate education
• Supports students from lower-income households
• Helps cover tuition costs beyond the SAAS loan
• May provide funding for travel, childcare, and study equipment
• Supports full-time, part-time, and distance learning students
• Encourages wider access to postgraduate education in Scotland
• Enables students to pursue advanced qualifications without excessive financial pressure

Important Eligibility Summary

Applicants should ensure they:

• Live in Scotland
• Have a meaningful connection to Scotland
• Meet the lower-income household requirements
• Have received an offer for an eligible master’s programme
• Have not previously completed a master’s degree
• Apply for the SAAS postgraduate tuition fee loan before submitting their Carnegie Masters Grant application

Deadline

Application Deadline: 31 July 2026

Late applications may not be considered, so prospective students are encouraged to begin the application process as early as possible.

Learn More and Apply

Interested applicants can learn more and apply for the Carnegie Masters Grants 2026–2027 HERE.

Explore more global job opportunities on OFY here.