Financial Requirements

[exis]

Hi,

I'm currently doing my GCSEs and next September I'll be a freshman studying electronic engineering.

For the past two years I've been hoping that once my undergraduate degree is over I would apply for a MSc program in a foreign university (I'm from Europe and I had the University of Manchester in mind since they have a reputable nanoelectronics program).

To get to the point, what I'm worried about are the financial requirements to live abroad while doing a masters.
i) In general, what financial aids could one receive from different universities?
ii) What are the chances that one can find a job related to his undergraduate degree while studying for a masters in which his employer would take into consideration that he's a fulltime student?

Unfortunately, I can't rely on anyone to help me financially and I'll be working every summer for the next years to fulfill my so called dream. I'm just not sure how satisfactory this will be.

Thank you in advance for any replies

 

[Choppy]

I don't know how it works in the UK. In north america, most graduate programs offer some kind of financial support either through scholarships or the opportunity to work as a teaching or research assistant. Financial support isn't a lot. It's usually enough to cover tuition and meager living expenses, but it is possible to do graduate work without going further into debt. I might note that the case may be somewhat different for international students, who have higher tuition.

As far as finding an employer willing to make allowance for you to finish a graduate degree full time, I think those are a dying breed. That's not to say that it isn't possible, but I wouldn't bank on it as part of an overall life plan.

 

[cristo]

In general (in the UK) it is very difficult for students to find funding for masters courses. I have no experience with nanoscience topics, so cannot say for sure, but your chances may be a little higher, since it is up and coming in the way of specialist masters degrees.

If you're interested in research, then you may be eligible for research council studentships, which are basically the same as the US scholarships that choppy mentions. They cover tuition fees and pay a reasonable stipend (~£15,000) tax free. Most universities will then give grad students the opportunities to work as a teaching assistant for some extra cash.

However these are, as I said, for research degrees only.

 

[exis]

Since both my country and UK are in the european union the tuition fees would be as if I were a UK citizen. However, I didn't want to limit my question to just universities in England. I wouldn't turn down any other university with a good reputable masters program in nanoelectronics (or any other field related to electronic engineering, since my perspective might change by the time my undergrad course is over)

 

[j93]

I don't know how it works in the UK. In north america, most graduate programs offer some kind of financial support either through scholarships or the opportunity to work as a teaching or research assistant. Financial support isn't a lot. It's usually enough to cover tuition and meager living expenses, but it is possible to do graduate work without going further into debt.

This is true of PhD programs but not common at all for Masters programs such as those the OP is planning on pursuing.