Alternative options to fund a postgraduate degree
Practical ways you can manage or reduce the cost of your studies.
Invest in postgraduate study for long-term financial and career growth.
Understanding how to fund a postgraduate degree is an important step in planning for success.
While some students may be eligible for a subsidised Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) through the Australian Government, these places are limited and highly competitive. Most students can benefit from exploring additional strategies to make postgraduate study more affordable — such as reducing program length through recognition of prior learning, spreading costs over time and accessing financial support.
At UNSW, practical options are available to help plan, fund and manage the cost of your postgraduate journey:
- Before you start study
- During your study
Careful planning before you begin your postgraduate degree can make a significant difference to the overall cost of study. By exploring credit for prior learning and scholarships or seeking employer support, you can reduce upfront expenses and set yourself up for a more financially manageable study experience.
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If you have relevant academic or professional experience, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which can grant you advanced standing in your program. This can reduce the number of courses you need to complete — helping you finish sooner and lower your overall tuition costs, especially beneficial for mid-career professionals.
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Domestic students may be eligible for FEE-HELP, which allows tuition fees to be deferred until your income exceeds the repayment threshold. This arrangement ensures study can begin without immediate upfront payment and offers a predictable repayment structure.
More information is available at the UNSW Current Students FEE-HELP page.
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UNSW offers a broad range of scholarships tailored to coursework and research students. These awards may provide tuition fee reductions, living stipends or allowances for travel and study-related costs. Many have strict eligibility criteria and early deadlines, making advance preparation essential.
Explore UNSW’s scholarships database early, as deadlines often fall before course start dates.
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Many employers are open to contributing to or fully financing postgraduate study when it supports their business objectives. If your postgraduate program aligns with your organisation’s priorities, consider pitching to your employer how your studies will build valuable skills and deliver long-term benefits to the workplace.
Learn how to make an effective case with UNSW's guide on how to ask your employer to fund further study.
After you begin your postgraduate degree, a variety of supports and strategies can help you manage ongoing expenses. Whether through flexible study loads, tailored payment options or financial aid, these measures can reduce financial pressure and allow you to stay focused on achieving your academic goals.
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Studying part-time, online or over an extended timeframe allows you to spread tuition costs more evenly while continuing to work. Although this may extend the overall duration of your degree, it offers greater flexibility and can significantly reduce financial pressure.
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There are several simple strategies you can use to keep incidental expenses down:
- Make full use of UNSW’s extensive online and on-campus library resources instead of buying textbooks
- Share accommodation or live closer to campus to save on transport
- Take advantage of student concessions and discounts to reduce everyday living costs
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UNSW provides financial aid options, including small grants, interest-free loans and emergency funding. While these are not intended to replace major funding sources, they can provide critical relief in periods of unanticipated financial strain.
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Tuition fees for postgraduate programs at UNSW vary depending on your degree, study load and whether you are a domestic or international student. Most postgraduate coursework programs are offered on a full-fee paying basis, while a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are available in select programs.
In addition to tuition, you should plan for associated expenses such as living costs, learning materials and student fees. UNSW provides a detailed cost of study guide to help you estimate and plan your total expenses.
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Yes, but they are limited and offered only in select postgraduate coursework programs. CSPs are highly competitive and cannot be guaranteed. The vast majority of postgraduate students at UNSW will enrol in a full-fee paying place, with access to other financial supports such as FEE-HELP.
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FEE-HELP is a government loan scheme available to eligible domestic students enrolled in full-fee places. It allows you to defer paying tuition fees until your income exceeds the repayment threshold. Repayments are made through the Australian tax system.
Key things to note:
FEE-HELP does not cover living costs, textbooks or non-tuition charges
There is a lifetime borrowing cap, which applies across all your tertiary studies
Once you’ve reached the cap, you cannot borrow more
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Yes. UNSW offers a wide range of postgraduate scholarships, including merit-based, equity-based and faculty-specific awards. Some scholarships reduce tuition fees, while others provide living stipends or research allowances.
Coursework students should explore the UNSW scholarships database
Research students may be eligible for UNSW graduate research scholarships, which often include stipends and tuition fee support
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In addition to tuition fees, you should plan for:
Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF), charged each term
Textbooks and course materials (although UNSW’s library offers extensive digital access)
Living expenses in Sydney, including housing, transport and food
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), required for international students
Possible research or fieldwork expenses, depending on the program
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Yes. Through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), UNSW may grant you credit for previous study or relevant professional experience. This can reduce the number of courses required for your degree, saving both time and tuition costs.
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Yes. Many postgraduate students balance study with part-time or full-time work. Flexible enrolment options, including part-time study and evening courses, can help make this manageable. International students must comply with work restrictions on their student visas.
Putting cost-saving strategies into action
For most students, the affordability of postgraduate study depends less on the limited availability of CSPs and more on the strategic use of alternative funding and support options. By planning with scholarships, loans and employer contributions, and by making use of financial aid, flexible study arrangements and practical cost-saving measures during your studies, you can make postgraduate study both manageable and sustainable.
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