Starting a PhD is intimidating. For an international student in the UK with no funding, it can feel even more overwhelming. I want to share my journey of self-funding my drama PhD as an American living in the UK. A quick spoiler: my primary advice is probably to not self-fund. As the first college graduate in my family, I was unaware of the various funding options available, and to be honest, I didn’t know where to start.
Self-funding has certainly presented its challenges. On one hand, it has afforded me the flexibility to pursue my interests without being tethered to a specific project from a funder or a strict academic framework. I’ve been able to decline opportunities, invitations, and projects that did not resonate with me—something that might have been tougher if I had traditional funding keeping my supervisor or university satisfied. I probably should have said “no” more often, a reflection I’ll save until after I finish this (if I ever do finish).
Besides working part-time, I was lucky to have some savings and assistance from family (shout out to my dad!). However, tapping into my savings wasn’t an enjoyable experience. I started searching for scholarships and grants, convinced there had to be resources to support my doctorate.
It turns out, I was correct.
Over the past four years, beginning the year prior to my PhD until now, I compiled a list of potential funding resources available to me as a female American drama student in the UK. These range from scholarships to grants, and I even discovered some loopholes that allowed me to apply for opportunities that once appeared out of reach.
Here’s a combination of scholarships and funding opportunities I found that could be beneficial to others in similar circumstances:
Scholarships & Grants
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Equity Charitable Trust
Offers retraining and education support. -
Fulbright Scholarship/U.S. Student Program
Supports American students studying abroad. -
USArtists International
Provides financial support for international travel for artists. -
USITT International Travel Grant
A grant for theatre students traveling internationally. -
Dan David Prize
Awarded for exceptional work in humanities, arts, and sciences. -
Harvey Fellows Overview
Fellowship for students pursuing advanced degrees in various disciplines. -
SuperMoney’s Financial Literacy Scholarship
Scholarship for students interested in financial literacy. -
Actors Federal Credit Union Scholarship for Theatrical Performers
Scholarship specifically for theatre students. -
Rotary Scholarships
The Rotary Foundation offers various scholarships for students. -
Hoening Theatre Artist Scholarship
For theatre students pursuing advanced degrees. -
Be Bold Scholarship
An essay-free scholarship for bold individuals. -
Society for Theatre Research Awards
Funding opportunity for theatre researchers. -
Virginia Liebeler Biennial Grants for Mature Women (Art)
Grant for older women in arts-related fields. -
The Wallace Foundation
Grants for arts education programs. -
Tattoo Journal Ink Scholarship
For students passionate about tattoos. -
Debt.com Scholarship
Assistance for students facing debt-related challenges. -
Postgrad Solutions – Bursary
Financial support for postgraduate students. -
Snowden Trust
Grant supporting students with disabilities. - Worthy Women
Scholarship for women pursuing higher education.
Final Thoughts
Self-funding a PhD is challenging, especially as an international student, but it’s not unfeasible. Although I didn’t start with all the resources I needed, the experience taught me about perseverance, creative funding solutions, and being receptive to diverse opportunities.
If you find yourself in a similar position and are seeking ways to finance your PhD abroad, I hope this list serves as a helpful starting point. There is plenty of support out there; sometimes it’s simply a matter of identifying the right fit. Good luck, and remain vigilant for new opportunities along your journey!
Do you have any unique or interesting scholarships, grants, or tips to share with self-funding PhD students?
