Durham University Scholarships for International Students 2027
Durham University offers access to scholarships that can reduce tuition burden and sometimes support additional costs. Below are top options prioritized by funding level.
When reviewing university scholarships connected to Durham University, these are often the first awards worth checking due to the typical scale of support. Ruth First Educational Trust is fully funded, and coverage often includes 100% tuition fee discount, 12-month stipend, and one return air ticket from the home country to the UK and the cost of return travel between the UK airport and Durham City. Masters Achievement Scholarships is partially funded and typically covers an award of up to £12,500 tuition fee remission. Research Assistantships is commonly categorized as partially funded support, and coverage that often includes £300 to £500 stipend. With Undergraduate Inspiring Excellence Scholarships, students may receive partially funded support, and coverage frequently includes £5,000 to £10,000 annual tuition remission.
If you are building a wider scholarship strategy for Durham University, external and government programs can be important additions. Here are a few to consider. With Saïd Foundation Scholarship, students may receive fully funded support, and coverage frequently includes full tuition, living and maintenance costs, and arrival allowance. Chevening Scholarships is a fully funded award, and the listed benefits often include 100% of tuition fees, A monthly stipend covering accommodation fees and living expenses, and economy flight from and to your country of residence. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships is usually considered fully funded, and typical coverage can include full tuition fees, living allowance of up to £1,378 per month and £1,690, and clothing allowance.
For more opportunities beyond these highlights, explore the scholarship listings below on this page.
Durham University Scholarships for International Students
The scholarships at Durham University can help fund your study expenses. There are currently 14 scholarships being offered to international students at the Durham University, all with varying requirements, benefits, and application processes. We have compiled them in this list to help you find the scholarship that best fits you.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Graduate Scholarships
External Scholarships
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
Durham University Admissions
Here are the official admission pages for Durham University:
| Degree | Admissions Pages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | International Students Admissions Page |
| Master's | International Students Admissions Page |
Admissions and Scholarship Results at Durham University
Here are some of the admissions and scholarship results from previous applicants to Durham University, which you might find helpful. For more results to Durham University, please see the Durham University Admissions Profile Page .
| Nationality / Region | SAT/ACT | EFC | GPA | Scholarship | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | N/A | N/A | 4.0 | N/A | Accepted |
| USA | 1600 | N/A | 3.9 | N/A | Accepted |
| USA | 1350 | N/A | 3.9 | N/A | Accepted |
Durham University Application Deadlines
| Degree | Admission Deadline |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's (September Intake) | January 13, 2027 |
| Master's | July 31, 2026 Different Master's programs have different deadlines |
Tuition Fees at Durham University for International Students
Indicative annual tuition fee ranges for international students at Durham University. Exact fees vary by program, so always confirm the current cost on the university's official tuition fee pages.
| Degree Level | Typical Annual Range |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Tuition | 15,200 – 28,250 GBP |
| Master's Tuition | 28,000 – 34,000 GBP |
Please note that tuition fees can vary based on the specific program you choose. For the most accurate and current fee information, consult the official tuition fee pages linked above.
Durham University Scholarship Recipients
International students who received scholarships to study at Durham University, documented by Global Scholarships.
Scholarship Recipient Insights at Durham University
4 degree-study stories.
Featured Recipients by Nationality
| Nationalities | Stories per nationality |
|---|---|
| Pakistani | 2 |
| Indian, Mexican | 1 each |
Degree Levels and Subjects
| Degree level | Stories | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | 4 | Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literary Studies; Business Analytics; Electronics and Electrical Engineering; Data Science (Health) |
Funding Routes Used by Featured Recipients
| Funding route | Stories | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships | 2 | Maria Shawl, Shayan Rabbani |
| British Council Women in STEM Scholarships | 2 | Aiman Malik, Michelle Ortiz |
Funding Coverage in Recipient Stories
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported coverage |
|---|---|
| Maria Shawl — MA Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literary Studies | Chevening Scholarships covered tuition, medical insurance, return flights and a stipend for accommodation and food. |
| Shayan Rabbani — MSc Business Analytics; award 2023 | Chevening Scholarships provided full tuition and living-expense funding. |
| Aiman Malik — Master’s in Electronics and Electrical Engineering (Distinction) | British Council Women in STEM Scholarships support worth at least £40,000, including tuition, living stipend, travel, visa costs, health coverage and English-language support. |
| Michelle Ortiz — MSc Data Science (Health) | British Council Women in STEM Scholarships covered tuition, health insurance, monthly stipend, visa costs and travel. |
Examples of Featured Recipients’ Application Backgrounds
| Recipient and degree/program | Scholarship/application route | Reported background and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Maria Shawl — MA Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literary Studies | Chevening Scholarships | English Literature bachelor’s from Kashmir University, reported GPA 7.5; literary study and critical-analysis training provided the basis for the advanced literature degree. |
| Shayan Rabbani — MSc Business Analytics | Chevening Scholarships; awarded 2023 | Economics bachelor’s at Lahore University of Management Sciences, with quantitative-analysis and marketing electives. Brought telecom/fintech experience in data-driven strategy, customer adoption and digital services. |
| Aiman Malik — Master’s in Electronics and Electrical Engineering (Distinction) | British Council Women in STEM Scholarships | Electrical Engineering bachelor’s at NUST, GPA 3.88/4, optical wireless-communication final-year project and sustainable-electronics interests. Led IEEE Women in Engineering initiatives and presented at an IEEE symposium in Malaysia in 2021. |
| Michelle Ortiz — MSc Data Science (Health) | British Council Women in STEM Scholarships | Nutrition and Wellness undergraduate study and clinical/community work. A research internship at University of Aberdeen involved databases and helped connect nutrition problems with data science. |
How Recipients Met Language Requirements
| Language requirement route | Stories / total degree-study stories | Recipients and examples |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS taken for university applications | 4/4 | Maria Shawl — MA Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literary Studies — 7.5; Shayan Rabbani — MSc Business Analytics used British Council and online self-study resources; Aiman Malik — Master’s in Electronics and Electrical Engineering (Distinction) prepared using official British Council IELTS materials; Michelle Ortiz — MSc Data Science (Health) used preparation videos, exercises and mock tests. |
Application Timelines Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Application or scholarship route | Reported application timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Shayan Rabbani — MSc Business Analytics | Chevening Scholarships / Business Analytics master’s admission | Described seven to nine months from submission to the final scholarship interview. Joined a peer group for essay feedback and timed mock interviews; received the scholarship in 2023 on his second application. |
Firsthand Academic and Student Experiences
| Recipient and degree/program | Experience described |
|---|---|
| Shayan Rabbani — MSc Business Analytics | Program combined computer science and business: data science, statistics and machine learning alongside business strategy, group projects, case studies and brand-launch presentations. Valued the college community for peer networks and extracurricular activities. |
| Michelle Ortiz — MSc Data Science (Health) | Initially found adjustment to a new culture and education system challenging, but felt more settled after the first month. The college system helped her build friendships; dissertation work strengthened her interest in research. |
Other Offers in Featured Applicants’ Journeys
| Recipient | Reported alternative | Decision described in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Aiman Malik | Fully funded Chinese Government Scholarship for Master’s study at Xi’an Jiaotong University. | Pursued the Durham master’s with British Council Women in STEM Scholarships. |
| Michelle Ortiz | Mexican SECIHTI Scholarship for postgraduate study abroad. | Did not accept it because she already held British Council Women in STEM Scholarships. |
What Recipients Pursued After Studying at Durham University
| Recipient | Degree/program at Durham University | Reported outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Michelle Ortiz | MSc Data Science (Health), completed | Reported working as a health professional helping people with diabetes adopt healthier lifestyles. Planned to continue research after discovering that interest during the dissertation. |
Applicants Who Chose Another University
| Applicant and intended degree/program | Offer from Durham University | University/program chosen | Reason described in the story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jawad Bashir Mustafvi — intended MSc Civil Engineering | International Scholarship offer: £5,000. | Erasmus Mundus International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering (IMFSE), which he was pursuing. | N/A |
| Syed Nadeem Gillani — intended postgraduate study in environmental science/toxicology | International Scholarship offer, explicitly declined. | Erasmus Mundus Master’s in Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (ECT+), One Health pathway. | Full funding, benefits, multinational study and the appeal of multiple/joint degree awards. |
| Hareem Aqdas — intended postgraduate study | Commonwealth Scholarship offer, explicitly not accepted. | University of Duisburg-Essen — Master’s in Development and Governance, funded through DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme; scholarship described for 2021. | N/A |
Preparation Lessons from the Stories
| Recipient and degree/program | Specific action |
|---|---|
| Maria Shawl — MA Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literary Studies | Would research universities more thoroughly by subject and consider more ambitious applications. |
| Shayan Rabbani — MSc Business Analytics | Linked telecom/fintech impact to a clear future vision and rehearsed interview responses under strict time limits with peers. |
| Aiman Malik — Master’s in Electronics and Electrical Engineering (Distinction) | Would seek mentors sooner and focus on fewer applications; connected technical work with leadership supporting women in engineering. |
| Michelle Ortiz — MSc Data Science (Health) | Would allow more time for essay feedback and use a specific health problem and clear intended contribution to organize the application. |
What Scholarship Recipients Say
Advice and insights from international students who successfully secured funding to study at Durham University.
"The scholarship provided 100% funding for my master’s degree at Durham University, including tuition fees and living expenses."
"It covered my tuition expenses, medical insurance, return flight tickets, and a stipend that took care of my accommodation and food."
"The MSc in Business Analytics offered a well-structured balance between technical rigor and business application."
"I completed Bachelor's in English Literature and went on to pursue an M.A. in Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literary Studies at the University of Durham."
"To apply for the scholarship, all documents need to be prepared properly. The application needs to be written creatively and precisely, in a way that will make you stand out from the rest of the applicant pool."
"Durham University was a unique experience. At the beginning was challenging to adapt to a new culture, make new friends, and adapt to a new education system; however, I always remained positive, and after my first month, I was more adapted, and I really enjoyed studying there, especially in Durham, where they have this college system that allows you to make a lot of friends."
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about scholarships, admissions, and studying at Durham University.
Yes, Durham University Business School has scholarships for its Online MBA. However, most scholarships available at Durham University are for on-campus studies.
Durham scholarships and external scholarships used at Durham span a wide range of subjects, including business, STEM fields (including data and computing-heavy programs), engineering, social sciences, and humanities, often depending on the specific scholarship. The recipient stories show that range in practice: Shayan Rabbani studied Business Analytics, noting that “The MSc in Business Analytics offered a well-structured balance between technical rigor and business application,” while Maria Shawl pursued Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literary Studies (humanities).
Medicine: Durham University does not currently have a Medical School, so scholarships for an undergraduate Medicine (MBBS) track at Durham are generally not applicable; however, Durham does have health-related study and research areas (for example, medical humanities and other health-focused disciplines). If you are specifically looking for an MBBS/MD route as an international student, you will likely need to target universities that actively run an accredited medical degree.
Many Durham-linked scholarships are open to international students from a broad set of countries, but nationality rules depend on the scholarship. In the GlobalScholarships.com Durham stories, Chevening funded students from Pakistan and India: Shayan Rabbani (Pakistan) and Maria Shawl (India).
Some funding is explicitly nationality- or region-specific (examples include scholarships aimed at eligible Commonwealth-country applicants), so the practical answer is: scholarships can be available for many nationalities, but you must filter by each scholarship’s eligibility rules.
Often, yes. Many applicants need to prove English proficiency, though waivers may apply depending on your prior education and program rules. In the Durham recipient stories, both students explicitly referenced IELTS: Shayan Rabbani said, “As part of the application process, I also took the IELTS exam,” and Maria Shawl shared, “I scored a 7.5,” adding that “since English was my academic background, I did not need to do extensive studying.”
Yes, but it is course-specific: Durham sets academic entry requirements by program, and some courses also require specific prior subjects. From the recipient stories, you can see the kind of academic profile that can be competitive: Maria Shawl reported a “GPA of 7.5” in her BA (Hons) in English before starting her MA at Durham, while Shayan Rabbani entered with a quantitative-and-business-oriented background (Economics plus analytics-relevant coursework) before starting his MSc in Business Analytics.
A strong academic record helps, but competitive scholarships are usually about more than grades: clear goals, fit with the program, and evidence you’ll create impact. Shayan Rabbani emphasized that “Chevening isn’t just about academics; it’s about demonstrating leadership potential, networking skills, and a vision for impact.”
In terms of “minimums,” treat them as scholarship-by-scholarship. For instance, Maria Shawl highlighted the importance of a compelling personal narrative and confidence, advising applicants to “Take chances with bolder choices and do not underestimate your potential.” A practical benchmark for scholarshisp especially is to aim for (1) meeting or exceeding your course’s entry requirements, and (2) producing scholarship materials that clearly connect your past work to your future plan.
Exact requirements depend on your course and whether you’re also applying for a scholarship, but common documents typically include academic transcripts/mark sheets, degree certificates (if completed), a personal statement or research proposal (where relevant), references, a CV (common for many postgraduate applications), passport ID details, and proof of English proficiency (if required).
The recipient stories underline how central the written materials can be: Maria Shawl said, “I worked hard on my essays,” and Shayan Rabbani described scholarship applications as requiring “careful reflection and precision” and recommended applicants “start your preparation early, build a strong and authentic story.”
It can depend on the level and department. Durham has an online payment portal specifically for postgraduate admissions application fees, and Durham guidance indicates some postgraduate routes (including certain Business School MSc programs) charge an application fee (for example, £60 is cited for Business School MSc applications in Durham’s postgraduate application guidance materials).
If you are applying for an undergraduate course, fees may also apply through the centralized application system used in the UK; always confirm the exact fee for your route and program before submitting.
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
About the Author: Hyun Lee
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