University of Birmingham UK Postgraduate Access Scholarships

University of Birmingham awards the Postgraduate Access Scholarship as part of its £1.4 million worth of scholarships for Home postgraduate students. The stated purpose is to enhance the accessibility of postgraduate study for students from widening participation backgrounds, including a £4,000 tuition fee discount and additional support.

The scholarship is aimed at students domiciled in the UK for Home fee-status purposes and who are commencing a 180-credit postgraduate taught Masters full-time or part-time. Applicants must also belong to at least one under-represented student group, as defined in the Under-represented student criteria section.

Award allocation is based on merit; simply meeting the criteria does not guarantee success. The university states that successful awardees should be prepared to provide evidence of identification within their selected group if verification is required.

The scholarship includes a range of developmental opportunities and support to ensure students are supported throughout all stages of their studies. Benefits listed include an induction event, support from academic and careers services, enrolment onto the Postgraduate Birmingham Award, and opportunities and events including mentoring and employability skills sessions, plus an invitation to become a Birmingham Scholar upon starting postgraduate study.

• Students domiciled in the UK: students recorded as Home for fee-status purposes are eligible, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
• Studying a 180-credit postgraduate taught degree full-time or part-time.
• Commencing studies in the 2026/27 academic year.
• Belonging to at least one under-represented student criteria group, selected from: completion of a University of Birmingham (Birmingham Scholar) or another university's Widening Participation Scheme; care leaver (once a care leaver, including spending three months or more in local authority care); disability (in receipt of DSA as an undergraduate and/or currently receive DLA or PIP); black and ethnic minority background; bereaved of or estranged from both parents and under the age of 25 (with estrangement defined as no communication or functioning relationship with either parent and no physical or financial support from them for at least 12 months); caring responsibilities for a family member or friend who could not cope without their support; household income of £42,875 or less at permanent residence.
• Nationality eligibility: students of any nationality can apply provided they are eligible for Home fees and self-identify as belonging to at least one applicable under-represented group.
• International students: funding is not available to international students.
• Award allocation: merit-based; meeting criteria does not guarantee success.
• Course eligibility: only applicable to students studying a 180-credit postgraduate taught Masters degree; ineligible courses include MA/MSc by Research, MRes, integrated Masters degrees (such as MSci, MEng and MBChB), intercalated Masters degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas (PGDip), Postgraduate Certificates (PGCert), Postgraduate Certificates of Education (PGCEs), postgraduate research programmes (such as PhDs, PhDs with integrated study, EngD), postgraduate taught degrees receiving governmental funding (such as a NHS bursary or undergraduate tuition fee loans), Schools Direct programmes, Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses, LLB for Graduates, programmes delivered at the Dubai Campus, all top-up programmes.
• Course list provided as eligible examples: LLM, MA (Taught), MSc (Pre-reg), MSc (Taught), MPH, MEd, MBA.
• Application requirement: applicants must submit an application to their intended Masters programme through the relevant programme page on the Course Finder section of the University of Birmingham website, in addition to completing the Postgraduate Access Scholarships application form by the scholarship deadline.

• £4,000 financial contribution towards tuition fees.
• A special induction event before you start postgraduate study.
• Invitation to become a Birmingham Scholar upon starting postgraduate study.
• Tailored study support from the Academic Skills Centre.
• Study abroad opportunities.
• Mentoring and careers opportunities.
• Enrolment onto the Postgraduate Birmingham Award.
• Access to an alumni mentor.
• Access to the Masters Consultancy Challenge and employability skills sessions.
• Access to a named postgraduate careers adviser for careers guidance support.

1. By the scholarship deadline, submit an application to your intended Masters programme through the relevant programme page on the Course Finder section of the University of Birmingham website.
2. By the scholarship deadline, complete the Postgraduate Access Scholarships application form using the form on the Postgraduate Access Scholarships page (via the button at the top of the page or the embedded form).
3. Choose the application round: round one applications close at 23:59 (UK time) on 31 March 2026; round two applications close at 23:59 (UK time) on 31 July 2026.
4. If unsuccessful in one round, your application will automatically be carried over to the next round, and you do not need to re-apply.

• For University Widening Participation Scheme completion: a letter or reference from your previous university confirming this.
• For Care Leaver: a letter from the Local Authority confirming you have been in Local Authority care for at least 13 weeks.
• For Disability: a Student Finance notification of award letter, and/or a letter confirming support received from your undergraduate university’s disability support office.
• For Black and Ethnic Minority Background: submission of your completed Postgraduate course application, including ethnicity information.
• For Bereaved of or Estranged from Both Parents: either evidence of assessment of your status by Student Finance during undergraduate studies, or a Word document with further information about your status.
• For Caring Responsibilities: a Word document giving further information about your caring responsibilities.
• For Low Household Income: Student Finance notification of award.