See the Department for Education and Skills Career Development Loans website for up-to-date details.

Other Kinds of Loans
Some advisers stress that you may be able to secure a better loan just by going straight to the bank, rather than going through the CDL route.

Access Funds
To be eligible, you must be self-funding and have applied for a Career Development Loan. Assistance is also available for child-care expenses and costs arising from disability (you need not have a Career Development Loan for these).

Contact the Student Finance Office for more details and an application form. The closing date is early August.

Charities
The Directory of Grant-making Trusts (see bibliography) gives details of charities and similar organisations which may provide funding for students.

The Student Finance Office suggests that it may be worth approaching the British Federation of Women Graduates and the Elizabeth Nuffield Education Fund, if you meet their eligibility requirements.

Working
University rules do not allow students to work during normal working hours, unless you are enrolled for the degree part-time. However, there are part-time jobs available in the evenings and at weekends. Many students find work through temping agencies, or through the University of Bristol temporary jobs website.

Another option that some of our MSc students have taken is to be a Hall Warden/ Senior Resident. Each year, the Halls of Residence appoint some graduate students who receive free accommodation in exchange for evening and weekend duties. Further information at the website, or e-mail student-houses@bristol.ac.uk. Closing date is mid-April each year.

Benefits
According to the Department of Education and Skills: "The Department of Social Security may pay benefits to particular students. Although most full-time students are not entitled to social security benefits, certain students in vulnerable groups, including lone parents and disabled students, may be able to get social security benefits. If you receive benefits and want to take a full-time course of education, you should ask your local Benefits Agency office and local authority how this may affect your benefit."

Sponsorship
It may be worth approaching various companies to see whether they will help with funding. See the bibliography for useful references.

The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS)
The EGAS is an independent advice agency which gives information about funding for further and higher education. Postgraduates who want advice must apply in the academic year before their course starts. Send a stamped addressed envelope to the address given below.

Overseas Students
New: The University offers ten scholarships for overseas (i.e. non-European) students. Details are available here. Closing date is 29th May 2009.

Other funding for overseas students depends on the country of origin. Further information:
University of Bristol information on funding for overseas students
British Council homepage or contact the British Council in your own country

Links
University of Bristol Student Funding Office
Department for Education and Skills

Bibliography
Most of these will be available in public libraries and/or careers centres.
British Association for the Advancement of Science, Everything you wanted to know about sponsorship but were afraid to ask.
Brown, P. & Casson, D. (eds.), Educational Grants Directory, The Directory of Social Change, published biennially.
Department for Education and Employment, Career Development Loans, ED, published annually.
Department of Education Northern Ireland, Awards for Postgraduate Study, DENI, published annually.
Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Guide to Postgraduate Allowances, SAAS, published annually.
Thomas, G., Students' Money Matters, Trotman, published biennially.
Villemur, A. (ed.), Directory of Grant-making Trusts Trotman, published biennially, available from Biblios.
Williams, L. (ed.), The Grants Register, Macmillan Press Ltd., published biennially.

Useful Addresses
Department for Education and Employment, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT. Telephone: 0171 925 5000. Central fax: 0171 925 6000. Public enquiries: 0171 925 5555.
Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI), Rathgael House , Balloo Road, Bangor, County Down BT19 7PR. Tel: 01247 279279. Fax: 01247 279100.
EGAS, 501-505 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London, E8 4AU.
Student Funding Office, Fourth Floor, University of Bristol Students' Union, Queen's Road, Bristol, BS8 1LN, UK. Telephone: (+44) 117 954 5890, 5887 or 5886. Fax: (+44) 117 954 5770.
The British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44 (0) 171 930 8466. Fax: +44 (0) 171 839 6347.
The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 3QQ. Tel: 0131 556 8400.
Welsh Office Education Department, Government Buildings, New Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF1 3NQ. Tel: 01222 825111. Fax: 01222 862111.