£15,000 (paid over one year, or split 50/50 across two years for two-year programmes)
Duration
1 year (or 2 years, paid 50% per year, for two-year full-time programmes)
Deadline
5pm BST, Thursday 7 May 2026
Level
Master's (postgraduate taught)
Acceptance
—
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
UCL Global Masters Scholarship, administered by University College London (UCL), is one of the funding options available to international students from lower-income backgrounds, overseas fee status in United Kingdom. The award covers £15,000 (paid over one year, or split 50/50 across two years for two-year programmes) and is open to master's (postgraduate taught) students studying all full-time postgraduate taught master's programmes at ucl. The scholarship runs for 1 year (or 2 years, paid 50% per year, for two-year full-time programmes). Eligibility is generally based on applicants must already hold a complete UCL Master's application, references included, before applying for this scholarship, since it is assessed after admissions review rather than alongside it. UCL defines the qualifying "lower income background" threshold on its own essential information page, and selection is made solely by the Student Funding Office based on evidence of financial need with no separate essay-based competition on academic merit. The application deadline is 5pm BST, Thursday 7 May 2026. Students can compare this opportunity against similar scholarships below to find the best fit for their profile.
✨ Should I Apply for UCL Global Masters Scholarship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
5/10
Difficulty
7/10
Reward Score
15-25 hrs
Time Required
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
£15,000 (paid over one year, or split 50/50 across two years for two-year programmes)
⏳
Duration
1 year (or 2 years, paid 50% per year, for two-year full-time programmes)
📅
Deadline
5pm BST, Thursday 7 May 2026
🌎
Fields
All full-time postgraduate taught Master's programmes at UCL
🏆
Awards/Year
Up to 85 (five reserved for Indian applicants, one for a Japanese applicant via the Musubi Global Master's Scholarship)
🌏
Study Country
United Kingdom
🏛️
Provider
University College London (UCL)
📊
Acceptance
—
The UCL Global Master's Scholarship targets international students from lower-income households who have already secured a place, rather than acting as an admissions incentive, since a complete application including references must be submitted before a candidate can even be shortlisted. Up to 85 scholarships are awarded for the 2026/27 cycle, with five places specifically ring-fenced for applicants from India and one for a Japanese student through the associated Musubi Global Master's Scholarship. Distance-learning programmes are explicitly excluded; recipients must physically relocate to London to attend UCL in person.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must already hold a complete UCL Master's application, references included, before applying for this scholarship, since it is assessed after admissions review rather than alongside it. UCL defines the qualifying "lower income background" threshold on its own essential information page, and selection is made solely by the Student Funding Office based on evidence of financial need with no separate essay-based competition on academic merit.
🤝 Sponsor
University College London Student Funding Office
🌎 Fields of Study
All full-time postgraduate taught Master's programmes at UCL
✨ Key Benefits
The £15,000 award is applied to tuition fees first, with any leftover balance paid directly to the student in three instalments across the academic year to help with maintenance costs. For two-year Master's programmes the award is split into two £7,500 instalments, one per year, rather than paid in full upfront.
🎯 Target Students
International students from lower-income backgrounds, Overseas fee status
Applied first to tuition fees; any remainder is paid to the student
Living Stipend
Remaining balance after tuition deduction, paid in three instalments across the academic year toward living costs
Total Award
£15,000 (paid over one year, or split 50/50 across two years for two-year programmes)
✈️ Travel: No🏠 Accommodation: No💊 Health Insurance: No🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: 0 for the scholarship itself (UCL postgraduate admission application fees apply separately)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Applied first to tuition fees; any remainder is paid to the student
🏠 Living Stipend
Remaining balance after tuition deduction, paid in three instalments across the academic year toward living costs
🏡 Accommodation
No
✈️ Travel Allowance
No
💊 Health Insurance
No
🎁 Other Benefits
Can be held alongside other scholarships or bursaries, subject to UCL being notified of any other funding received
🔄 Renewable
No
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Eligible to pay the Overseas fee rate; from a lower-income household; submitted a complete admission application, including references, for a full-time Master's at UCL for 2026/27; in-person attendance required (distance learning excluded)
🎓 Academic Level
Master's (postgraduate taught)
🗣️ English Requirement
Must meet the English language requirement of the specific UCL Master's programme applied to
💼 Work Experience
None required
🏆 Leadership
Preferred
💰 Financial Need
Yes, this is the sole selection criterion
🎯 Target Students
International students from lower-income backgrounds, Overseas fee status
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
No separate essay; shortlisted candidates…
Rec Letters
References required as part of the…
Interview
No
Application Fee
0 for the scholarship itself (UCL postgraduate admission application fees apply separately)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
English Proficiency Proof
📋 Application Process
Submit your UCL Master's admission application, including references, well before 7 May 2026, because you cannot be considered for this scholarship without a complete application already on file. Affected applicants from those four countries should factor visa timelines into their decision before accepting an offer, since the scholarship itself does not resolve visa eligibility.
💡 Insider Tip: Shortlisted candidates are contacted in mid-May to provide evidence of financial need, with final decisions typically issued by late June, so keep supporting income documentation ready in advance rather than waiting to be asked. Note that UK government rules mean citizens of Cameroon, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan will be unable to obtain a Study Visa from 26 March 2026, which affects visa eligibility for this scholarship regardless of award status.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Check website
⏰ Deadline
5pm BST, Thursday 7 May 2026
🎤 Interview
No
🎓 Study Starts
September 2026
Check website
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
5pm BST, Thursday 7 May 2026
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September 2026
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Financial need, as assessed and recommended by the UCL Student Funding Office
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
UCL Global Masters ScholarshipCurrent
United Kingdom
Partial funding
Master's (postgraduate taught)
—
🇬🇧 Royal Academy of Music Scholarship
United Kingdom
Full Funding
Undergraduate, Postgraduate (MA, MMus, Professional Diploma, Advanced Diploma)
Applicants must already hold a complete UCL Master's application, references included, before applying for this scholarship, since it is assessed after admissions review rather than alongside it. UCL defines the qualifying "lower income background" threshold on its own essential information page, and selection is made solely by the Student Funding Office based on evidence of financial need with no separate essay-based competition on academic merit.
The £15,000 award is applied to tuition fees first, with any leftover balance paid directly to the student in three instalments across the academic year to help with maintenance costs. For two-year Master's programmes the award is split into two £7,500 instalments, one per year, rather than paid in full upfront. Coverage may vary — check the official website for exact details.
The deadline is 5pm BST, Thursday 7 May 2026. Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Must meet the English language requirement of the specific UCL Master's programme applied to, References required as part of the underlying UCL Master's admission application, not a separate scholarship requirement recommendation letters, CV. Check official website for the complete list.