Bursaries and other sources of funding
It is our ambition to attract students who have the greatest potential for positive impact in the world, whatever their background, and for whom participation in one of our postgraduate programmes will be valuable in accelerating that impact. We recognise that funding can be a barrier to participation for many strong applicants and we welcome the support of individuals and organisations who enable us to provide bursary schemes.
The bursaries listed below offer full or partial support for programme fees. Consideration is given to social, economic or educational disadvantage experienced by applicants, enabling applicant from disadvantaged backgrounds to access the opportunity to study with us. We recognise the importance of diversity of perspective and experience within our cohorts and how that diversity can translate into positive impact.
All bursary applications are considered separately from programme admissions applications. Applicants who apply for a bursary will not be in any way disadvantaged within the programme application process and no information shared in a bursary application will be considered as part of the process to determine whether an offer of admission will be made. The outcome of the programme application is likely to be ahead of the results of the bursary application(s). To be eligible to be confirmed for this bursary, candidates will need to have been accepted to the Master’s through the standard admissions process, administered by the Institute of Continuing Education, and have submitted a separate bursary application to CISL by the specified deadlines.
Application process
Please see below for details of the bursaries and scholarships available. Unless otherwise stated, applications can be made between September and January at the same time as programme applications are open. Applications must be made online using this application form.
CISL Sustainability Leadership Access Bursary
The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) aims to empower individuals and organisations to take leadership to tackle critical global challenges. We are committed to improving access, and enhancing diversity and inclusivity. By providing a partial bursary to an MSt in Sustainability Leadership student(s), we hope to provide the support required, which may otherwise prevent a student from taking such an opportunity to develop real leadership confidence and skills in responding effectively to the economic, social and environmental challenges facing the world, and lead others to achieve positive change.
This bursary is available to applicants to both the continuous route, and stage 3 of the flexible route.
For more information about the eligibility criteria and application process, please download the document below:
CISL is grateful to all those who have generously contributed to access bursaries over recent years. The fund remains open for donations in order to offer similar funding for future applicants. To make a donation, please visit this page.
Chanel Sustainability Leadership Bursary
The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) is offering a bursary, supported by Chanel, for entry to the Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership continuous route.
Chanel and CISL are committed to promoting equality of access, diversity and inclusivity. This bursary aims to offer opportunities for people who have faced challenges in achieving their full potential through personal, physical or socio-economic circumstances and who would be unable to pursue the Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership without financial support.
“A sustainability mindset is fast becoming an essential attribute for any executive today. We are delighted to support eligible students who otherwise wouldn’t have had an opportunity to access the Master’s programme. We believe in the value that diverse life experiences and perspectives can bring to business, governments and civil society as we urgently seek the solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Kate Wylie, Chief Sustainability Officer at Chanel
This bursary forms part of a multi-year strategic partnership between Chanel and CISL focused on education, leadership and innovative operational projects. The bursary will cover the full Combined Graduate Fee however we recognise that travel costs may be a barrier for international students. If this would present a barrier to attendance, additional support may also be available for travel costs.
For more information about the eligibility criteria and application process, please download the document below:
Delphis Eco Game Changers Scholarship
This award has been made available through the generosity of Delphis Eco. They seek to support outstanding future sustainability leaders to pursue an MSt in Sustainability Leadership (continuous route) in order to empower them to take leadership in tackling critical global challenges.
Applications are welcome from candidates who are British or Commonwealth nationals who are game changers for sustainability. Candidates will have the drive and passion to lead, and if necessary, go against the tide to make a tangible and significant contribution in driving the sustainability agenda.
For more information about the eligibility criteria and application process, please download the document below:
UK Government Postgraduate Loans
UK or EU Masters students who have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and are domiciled in England can apply for a Postgraduate Masters Loan. These loans are applicable only to candidates for the continuous route. Loans will be administered by the Student Loans Company. Further information can be found here.
Other sources
The University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) lists a number of possible sources of funding for part-time study. We have also have compiled a list of resources which might be helpful in identifying potential sources of funding. For more information please download the document below:
There is a website that provides access to general information on University-administered and external sources of funding and loans for postgraduate students, and includes a searchable database. Much of this is geared towards full-time study and Master of Studies (part-time) students are not eligible to apply to the Cambridge Trusts, for example. Nevertheless, it may be worth checking if anything suitable is available, since the database is updated frequently.