Scholarships at University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh College of Art is delighted to announce its next round of scholarships to applicants for PhD programmes in our five Schools: School of Art; School of Design; ESALA (Architecture and Landscape Architecture); History of Art; and the Reid School of Music.

Our Schools offer a rich and vibrant postgraduate research community with a broad range of academic research interests. ECA is proud of its world-leading research, which stretches across and beyond the disciplines of its five Schools covering Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Art, Design, History of Art, and Music.  

Applications are invited for research projects that take advantage of the leading research expertise across the ECA Schools. ECA will aim to provide a supervisory team which will consist of at least two supervisors. Applicants may indicate potential supervisors in their application.  

Scholarship award holders are expected to be energetic members of our postgraduate community, and engage with opportunities to present their work to the wider student and staff body during the period covered by their award. We offer our postgraduates a range of training and development opportunities appropriate to their programme of study.

Award

The scholarship award provides full tuition fees (Home or Overseas level) with an annual stipend for three years full-time or six years part-time study pro rata. The stipend will be set to the UKRI level for 2025-26. The UKRI level for 2024-25 is currently £19,237 for full-time students, or the pro rata equivalent for part-time students.

Eligibility

Applications are open to new PhD students (Home and Overseas fee status) commencing study in September 2025 (full-time and part-time study). On campus and PhD by Distance applicants are eligible to apply.

If wishing to commence a new programme of study in September 2025, you must ensure that you have fully completed and submitted your PhD programme application for admission using the University's online system by no later than 20th January 2025.

Applying

Scholarship application deadline: 23:59 GMT 3rd February 2025.

The University will offer PhD scholarships for students starting their PhD research at the University in the 2025-2026 academic session.

Background

In order to attract the best and brightest PhD students, the University seeks to offer not only unparalleled research facilities and superb supervision, but also to provide development opportunities which will support our research students as they progress beyond their PhD, through an exciting scholarship scheme.

Access

The University of Edinburgh has been working for some time to embed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in its activities and to widen participation (WP) for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. The Doctoral College is committed to embedding EDI in all of its policies and processes, and by widening access to postgraduate study to traditionally underrepresented groups, including BAME students and those from the most deprived communities in Scotland and the rest of the world. The Doctoral College wishes to attract the greatest diversity of applications to this scheme and will ensure that recruitment processes are robust and unbiased.

Award

Each scholarship covers the University tuition fee as well as a stipend equivalent to the UKRI stipend rate (for 2024/25 this is currently £19,237), subject to satisfactory progress, the scholarships are awarded for between three and four years as agreed by the School/Deanery (or pro-rata for part time).

Eligibility

The awards are open to UK and overseas students applying to start their first year of study for an on-campus research degree in 2025-2026.

Applicants must have already applied for admission to a full-time or part-time on campus PhD research programme of study at the University. We encourage applicants who wish to apply for this scholarship to make contact with their academic school regarding any admission deadlines.

Please check the Entry Requirements for your proposed programme of study for details of other acceptable English language qualifications. 

You may apply for the scholarship prior to obtaining the necessary English language test results but the results should be uploaded as soon as possible.

These awards cannot be held concurrently with fully-funded scholarships but can be held with partially-funded scholarships and will be reduced pro-rata.

Criteria

Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential. Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a UK first class or 2:1 honours degree at undergraduate level or the international equivalent.

Other factors such as financial status, nationality and the proposed field of study are not taken into account.

The University will not generally consider candidates who have already obtained a PhD, or formal equivalent, as a result of direct research training.

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the University of Edinburgh is offering five scholarships to students in Thailand, India, Spain, Mexico and Nigeria, applying for one-year master’s programmes, who will enrol in the 2025-2026 academic year.

The GREAT Scholarships 2025 programme, launched by the British Council together with 71 UK universities, supports postgraduate students to access world class UK higher education opportunities.

Award

The scholarship programme offers financial support of £10,000 to students, deducted from your tuition fee.

Eligibility

At the University of Edinburgh, the Scholarships will be awarded to nationals and residents of Thailand, India, Spain, Mexico and Nigeria who are accepted for admission on a full-time basis for an eligible one-year on campus postgraduate Masters programme of study.  The tables below set out the eligibility criteria per programme and the applicable scholarship application which can be located within MyEd (further information can be found under Applying). 

Applicants from Thailand

All eligible subjects within the School of GeoSciences and the School of Mathematics as detailed below.

School of GeoSciences:

• MSc Applied Environmental Hydrogeology

• MSc Climate Change Management

• MSc Ecological Economics (SAC)

• MSc Energy, Society and Sustainability

• MSc Environment, Culture and Society

• MSc Environment and Development

• MSc Environmental Protection and Management (SAC)

• MSc Environmental Sustainability

• MSc Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management

• MSc Food Security (SAC)

• MSc Geoenergy

• MSc Geographical Information Science

• MSc Marine Systems and Policies

• MSc Soils and Sustainability (SAC)

School of Mathematics:

• MSc Computational Mathematical Finance

• MSc Computational Applied Mathematics

• MSc Financial Modelling and Optimization

• MSc Operational Research with Data Science

• MSc Operational Research with Computational Optimization

• MSc Operational Research with Risk

• MSc Operational Research

• MSc Statistics with Data Science

• MSc Statistics and Operational Research

Applicants from India

All eligible subjects within the School of Mathematics and the School of Physics and Astronomy as detailed below.

School of Mathematics:

• MSc Computational Applied Mathematics

• MSc Computational Mathematical Finance

• MSc Financial Modelling and Optimization

• MSc Operational Research

• MSc Operational Research with Computational Optimization

• MSc Operational Research with Data Science

• MSc Operational Research with Risk

• MSc Statistics with Data Science

• MSc Statistics and Operational Research

School of Physics and Astronomy:

• MSc Particle and Nuclear Physics

• MSc Theoretical Physics

• MSc Mathematical Physics

• MSc Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences

Applicants from Spain

Eligible programmes in the School of GeoSciences and the School of Physics and Astronomy as detailed below.

School of GeoSciences:

• MSc Applied Environmental Hydrogeology

• MSc Ecological Economics (SAC)

• MSc Energy, Society and Sustainability

• MSc Environment, Culture and Society

• MSc Environment and Development

• MSc Environmental Protection and Management (SAC)

• MSc Environmental Sustainability

• MSc Earth Observation and Geoinformation Management

• MSc Food Security (SAC)

• MSc Geoenergy

• MSc Geographical Information Science

• MSc Marine Systems and Policies

• MSc Soils and Sustainability (SAC)

School of Physics and Astronomy:

• MSc Particle and Nuclear Physics

• MSc Theoretical Physics

• MSc Mathematical Physics

• MSc Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences

Applicants from Mexico

Eligible programmes in the School of Engineering:

• MSc Digital Design and Manufacture

• MSc Electronics

• MSc Electrical Power Engineering

• MSc Signal Processing and Communications

Applicants from Nigeria

Eligible programmes in the School of Health in Social Science, Edinburgh Law School and Moray House School of Education and Sport as detailed below.

School of Health in Social Science:

• MSc Advanced Nursing

• MSc Counselling Studies

• MSc Mental Health in Children and Young People: Psychological Approaches

• MSc Psychology of Mental Health

• MSc International and Cross-Cultural Counselling Studies

• MSc Applied Psychology (Healthcare) for Children and Young People

Edinburgh Law School:

• LLM Commerical Law

• LLM Comparative Private Law

• LLM Corporate Law

• LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice

• LLM European Law

• LLM Global Environment and Climate Change Law

• LLM Human Rights

• LLM Innovation, Technology and the Law

• LLM Intellectual Property Law

• LLM International Banking Law and Finance

• LLM International Economic Law

• LLM International Law

• LLM Law

• LLM Medical Law and Ethics

• MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice

• MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security

Moray House School of Education and Sport:

• MSc Comparative Education and International Development (CEID)

• MSc Dance Science and Education

• MSc Education

• MSc Inclusive Education

• MSc Language Education

• MSc Language and Intercultural Communication

• MSc Performance Psychology

• MSc Physical Activity for Health

• MSc Sport Policy, Management and International Development

• MSc Strength and Conditioning

• MSc Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Criteria

The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit. Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, the overseas equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree.

The scholarship deadline for all countries is 23:59 UK Time on 30/4/2025.

We are offering one scholarship for the sum of £15,000.  The award will be tenable for one academic year and will be automatically deducted from your tuition fee with any remaining funds being awarded towards living costs.

All scholarship award holders are expected to be energetic members of our postgraduate community, and will engage with opportunities to present their work to the wider student and staff body during the period covered by their award. 

Eligibility

The scholarship will be awarded to new applicants who have applied for admission to a full-time postgraduate taught Masters programme of study within the Reid School of Music commencing in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Awarded broadly on the basis of academic merit, the Jean Kennoway Howells Scholarship requires candidates to have, or expect to obtain, a UK first class or 2:1 Honours degree at undergraduate level or the international equivalent.

If wishing to commence a new programme of study in September 2025 you must ensure that you have fully completed and submitted your Masters programme application for admission using the University's online system by no later than 3rd April 2025.

Applying

The scholarship deadline is 23:59 GMT on 17th April 2025.

The School of Design, Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) is delighted to announce the John L Paterson PG Design Scholarship. This is open to applicants for the PG taught programme: MA Design for Change. The ECA offers a rich and vibrant postgraduate community with a broad range of postgraduate programmes and academic research interests.

Award

One scholarship of £8,000 tenable for one academic year and will be deducted from your tuition fee with any remaining funds being awarded towards living costs.

Please note: if successful in obtaining full funding from any other University of Edinburgh or Research Council funding sources, recipients must relinquish their John L Paterson PG Design Scholarship.

Eligibility

The scholarship award is available to applicants with UK/Overseas status who apply for admission to the postgraduate taught MA Design for Change or MA Craft programmes commencing in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Applications for full-time study only will be considered.

Please note: Applicants to other Postgraduate Masters programmes and Postgraduate Research programmes are not eligible for the John L Paterson PG Design Scholarship.

All scholarship award holders are expected to be energetic members of our postgraduate community, and will engage with opportunities to present their work to the wider student and staff body during the period covered by their award.  We offer our postgraduates a range of training and development opportunities appropriate to their programme of study.

If wishing to commence a new PG programme of study in September 2025 you must ensure that you have fully completed and submitted your PG programme application for admission using the University's online system by no later than 3^rd April 2025. 

Applying

The scholarship deadline is 23:59 GMT 17th April 2025.

The Postgraduate Pre-Sessional English Programme Graduate Scholarship consists of a 10% fee discount on full time taught postgraduate degree fees and is available to students with international fee status who are domiciled in one of 13 countries listed below, have successfully completed the Postgraduate Pre-Sessional English Programme in academic year 2024/25 and have accepted an offer of study for a full time postgraduate taught degree programme in 2025/26.

Eligibility

Eligible countries: 

• United States of America 

• Indonesia 

• Canada 

• Malaysia 

• India 

• Nigeria 

• Ghana 

• Thailand 

• Germany 

• Saudi Arabia 

• Turkey 

• Mexico 

• France 

You will not be eligible for this scholarship if: 

• You are fully sponsored, e.g. by your employer. 

• You are already in receipt of a full scholarship or are awarded one at a later date. 

• You have already accepted, or subsequently accept, any other University of Edinburgh scholarship. 

• You do not hold international fee status. 

Terms and Conditions 

• You will only be eligible for the scholarship if your country of domicile at the time of application for the Postgraduate Pre-Sessional English Programme is one of 13 countries listed. 

• You will only be eligible for the scholarship if you hold international fee status. 

• You will only be eligible for the scholarship once you have successfully completed the Postgraduate Pre-Sessional English Programme, met the English language requirements for your chosen full time postgraduate taught programme of study, and received your unconditional offer.

• The scholarship is a 10% fee reduction only, and applied directly to your tuition fee and does not apply to any additional costs such as programme costs or research costs. It is not transferrable as a cash award or in any other format. 

• Only one University of Edinburgh scholarship per student can be accepted, you must inform us by email if you are in receipt of any other University of Edinburgh scholarships or bursaries.  

• The scholarship is available to students who are enrolled on, and complete the Postgraduate Pre-Sessional English Programme in academic year 2024/25 and who are able to progress to a full time taught postgraduate programme in academic year 2025/26. 

The following programmes are not eligible for the scholarship:   

• Part time programmes.  

• Undergraduate programmes.  

• Postgraduate research programmes. 

• The following DClinDent programmes: Endodontology, Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Prosthodontics. 

• The Postgraduate Pre-Sessional English Programme Graduate Scholarship can only be used once against one programme of study.

The School of Divinity is delighted to invite applications from outstanding candidates for its Doctoral Scholarships Awards for 2025-2026 entry.

Award

We are offering a number of scholarship awards, which will cover tuition fees and provide a stipend at the UKRI rate.  These awards will be tenable for three academic years, subject to satisfactory progress.

All scholarship award holders are expected to be energetic members of our postgraduate community, and will engage with opportunities to present their work to the wider student and staff body during the period covered by their award.  We offer our postgraduates a range of training and development opportunities appropriate to their programme of study.

Eligibility

The scholarships will be awarded to new applicants who have applied for admission to a PhD degree programme of study in the School of Divinity commencing in September 2025.

Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential.

Applications will be considered from UK/Overseas applicants wishing to study full-time/part-time/online distance learning programmes.

Criteria

Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential.

Applying

The scholarship deadline is 23:59 GMT on 3rd February 2025. 

The School is pleased to invite applications from outstanding candidates for a range of Masters scholarships for 2025-2026 entry

Awards

We are offering a number of scholarships awards, ranging from full fees to half fees. These awards will be tenable for one academic year and will be automatically deducted from your tuition fee.

All scholarship award holders are expected to be energetic members of our postgraduate community, and will engage with opportunities to present their work to the wider student and staff body during the period covered by their award.  We offer our postgraduates a range of training and development opportunities appropriate to their programme of study.

Eligibility

The scholarships will be awarded to new applicants who have applied for admission to a postgraduate taught Masters or Masters by Research degree programme of study at the University commencing in September 2025.

Applicants must have, or expect to obtain, the equivalent of a UK first class or 2:1 Honours degree at undergraduate level.

Both taught Masters and Masters by Research programmes are eligible for this award. Applications will be considered from UK/Overseas applicants wishing to study full-time/part-time/online distance learning programmes.

Criteria

Students and students on PG programmes longer than one year may apply but must be aware that this funding is for one year only, therefore, students are advised to budget accordingly.

The scholarship deadline is 23:59 GMT on 01/04/2025

The scholarship will be awarded to a student from Africa (belonging to one of the Churches listed below) who is accepted on a full-time basis for a one-year postgraduate Masters programme of study within the School of Divinity and who has an official endorsement from the General Secretary or Principal Clerk of their Church.

This scholarship was set up in 2009 to commemorate the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity conferred by the University on the Most Reverend Desmond Tutu.

During the graduation ceremony Archbishop Tutu spoke of the historic links between Africa and the University of Edinburgh: "Some of our first black physicians were people who had trained here and there is a long tradition that links this university with our part of the world."

Award

We are offering one scholarship which will cover: 

• Full overseas tuition

• Accommodation (possibly shared) within a Church of Scotland flat within Edinburgh

• Monthly allowance

• Visa costs

• One return airfare

• Insurance from Church of Scotland Business travel.

The award will be tenable for one academic year.

All scholarship award holders are expected to be energetic members of our postgraduate community, and will engage with opportunities to present their work to the wider student and staff body during the period covered by their award.  We offer our postgraduates a range of training and development opportunities appropriate to their programme of study.

The Church of Scotland anticipated the student will be part of a Church of Scotland community while in Edinburgh.

Eligibility

The scholarship will be awarded to a new applicant who has applied for admission to a postgraduate taught Masters or Masters by Research degree programme of study at the University commencing in September 2025.

Applicants must have, or expect to obtain, the equivalent of a UK first class or 2:1 Honours degree at undergraduate level.

Both taught Masters and Masters by Research programmes are eligible for this award.  Applications will be considered from applicants from African countries wishing to study on a full-time postgraduate Masters programme in the School of Divinity.

 Applicants must be affiliated with one of the following churches:

• Synod of the Nile of the Evangelical Church of Egypt

• Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana

• Presbyterian Church of Ghana

• Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Kenya

• Church of Central Africa Presbyterian:

  • General Synod

  • Synod of Blantyre

  • Synod of Livingstonia

  • Nkhoma Synod

• Igreja Evangélica de Cristo em Moçambique

• Presbyterian Church of Nigeria

• Presbyterian Church of South Sudan

• United Church of Zambia

• Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa

Students on PG programmes longer than one year may apply but must be aware that this funding is for one year only, therefore students are advised to budget accordingly. 

Criteria

The Scholarship will be awarded broadly on the basis of academic merit with candidates requiring an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK first class or 2:1 Honours degree.

The scholarship deadline is 23:59 (UK Time) on 15th April 2025.