Scholarships at University of Essex

If you're an international student, took your undergraduate degree overseas or in the UK and are self-funding your postgraduate studies, you could be eligible for a scholarship worth up to £7,000, paid as a discount on your tuition fee. For eligible students with a UK degree, the amount of the award will be set at £2,000.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:

• Be overseas fee payers and

• Be entirely self-funded, and;

• Be ordinarily resident in one of the countries specified in the table above and;

• Have an undergraduate degree (or Masters degree) awarded by an institution based in one of the countries listed in the table above and

• Have met the academic requirement for that country, as specified in the table above.

• If eligible, the amount you will be awarded is the scholarship award for your country of ordinary residence and not the country your degree is from (if this is different).

• If you are ordinarily resident in one of the countries listed below but have taken your undergraduate degree in the UK and achieved a 2:1 or above – you will also be eligible for this scholarship. The amount awarded will be based on the country where you are ordinarily resident.

• Applicants will not be eligible an award based on holding a Masters degree from the UK.

• Students must have been awarded an undergraduate degree (this includes integrated Masters degrees) with the grade specified or above. A Pass grade in a Masters degree from any of the countries listed in the table above (excluding the UK) can be taken to compensate for a lower Bachelors grade.

• Students must register at the University of Essex in October 2025 or January 2026 for the first year of a full-time Masters course in academic year 2025-26 only, leading to the degree of: ̶ MA, MFA, MSc, LLM, MPP, MBM, MRes, MBA.

• This scholarship is available for the first year of taught Masters study only.

• Successful applicants should be available for promotional activities.

Students who are not eligible

The following students are NOT eligible for the Academic Excellence International Masters Scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored.

• Students studying:

  • a course that is normally delivered wholly online by Kaplan Open Learning, operating as University of Essex Online.

  • a course below Masters level at the University of Essex: including, but not limited to, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificates, and Postgraduate Diplomas.

• Students studying courses that are classed as research degrees: including, but not limited to, MPhil, MAD, MSD.

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will not be eligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships, including the University of Essex alumni loyalty discount.

• Students who are joining Essex through a link agreement which includes a discounted fee or eligible for a Global Partner Scholarship. In this case, where a student is also eligible for this award, we will apply the award which is greater in value.

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students.

• Current students whose first year of Postgraduate study at the University of Essex was prior to academic year 2025-26.

If you're an international student studying the Law LLB M103 (Senior Status) programme you could be eligible for a scholarship worth £3,000, which you'll receive as a fee discount in your first year of study.

Eligibility

These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded.

• These scholarships are restricted to students studying on the LLB M103 Law (Senior Status) programme only.

• Students must register for the first year (Year 1) of study on the LLB M103 Law (Senior Status) programme at the University of Essex in 2025-26.

• Students must have been awarded an equivalent of a UK 2.1 at undergraduate level.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships.

• This scholarship is available for the first year of study (Year 1) at undergraduate level in 2025-26 only.

• Successful students should be available for promotional activities.

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Students who are not eligible

• The following students are NOT eligible for the Scholarship, regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship).

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees. 

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry. 

If you're an international student from a member state of the African Union and are self-funding your postgraduate studies you could be eligible for a scholarship, paid as a discount on your tuition fee. Awards will be made based on grades obtained in your undergraduate degree, so all applications for relevant courses will automatically be considered.

Terms and conditions 

You will also be considered for this award if you are ordinarily resident in an African country above and you either (1) have a degree from a recognised UK university, other than the University of Essex, with a 2:1 or above; or (2) an equivalent qualification (as defined by our qualification equivalence guidance from any of the following countries: 

Eligibility

• These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded*.

• Students must be ordinarily resident (see below for the definition of ordinary residence) in a member state of the African Union.

• Students must have been awarded an undergraduate degree (this includes integrated Masters degrees) with the grade specified or above. We are not able to consider students on the basis of a postgraduate qualification that they hold (other than an integrated Masters) A higher Masters grade cannot be taken to compensate for a lower Bachelors grade;

• Students must register at the University of Essex in October 2025 or January 2026 for the first year of a full-time Masters course in academic year 2025-26 only, leading to the degree of:

•  MA, MSc, LLM, MFA, MPP, MBM

• These scholarships may be awarded to students who have completed relevant university studies in one of the specified countries above.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships. Students who are eligible for this award and are joining Essex through a link agreement, which includes a discounted fee, will receive whichever award is greater in value.

• This scholarship is available for the first year of taught Masters study at Essex only;

• Successful students should be available for promotional activities.

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Students who are not eligible

The following students are NOT eligible for the PG Africa Regional Scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• Students studying a course that is normally delivered wholly online by Kaplan Open Learning, operating as University of Essex Online.

• Courses below Masters level: including, but not limited to, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificates (PGCerts), and Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDips).

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship).

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students.

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Current students whose first year of Postgraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26.

• Students transferring from another higher education institution.

If you're an international student from a member state of the African Union and are self-funding your undergraduate studies, you could be eligible for a scholarship, paid as a discount on your tuition fee.

Eligibility 

• These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded.

• Students must be ordinarily resident (see below for the definition of ordinary residence) in a member country of the African Union.

• Students must register for the first year (Year 1) of a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Essex in October 2025-26.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships. 

• This scholarship is available for the years of study outlined in the table above, at undergraduate level in 2025-26 only.

• Successful students should be available for promotional activities.

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Courses leading to the award of a Diploma of Higher Education, Bachelors Degree, Integrated Masters (four years).

Students who are not eligible

The following students are NOT eligible for this scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students progressing from the International Year One.

• Students undertaking a degree that is normally delivered wholly online.

• Students whose tuition fees are already subject to a course related discount e.g., LLB Licence English and French Law.

• Students who are not ordinarily resident in a member country of the African Union.

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.  

• Students transferring into the second and third year from another institution.

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship).

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Current students whose first year of undergraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26.

If you're an international student from one of the above countries and you're funding your own studies, you could be eligible for a scholarship worth £3,000 which you'll receive as a tuition fee discount in your first year.

Eligibility

• These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded.

• Students must be ordinarily resident (see below for the definition of ordinary residence) in one of the countries specified above.

• Students must register for the first year (Year 1) of a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Essex in October 2025-26.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships.

• This scholarship is available for the first year of study (Year 1) at undergraduate level in 2025-26 only.

• Successful students should be available for promotional activities. 

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Courses leading to the award of a Diploma of Higher Education, Bachelors Degree, Integrated Masters (four years).

Students who are not eligible 

The following students are NOT eligible for this scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students.

• Students undertaking a degree that is normally delivered wholly online.

• Students who are not ordinarily resident in one of the countries listed.

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship).

• Students entering the second and third year.

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Current students whose first year of undergraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26. 

If you’re an international student studying at one of our global progression link arrangements you could be eligible for a tuition fee discount as outlined in the table below.

Eligibility

• These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded.

• Students joining Essex from one of our Global Channel Partners listed above will be considered for this award.

• Students must be studying on one of the dual or accelerated Master’s programmes outlined in the progression link agreement between the University and the appropriate Global progression link institution listed in these terms and conditions.

• Students must register at the University of Essex in October 2025 or January 2026 for the first year of a full-time Masters course in academic year 2025-26.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships.

• This scholarship is available for the first year of Masters study at Essex only.

• Successful students should be available for promotional activities.

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Students who are not eligible

The following students are NOT eligible for the scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• Courses below Masters level: including, but not limited to, Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificates (PGCerts), and Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDips).

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship).

• Students who are in receipt of funding support from FUNED or FIDERH, who will receive a fee discount associated with Essex’s affiliations with these organisations.

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Current students whose first year of Postgraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26. 

If you're an international student studying at one of our Global Partner Institutions listed below and are self-funding your undergraduate studies, you could be eligible for a tuition fee discount of up to 20% or a scholarship of up to £1,500, which will be distributed across your years of study as outlined in the table below.

If you're an international student studying at one of our UKT Law global channel partners, listed in the table below, you could be eligible for a scholarship to the value of 50% fee discount, for your first year of study.

Eligibility

These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded.

• Students must register for the first year of study at Essex on a full-time undergraduate degree in October 2025-26.

• Students must be commencing study at Essex on one of the UK Law transfer degree routes from one of the partner institutions listed above.

• Students must exceed 68% for 2+1 route and 56% for 1+2 route.

• Students must submit a 500-word essay as part of the scholarship application process.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships.

• This scholarship is available for the first year of study at undergraduate level in 2025-26 only.

• Successful applicants should be available for promotional activities.

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Students who are not eligible

You are not eligible for the award, even if you meet the criteria above, if you fall into any of the following categories:

• Students undertaking a degree that is normally delivered wholly online.

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship).

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Current students whose first year of undergraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26. 

If you're an international undergraduate or master’s student seeking to join our University, you could be eligible for a scholarship which is 50% of your first year tuition fee, paid as a discount on registration. There are 30 awards available in total, which will be split equally between undergraduate and postgraduate taught (master’s) students. This scholarship is competitive and based on academic achievement and extra-curricular engagement. This scholarship is open to students from all countries. 

Eligibility

These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded.

• Students must be starting their first year of study on a full-time Undergraduate (UG) or Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Master’s programme at the University of Essex in 2025-26.

• Applicants must meet our standard conditional offer.

• UCAS applicants must actively make Essex their firm choice by 31 May 2025. Applicants that become firm with Essex through rejection by their original firm choice selection elsewhere are not eligible. Direct Applicants must accept their offer by 31 May 2025.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships. Students who are eligible for this award and are joining Essex through a link agreement, which includes a discounted fee, will receive the award which is greater in value.

• Successful students are expected to be available for promotional activities

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Students who are not eligible 

The following students are NOT eligible for the Scholarship, regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• Students undertaking the MBA.

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students.

• Students undertaking a degree that is normally delivered wholly online

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship).

• Current Essex students progressing from Undergraduate to Postgraduate taught at Essex. 

To be considered for these awards you must complete and submit the application form available on our website by 11:59pm on the 31 May 2025 (UK time). 

If you're starting at Essex in 2025-2026 and achieve academic excellence in your International Baccalaureate, we will offer you a scholarship of £2,000 for your first year of study.

Eligibility

• Students must have obtained 34 points or above in the International Baccalaureate.

• These scholarships are available to both Home and Overseas fee payers with any funding status.

• Students must register for the first year (Year 1) of a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Essex in October 2025-26.

• Students must have received an offer of admission for entry to the University of Essex for 2025-26 and must actively make Essex their firm choice.

• The award can be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships.

• Students must register for a full-time undergraduate degree* at the University of Essex with first enrolment at the University of Essex in 2025-26.

• This scholarship is available for the first year of study (Year 1) at undergraduate level in 2025-26 only.

• Successful students should be available for promotional activities.

Courses leading to the award of a Diploma of Higher Education, Bachelors Degree, Integrated Masters (four years).

Students who are not eligible

The following students are NOT eligible for this scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students.

• Students on Higher/Degree Apprenticeship courses.

• Students undertaking a degree that is normally delivered wholly online.

• Students whose tuition fees are already subject to a course related discount e.g., LLB Licence English and French Law.

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Students transferring into the second and third year from another institution.

• Students directly continuing from one course to another (for example from Foundation degree or HND on to the final year of an honours degree).

• Current students whose first year of undergraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26. 

If you're an international undergraduate student who has attended one of the schools or colleges detailed in the terms and conditions below, you could be eligible for a 20% discount on your tuition fees for each year of your studies (max 3 years). The scholarship is awarded as a partial tuition fee waiver and is available for students on undergraduate courses only.

Eligibility

• These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded.

• Applicants must register for the first year (Year 1) of a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Essex in October 2025-26.

• Applicants must be progressing directly from their studies at one of the above International Schools / Colleges to year 1 of an undergraduate course at the University of Essex.

• Applicants must have attended one of the Schools and Colleges listed in the table above.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships .

• Successful applicants should be available for promotional activities.

Applicants receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Courses leading to the award of a Diploma of Higher Education, Bachelors Degree, Integrated Masters (four years).

Students who are not eligible

The following students are NOT eligible for the International Schools and Colleges Scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students progressing from the International Year One.

• Applicants undertaking a degree that is normally delivered wholly online.

• Applicants whose tuition fees are already subject to a course related discount e.g., LLB Licence English and French Law.

• Applicants awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Applicants transferring into the second and third year from another institution.

• Applicants who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include visa sponsorship).

• Applicants who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Current students whose first year of undergraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26.

If you're an international student from one of the above countries and you're funding your own studies, you could be eligible for a scholarship worth £3,000 which you'll receive as a tuition fee discount in your first year.

Eligibility

• These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded.

• Students must be ordinarily resident (see below for the definition of ordinary residence) in one of the countries specified above.

• Students must register for the first year (Year 1) of a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Essex in October 2025-26.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships.

• This scholarship is available for the first year of study (Year 1) at undergraduate level in 2025-26 only.

• Successful students should be available for promotional activities.

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Courses leading to the award of a Diploma of Higher Education, Bachelors Degree, Integrated Masters (four years)

Students who are not eligible

The following students are NOT eligible for this scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students.

• Students undertaking a degree that is normally delivered wholly online.

• Students who are not ordinarily resident in one of the listed countries.

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship).

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Current students whose first year of undergraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26.

If you're an international student from one of the above countries and you're funding your own studies, you could be eligible for a scholarship worth up to £6,000 which you'll receive as a tuition fee discount.

Eligibility

• These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded.

• Students must be ordinarily resident (see below for the definition of ordinary residence) in one of the countries specified above.

• Students must register for the first year (Year 1) of a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Essex in October 2025-26.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships.

• This scholarship is available for the year(s) of study specified in the table above, at undergraduate level in 2025-26 only.

• Successful students should be available for promotional activities.

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Courses leading to the award of a Diploma of Higher Education, Bachelors Degree, Integrated Masters (four years)

Students who are not eligible

The following students are NOT eligible for this scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students progressing from the International Year One.

• Students undertaking a programme of study normally delivered fully online.

• Students who are not ordinarily resident in one of the listed countries.

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Applicants entering the second and third year.

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship)

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Current students whose first year of undergraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26.

If you're an international student from one of the above countries and you're funding your own studies, you could be eligible for a scholarship worth up to £5,000 which you'll receive as a tuition fee discount.

Eligibility

• These scholarships are restricted to students who are overseas fee payers and are entirely selffunded*.

• Students must be ordinarily resident (see below for the definition of ordinary residence) in one of the countries specified above.

• Students must register for the first year (Year 1) of a full-time undergraduate degree** at the University of Essex in October 2025-26.

• The award cannot be held in conjunction with any other University of Essex scholarships.

• This scholarship is available for the years of study outlined in the table above. There is a maximum of 3 academic years for awards that are more than one year of study.

• Successful applicants should be available for promotional activities.

Students receiving a repayable loan to fund their studies will be considered as self-funded.

Courses leading to the award of a Diploma of Higher Education, Bachelors Degree, Integrated Masters (four years).

Students who are not eligible

The following students are NOT eligible for this scholarship regardless of meeting the above criteria:

• University of Essex International College (UEIC) Pathway students.

• Students joining the University of Essex from one of the schools and colleges included in the International Schools and Colleges Undergraduate Scholarship – for 2025-26

• Students undertaking a degree that is normally delivered wholly online.

• Students who are not ordinarily resident in one of the listed countries.

• Students awarded the scholarship who defer entry to following academic years will be ineligible to receive the award and will be considered in line with the terms and conditions that apply in the new proposed year of entry.

• Students entering into the second and third year.

• Students who are fully or partly sponsored by their government or other external agency and are not required to make any repayments (this does not include VISA sponsorship).

• Students who are assessed as paying home tuition fees.

• Current students whose first year of undergraduate study at the University of Essex, was prior to academic year 2025-26.