Whether a student receives funding, how much, and what form that financial support takes depends on the degree program to which they apply. Most forms of graduate financial support are granted on the basis of merit, while others are granted for financial need or a combination of merit and need. These policies and practices will vary from program to program.

We understand that finances are an important factor in the decision to go to graduate school, and that navigating financial systems can prove challenging at times. Below, we have outlined common terms and definitions for the financial designations used by the Institute’s range of graduate programs.

Funding for the MEng program is not guaranteed. Students who are funded typically receive funding through one of two sources: Teaching Assistantships (TAships) or Research Assistantships (RAships). With a TAship, students work approximately 20 hours a week assisting in the teaching of a particular class (the exact duties of a TA depend on the class). With an RAship, students work approximately 20 hours a week on research. In most cases, this research is related to the student’s MEng thesis, although it’s not required to be (balancing two distinct research projects can be quite difficult, though).