my and a friend are currently doing a masters but we were told we were ineligble for funding as we had thirds, however a girl on our course has a 2:2 and has been given full funding, also the funded places on course were undersubscribed, out 8 places, only 6 were taken up and 2 of those have now dropped out, thus the department has excess money floating about.

i always thought you needed a 2:1 or above to gain funding, however i have checked and it is true that with a 2:2 you are eligble for funding in a masters, in the same paragraph where this is stated, its says your university can exercise discretion over this, which i basically read as if they want to give it to someone with a 3rd they can.

i guess if the university is going to use discretion, they will need a reason to consider us, so i guess the fact that me and my friend have gained the top 2 marks in the midyear exams (90%+) could be a valid reason for them to award it to us.

is funding possible after we have started the course ?

Retrospectively? I very much doubt it. You can only ask [why not] but don't get your hopes up, as I don't see what's in it for them. After all you're already on the course.

i asked them today and they are happy to give it providing it is allowed by the rules and they awaiting clarification on the situation, in fact i got the impression the guy had already considered the situation, the big question is , do the rules allow them to do it ? if the answer is yes then me and the other person will be getting the funding.

golfpro, as for whats in it for them, is it true that they get their funding reduced in subsequent years, if the money is not all spent? so maybe that could be a motivation for them to do it.

'Is it true that they get their funding reduced in subsequent years, if the money is not all spent?'t
Yes I believe it is, but I still wouldn't start mentally spending it just yet. At Lancaster [at least in my Dept.] thats would be a non-starter, I know someone in a similar situation. Funding apps have to be in before courses begin. Maybe different in your situation.

just got an answer on this, and the decision is yes!!

Congrads! :D