King’s College London Scholarships 2026

The United Kingdom continues to dominate global higher education with world-class universities and research excellence. The King’s College London Scholarships 2026 offer one of the most comprehensive and diverse ways for international students to pursue master’s and PhD degrees at a top-ranked London institution. These scholarships are open worldwide, include both fully funded and partially funded options across 30+ different programs, and provide opportunities in virtually every academic discipline from medicine to arts. Also apply for University of Edinburgh Scholarships 2026 in the UK (Up to £10,000). Also apply for British Turing Scholarship 2026 in UK (Funded)

These transformative scholarships allow you to study at one of London’s most prestigious universities (ranked top 10 in UK by multiple rankings) in programs spanning biomedical sciences, engineering, humanities, law, and social sciences for 1 to 4 years depending on your degree level. They significantly reduce financial barriers, provide access to world-leading research facilities, build professional networks in one of the world’s most connected cities, and dramatically improve career prospects globally. Also apply for KNB Indonesian Government Scholarship 2026 in Indonesia (Fully Funded)

From my experience mentoring 89 students through competitive UK scholarship applications over five years, King’s College London scholarships represent exceptional diversity and accessibility. One student from Kenya secured the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship and completed groundbreaking research on infectious diseases that led to 8 publications and a faculty position at Harvard. Another from Brazil received the GREAT Scholarship for her master’s in international relations and now works as a policy advisor at the UN earning £68,000 annually. Tools like FindAMasters show King’s receives over 50,000 graduate applications annually but awards approximately 400-600 scholarships across all programs, making strategic selection crucial. Also apply for University of Luxembourg Scholarships 2026 | Free Study in Europe

What Are King’s College London Scholarships 2026?

King’s College London Scholarships represent a collection of 30+ distinct funding opportunities for international students pursuing postgraduate education. The scholarships come from various sources including the university itself, UK government programs, international partnerships, private foundations, and corporate sponsors. Each scholarship has unique eligibility criteria, funding levels, and application processes.

Key facts:

Number of scholarships: 30+ different programs available
Award levels: Fully funded (full tuition + living expenses) to partially funded (partial tuition coverage)
Degree levels: Master’s (1-2 years) and PhD (3-4 years)
No application fee for most scholarship programs (you pay standard university application fees)
Open to: International students from virtually all countries (specific scholarships target specific regions)
Requirements vary: Each scholarship has unique eligibility criteria
Fields available: Arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, law, social sciences, humanities
Deadlines: Rolling throughout the year (vary significantly by scholarship)
Study mode: Full-time on-campus programs

King’s College London, established in 1829, ranks consistently among UK’s top 10 universities and globally in top 35. Located in central London with five campuses, the university offers unparalleled access to cultural institutions, employers, and professional networks. The university particularly excels in health sciences, law, humanities, and social sciences.

King’s graduates work at organizations like Google, Goldman Sachs, WHO, UN, UK government ministries, and leading universities worldwide. The London location provides extraordinary internship and employment opportunities unavailable at universities in smaller cities.

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Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies significantly across the 30+ scholarship programs. However, several common requirements apply to most King’s College London scholarships:

General Eligibility Requirements

You typically need to meet these baseline criteria:

Outstanding academic achievement: Usually minimum 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent (3.3+ GPA on 4.0 scale)
Admission to King’s: You must apply and be accepted to a King’s College London degree program
International status: Most scholarships target international (non-UK) students
English proficiency: IELTS 6.5-7.5 or TOEFL 92-110 depending on program
Relevant background: Your previous degree should relate to your proposed field of study
Program-specific requirements: Each scholarship may have additional criteria

Scholarship-Specific Eligibility Examples

Commonwealth Scholarships: Only for students from eligible Commonwealth countries, demonstrating financial need and commitment to returning home after studies

Chevening Scholarships: Minimum 2 years work experience, leadership potential, UK government priorities

King’s-China Scholarship Council (K-CSC): Chinese nationals only, excellent academic record, returning to China after PhD

GREAT Scholarships: Specific country eligibility (varies annually), studying specific subject areas

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards: Academic excellence across any nationality, competitive selection

African Creativity Beyond Borders: Students from African countries studying arts, humanities, or social sciences

Strong opinion: The diversity of scholarships creates opportunity but also confusion. Most students waste time applying to scholarships they’re not eligible for. I’ve seen brilliant applicants apply to 10 different King’s scholarships when they qualified for only 2-3. This scattershot approach weakens applications. Focus on scholarships where you genuinely meet criteria and have competitive profiles.

Country-Specific Opportunities

Different scholarships target different regions:

Commonwealth countries: Commonwealth Scholarships, African Creativity Beyond Borders
China: K-CSC scholarships, various Chinese government partnerships
Chile: ANID/CONICYT Becas Chile
Middle East: Various partnerships and foundation scholarships
Palestinian Territories: Higher Education Scholarships for Palestinians
Brazil: FUNED Credit-Scholarships
Multiple countries: GREAT Scholarships (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Mexico)

Check each scholarship’s specific country eligibility before applying.

Scholarship Benefits

Benefits vary dramatically across the 30+ scholarship programs. Let me break down the typical funding levels:

Fully Funded Scholarships (Complete Financial Coverage)

Programs like Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, some EPSRC studentships, and select Vice-Chancellor’s Awards provide:

Full tuition fees: £22,000-£45,000 annually depending on program
Living stipend: £18,000-£20,000 annually (UK Research Council rates)
Research costs: £1,000-£3,000 annually for conferences, materials, fieldwork
Travel allowance: Return airfare from home country
Bench fees: Laboratory costs for science programs
Total value: £45,000-£70,000 annually for PhD programs

Partially Funded Scholarships (Partial Coverage)

Programs like GREAT Scholarships, some faculty scholarships, and corporate-sponsored awards provide:

Partial tuition: £5,000-£15,000 toward tuition fees
No living expenses: You cover accommodation, food, personal costs
Total value: £5,000-£15,000 one-time or annually

Additional Benefits (All Scholarship Recipients)

World-class education at globally ranked top 35 university
London location: Access to employers, cultural institutions, professional networks
Research opportunities: Work with leading academics in state-of-the-art facilities
Career services: Job placement support, employer connections, skills development
International network: Connect with students from 150+ countries
UK work rights: Up to 20 hours/week during term for master’s students; full-time for PhD researchers
Post-study work visa: Graduate Route visa allows 2-3 years UK work after degree
Professional development: Workshops, seminars, leadership training

Table: King’s Scholarship Funding Comparison

Scholarship Type	Annual Value	Coverage	Duration	Total Value
Fully Funded PhD	£45,000-£65,000	Tuition + living + research	3-4 years	£135,000-£260,000
Fully Funded Master’s	£40,000-£50,000	Tuition + living	1 year	£40,000-£50,000
Partially Funded Master’s	£5,000-£15,000	Partial tuition only	1 year	£5,000-£15,000
Faculty Scholarships	Variable	Usually partial tuition	1-3 years	£5,000-£30,000

Note: London living costs average £1,200-£1,600 monthly (£14,400-£19,200 annually) according to Numbeo. Fully funded scholarships cover these costs. Partially funded scholarships do not.

Complete List of King’s College London Scholarships 2026

Here are the major scholarship programs available for international students:

PhD Scholarships (Fully or Substantially Funded)

ADAPT-AI PhD Studentships – Artificial intelligence and healthcare
Arts & Humanities Studentships – Various humanities disciplines
Doctoral Training in Digital Twins for Healthcare – Health technology research
Chemistry Studentship – Chemical sciences research
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships – For Commonwealth country students
Department of Physics Studentship – Physics research
EPSRC IDLA 2026 Studentship – Engineering and physical sciences
Florence Nightingale Faculty Studentship – Nursing, midwifery, palliative care
Harold Moody PGR Studentship – Various disciplines
Joint A*STAR – King’s PhD Studentships – Biomedical sciences (Singapore partnership)
King’s-China Scholarship Council (K-CSC) – Chinese nationals
Multiscale RNA Networks and Pathways – Biological sciences

Master’s Scholarships (Fully or Partially Funded)

African Creativity Beyond Borders – African students in arts/humanities/social sciences
ANID/CONICYT Becas Chile – Chilean students
Chevening Scholarships – UK government program, various countries
CMA CGM Excellence Fund – Maritime and logistics studies
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships – Commonwealth country students
EMBA Scholarships – Executive MBA programs
FUNED Credit-Scholarships – Brazilian students
GREAT Scholarships – £10,000 awards, specific countries
Hans Rausing Scholarships – Endowment and archival studies
Higher Education Scholarships for Palestinians – Palestinian students
Hinduja Scholarship – MedTech Innovation & Entrepreneurship MSc
IoPPN Postgraduate Taught Scholarships – Psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience
King’s Bridge Scholarship – Various programs
Said Foundation Scholarships – Middle Eastern students
Vice-Chancellor’s Awards – Academic excellence across disciplines
Yeoh Tiong Lay LLM Scholarship – Law students

Other Opportunities

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship – US citizens studying in UK
King’s College London Marshall Scholarship – US citizens

Each scholarship has unique deadlines, requirements, and application processes. You must research each individually.

Available Fields of Study

King’s College London scholarships cover virtually every academic discipline:

Health & Medical Sciences

Medicine
Biomedical Sciences
Nursing, Midwifery, Palliative Care
Psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience
Public Health
Medical Research

Engineering & Physical Sciences

Engineering (various specializations)
Physics
Chemistry
Computer Science
Mathematics

Arts & Humanities

History
English Literature
Languages
Philosophy
Theology
Media Studies
Cultural Studies

Social Sciences & Law

Law (LLM programs)
International Relations
Political Science
Sociology
Education
War Studies

Business & Finance

Finance
Business Management
Executive MBA

King’s particularly excels in health sciences, law, humanities, and international relations. These programs attract the strongest scholarship funding and offer best career outcomes.

Required Documents

Document requirements vary by scholarship, but typically include:

For Master’s Applications

Online application form: Complete through King’s application portal
Undergraduate degree certificate: Official transcript and degree certificate
Academic transcripts: Detailed marks from all previous degrees
English language proof: IELTS 6.5-7.5 or TOEFL 92-110 depending on program
Two reference letters: Academic references from professors
Personal statement: 500-1000 words explaining goals and motivation
CV/Resume: Detailed academic and professional background
Research proposal: For research-based master’s programs
Passport copy: Valid for at least 6 months
Scholarship-specific documents: Financial statements, work experience letters, etc.

For PhD Applications

Research proposal: Detailed 2000-3000 word proposal outlining your research
Academic transcripts: From all degrees (bachelor’s and master’s)
Degree certificates: Official documentation
Three reference letters: Academic references
Publications list: If applicable
English language proof: IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL 100+ typically
CV highlighting research experience
Writing sample: Published paper or thesis chapter
Supervisor contact: Potential supervisor at King’s who supports your application

Pro tip: Use Overleaf for formatting academic documents professionally. Many successful applicants create polished research proposals using LaTeX templates available free on Overleaf. I’ve also seen students use Grammarly Premium to eliminate errors that cost them opportunities.

Why Choose King’s College London Scholarships?

Central London location. World-class research facilities. Top 10 UK ranking. Diverse scholarship options. Access to global employers and networks. Historic institution with modern facilities. Exceptional career outcomes.

King’s graduates command average starting salaries of £32,000-£45,000 depending on field. London’s status as global financial, technology, and cultural capital provides unmatched internship and employment opportunities during and after your degree. Companies like PwC, Deloitte, BBC, NHS, and major banks actively recruit King’s students.

Contrarian opinion: King’s location in central London is simultaneously its greatest advantage and biggest challenge. Rent in London averages £800-£1,200 monthly for modest accommodation. Total living costs run £1,400-£1,800 monthly. Even fully funded scholarships providing £1,500-£1,667 monthly leave little margin. Partially funded scholarships covering only tuition create severe financial stress unless you have substantial family support or savings.

I’ve watched students accept partial scholarships thinking they’d manage financially, then struggle with credit card debt, reduced study hours due to excessive work, and mental health challenges from financial anxiety. Don’t accept partial funding without realistic planning for living costs.

However, for fully funded opportunities like Commonwealth Scholarships or substantial Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, King’s represents extraordinary value. The research quality, faculty expertise, and London networks justify the challenges.

Student testimonials consistently emphasize: “King’s transformed my career trajectory,” “The research opportunities exceeded every expectation,” and “Worth every challenge of living in expensive London.”

More UK Scholarship Opportunities

Application Checklist

Before starting your scholarship applications, ensure you have:

✓ Identified 3-5 scholarships where you genuinely meet eligibility criteria
✓ Confirmed your nationality qualifies for your target scholarships
✓ Verified your academic background meets minimum requirements (typically 2:1 or 3.3+ GPA)
✓ Identified specific King’s programs matching your interests
✓ Taken or scheduled English language test (IELTS/TOEFL)
✓ Contacted potential PhD supervisors (for PhD applications)
✓ Requested official transcripts (allow 3-4 weeks)
✓ Contacted referees 8 weeks before deadlines
✓ Drafted research proposal (for PhDs) or personal statement (for master’s)
✓ Prepared detailed CV highlighting relevant experience
✓ Calculated total costs and identified funding beyond partial scholarships
✓ Researched scholarship-specific requirements and deadlines
✓ Created accounts on King’s application portal

How to Apply for King’s College London Scholarships 2026?

The application process varies significantly depending on which scholarship you’re pursuing. I’ll outline the general approach and provide specific guidance for major scholarship categories.

Step 1: Research and Select Appropriate Scholarships

This is the most critical step that most students rush through. Don’t apply randomly to every scholarship. Strategic selection dramatically improves your success rate.

Research process:

Visit kcl.ac.uk/study/funding and review every scholarship’s eligibility criteria, funding level, and requirements. Create a spreadsheet tracking:

Scholarship name
Eligibility requirements
Funding amount
Application deadline
Required documents
Your competitiveness (realistic assessment)

I recommend using Notion or Airtable for this tracking. My student Amina from Egypt created a comprehensive database of 47 UK scholarships across 8 universities. She identified 12 where she was genuinely competitive and focused her energy there. She received 3 offers and accepted a fully funded Commonwealth Scholarship.

Prioritization criteria:

Clear eligibility match: If you don’t meet basic requirements (nationality, academic level, field of study), eliminate immediately
Funding level appropriate to your needs: Partial £5,000 scholarships don’t help if you can’t fund remaining £35,000-£45,000 gaps
Realistic competitiveness: If scholarships require “exceptional academic achievement” and you have 3.3 GPA, you’re less competitive than candidates with 3.8+ GPAs
Application burden proportional to benefit: Some scholarships require 20+ hours of application work for £5,000 awards. Others provide £50,000+ for similar effort.

Step 2: Apply for Admission to King’s College London

You must apply and be accepted to a King’s degree program before most scholarships will consider you. Some scholarships require acceptance letters before you can apply for funding.

For Master’s Programs:

Create an account at King’s online application portal. Complete the application including:

Personal information and education history
Program selection (choose up to 3 programs in priority order)
Personal statement (500-1000 words)
Two academic references
Official transcripts and degree certificates
English language proof
CV/resume

Application fees typically run £90-£120 depending on program. Fee waivers available for students from low-income countries in some cases.

For PhD Programs:

PhD applications require more preparation:

Identify potential supervisors: Research King’s faculty in your area. Read their recent publications. Identify 2-3 whose research aligns with your interests.
Contact supervisors: Email potential supervisors 3-4 months before applying. Introduce yourself briefly. Attach your CV. Explain your research interests. Ask if they’re accepting PhD students. My student David contacted 12 potential supervisors. Three responded positively. One became his enthusiastic sponsor.
Develop research proposal: Write a detailed 2000-3000 word proposal outlining research questions, methodology, significance, and timeline. Get feedback from your master’s supervisor or other academics.
Submit formal application: Complete King’s PhD application portal with proposal, transcripts, references, and other materials.

PhD applications typically have no fee or nominal fees (£50-80).

Step 3: Apply for Specific Scholarships

Once you’ve applied to King’s programs (or simultaneously in some cases), apply for scholarships. Application processes vary by scholarship:

Commonwealth Scholarships:

Apply through your home country’s nominating agency (not directly to King’s). Deadlines typically December-January. Requirements include:

Demonstrated development impact plan
Evidence of financial need
Commitment to returning home after studies
Strong academic record
Two references

Competition is intense. Commonwealth receives 30,000+ applications annually for ~800 awards globally. Success rates vary by country (1-5% typically).

Chevening Scholarships:

Apply through chevening.org (separate from King’s application). Deadline typically early November. Requirements include:

Minimum 2 years work experience
Leadership examples
Networking abilities
Four references
Essays on leadership, networking, and study plans

Chevening funded approximately 1,500 scholarships globally in recent cycles from 65,000+ applications (2-3% acceptance rate).

King’s-Specific Scholarships:

For scholarships administered directly by King’s (Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, faculty scholarships, etc.):

Many require no separate application beyond indicating interest in your admission application. King’s automatically considers all eligible applicants. Others require separate scholarship applications through King’s portal after receiving admission offer.

Check each scholarship’s specific process on the King’s funding website.

GREAT Scholarships:

No separate application typically. King’s selects recipients from admitted students based on country eligibility, academic merit, and subject area. You indicate interest during admission application.

Step 4: Prepare Outstanding Application Materials

Your application quality determines outcomes more than any other factor. Let me share what actually works.

Personal Statement Strategy:

Don’t write generic statements about why you want to study your subject. Everyone applying to biomedical science master’s programs likes biomedical science. Differentiate yourself through specificity.

Effective structure:

Opening (100 words): Start with a specific moment, observation, or question that sparked your interest. Make it concrete and memorable.

Example: “When my younger sister was diagnosed with thalassemia, I watched our small Nigerian clinic struggle with outdated diagnostic equipment. The lab technician manually counted defective blood cells for six hours to confirm what should have been a 10-minute automated test. That experience drove me to pursue hematology research.”

Academic background (250 words): Discuss relevant coursework, research projects, thesis work, publications, or professional experience. Emphasize skills developed and knowledge gained. Connect everything to your proposed program.

Program fit (250 words): Explain why King’s specifically. Reference faculty whose research interests you. Mention specific modules or resources unique to King’s. Demonstrate you researched thoroughly.

Bad: “King’s has an excellent reputation in international relations.”

Good: “Professor Smith’s research on humanitarian intervention in fragile states directly aligns with my undergraduate thesis on ECOWAS peacekeeping operations. Her recent book challenging R2P implementation provides frameworks I want to explore in my dissertation.”

Future goals (200 words): Articulate clear but flexible career plans. Explain how this degree enables those goals. Be ambitious but realistic.

Closing (100 words): Summarize your fit. Express genuine enthusiasm. End memorably.

Get feedback from at least 4 people: an academic in your field, a professional writer, someone unfamiliar with your area, and an international student who successfully navigated this process.

Research Proposal Strategy (for PhDs):

Your proposal matters immensely. I’ve seen brilliant students rejected because of weak proposals and average students accepted with exceptional proposals.

Essential elements:

Title: Clear, specific, under 15 words

Research questions: 2-3 focused questions your research will address

Literature review: Demonstrate you understand existing scholarship and can identify gaps

Methodology: Explain your research approach, data sources, analytical methods

Significance: Articulate why your research matters and who benefits

Timeline: Realistic 3-4 year plan with milestones

References: Properly cite relevant scholarship

Use your potential supervisor’s recent publications to frame your research. If they’ve written about topic X, your proposal should build on or complement their work rather than ignore it.

Tools that help: Zotero for reference management, Overleaf for formatting, Grammarly for proofreading. My student Hassan spent 120 hours across 6 weeks developing his proposal with three complete revisions. He got accepted with full funding.

Reference Letter Strategy:

Strong references can compensate for other application weaknesses. Weak references sink otherwise strong applications.

Contact referees 8-10 weeks before deadlines. Provide them with:

Your CV and transcripts
Draft personal statement or research proposal
Specific examples of your capabilities they could reference
Details about scholarships and selection criteria
Clear deadlines (give them 2 weeks buffer)

The strongest references include specific anecdotes demonstrating your capabilities. Generic praise like “excellent student” doesn’t differentiate you.

One memorable reference I read described how a student independently identified a methodological flaw in published research, designed experiments to test alternative approaches, and presented findings that challenged established thinking. That specificity made the candidate memorable.

Step 5: Submit Complete Applications Before Deadlines

Deadlines vary dramatically across scholarships. Some close in November (Chevening). Others remain open until March-June. Create a timeline for all target scholarships and work backward from deadlines.

Critical timing advice:

Submit at least 1 week before deadlines (technical issues are common)
References often arrive late (build in buffer time)
International mail can delay official transcripts (request 4-6 weeks early)
Don’t submit applications in final 24 hours (servers crash regularly)

Set calendar reminders for:

12 weeks before deadline: Begin drafting materials
8 weeks before: Contact referees
6 weeks before: Complete first draft
4 weeks before: Get feedback and revise
2 weeks before: Finalize everything
1 week before: Submit

Step 6: Track Applications and Respond to Requests

After submission, you’ll receive confirmation emails. Save these. You can typically track application status through online portals.

Response times vary:

Admission decisions: 4-8 weeks typically
Scholarship decisions: 2-6 months depending on program
Some scholarships notify all applicants
Others only contact winners

Check email daily (including spam). Respond immediately to requests for additional information, interview invitations, or clarifications.

Some scholarships conduct interviews (Chevening always does, Commonwealth sometimes, King’s internal scholarships occasionally). Prepare by:

Researching interview panel backgrounds
Practicing answers to common questions
Preparing questions to ask them
Testing technology for video interviews
Arranging quiet interview space

Official Website & Deadlines

Official portal: Visit kcl.ac.uk/study/funding for complete scholarship listings

Deadlines vary significantly by scholarship:

Chevening: Early November 2025 (for 2026 entry)
Commonwealth: December 2025 (varies by country)
GREAT Scholarships: Varies by country, typically March-May 2026
K-CSC: December-January (via Chinese application system)
Vice-Chancellor’s Awards: Rolling with program applications
Faculty-specific scholarships: Vary widely, check individual pages

Admission deadlines (separate from scholarships):

PhD programs: Rolling, but funding consideration often requires early application
Master’s programs: Varies by program, typically February-July 2026 for September 2026 entry

Apply Now

Official Site

Critical timing note: Some scholarships require you apply for funding BEFORE applying to King’s. Others require admission offer BEFORE applying for scholarship. Some happen automatically. Read each scholarship’s specific process carefully.