Scholarships at Lancaster University

A 10% tuition fee discount for Lancaster University graduates on postgraduate taught, MRes and Master’s by research programmes.

At a glance

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the Alumni Loyalty Scholarship you must hold an undergraduate or master’s degree awarded by Lancaster University, achieved at any time, including one delivered through an associated institution. Alumni who completed an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification that included Lancaster University as a study abroad location are also be eligible for the award.

Lancaster is a partner in the UK government's Chevening scholarships scheme for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers.

At a glance

In detail

Lancaster University is a partner of the UK government's international awards programme, Chevening. The scholarships and fellowships enable future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all around to study in the UK, where they develop professionally and academically, build networks, experience UK culture, and form lasting connections with the UK.

These fully-funded master's scholarships are among the most prestigious in the UK.

For international applicants with a first-class (or equivalent) degree. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee waiver for Postgraduate Taught programmes (excluding MBA programmes) and will be automatically awarded if students meet the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions outlined below.

At a glance

Who is eligible?

Financial support for students from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Pakistan pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK (excludes MBA and MSc by Research courses).

At a glance

In detail

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, Lancaster University is offering one scholarship per country to students in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Pakistan applying for a one year taught postgraduate course in any subject (excluding MBA and MSc by Research courses).

The scholarship offers financial support of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK.

The GREAT Scholarships Programme

The GREAT Scholarships 2025 programme, launched by the British Council together with 70 UK universities, supports postgraduate students to access world-class UK higher education opportunities.

The scholarship programme offers financial support of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects, at the 70 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be passport holders of Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Pakistan and assessed as international for fees purpose

• For October 2025 entry, applicants must have applied, accepted a place and met all the conditions of their offer by 31 May 2025

• Applicants must not be in receipt of any other source of funding from an external funding body

• The GREAT scholarship can be combined with other scholarships offered by Lancaster University

Successful applicants are expected to:

• Be active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the proposed subject area

• Be willing to embody the UK Higher Education experience, by attending lectures and tutorials and engaging with extra-curricular activities, and act as an ambassador for UK Higher Education, by promoting the value of studying at a UK HEI

• Be willing to establish an engagement with the UK as a scholar, through personal and academic fulfilment

• Represent the high standards of the GREAT brand by becoming an advocate for scholarships

• Be willing to attend a networking event of all UK-based GREAT scholars, to discuss experiences and capture perceptions of studying in the UK

A joint award from the British Council's HESPAL scheme and Lancaster University for Palestinian master's students.

In detail

The HESPAL Scholarship is a joint award offered by the British Council and Lancaster University. The aim is to create the next generation of academics who can develop renewed and sustainable links between Palestinian and UK universities by supporting Palestinian students with the funding to complete an English Master's degree.

What are the areas of study?

All Subjects.

What does the scholarship cover?

The scholarship covers the following:

• Tuition fees

• Pre-Departure briefing from the British Council

• Arrival allowances

• Thesis allowances

• Bench fees if needed

• Monthly allowance to cover living expenses

The Scholarship does not cover visa fees, IELTS fees, costs for accompanying family or travel to and from the UK.

For high-achieving international applicants. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee waiver for undergraduate programmes and will be automatically awarded if students meet the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions outlined below.

At a glance

Eligibility criteria

• Awardees must achieve A*AA and above at A level (or the equivalent in an alternative qualification).

• All grade conditions must be met or exceeded, tariff point equivalences are not considered.

• The Lancaster Global Scholarship is available for eligible applicants to all full-time taught undergraduate degree-level programmes, offered fully on-campus at Lancaster University for October 2025 entry.

• Applicants must be in receipt of an unconditional offer for a place at Lancaster University for October 2024 or October 2025 entry, which you have accepted firmly.

• The scholarship is only available to undergraduate students joining Part 1 of our degree programmes.

• Fully funded applicants are not eligible for this scholarship.

• Partially funded applicants for less than 50% of their fees would be eligible for this scholarship.

• Awardees must be classed as Overseas or International fee-paying students for tuition fee purposes, for the duration of their studies. If you are awarded the scholarship and are subsequently reassessed as a ‘Home’ fee-payer, you will no longer be eligible for the scholarship.

• Pathway students progressing from INTO Lancaster University are eligible for the Global Scholarship.

• Applicants applying from 1+3 programmes offered by Lancaster University articulation partners are not eligible for this scholarship.

For Chinese students applying for PhD study in the UK.

At a glance

In detail

Lancaster University are pleased to offer up to five joint-funded PhD scholarships in collaboration with the China Scholarships Council (CSC). The scholarships are open to academically excellent Chinese nationals intending to commence their study for a PhD at Lancaster in October 2025.

Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit and CSC priorities.

The deadline for applications to Lancaster University is Monday 10 February 2025, at 11.59 GMT.

What will these scholarships cover?

For successful applicants to the scheme, the relevant academic department/school will fund the overseas tuition fees for the full duration, which is typically three years and the China Scholarship Council will provide a maintenance grant for living costs, one return flight from China to the UK and UK visa application fees subject to CSC policies.

Eligibility

To apply for one of these scholarships the following criteria must be met:

• You are applying to study in the academic year 2025/26 on a full-time PhD programme

• PhD students who have already begun the first year of their study at Lancaster in academic year 2024/25 are also eligible to apply

• You must satisfy the eligibility and selection criteria set out by the China Scholarship Council

• You must be a citizen and permanent resident of the People's Republic of China at the time of your application

• You must hold an unconditional offer for a full-time PhD degree programme at Lancaster University commencing October 2025

• You must fulfil any English language requirements of your offer by the application deadline

• Successful candidates are required to return to China upon completion of their studies

Note about unconditional offersIf you are currently in your final year of study for a Bachelor or Master’s degree programme you are eligible to apply for a scholarship providing that the only condition of your offer is the successful completion of your degree. If your offer is conditional on fulfilling English language requirements you are not eligible to apply.

For international students studying postgraduate taught Lancaster University Management School programmes (excluding MBA programmes).

At a glance

This scholarship, available for your first year of entry, is available for students who apply to a Postgraduate Taught programme within Lancaster University Management School.

The award levels available vary by the programme fee level and the grade of your undergraduate degree at the point of entry. Details of the award levels by programme fee are available in the table below.

Who is eligible?

• The Scholarship is available for eligible applicants to all full-time Postgraduate Taught degree programmes, offered on-campus through Lancaster University Management School, for October 2025 entry.

• Applicants must have accepted a conditional or unconditional offer from Lancaster University for October 2025 entry.

• Fully funded applicants are not eligible for this scholarship.

• Partially funded applicants for less than 50% of their fees would be eligible for this scholarship.

• Applicants to MBA programmes are not eligible for this scholarship - see the Management School MBA Scholarship.

• Applicants applying from articulation partners and Pre-Master's programmes offered by Lancaster University are not eligible for this scholarship.

• Awardees must be classed as 'Overseas' or 'International' fee-paying students for tuition fee purposes, for the duration of their studies.

For students studying the full time Lancaster MBA programme.

At a glance

Scholarship award

Scholarships of up to £16,000, for the first year of entry, are available.

The value of your scholarship will be decided using the following criteria. This will be evidenced in your application form and discussed during your interview:

• Excellent academic record.

• Excellent managerial experience.

• Evidence of responsible leadership, such as involvement in volunteering, community support activity or sustainability initiatives.

• Applicants who will bring an increased diversity to the class.

Support for students seeking asylum in the UK to help them integrate into our community here at Lancaster.

At a glance

Introduction

At Lancaster University we are committed to offering all the opportunities of higher education to those seeking a place of safety and security. Our Sanctuary Scholarships are available to students who are seeking asylum in the UK and are not entitled to receive statutory student financial support from Student Finance England (Wales or Northern Ireland) or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. Please note, that there is a limited number of Sanctuary Scholarships available each year.

What does the Lancaster sanctuary scholarship offer?

A place to live

Free accommodation on the University campus. 

Tuition fee waiver

100% tuition fee discount until such a time as you are awarded a status in the UK that allows you to apply for support from Student Finance England (Wales or Northern Ireland) or Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

Support to live

Up to £5,000 per year to support with living costs, non-repayable until such a time as you are awarded a status in the UK that allows you to apply for support from Student Finance England (Wales or Northern Ireland) or Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

Support to succeed

A guaranteed place on the Lancaster Success Programme, which includes one-to-one coaching and support.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the Lancaster Sanctuary Scholarship you must:

• Have submitted an application for asylum in the UK and been granted Refugee status, Discretionary leave to remain (DLR), Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), Humanitarian Protection (HP), Awaiting a decision on an application for refugee status (asylum seeker), Leave as an Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Child (UASC Leave), Refused Asylum Seeker (application for refugee status has been denied and a fresh claim is in process), Lived in the UK for the last half of life, which was not for the principal purpose of study, and has a form of immigration permission. This can include Limited Leave to Remain (LLR).

• Hold an offer to study at Lancaster University.