Scholarship opportunities

The Northumbria Undergraduate Award is a cash award for UK/Home students starting a full-time undergraduate course at Northumbria University. It is designed to support students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds in Higher Education and help with budgeting and study costs during their degree. Successful applicants receive a total of £4,000, paid in instalments across the first three years of study. The award is made on an annual basis, provided the student progresses to the next year of study, and it is not paid during a placement year or repeated year. Students who receive this award cannot also receive another Northumbria undergraduate award in the same cycle. Applicants must meet the university’s residency, enrolment, funding and offer conditions, and they must satisfy at least one of the award’s priority criteria. These include living in a low-progression neighbourhood, being from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, or having a declared physical or mental health condition, long-term illness, or learning difference. Applications are submitted online, with a short written response or optional video statement explaining how the award will support success in Higher Education.

The Bridport Literary Festival (BridLit) University Bursary Scheme offers financial support to local young people who are progressing to university in 2026. Two bursaries are available, with each successful applicant receiving £3,000 per year for up to three years, or for the full duration of their undergraduate degree if shorter. The scheme is aimed at Year 13 students in the Bridport area, students at the Beaminster-Colfox joint sixth form, and eligible gap year students from the same area or sixth form. Applicants must be intending to start an undergraduate course in 2026, and the bursary is designed to help ease the financial pressures of university study. To apply, candidates must complete the online application form and submit a statement of no more than 4,000 characters. The statement should explain why they are applying, why they chose their course, and how the bursary would support their future goals. Applicants also need to provide contact details for two referees. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed, and the final awards will be announced in early September 2026.

The University of Exeters Undergraduate funding and scholarships page summarises the range of financial support available to students arriving at university for the first time. The page explains merit-based scholarships and non-competitive bursaries to help those from lower household incomes, plus specialist schemes such as the Sanctuary Scholarship for asylum seekers and refugees, sports and choral scholarships, and targeted entrance awards for applicants with regional or school links. There is detailed information on means-tested awards such as the Access to Exeter Bursary (ATE) with household-income bands and annual payment amounts for 2026/27, care-leaver and estranged-student bursaries, travel scholarships (including study-abroad awards), and short-term hardship funding. The page also describes eligibility rules and application processes for specific awards (for example Entrance Scholarship criteria and how to request application forms). Additional support and services are referenced, including Disabled Students Allowance, travel and bus bursaries for Penryn Campus students, the Student Carers Travel Fund (maximum 400 per year) and contacts for enquiries (Student Information Desk / admissions-scholarships email addresses). The page is intended for prospective and incoming undergraduate students (including mature students) and signposts how entitlement is assessed and how to apply or request application forms.

The TSC Post-16 Football Scholarship is a two-year, full-time football and education programme for ambitious players ready to take their game to the next level. The programme combines high-quality coaching, regular competitive fixtures and formal study so players can progress within football pathways or pursue further education and employment opportunities. Players train 2-3 times per week under UEFA-qualified coaches at Ramsgate FC’s WW Martin Community Stadium. The programme operates two playing pathways (Development Squad in the Kent Academies League and an Elite Squad in the National Youth Alliance League), with match footage, analysis and individual development plans used to track and accelerate player progress. The Elite pathway is delivered in partnership with Ramsgate FC and offers clear routes into semi-professional and professional environments, including opportunities to be monitored by first-team staff. Education is integrated into the timetable via partner providers St George’s C of E School and Sports Connect, where players can study A Levels, BTECs or vocational courses alongside their football. Player benefits include coaching from UEFA-qualified staff, a Nike kit package, a free FA Level 1 coaching badge, specialist goalkeeper sessions, participation in national competitions (including FA Youth Cup) and annual European tours. Applicants join via an online form and attend trial dates; successful players must enrol with one of the named education providers.

The International Excellence Award at the University of Surrey is a competitive scholarship that provides a £5,000 tuition fee waiver to selected self-funded international students beginning a full-time undergraduate (bachelor's) degree. The award recognises academic excellence and is decided by a scholarship panel that assesses previous academic performance, predicted grades and the personal statement. Applicants must hold an offer for first-year entry (FHEQ Level 4) and Surrey must be their firm choice on UCAS. The scholarship is available only to overseas fee-paying students, excludes part-time and distance-learning courses, and is not open to students from the Surrey International Study Centre (SISC). Applicants must apply for the scholarship before a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is issued; awards cannot be applied after CAS allocation. Recipients cannot hold any other Surrey scholarship and the award is not deferrable; deferred applicants must reapply subject to availability. Applications are reviewed monthly for September 2026 entry. For September 2026 entry the main-cycle scholarship deadline (20 July 2026) has passed, but Clearing applications are open from 1 August 2026 and close on 25 August 2026. For queries, contact the International Recruitment team at international@surrey.ac.uk.

The Vaughan Oliver Graphic Design Scholarships (in association with 4AD) will award two incoming BA (Hons) Graphic Design undergraduate students £2,500 each to enhance their first-year university experience. The scholarship is for students starting full-time at Northumbria University's Newcastle upon Tyne campus in September 2026 and is paid as cash across the first academic year (25% in Nov 2026, 25% in Feb 2027, 50% in May 2027). Funding is provided for the first year only. Applicants must be UK/Home applicants, self-funded (not sponsored), and have applied for Government Student Finance. To be eligible applicants must apply and enrol on the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course, meet entry requirements, choose Northumbria as their firm choice by 30 June 2026, and consent to share Student Finance data with the University. Priority consideration is given to applicants who meet at least one of: live in a low HE progression neighbourhood (POLAR4/TUNDRA MSOA quintile 1 or 2), are from a BAME background, or have declared a long-term health condition/learning difference on their UCAS form. Selection is competitive and based on an online written application (up to 3000 characters) addressing how the award will support aspirations to succeed in higher education. Applications close at 16:00 on 3 July 2026 and successful applicants will be notified following results day in August 2026. Recipients must provide a thank you letter and a progress update to the donor; failure to do so may result in withdrawal of the scholarship.

The Raman Sehgal Scholarships at Northumbria University will award two students a total of £4,000 to support UK/Home students who will be studying full-time from September 2026. The award targets underrepresented and disadvantaged students in Higher Education; all eligible self-funded applicants will be shortlisted and considered. Payments are made by bank transfer and the page lists a payment schedule across the first academic year (payments by November 2026, February 2027 and May 2027). To be eligible you must be a UK/Home applicant enrolling on a Level 4 (first year undergraduate) programme at the Newcastle Upon Tyne campus starting September 2026, choose Northumbria as your firm choice by 30 June 2026, meet your offer conditions, be self-funded (not employer-sponsored), register/apply with the appropriate Student Finance body and agree to share consent via your Student Finance provider. Students on Level 3/Foundation Year or progressing from a Foundation Year are not eligible; no award is made for placement years or resits. To apply submit an application via the online form (link on the Northumbria page) of no more than 3,000 characters (500 words) answering: "How will this Award support your aspirations to succeed in Higher Education?" Video submissions are accepted via the form 'file' upload. Applications close at 16:00 on Friday 03 July 2026; applicants will be notified of outcomes following results day in August 2026.

The UCL Computer Science Aspire Award Undergraduate Scholarship supports prospective undergraduate students on eligible computer science degree courses at University College London. It is designed to reduce financial barriers and improve representation of students from Black or mixed Black ethnic backgrounds within the department. Successful scholars receive full tuition fees plus an annual living and study allowance, alongside ongoing academic and career support throughout their degree. The award is open to applicants who have accepted an offer on one of the named Computer Science undergraduate programmes, and selection is based on educational, personal and financial circumstances. Applications are assessed against strict eligibility criteria, including UK home fee status or forced migrant status, background, previous undergraduate study, and at least one additional widening-participation criterion such as financial need, free school meals, disability, care experience, a low-performing school background, or a disadvantaged neighbourhood. The award is run annually and is supported by the Windsor Fellowship during the one-to-one dialogue stage of the process.

The Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship Home is a 3,000 award for high-achieving home applicants who make Lancaster University their firm UCAS choice for entry in 2026. The scholarship recognises outstanding entry grades and commitment to joining Lancaster by placing the university as the firm choice. The award is available across all full-time undergraduate degree programmes offered fully on campus at Lancaster Universitys Bailrigg campus. Eligibility is based on academic grades: applicants must achieve A*AA or above at A level (or an equivalent alternative qualification) and hold at least five GCSEs at grade A/7 or above. Applicants must be Home fee-paying and apply as full-time students. International fee-paying applicants are directed to a separate International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship. There is no separate application process: eligible students are identified automatically through their university application, provided they make Lancaster their firm choice. The 3,000 award is paid in two equal instalments during the recipients first year of study. The scholarship may be combined with the Lancaster Bursary and other departmental awards where applicable.

The Immerse Education Bursary Programme provides financial assistance for motivated school students who otherwise could not attend Immerse Education summer programmes. Awards are granted based on household income and academic potential and are open to students from all school types worldwide. Applicants must be aged between 13 and 18 at the start of their chosen programme session. Applications are open year-round and are reviewed monthly by the Bursary Selection Committee. The application requires a written essay (maximum 500 words), a short video (maximum 3 minutes), and financial verification documents submitted together in a single form. Financial verification documents must be submitted in .docx, .pdf or .jpg format and written in English. Applicants are advised to draft their essay in advance as forms cannot be saved mid-completion. Successful applicants may be offered full or partial bursaries covering up to 100% of the programme participation fee. Bursaries apply only to Immerse Education summer programmes (online or residential) and are not redeemable for cash. Successful applicants will be given a deadline to confirm their place once an offer is made.

The Future Talent Award is a scholarship sponsored by BAE Systems (Submarines) in partnership with the University of Cumbria for selected undergraduate degree programmes in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. The award offers a non-repayable bursary of up to A38,000, a 12-week paid placement (subject to eligibility) and a guaranteed interview as part of the programme benefits.

The scholarship is available to students who hold an offer from the University of Cumbria for one of the qualifying programmes (BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering; BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year; BSc (Hons) Computer Science). Applicants must be UK nationals and will be required to complete security clearance; some roles have export control and higher vetting requirements which may necessitate extended continuous UK residency.

How to apply: the application process begins after you receive and accept an offer from the University of Cumbria for an eligible programme. Information and application instructions will be sent to you at that stage, and your application will be forwarded to the Future Talent Award team for consideration. A dedicated contact will guide applicants through the security clearance process and payment timetable.