Apply for the University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarships 2026 and receive a £5,000 tuition fee discount. Follow this step by step guide to ensure you qualify and successfully apply for financial support for your postgraduate studies.
The University of Birmingham offers the 125th Anniversary Scholarships for international students commencing their taught Master's degrees in September 2025 or January 2026. These scholarships provide a £5,000 tuition fee discount to eligible students from selected countries.
Apply for the University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarships
The University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarships are part of the university’s continued effort to support and attract talented international students to pursue higher education at its UK campus.
Specifically designed for students from select countries, these scholarships offer significant financial relief by providing a £5,000 tuition fee discount for eligible postgraduate students. However, while the scholarship amount is fixed, the eligibility criteria are essential to know before applying.
Automatic Award Process
One of the most significant benefits of the University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarships is the automatic award process. This means that once a student is accepted into a taught Master's programme at the university and meets the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, they do not need to submit a separate application for the scholarship. The £5,000 scholarship will be automatically applied to the student’s tuition fees once they have:
- Accepted their offer to study at the University of Birmingham.
- Paid the required deposit as outlined in their offer letter.
This automatic process reduces stress for students who may be worried about additional paperwork and deadlines. It's a straightforward way to ensure that those who qualify for the scholarship benefit from it without any extra effort or confusion.
Eligible Programs
While the scholarship applies to most taught Master's degrees at the university, not all programs are eligible. The scholarship is only available to those studying full time Master's programs delivered at the UK campus. This is important because certain programs, such as distance learning courses, PhDs, and postgraduate certificates or diplomas, do not qualify for this particular scholarship.
Some exclusions to be mindful of include:
- Postgraduate Research programmes (e.g., MPhil, PhD)
- Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip), Postgraduate Certificates (PGCert), and Initial Teacher Education (PGCE) courses
- Programs delivered exclusively through distance learning
Automatic Tuition Fee Discount
For eligible students, the £5,000 scholarship is deducted directly from the tuition fees once the conditions are met. This discount will be reflected in the student’s final tuition balance after they have paid their initial deposit. The scholarship will automatically reduce the financial burden of international students, allowing them to focus more on their studies rather than funding concerns.
However, it’s important to remember that:
- The £5,000 discount cannot be combined with other full fee scholarships from external organizations, such as governmental scholarships.
- The discount is a one time offer and applies solely to the first year of study. The second year of a multi year program, if applicable, will not receive the discount.
The discount is applied at the point of payment and is not refundable, so students should factor this into their budgeting when calculating other potential living expenses, travel, or accommodation costs in the UK.
Eligibility by Country
The University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarships are aimed at students from a select list of countries. The scholarship is available to students who are domiciled in one of the following countries:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Ghana
- India
- Iran
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Peru
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
For students from these regions, the scholarship provides an excellent opportunity to study in the UK with reduced tuition fees. However, applicants from outside these regions will not be eligible for the scholarship.
Conditions and Limitations
Though the scholarship offers valuable financial relief, there are several important terms and conditions that recipients need to be aware of:
- Non deferrable: If you are awarded the scholarship, it cannot be deferred to a later academic year. This means you must begin your studies in either September 2025 or January 2026.
- Overseas Fee Status: Students who are classified as "overseas fee payers" are eligible. The university will determine this status based on your nationality and the country where you have previously resided. This is a crucial point because students from the EU or UK citizens are not eligible for the scholarship.
- No Double Funding: If a student is receiving another full scholarship or tuition fee waiver from an external funding body, they will not be able to claim this scholarship in addition to that. The University of Birmingham intends to provide this funding to students who may have limited other funding options available.
- Mandatory Enrollment in Full time Study: To be eligible, students must be enrolled in full time study for the duration of their program. Part time students are excluded from the scholarship offer.
Step by Step Guide to Applying for the University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarships 2026
1. Receive an Offer for a Master's Program
The first step is to receive an offer from the University of Birmingham for a full time Master's degree. You must be accepted onto one of the eligible taught Master's programs offered at the UK campus.
2. Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria, including:
You are domiciled in one of the eligible countries (e.g., India, Nigeria, South Africa, etc.).
You are an overseas fee payer.
- You have accepted your offer for a full time Master's program starting in September 2025 or January 2026.
- You are not already receiving another full tuition fee scholarship from an external organization.
3. Pay the Required Deposit
After accepting your offer to study, pay the required admission deposit by the specified deadline in your offer letter. This deposit is a necessary step to confirm your place at the university and will allow you to qualify for the scholarship.
4. No Separate Scholarship Application Needed
The scholarship is automatically applied once you meet the eligibility requirements and pay your deposit. There is no need for a separate scholarship application form. The £5,000 discount will be deducted directly from your tuition fees.
5. Confirm Your Scholarship and Tuition Fee Details
After accepting your offer and paying the deposit, the scholarship will be confirmed, and the £5,000 fee reduction will be reflected in your final tuition balance. Ensure that all documents are in order, and double check the payment deadlines for tuition fees.
6. Step 6: Prepare for Enrollment
Once the scholarship is confirmed, make sure you have all the required documentation for your visa application, accommodation, and other university requirements. You can begin planning your travel and stay in the UK to start your studies in the upcoming semester.
FAQs
1. What is the University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarship?
The University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarship is a financial support package offering a £5,000 tuition fee reduction for international students who meet the eligibility criteria and have been accepted onto a full time Master’s program at the university’s UK campus.
2. How do I apply for the scholarship?
There is no separate application process for the Global Masters Scholarship. Once you receive an offer from the university and accept it, pay your deposit, the scholarship will be automatically applied to your tuition fees.
3. Can I apply for this scholarship if I am already receiving another scholarship?
No, the University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarship cannot be combined with other full tuition fee scholarships from external organizations. However, you can still apply if you receive partial funding from other sources.
4. Are all Master’s programs eligible for the scholarship?
No, only full time taught Master’s programs at the UK campus are eligible for the scholarship. Research programs, distance learning courses, and certain postgraduate certificates or diplomas are not eligible.
5. Is the scholarship available to all international students?
No, the scholarship is only available to students from specific countries, including Argentina, India, Nigeria, South Africa, and others. A full list of eligible countries is available on the university’s official website.
Conclusion
In summary, the University of Birmingham Global Masters Scholarships are designed to alleviate the cost of tuition for talented international students, provided they meet the academic and eligibility criteria outlined above.
The automatic process makes it straightforward for students to apply for the scholarship and access much needed financial support. However, it’s important to carefully review all terms, including program eligibility and other restrictions, to ensure that your application is valid.