University of Bolton - Educational Trusts and Charities

What this funding is

This is not a single scholarship with a fixed amount. Rather, it is a reference from the University of Greater Manchester (formerly the University of Bolton) to external grants, which is administered by charities, trusts and educational funds. These organisations provide financial support to help students cover their study costs. The amount, duration and conditions depend entirely on the respective foundation, so there is no standard amount. Support may take the form of a scholarship, a funded place, a one-off grant, a travel grant or a prize won in a competition.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are studying at the University of Greater Manchester (formerly the University of Bolton) in the United Kingdom.
• Level: Both Bachelor’s and Master’s students can apply, but most funding is aimed at Master’s students.
• Field of study: Every topic on this page; however, many individual foundations only fund a specific topic.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Individual foundations may set their own conditions.
• Personal background: Some charities support only people from a particular background, from a particular region or in a particular profession; you should therefore check the relevant criteria.

How to apply

The university recommends two resources to help with your search. The ‘Grants Register’ lists funding opportunities from foundations and charities for PhD students. You can consult it at the university library and in public libraries. The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS), run by the charity Family Action, offers independent advice on finding funding. You then apply directly to the relevant foundation, ensuring you meet their deadlines and comply with their rules.

How realistic are your chances?

This is one possible route, not a guaranteed source of funding. Success depends on whether you can find a foundation whose specific criteria you genuinely meet – for example, in terms of your field of study, your background or the region you come from. Large, well-known charities are highly competitive, but a small foundation that matches your profile exactly will have a much smaller pool of applicants. You should expect to have to carry out extensive research and apply to several foundations, as each one only supports a limited number of students.