MastersPartial

UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026

The UCL International Masters Awards (IMA) provide partial funding for international postgraduate taught students commencing their studies in the 2026/27 academic year. Applicants must have a complete admission application to UCL and their fee status confirmed. The deadline for applications is May 7, 2026.

Provider: UCL
Host country: United Kingdom
Deadline: 5pm BST, Thursday, May 7, 2026

Official source

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026 is open to African students applying to study in United Kingdom at the Masters level, with partial funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters · applicants for United Kingdom
Funding: Partial
Study level: Masters
Deadline: 5pm BST, Thursday, May 7, 2026

Key eligibility criteria

Prospective international postgraduate taught students commencing studies in academic year 2026/27. Must have submitted a complete UCL admission application and had fee status confirmed. Specific criteria vary per scheme. Note: UK Study Visa restrictions from March 26, 2026, for citizens of Cameroon, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.

About the UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026 (2026)

## Overview The UCL International Masters Awards (IMA) program offers a variety of scholarships to international postgraduate taught students starting their studies at UCL in the academic year 2026/27. These awards are made possible through the generous donations of UCL alumni, the university's own funding initiatives, and partnerships. The program aims to enable international students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their Master's degrees at UCL. Applicants can be considered for multiple schemes by submitting a single application, provided they meet the specific criteria for each. The available awards list may be updated as new scholarships are confirmed for the 2026/27 academic year, and applicants will be considered for all awards listed by the application deadline. ## Benefits The benefits of the UCL International Masters Awards include partial funding for Master's level studies. While the exact value of each scholarship may vary depending on the specific award, the overall aim is to provide financial assistance to international postgraduate taught students. These awards help cover the costs associated with pursuing a Master's degree at UCL, making higher education more accessible to a global student body. The scholarships contribute to UCL's commitment to attracting and supporting talented students from around the world, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment. Specific details regarding the funding amount for each award can often be found on individual scheme pages linked from the main scholarships page. ## Eligibility To be eligible for the UCL International Masters Awards, applicants must be prospective international postgraduate taught students who will be starting their studies in the academic year 2026/27. A crucial requirement is to have submitted a complete admission application to UCL, including the submission of references, well in advance of the scholarship deadline. While an offer of admission is not strictly necessary at the time of scholarship application, applicants must have their fee status confirmed by UCL Admissions. Specific eligibility criteria can vary for each individual scholarship scheme within the IMA program, and applicants are strongly advised to check the dedicated pages for each award for detailed requirements. It is important to note that under recent UK Government legislation effective from March 26, 2026, citizens from Cameroon, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan will be unable to obtain a Study Visa to enter the UK. ## Required Documents While the main application process for the International Masters Awards does not explicitly list separate "required documents" beyond the admission application, it is implicitly understood that a complete UCL admission application, including references, is a prerequisite. This means applicants must ensure all documents necessary for their UCL Master's program application have been submitted and processed. Additionally, shortlisted candidates for the scholarship will be contacted in mid-May to provide evidence of financial need. Therefore, while not required at the initial application stage, applicants should be prepared to furnish financial documentation if they are shortlisted for an award. For specific scheme requirements, consulting individual scholarship pages is recommended. ## How to Apply Applying for the UCL International Masters Awards involves a multi-step process. First, applicants must have submitted a complete admission application to UCL for their desired Master's program, including all required references. It is important to note that it can take up to 24 hours for an admission application and references to be processed. While an offer of admission is not required to apply for the scholarship, applicants must have had their fee status confirmed by UCL Admissions. If unable to access the scholarship application form, applicants may need to wait for UCL to make an admission offer. A separate scholarship application form must be submitted for *each* Master's programme for which funding is sought. The application is submitted via the UCL Portico system: 1. Login to Portico with your normal details. 2. Click on the ‘View’ button for the ‘Active Application’ you wish to apply for funding for. 3. In the application screen, click on ‘Funding’ in the menu at the top of the page. 4. To find out which funds you are eligible for, click 'Check and apply' under ‘Funds Available’. 5. Click on the scholarship name of the scheme you wish to apply for. Detailed guidance for the application form is available via the International Master's Awards application guidance link on the official page. ## Key Dates * **Application Deadline:** 5pm BST, Thursday, May 7, 2026. Applicants must ensure their scholarship applications are submitted by this time. * **Shortlisting Notification:** Mid-May. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to provide evidence of financial need. * **Successful Candidate Notification:** Typically by late June. Successful candidates will be notified as soon as decisions are made. However, some schemes within the IMA may have slightly different notification procedures; applicants should consult specific scheme pages for more information. * **UK Visa Changes:** From March 26, 2026, citizens from Cameroon, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan will be unable to obtain a Study Visa to enter the UK. Applicants are strongly advised to apply for admission well before the scholarship deadline to allow for processing time. ## Selection Criteria The UCL Student Funding Office is responsible for the assessment and allocation of the International Masters Awards. While the specific selection criteria for individual scholarship schemes may vary and applicants are encouraged to check individual scheme pages, a general criterion mentioned is the provision of "evidence of financial need." Shortlisted candidates will be specifically contacted in mid-May to provide this evidence. Additionally, applicants must have a complete admission application to UCL and their fee status confirmed. Any funding award offer is contingent on the applicant receiving an offer of admission and/or meeting all stipulated conditions in that offer. The scholarship program aims to support international postgraduate taught students from diverse backgrounds. ## Tips * **Apply for Admission Early:** Ensure your UCL Master's admission application, including references, is submitted well in advance of the scholarship deadline (May 7, 2026) to allow for processing time. It can take up to 24 hours for your admission application to be processed. * **Confirm Fee Status:** Make sure your fee status has been confirmed by UCL Admissions, as this is a prerequisite for accessing the scholarship application form. * **Review Individual Schemes:** Carefully read the eligibility and specific requirements for each individual scholarship scheme within the International Masters Awards (e.g., UCL Global Masters Scholarship, GREAT Scholarship) as criteria can vary. * **Prepare Financial Evidence:** If shortlisted, you will be asked to provide evidence of financial need in mid-May. Prepare relevant documentation in advance. * **Separate Applications for Multiple Programs:** If you are applying for funding for more than one Master's program, remember that you will need to submit a separate scholarship application form for each program. * **Utilize Application Guidance:** Refer to the "International Master's Awards application guidance" linked on the official page for assistance in completing the online application form. * **Stay Informed on Visa Regulations:** Be aware of UK Government legislation regarding study visas, especially if you are a citizen of Cameroon, Sudan, Myanmar, or Afghanistan, as regulations from March 26, 2026, may affect your eligibility to obtain a UK Study Visa. ## Official Source For the most comprehensive and up-to-date information, please refer to the official UCL International Masters Awards page: [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/international-masters-awards](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/international-masters-awards)

UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026 eligibility for United Kingdom applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Prospective international postgraduate taught students commencing studies in academic year 2026/27. Must have submitted a complete UCL admission application and had fee status confirmed. Specific criteria vary per scheme. Note: UK Study Visa restrictions from March 26, 2026, for citizens of Cameroon, Sudan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.

Documents required for the UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026 application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/international-masters-awards and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Prospective international postgraduate taught students commencing studies in academic year 2026/27. Must have submitted a complete UCL admission application and had fee status confirmed. Specific criteria vary per scheme…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host UK university first via UCAS (undergraduate) or the postgraduate portal. Most UK scholarship sponsors will not assess your funding application without a conditional offer letter.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Book IELTS Academic for UKVI (target 6.5+ for UG/taught Master's, 7.0+ for research). Request sealed PDF transcripts, brief 2–3 referees in writing, and prepare your passport bio page at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/international-masters-awards, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by 5pm BST, Thursday, May 7, 2026 (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, UCL will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.
8
Plan your UK Student visa and arrival
Once funded, accept your university place to trigger your CAS, book a UKVI-approved TB test (£80–£200), then apply for the Student visa (£524 + £776/year IHS). Budget 3–6 weeks of processing and collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival.

UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026 deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by UCL, and be able to relocate to United Kingdom for the duration of the programme.

Is the UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026 fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is 5pm BST, Thursday, May 7, 2026. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

What UK visa do I need for the UCL-GREAT Scholarships 2026?+

Most scholarship holders enter the UK on a Student visa (formerly Tier 4). You apply after receiving a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university, and must show proof of funds, your scholarship award letter, and a valid TB test certificate (required for most African nationals). Apply at least 3 months before your course start date.

Sources

UK Student visa

What English-language score do UK universities require?+

UK universities typically require IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for undergraduate and taught Masters, and 7.0 overall (no band below 6.5) for research degrees and competitive programmes. For the Student visa itself, you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI unless your degree was taught entirely in English in a majority-English-speaking country.

Can I stay and work in the UK after my scholarship ends?+

Yes — the Graduate Route lets you stay for 2 years after completing an undergraduate or Masters degree (3 years for a PhD) to work or look for work at any skill level, with no sponsorship required. You must apply before your Student visa expires and have completed your course at a UK Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance.

Sources

Graduate visa

UK student guides

Free, country-specific guides to plan the rest of your UK study journey — from visa to first paycheck.

Guides for this scholarship

Next steps & guides

Pick the guide that matches where you are right now.

Explore related programmes

Long-form sponsor guides, country pages and category pages connected to this scholarship.

Browse by category & country

Related hubs

Open the broader hub pages for every country, destination and field this scholarship touches.