Birkbeck, University of London Scholarships for International Students 2026

Birkbeck offers some programmes online or in a mixed mode (remote participation alongside in-person teaching), and it also has distance-learning options. In practice, many of Birkbeck’s major “fee discount” scholarships are written for full-time enrolment (so you’ll want to check each scholarship’s mode-of-study rules before relying on it for a fully online plan).

Scholarships at Birkbeck can apply broadly across subjects (especially university-wide international fee discounts), and there are also department/faculty-specific funding options that target particular areas. In terms of subject coverage, Birkbeck runs programmes across business and management, STEM fields (e.g., computing, data science, and related areas), and humanities and social sciences. For “engineering,” Birkbeck includes engineering-adjacent options such as software engineering content within computing programmes and even areas like “financial engineering” (where offered). For “medicine,” Birkbeck does not run a clinical medicine (MBBS) degree, but it does offer medicine-adjacent subjects such as Biomedicine and medical/health humanities; international students can typically apply to these Birkbeck courses (subject to the normal course and visa rules), but they are not medical school MBBS pathways. In the recipient stories, Shishu studied education/social justice, while Florinette studied international development; both examples of non-STEM routes that still attracted major funding.

Birkbeck has scholarships that are open to many international students (often based on “international fee” status) as well as awards tied to specific regions or countries. For example, Birkbeck’s International Excellence Scholarship (January intake) lists eligibility routes by region with specific territory lists, and it notes some exclusions (such as India for that particular award). Birkbeck also lists other country-focused opportunities (for example, GREAT Scholarships). From the Global Scholarships recipient stories, you can also see real examples of funded Birkbeck students from India (Shishu) and Mauritius (Florinette) via Chevening.

Often yes, unless you qualify for an accepted exemption route. Birkbeck’s standard English requirement for taught programmes is typically at the level of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-test (or an accepted equivalent). In the Global Scholarships stories, Shishu Ranjan lists IELTS 6.5, and Florinette Cupidon says, “Regarding standardised tests, the IELTS was a requirement,” adding that she met the English proficiency standards.

It depends on the course, but many postgraduate taught courses list a typical baseline such as a UK second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) or an equivalent international qualification; Birkbeck also states that applications are reviewed on individual merits and that relevant work experience can be considered positively, and it may waive formal entry requirements in some cases. In the Global Scholarships story examples, Shishu reports prior results like 72.75% (MSc Chemistry), 73.5% (BEd), and an MA Education GPA of 81% before starting at Birkbeck, which can help you benchmark what a successful applicant’s academic profile can look like in practice.

This varies by scholarship, but common patterns include: (1) meeting the course entry requirements; (2) holding an offer (often unconditional) for an eligible programme; and (3) meeting fee-status and residency rules for the scholarship. For instance, Birkbeck’s International Excellence Scholarship (January intake) is framed for international fee-paying students with an unconditional offer on a full-time postgraduate taught programme and residency in specified territories/regions.. For externally funded routes like Chevening, the recipient stories show that academics are only one piece; your narrative, leadership, and documentation matter: Shishu describes preparing by “Crafting a personal statement highlighting my teaching experience, research, and commitment to social justice,” while Florinette notes, “I began preparing my Chevening Scholarship application one year in advance,” and highlights the essay-led selection approach.

Document requirements vary by course, but Birkbeck’s postgraduate application guidance typically expects you to upload proof of identity (usually a valid passport), relevant visa/immigration documentation where applicable, certificates/transcripts for prior qualifications, and English proficiency evidence if required; you’ll also provide your employment history (often aligned with your CV) and write a personal statement. Some courses may require references, and Birkbeck notes you will be contacted if a reference is required for your course. In the Global Scholarships stories, Shishu explicitly mentions “Securing recommendation letters” and “Ensuring my academic transcripts and CV were polished,” and Florinette says she ensured her “academic transcripts and supporting documents were meticulously prepared.”

For undergraduate full-time applications via UCAS, Birkbeck indicates the normal UCAS application fee applies. For postgraduate applications made directly to Birkbeck through its applicant portal process, Birkbeck does not have any application fees (still, always double-check your specific course/application route in case requirements change).