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United Kingdom Masters Partial Funding

International Postgraduate Excellence Award 2027: Complete Guide for African Applicants

The International Postgraduate Excellence Award offers £3,000-£5,000 towards tuition fees for high-achieving international students starting a full-time Masters in January 2027. African applicants with overseas fee status and a UK equivalent Good 2:1 Honours Degree are eligible to apply.

September 17, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Nov 30, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryUnited Kingdom
Degree LevelMasters
Funding TypePartial Funding
Fields of StudyAny eligible full-time Masters subject
DeadlineNovember 30, 2026

Scholarship Overview

What Is the International Postgraduate Excellence Award?

The International Postgraduate Excellence Award is a merit-based scholarship designed to support international students who have demonstrated academic excellence and show genuine passion for their chosen field of study. The award provides financial support towards tuition fees for students beginning their postgraduate studies in January 2027.

For applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, this scholarship represents a valuable opportunity to reduce the financial burden of UK postgraduate education while studying alongside other high-achieving international scholars.

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Scholarship Value and Funding Details

The award amount varies depending on your programme structure:

  • £3,000 for one-year full-time Masters courses
  • £5,000 for the two-year Masters with Integrated Professional Year Experience programme

Important limitation: This scholarship amount cannot be used towards the £5,500 deposit required to secure your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for your student visa. You must arrange this deposit separately.

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The scholarship is applied as a tuition fee reduction only. It does not cover living expenses, accommodation, travel costs, or other study-related expenses.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for this scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

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  • Be classified as overseas fee status (international student)
  • Hold an offer for a full-time Masters course starting in January 2027
  • Have a minimum UK equivalent Good 2:1 Honours Degree

Who Is NOT Eligible

You cannot apply if any of the following apply to you:

  • Applying for a Professional course such as RIBA Part III
  • Applying for a Doctoral programme (PhD/MPhil)
  • Applying for an Online or Distance Learning course
  • Applying for a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma course
  • Already eligible for another fee discount (alumni discount, partner student discount, etc.)

Students seeking funding for research degrees (MPhil/PhD) should consult the research funding section of the university website instead.

Academic Requirements for African Applicants

Applicants are selected principally on the basis of academic excellence. For Zimbabwean and SADC region applicants, you will need to demonstrate that your qualifications meet the UK equivalent of a Good 2:1 Honours Degree.

The university provides an Overseas Academic Qualifications Equivalency Chart (PDF) to help you determine if your qualifications meet this threshold. Check your country’s specific equivalency requirements before applying.

Application Process

The application process is straightforward:

  1. Secure your offer: First, apply for and receive an offer for an eligible full-time Masters course starting January 2027
  2. Check your equivalency: Verify that your degree meets the UK Good 2:1 standard using the overseas equivalency chart
  3. Submit scholarship application: Apply for the International Postgraduate Excellence Award through the university’s scholarship portal
  4. Await decision: Applications are assessed based on academic merit

Number of awards available: Variable (not fixed)

Key Dates and Deadlines

Application deadline: 30 November 2026

Course start date: January 2027

Ensure you allow sufficient time to secure your course offer before the scholarship deadline, as you cannot apply for the scholarship without holding a valid offer.

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Apply early for your Masters course to ensure you receive an offer before the scholarship deadline
  • Emphasise academic achievements, awards, and distinctions in your scholarship application
  • Demonstrate clear passion and commitment to your chosen field of study
  • Ensure your academic transcripts and certificates clearly show your classification or percentage score
  • If your degree classification system differs from the UK model, include explanatory notes or equivalency statements

Important Considerations for Zimbabwe/SADC Applicants

When planning your finances, remember that the £3,000-£5,000 award does not cover the £5,500 CAS deposit. You will need to demonstrate access to these funds separately for visa purposes.

The scholarship is competitive and awarded based on academic merit. Zimbabwean applicants with First Class or Upper Second Class honours equivalents from recognised universities (such as University of Zimbabwe, NUST, or other SADC institutions with strong academic reputations) should position themselves competitively.

Consider also exploring complementary funding sources, as this partial scholarship may not cover all tuition fees or living costs.

Funding Coverage

£3,000 for one-year full-time Masters; £5,000 for two-year Masters with Integrated Professional Year Experience. Tuition fee reduction only. Cannot be used for £5,500 CAS deposit.

Eligibility Criteria

Overseas fee status international students with offer for full-time Masters starting January 2027. Minimum UK equivalent Good 2:1 Honours Degree. Not eligible: Professional courses (RIBA Part III), Doctoral programmes, Online/Distance learning, Postgraduate Certificates/Diplomas, or those with other fee discounts.

Required Documents

Not specified in source materials. Typically required: academic transcripts, degree certificate, proof of offer for eligible course, passport, and evidence of overseas fee status.

Application Process

1) Apply for and receive offer for eligible full-time Masters course starting January 2027. 2) Verify degree meets UK Good 2:1 equivalent using overseas equivalency chart. 3) Submit scholarship application through university portal. 4) Applications assessed on academic excellence basis.
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The scholarship amount cannot be applied towards the £5,500 deposit required to secure your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) for your student visa. You must arrange this deposit separately.
Zimbabwean applicants should consult the university's Overseas Academic Qualifications Equivalency Chart (PDF) to determine if their degree classification meets the threshold. Generally, a First Class or strong Upper Second Class honours from a recognised Zimbabwean university may meet this requirement, but you must verify your specific qualification.
The scholarship application deadline is 30 November 2026. The funded courses begin in January 2027. You must hold a valid course offer before applying for the scholarship.
No. The International Postgraduate Excellence Award is a tuition fee reduction only (£3,000 or £5,000 depending on programme length). It does not cover living expenses, accommodation, travel, or other costs. You must demonstrate sufficient funds for these separately.
No. You are not eligible for this scholarship if you qualify for any other discount on your course fees, including alumni discounts or partner student discounts. You can only receive one form of fee reduction.
The number of awards is variable (not fixed), and selection is based principally on academic excellence. There is no published success rate. To strengthen your application, ensure you exceed the minimum Good 2:1 equivalent threshold, highlight academic achievements, and demonstrate clear passion for your field. Apply early as awards may be allocated on a rolling basis.

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