MPhil and PhD Tuition Fee Discount Scheme

Fee bursary scheme announcement – October 2016

We are delighted to announce the introduction of a new partial-fee discount scheme for new students on the MPhil or PhD programmes. The scheme is intended to attract the highest calibre candidates to the University with awards being made on the basis of academic merit and supervisory capacity. It will be open to students paying fees at the UK/EC rate, registered directly with the University of Chester. Discounts will be awarded for 12 months at a time, and successful candidates making excellent progress will be able to apply to renew the discount. See the full terms and conditions for more information.

Discounts of £2000 for full-time students (£1000 for part-time students) will be available for applicants starting 1st January 2016 – 28th February 2017. We anticipate making 12-24 awards (depending on the balance between full- and part-time applicants). Applications should be made by sending your CV to with “PGR Discount application” in the subject line by 31st October 2016.

The applications will be considered by a panel consisting of: Prof Neville Ford, PVC (Academic) and Professor Rob Warner (Chair of the Postgraduate Committee), a representative of Faculty Deans and Gaynor Lovett (Postgraduate Admissions Co-ordinator).

The panel expects to announce its decisions within a week of the panel meeting.

Selection: Students whose programme began in the 2015/6 academic year

The panel will use the CV and other information provided as part of your application for the programme (including references) to make their decisions. Your principal supervisor will also be asked to report on your progress to date.

The number of awards available to existing students will be limited to around 5-10 of the total number available. The discount will be applied to the tuition fee for the 2016/17 academic year.

Selection: Applicants for entry in 2016/17 academic year

The panel will use the CV and other information provided as part of your application for the programme (including references) to make their decisions. The discount will be applied to the tuition fee from the date of registration for a period of 12 months.

We anticipate a second closing date of 28th February 2017 for applicants seeking to start 1st March 2017 – 31st July 2017.

Terms and Conditions

  • A discount of £2,000 is offered against UK/EC tuition fees for relevant full-time courses (or £1,000 against UK/EC tuition fees for relevant part-time courses) beginning on or after 01.09.16 and before 31.07.17
  • Discount is only to be redeemed against a full priced Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy course.
  • Discount is for 12 months and will be applied pro-rata across academic years where the start of the programme does not correspond with the beginning of the academic year. Successful applicants may apply for renewal before the end of the 12 month period but are not guaranteed to be awarded a discount in future years.
  • Students must be self-funding for the entirety of their course.
  • Acceptance onto an MPhil or PhD course is subject to entry requirements.
  • Discounts will be awarded on the basis of academic merit and supervisory capacity.
  • Students who have transferred mid-course from another university are not eligible for the discount.
  • Discount is not transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
  • Discount may be forfeited if fees are not paid promptly.
  • Discount is not applicable to Master by Research (MRes) or professional doctorate (e.g DProf, DBA, DPH or EdD) courses.
  • Students who hold any other financial award contributing to their fees must seek advice and may not be eligible.
  • Students liable for fees at the international rate are ineligible.
  • Students registered via a partner institutions are ineligible.
  • The University reserves the right to withdraw, or vary, any conditions of the initiative at any time without notice.
  • The decision of the University as to a student’s eligibility shall be final.