UKPostgraduate Access Scholarship supports Home students from under-represented backgrounds with a £4,000 tuition fee discount and additional wrap-around support when beginning a Masters in 2027.
The scholarship is offered by the University of Birmingham, founded in 1900 as the first civic university in the UK, and forms part of the university’s £1.4 million worth of scholarships for Home postgraduate students.
Postgraduate Access Scholarship Benefits
- £4,000 financial contribution towards tuition fees
- A special induction event before you start postgraduate study
- Invitation to become a Birmingham Scholar upon starting postgraduate study
- Tailored study support from the Academic Skills Centre
- Study abroad opportunities
- Mentoring and careers opportunities
- Enrolment onto the Postgraduate Birmingham Award
- Access to an alumni mentor
- Access to the Masters Consultancy Challenge and employability skills sessions
- Access to a named postgraduate careers adviser for careers guidance support
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Postgraduate Access Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Domiciled in the UK and recorded as Home for fee-status purposes
- Studying a 180-credit postgraduate taught degree full-time or part-time
- Commencing studies in the 2027/28 academic year
- Belong to at least one under-represented group as defined by the scheme
- Completion of a University of Birmingham or another university’s Widening Participation Scheme qualifies
- Care leaver (spent three months or more in local authority care) qualifies
- Disability: receipt of DSA as an undergraduate and/or currently receive DLA or PIP qualifies
- Black and Ethnic Minority background applicants encouraged to apply
- Bereaved of or estranged from both parents and under the age of 25 qualifies
- Caring responsibilities for a family member or friend who could not cope without applicant’s support qualifies
- Household annual income of £42,875 or less at permanent residence qualifies
How to Apply for Postgraduate Access Scholarship?
- Make an application to your intended Masters programme through the Course Finder section of the University of Birmingham website
- Complete the Postgraduate Access Scholarships application form by the deadline
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Saturday, 31 July 2027. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Postgraduate Access Scholarship. These answers cover eligible courses, nationality rules, evidence requirements, deadlines, and how to apply.
Which courses are eligible?
The scholarship is applicable only to 180-credit postgraduate taught Masters degrees (full-time or part-time) commencing in the 2027/28 academic year. Eligible course types include LLM, MA (Taught), MSc (Pre-reg), MSc (Taught), MPH, MEd, and MBA. Certain course types and programmes are ineligible as listed on the page.
Do I need to submit a study application for my course?
Yes. Applicants must submit an application to study one of the eligible courses before applying to the scholarship; scholarship offers are contingent on having an offer to study a taught Masters course.
Am I eligible if I am an international student?
No. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet the nationality or residency status criteria to qualify for the UK government’s postgraduate masters’ loan. International students are directed to the university’s international scholarships.
What evidence will I be required to provide?
Evidence varies by under-represented criterion and may include letters or references confirming completion of widening participation schemes, Local Authority letters for care leavers, Student Finance or university disability support letters for disabilities, course application ethnicity information, Student Finance assessment or a Word document for estrangement, a Word document for caring responsibilities, and Student Finance award notification for low household income.
What should my personal statement include?
The personal statement should demonstrate need and explain relevant experience, motivation for applying, how the financial aspect and wrap-around support will benefit you, and how the scheme and postgraduate study fit into your future plans.
When will I hear the outcome of my application?
Applications will be reviewed after their respective deadlines, and successful applicants will typically be contacted within 3-4 weeks after the scholarship application deadline. A scholarship offer email will be sent with instructions to accept or decline.
Can I defer the scholarship if I defer my course entry?
No. The scholarship cannot be deferred and is only tenable for the applicant’s intended course beginning in 2027, at a maximum of two years in duration. If you defer studies you must re-apply in the next cycle if available.
How do I accept the award if offered?
If offered the scholarship you must complete the acceptance form in your awarding email by the deadline specified. The scholarship is processed only once you have fully completed online registration.
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