University of St Andrews Postgraduate Scholarships 2027 for International Students

Applications are invited to apply for the University of St Andrews Postgraduate Scholarships 2027 in Scotland, UK. International students who want to pursue master’s and PhD programs at the University of St Andrews are encouraged to apply for these competitive funding opportunities. The scholarships include the St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship for International Students and the World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships, offering substantial financial support to outstanding postgraduate students. Also apply for University of Southampton Scholarships 2027

The St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship is designed for eligible international students undertaking qualifying one-year postgraduate programmes. Depending on the award category, successful applicants may receive 25%, 50%, or 75% tuition fee reductions, while the strongest widening-participation award can provide full tuition fees together with an £18,000 stipend and accommodation-related support.

For doctoral applicants, the World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships offer up to six awards covering full tuition fees and an annual stipend. These scholarships are highly competitive and focus particularly on academic excellence, the quality and significance of the proposed research, and its contribution to one of the University of St Andrews’ strategic research areas. Also apply for Simon Fraser University Scholarships 2027

Applicants should understand that these are separate postgraduate funding routes, rather than one general University of St Andrews scholarship. The eligibility requirements, funding packages, selection criteria, and deadlines differ between master’s and doctoral awards.

University of St Andrews Postgraduate Scholarships 2027 Details

The University of St Andrews is one of the UK’s oldest and most internationally recognised universities. It offers postgraduate study across a wide range of academic disciplines and attracts students from around the world.

The funding opportunities described in this guide are particularly relevant to international students seeking financial support for postgraduate study at St Andrews.

University of St Andrews Postgraduate Scholarships 2027

The major postgraduate funding opportunities covered in this guide are:

1. St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship for International Students
2. World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships

The two scholarships have different purposes and should be approached differently.

Also see: Bocconi University Scholarships 2027 in Italy

Master’s applicants are assessed using factors such as academic achievement, leadership, wider achievements, financial circumstances, and contextual background, depending on the scholarship category.

PhD applicants are primarily assessed on academic excellence and the quality, significance, and strategic relevance of their proposed research.

Benefits of University of St Andrews Postgraduate Scholarships

The financial benefits depend on the specific scholarship and category.

St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship

The St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship does not provide one identical funding package to every successful applicant. Different categories offer different levels of financial support.

Potential benefits include:

• 25% tuition fee reduction under the Excellence category
• 50% tuition fee reduction under the Excellence category
• Up to 75% tuition fee reduction under the Leadership category
• Employability allowance of up to £2,000 for eligible Leadership award recipients
• Full tuition fee coverage under the strongest Global Widening Participation award
• £18,000 maintenance stipend under the Global Widening Participation award
• Support associated with standard accommodation under the relevant award conditions
• Opportunity to study at the University of St Andrews with substantially reduced financial costs

Students should carefully check the individual award conditions because not every applicant receives the maximum funding package.

The accommodation component should also not automatically be interpreted as completely free accommodation. Students should review the exact terms of the award and any maintenance support provided.

World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships

The World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships provide substantial support for outstanding PhD candidates.

The scholarship can provide:

• Full tuition fee coverage
• Annual maintenance stipend
• Up to six scholarships
• Funding for up to 3.5 years of full-time doctoral study
• Funding for up to seven years of part-time doctoral study

The stipend reference amount for the 2026–2027 academic year is £20,467. The stipend rate for 2027–2028 should be confirmed by the university when the relevant award information is updated.

Although the scholarship is described as fully funded, applicants should understand what this means in practice. The award does not generally cover every expense associated with moving to or living in the UK.

The scholarship does not normally cover:

• International travel to the UK
• IELTS or other English-language test fees
• Visa fees
• Immigration Health Surcharge
• Continuation or extension fees
• Separate research-training grants
• Other personal relocation expenses

Therefore, applicants should prepare a separate budget for expenses that fall outside the scholarship.

More Opportunities:

• University of Bern Scholarships 2027-2028 in Switzerland
• Dalarna University Masters Scholarships 2027

Available Study Areas

The University of St Andrews offers postgraduate study across numerous academic disciplines.

Eligible applicants can explore master’s and doctoral opportunities in areas including:

• Arts and Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Business and Management
• International Relations
• Psychology
• Geography
• History
• Philosophy
• Modern Languages
• Education
• Environmental Studies
• Medicine and related disciplines
• Other eligible postgraduate research fields

The exact programmes eligible for each scholarship can vary. Applicants should therefore check the scholarship conditions and the requirements of their selected programme before applying.

Eligibility Criteria for University of St Andrews Postgraduate Scholarships

Eligibility depends on whether the applicant is applying for the master’s or doctoral scholarship.

St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship Eligibility

Applicants generally need to:

• Be applying for an eligible postgraduate programme at the University of St Andrews
• Have overseas fee status where required by the scholarship
• Apply for an eligible one-year taught master’s programme, one-year research master’s programme, or qualifying two-year research master’s programme
• Meet the academic requirements for their selected programme
• Demonstrate strong academic achievement
• Provide the required scholarship references
• Meet any additional requirements associated with the particular award category

For qualifying two-year research master’s programmes, scholarship funding may apply only to the first year.

The scholarship can take into account a combination of factors, depending on the award category, including:

• Academic excellence
• Leadership
• Wider achievements
• Financial circumstances
• Disability
• Minority or disadvantaged background
• Other contextual factors

Applicants should therefore avoid submitting a generic personal statement. The application should clearly demonstrate why the applicant stands out according to the criteria relevant to the specific scholarship category.

World-Leading Doctoral Scholarship Eligibility

Applicants for the doctoral scholarship must:

• Apply for an eligible PhD programme at the University of St Andrews
• Meet the academic requirements for doctoral study
• Demonstrate academic excellence
• Submit a strong research proposal where required
• Demonstrate the significance and quality of the proposed research
• Show how the proposed research aligns with relevant strategic research priorities at St Andrews

Applicants must not already hold a doctorate or be enrolled in a doctoral programme elsewhere, subject to the university’s specific eligibility conditions.

The scholarship is particularly intended for doctoral research that can contribute to areas where the University of St Andrews has world-leading strategic research strengths.

Selection Criteria

The selection process differs between the master’s and doctoral competitions.

Master’s Scholarship Selection

Depending on the award category, St Andrews may consider:

• Academic achievement
• Academic potential
• Leadership experience
• Extracurricular achievements
• Wider personal accomplishments
• Financial need
• Disability or contextual circumstances
• Contribution to the university community
• Other factors specified by the scholarship

Applicants should make their strongest evidence easy for the selection committee to identify.

For example, instead of simply claiming to be a strong leader, applicants should provide specific examples showing what they led, their responsibilities, the outcome, and the impact of their contribution.

PhD Scholarship Selection

Doctoral candidates face a different type of competition.

The selection process places considerable importance on:

• Academic excellence
• Research potential
• Quality of the proposed research
• Originality of the research question
• Significance of the research
• Feasibility of the project
• Strategic relevance to St Andrews
• Strength of the overall doctoral application

A strong academic record alone may not be sufficient. The research proposal should clearly explain the problem being investigated, why it matters, what gap the research addresses, and how the proposed work can make a meaningful contribution.

Also apply for Leeds Doctoral Scholarships 2027

English Language Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the English-language requirements of their chosen University of St Andrews programme.

The exact English requirement can vary according to the programme and applicant’s educational background.

Applicants may be required to provide an accepted English-language qualification such as:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• PTE Academic
• Cambridge English qualifications
• Other qualifications accepted by the University of St Andrews

Students should not assume that one English-language score applies to every master’s or PhD programme. Always check the requirements for the specific course before submitting an application.

Documents Required for University of St Andrews Scholarships

Applicants should prepare the documents required for both admission and scholarship consideration.

Common documents include:

• Completed university application
• Degree certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Valid passport
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Personal statement
• Motivation statement
• Research proposal for PhD applicants
• Academic references
• Personal reference where required
• Proof of English-language proficiency
• Evidence supporting leadership or wider achievements where applicable
• Financial information or evidence of financial circumstances where required
• Other programme-specific documents

Applicants should carefully follow the document requirements shown in their application portal because individual programmes may request additional materials.

References for the Master’s Scholarship

References are particularly important for the St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship.

Applicants should provide:

• One academic reference
• One personal reference

Applicants should not casually substitute one type of reference for the other when the scholarship specifically requests both.

The academic reference should ideally discuss the applicant’s academic ability and potential, while the personal reference can provide additional evidence about the applicant’s character, achievements, leadership, contribution, or other relevant qualities.

Application Deadline

The deadlines differ between the master’s and doctoral scholarships.

PhD Scholarship Deadline

The deadline for the World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships 2027 is:

20 January 2027

Applicants should complete their doctoral admission application and scholarship requirements before the deadline.

Master’s Scholarship Deadline

The deadline for the St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship 2027 is:

3 February 2027

Applicants should not wait until the final day because they may need time to complete their programme application, obtain references, and provide supporting documents.

How to Apply for University of St Andrews Postgraduate Scholarships

The application process depends on whether you are applying for a master’s or PhD scholarship.

How to Apply for the St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship

Step 1: Choose an eligible master’s programme

First, identify a qualifying master’s programme at the University of St Andrews.

Check:

• Academic entry requirements
• Programme duration
• Tuition fees
• English-language requirements
• Required documents
• Scholarship eligibility

Step 2: Apply for admission

Submit your application for the eligible master’s programme.

You should apply early enough to allow time for the scholarship application and supporting materials.

Step 3: Receive your My Application access

After submitting the application, applicants should receive their My Application login details. This can take up to several working days.

Step 4: Open Funding and Scholarships

Log in to the My Application portal and navigate to:

Funding and Scholarships

Find the relevant International St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship application.

Step 5: Complete the scholarship application

Provide the required scholarship information and supporting materials.

Make sure your answers directly address the relevant selection criteria rather than repeating your general admission personal statement.

Step 6: Submit the required references

Provide:

• One academic reference
• One personal reference

Make sure both references meet the scholarship requirements.

Step 7: Submit before 3 February 2027

Review your application carefully and submit it before the scholarship deadline.

How to Apply for the World-Leading Doctoral Scholarship

Step 1: Identify a suitable PhD programme

Choose a doctoral programme that matches your academic background and research interests.

Step 2: Prepare your research proposal

Develop a clear and convincing research proposal explaining:

• The research problem
• Research objectives
• Existing research and knowledge gap
• Proposed methodology
• Expected contribution
• Importance of the research
• Relevance to St Andrews’ research strengths

Step 3: Apply for the PhD programme

Submit your doctoral application to the University of St Andrews.

Step 4: Access My Application

After submitting your application, wait for your My Application access details.

Step 5: Open Funding and Scholarships

Go to the Funding and Scholarships section of your application portal.

Look for the postgraduate research scholarship application rather than searching only for a form named exactly “World-Leading Doctoral Scholarship.”

Step 6: Complete the scholarship application

Submit the required information, including your research proposal and other supporting materials.

Eligible candidates may then be considered for the World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships through the broader postgraduate research scholarship competition.

Step 7: Submit before 20 January 2027

Make sure the scholarship and admission requirements are completed before the doctoral scholarship deadline.

Also apply for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2027

Tips for a Strong University of St Andrews Scholarship Application

A competitive application should be specific rather than generic.

For Master’s Applicants

Focus on the factor that makes you competitive.

If applying under a leadership-oriented category, explain:

• What you led
• Who benefited
• What responsibilities you had
• What measurable outcome you achieved

If applying based on wider achievement, provide concrete evidence of your accomplishments.

If financial circumstances are relevant, explain them clearly and provide supporting evidence where requested.

For PhD Applicants

The research proposal is particularly important.

Avoid simply describing an interesting topic. Instead, explain:

• What problem exists
• What researchers currently know
• What remains unanswered
• Why the gap matters
• What your research will investigate
• How you will investigate it
• What contribution you expect to make
• Why St Andrews is an appropriate environment for the research

Most importantly, connect the project to the university’s relevant strategic research strengths where appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are University of St Andrews Postgraduate Scholarships fully funded?

Some are, but not all.

The St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship can provide anything from a partial tuition reduction to full tuition plus an £18,000 stipend, depending on the award category.

The World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships can provide full tuition fees and an annual maintenance stipend.

How much funding does the St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship provide?

The award varies according to the category.

Possible support includes 25%, 50%, or 75% tuition reductions. The strongest Global Widening Participation award can provide full tuition fees and an £18,000 stipend.

How much is the PhD scholarship stipend?

The reference stipend for 2026–2027 is £20,467 per year.

The stipend for 2027–2028 should be confirmed by the University of St Andrews when the new rate is published.

How many World-Leading Doctoral Scholarships are available?

Up to six scholarships are available through the World-Leading Doctoral Scholarship competition.

Can international students apply?

Yes. International applicants are eligible for the relevant postgraduate scholarships, provided they meet the specific nationality, fee-status, programme, and academic requirements.

Can I apply for both the master’s and PhD scholarships?

The two scholarships are intended for different levels of study. Master’s applicants should apply for the St. Leonard’s Masters Scholarship, while eligible doctoral applicants should pursue the relevant postgraduate research scholarship competition.

Does the PhD scholarship cover living expenses?

Yes. The World-Leading Doctoral Scholarship includes an annual maintenance stipend.

However, applicants should budget separately for expenses such as visa costs, international travel, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and other costs not covered by the award.

Does the scholarship cover visa fees?

Generally, no. Applicants should budget separately for visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Do I need a research proposal?

PhD applicants will generally need research information and a proposal where required by their programme or scholarship application.

A personal statement may be appropriate for certain master’s applications where the school does not request a research proposal.

What makes a strong PhD application?

A strong doctoral application combines excellent academic preparation with a well-defined research project.

The proposal should demonstrate originality, significance, feasibility, and relevance to the university’s research strengths.

Official Website

For the latest information about eligibility, available programmes, application procedures, scholarship conditions, and deadlines, applicants should consult the official University of St Andrews scholarship pages and their My Application portal.

Important: Scholarship conditions, funding amounts, eligible programmes, and deadlines can change. Applicants should always verify the final 2027 requirements before submitting their application.