Lancaster University Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most Lancaster scholarships are designed for on-campus study, and some are explicitly not available for online programmes. If you’re applying to Lancaster University Online, funding is usually handled separately; for example, Lancaster University Online lists an Alumni Loyalty Scholarship where “Lancaster University graduates can receive a 10% tuition fee discount.”

In general, Lancaster scholarships span a wide range of subjects: STEM (including computer science/data science and engineering-related areas), business/management, humanities and social sciences, and health-related fields. Two examples from Global Scholarships recipients show that range: Ana Claudia Furtado is studying a Master’s in Media and Cultural Studies, and she says she’s “currently pursuing a master’s degree in Media and Cultural Studies at Lancaster University, supported by the Chevening Scholarship,” while Shamsuddeen Yusuf Ma’aruf received full funding via the Commonwealth Scholarship for an MSc in Leadership Practice – Healthcare Improvement at Lancaster University Management School.

Medicine: Lancaster does offer Medicine and Surgery (MBChB), but scholarships/funding for clinical medicine can be more limited and competitive than for many other subjects. Also note that Lancaster’s Medicine and Surgery with a Gateway Year route is UK-only (international applicants are not eligible for that specific course), while the standard Medicine and Surgery course has requirements for applicants “from outside the UK,” including specific English test rules.

Lancaster has scholarships open broadly to international students, and it also offers some scholarships restricted to certain countries/regions.

Recipient stories also show how nationality can intersect with funding routes: Ana Claudia Furtado shares she is “originally from Brazil and also Cape Verde,” and Shamsuddeen Yusuf Ma’aruf is Nigerian, and his Lancaster degree was funded through a nationality-based scheme (Commonwealth Scholarship).

Often yes, but it depends on your course, nationality, and where you studied previously. Some courses have strict rules: for Medicine and Surgery (A100), applicants “from outside the UK” must show English proficiency via IELTS (with a minimum score of 7.0 and no component below 7.0) or Pearson PTE Academic, and it notes other English tests are not accepted for that course.

That said, waivers can happen in some situations. Shamsuddeen Yusuf Ma’aruf says, “I made a conscious decision not to take these exams,” and explains he provided “an official letter… confirming that the medium of instruction was English” instead of TOEFL/IELTS for some applications.

Yes, minimum grades vary by programme. For example, Medicine and Surgery (A100) lists demanding academic entry requirements (e.g., high A-level/IB expectations and specific subject requirements) and additional selection steps like UCAT and interviews.

For scholarship competitiveness, strong results help. Shamsuddeen Yusuf Ma’aruf highlights academic performance such as earning degrees “with distinction,” and he also notes being recognized as “Best Graduating Student,” which is the kind of profile many scholarships reward.

Common minimum eligibility patterns include: being classed as an international fee-status student (for international awards), applying to an eligible programme/entry year, and meeting academic thresholds (often “high-achieving” performance). Some scholarships are automatic if you meet the criteria, while others require separate competitive applications (e.g., Commonwealth Scholarships are applied for via the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission route).

From recipients’ experience, scholarship panels look beyond grades. Ana Claudia Furtado says her application stood out for “authenticity and strong commitment to social impact,” and Shamsuddeen Yusuf Ma’aruf points to the “intersection of my academic excellence, real-world healthcare experience, and leadership in innovation.”

Exact document requirements vary by level (undergraduate vs postgraduate) and by course, but common documents include academic transcripts, a CV (more common for postgraduate), references, and a personal statement/motivation statement; some courses also require test scores (e.g., IELTS/PTE for Medicine A100 if you’re applying from outside the UK) and identity documents.

Scholarship recipients commonly prepare a document “bundle.” Shamsuddeen Yusuf Ma’aruf describes gathering “academic transcripts, CV, reference letters/referee lists,” plus “a draft of essays,” and Ana Claudia Furtado emphasizes presenting “tangible examples of leadership” and clearly aligning your goals to the scholarship’s mission in your written materials.

It depends on what and how you apply. Undergraduate applications are typically submitted via UCAS, which charges an application fee. For postgraduate applications, Lancaster’s guidance can differ by route: Lancaster’s main postgraduate application guidance says there is “no application fee,” but Lancaster’s online payments guidance also notes an application fee (commonly shown as £40) for many taught postgraduate applications. The application fee varies, so make sure to check how much it will cost for your specific degree and subject.