Durham, UK – Durham University has announced the availability of 85 £10,000 scholarships for international postgraduate students applying for select Master’s programmes for the 2025/26 academic year. These scholarships, part of the Inspiring Excellence initiative, are designed to support high-achieving students by reducing their tuition fees for eligible postgraduate courses.
The £10,000 award will be applied directly as a reduction in tuition fees for students enrolled in one of the seven specified one-year Master’s programmes at Durham University.
Eligible Programmes for the £10K Scholarship
The Inspiring Excellence £10K Scholarship is available for international, self-funded students applying for the following Master’s programmes:
- MSc Biotechnology
- MSc Advanced Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
- MSc Law and Finance
- MSc Public Policy
- MSc Advanced Computer Science
- MSc International Business
- MSc Islamic Finance
Applicants must be applying to one of these courses to be considered for the scholarship.
Requirements and Criteria for Eligibility
To qualify for the £10,000 scholarship, applicants must meet several important criteria:
- Applicants must have applied to one of the specified Master’s programmes for the September 2025 intake.
- They must meet or exceed the entry requirements for the programme applied for at Durham University.
- Applicants must be classed as an overseas student for fee-paying purposes.
- Only self-funded students will be considered for this scholarship; applicants must not be supported by an external sponsor or already be in receipt of any other scholarships (from Durham or other external sources).
- Applicants must complete and submit the Inspiring Excellence £10K Scholarship application form by the following deadlines:
- First Selection Deadline: April 30, 2025
- Second Selection Deadline: June 8, 2025
- Applicants must have received an offer (conditional or unconditional) for their chosen Master’s programme by the following dates:
- For First Selection: May 4, 2025
- For Second Selection: June 8, 2025
Application Process and Key Dates
The application process is divided into two stages:
- First Stage: Applicants must first apply to one of the eligible Master’s programmes through Durham University’s online portal and submit all academic documents. The application deadline for the scholarship’s first round is April 30, 2025, and applicants must have received an academic offer by May 4, 2025, to be eligible for this round.
- Second Stage: If applicants do not receive an academic offer before the first round selection deadline, or if they are not selected in the first round, they will automatically be considered for the second round without needing to submit the scholarship application form again. The second round selection deadline is June 8, 2025.
Scholarship Commitments
Durham University has specified that students who suspend their scholarship commitments or academic studies may have their scholarships revoked. However, under exceptional circumstances, such as medical reasons, the university may allow the continuation of the scholarship upon approval from the Faculty Executive Dean.
The Inspiring Excellence £10K Scholarship offers an excellent opportunity for international students who meet the criteria to reduce their financial burden and gain access to high-quality education at Durham University.