The Postgraduate Access Scholarships 2026 at the University of Birmingham provide £4,000 tuition fee discounts and comprehensive wrap-around support for home students from under-represented backgrounds beginning a taught Master’s in the 2026/27 academic year. This initiative is part of a £1.4 million scholarship fund aimed at enhancing accessibility and participation in postgraduate study.
Founded in 1900 as the UK’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham has a long history of welcoming and supporting students from diverse backgrounds. These newly-established scholarships continue this legacy by alleviating barriers that restrict students from under-represented groups from pursuing postgraduate education.
Postgraduate Access Scholarships Benefits
- A £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
Postgraduate Access Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
- Domiciled in the UK: Students recorded as Home for fee-status purposes are eligible, provided that they meet the other eligibility criteria
- Studying a 180-credit postgraduate taught degree full-time or part-time: You must be commencing your studies in the 2026/27 academic year.
- From a group that is evidentially under-represented among the institution’s taught-Masters population: See the ‘Under-represented student criteria’ section
- Completion of a University of Birmingham (Birmingham Scholar) or another university’s Widening Participation Scheme
- Care Leaver: Applicants who have once been a care leaver, which includes spending three months or more in local authority care.
- Disability: Applicants who are in receipt of DSA (Disabled Students Allowance) as an undergraduate student and/or currently receive DLA (Disability Living Allowance) or PIP (Personal Independence payment).
- Black and Ethnic Minority Background: Applicants from a black and minority ethnic group are encouraged to apply.
- Bereaved of or Estranged from Both Parents: Applicants who are bereaved of or estranged from both parents and are under the age of 25 are eligible.
- Caring Responsibilities: Applicants who have caring responsibilities for a family member or friend who could not cope without their support are eligible.
- Household Income: Applicants with an annual household income of £42,875 or less at their permanent residence.
How to Apply for Postgraduate Access Scholarships?
- Made an application to their intended Masters programme: Please apply through the relevant programme page on the Course Finder section of the University of Birmingham website.
- Completed the Postgraduate Access Scholarships application form: You can complete the form by clicking the button at the top of the page, or by using the embedded form below.
- The deadline for round one applications is 23:59 (UK time) on 31 March 2026. The deadline for round two applications is 23:59 (UK time) on 31 July 2026.
- If you are unsuccessful in one round, your application will automatically be carried over to the next round: you do not need to re-apply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Postgraduate Access Scholarships 2026. These answers cover eligible courses, application requirements, eligibility for international students, required evidence, personal statement content, and scholarship terms and conditions.
Which courses are eligible for the Postgraduate Access Scholarship?
The scholarship is only applicable to students studying a 180-credit postgraduate taught Masters degree, including part-time and full-time courses commencing in the 2026/27 academic year. Eligible courses include LLM, MA (Taught), MSc (Pre-reg), MSc (Taught), MPH, MEd, and MBA delivered at the Edgbaston Campus, Stratford-upon-Avon, partnered institutions or by distance learning. Ineligible courses include research degrees, integrated Masters, PGCEs, PGDips, and programmes funded by NHS bursaries.
Do I need to submit a study application for my course?
Yes, students must submit an application to study one of the eligible courses before applying for the scholarship. Scholarship offers are entirely contingent upon having an offer to study on a taught Masters course.
I am an international student. Am I eligible for scholarship funding?
No. Funding for this scholarship aims to address the under-representation of students from widening participation backgrounds progressing onto a postgraduate taught degree in the UK. Therefore, to be eligible, students must meet the nationality or residency status criteria to qualify for the UK government’s postgraduate masters’ loan. International students are directed to other scholarships available at the University of Birmingham.
What evidence will I be required to provide?
Evidence is required to verify eligibility. If you do not have evidence at the point of applying, you can still submit an application but will be required to provide evidence if successful. Required evidence varies by criteria: for example, a letter from a university for widening participation scheme completion, a letter from the Local Authority for care leavers, a Student Finance notification for disability or low household income, or a Word document for caring responsibilities or estrangement.
What should my personal statement include?
Your personal statement should demonstrate how receiving the Postgraduate Access Scholarship will support and benefit you. It should cover: any particularly relevant experience(s) demonstrating your need for the support; your motivation for applying; how the financial aspect will benefit you; how the wrap-around support will benefit you; and how the scheme and postgraduate study fits into your future plans.
Which University of Birmingham Widening Participation undergraduate schemes are eligible?
Eligible schemes include the Academic Enrichment Programme (AEP), Access to Birmingham (A2B), Belong at Birmingham, Inspired@Birmingham, National Access Summer School (NASS), Realising Opportunities (RO), Routes to Profession (R2P), and Sanctuary Scholars (undergraduates only). Students who received the Chamberlain Award during undergraduate studies are also considered eligible.
When will I hear the outcome of my application?
Applications will be reviewed after their respective deadlines. Successful applicants will be contacted typically within 3-4 weeks after the scholarship application deadline has passed. A scholarship offer email will be sent to awardees with a deadline to respond. Due to the volume of applications, individual responses are not provided; if not contacted by the outlined timeframe or course start date, the application may be unsuccessful.
I have received an email offering me the scholarship. How do I accept the award?
You need to complete the acceptance form in your awarding email. Only once you have responded and accepted the scholarship will you receive the award; if you decline or do not respond by the deadline specified, your scholarship will be reallocated. The scholarship will only be processed once you have fully completed online registration.
If I defer my course entry to the next year, can I still receive the scholarship?
No. The scholarship cannot be deferred and is only tenable for the duration of the applicant’s intended course beginning in 2026 (at a maximum of two years). If you defer your studies, you will need to re-apply for the scholarship in the next cycle if available.
Can I hold other scholarships alongside the Postgraduate Access Scholarship?
Generally, you can hold other scholarships in conjunction with the Postgraduate Access Scholarship. However, you cannot hold it with any scholarship that covers the full tuition fee, whether awarded by the University or an external organisation. You should read each scholarship’s specific terms and conditions. Students can apply for and receive a UK governmental loan as well as this scholarship.
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