Birkbeck University of London Scholarships 2026 for International Students (Fully Funded)

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Birkbeck, University of London, provides several scholarship opportunities for international students for the 2026 academic year. These awards support talented individuals from around the world who want to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom. The university offers various funding options, including the International Excellence Scholarship and regional awards for specific countries.

The financial support programs aim to reduce the tuition burden for high-achieving students entering undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Most scholarships at Birkbeck are applied as tuition fee discounts during the first year of study. International students can also access external funding through partnerships with organizations like the British Council and Chevening.

Securing a scholarship requires an unconditional offer of admission and a strong personal statement. Birkbeck prioritizes applicants who demonstrate academic merit, professional potential, and a clear commitment to their chosen field of study. Early application is essential, as many awards are distributed on a competitive basis with strict deadlines throughout the year.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s (Postgraduate Taught), PhD
Location: London, United Kingdom
Institution(s): Birkbeck, University of London
Program Period: 1 to 4 years (depending on the degree level)
Course offered: Arts, Business, Law, Science, and Social Sciences (Full list below)
Deadline: Varies (Autumn 2026 intake deadlines typically fall between May and July 2026)

Offered Courses

Birkbeck offers a wide range of subjects for the 2026 intake across multiple faculties.

Business and Law: Accounting, Finance, Business Management, Marketing, International Business, Law (LLM), and Criminology.
Science: Biomedicine, Computing, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Psychology, and Environmental Science.
Humanities and Arts: Art History, Creative Writing, Film and Media, Journalism, History, Classics, and Languages (French, German, Italian, Japanese).
Social Sciences: Politics, International Relations, Philosophy, Psychosocial Studies, and Geography.

Scholarship Coverage

Birkbeck University provides different levels of financial aid to support international students.

International Excellence Scholarship: This award provides a tuition fee discount ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 for the first year.
GREAT Scholarships: In partnership with the British Council, these awards offer £10,000 for specific postgraduate programs.
Birkbeck Global Futures Scholarship: This award brings the international tuition fee in line with the Home tuition fee for eligible Master’s students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: Indian and South Asian students may receive a discount of up to £1,500.
Chevening Scholarships: These are fully funded awards covering tuition, living expenses, and flights.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the 2026 scholarships, you must meet the following requirements.

Student Status: You must be classified as an international overseas tuition fee-payer.
Admission Offer: Applicants must hold an unconditional offer for a full-time program starting in 2026.
Academic Merit: You must demonstrate strong academic performance in your previous degree or high school studies.
Residency: You must be an ordinary resident of an eligible country, such as India, Pakistan, Vietnam, or Brazil, depending on the specific award.
Self-Funding: Most partial awards require you to be self-funded, as they cannot be combined with full scholarships.

You must enroll in your course by the deadline stated in your award letter, if you are selected for a scholarship.

Application Process

The application process for Birkbeck scholarships is detailed and requires specific documents.

Secure Admission: Apply for your chosen undergraduate or postgraduate course through the UCAS portal or the Birkbeck website.
Obtain an Unconditional Offer: Ensure you meet all academic and English language requirements to receive an unconditional offer letter.
Access the Scholarship Form: Visit the Birkbeck International Scholarships page to find the application link for your specific region.
Draft a Statement: Write a supporting statement of no more than 2,000 words explaining why you are the ideal candidate for the award.
Submit Financial Proof: Demonstrate that you have made provisions to fund the remaining balance of your tuition fees and living costs.
Confirm Your Place: Pay the required tuition fee deposit within the timeframe specified in your award notification email.

Deadline

The deadline for the Birkbeck International Excellence Scholarship for the Autumn 2026 intake is typically in July 2026. Specific regional scholarships, such as those for Indian or Indonesian students, may have earlier deadlines in May or June 2026. You should check the official scholarship portal frequently, as deadlines are subject to change.