Paying international tuition fees can be one of the biggest challenges when planning to study in the UK. Fortunately, the University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students provide several opportunities to reduce tuition costs for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate applicants. Depending on the scholarship, the award may range from a few thousand pounds to a full tuition fee waiver.
The University of Leicester offers scholarships based on factors such as academic achievement, nationality, study level, course type and, for some competitive awards, personal achievements and future plans. Some awards require a separate scholarship application, while others are considered automatically when you apply for an eligible course.
This guide explains the major University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students, their potential value, eligibility requirements, application process and important deadlines. It also explains the difference between undergraduate and postgraduate funding and provides practical advice for international applicants, including students from Africa and other regions.
Important: Scholarship availability changes by intake. The information below reflects the University’s published information available for the 2026–2027 academic cycle and the upcoming 2027 intake information where already announced.
What Are University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students?
University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students are financial awards or tuition-fee discounts available to students who are classified as international students for fee purposes.
A scholarship can reduce the amount you need to pay toward your tuition. However, a tuition scholarship does not necessarily cover accommodation, food, transportation, visa-related costs or other living expenses.
The University states that many of its international scholarships provide partial financial support, and students may need to combine scholarships with personal savings, grants, loans, sponsorship or other funding sources. It also notes that applicants generally need to receive an offer before applying for University scholarships.
For this reason, prospective students should look at scholarships as part of a complete funding plan rather than assuming that receiving an award will make the entire cost of studying in the UK free.
University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students: Main Options
The University has a range of undergraduate and postgraduate awards. Some are open broadly to international students, while others are restricted by nationality, academic performance or programme.
Here is a useful summary:
| Scholarship | Study Level | Potential Value | Separate Application? |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship | Undergraduate | £5,000 per year | No, eligible students automatically considered |
| Chancellor’s International Scholarship | Undergraduate | £3,000 per year | No |
| International Citizens of Change Scholarship | Undergraduate | £10,000 per year, up to 3 years | Yes |
| International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver | Undergraduate | Full tuition fee waiver | Yes |
| International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship | Postgraduate | £5,000 | No |
| Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship | Postgraduate | £3,000 | No |
| Global Excellence Scholarship | Postgraduate | £7,000 | Yes |
| Africa Development Scholarship | Postgraduate | Full tuition fee waiver | Check annual requirements |
| GREAT Scholarship | Postgraduate | £10,000 | Yes |
The availability, eligibility rules and deadlines vary by intake. Some awards listed for the 2026 intake have already closed, while information for 2027–28 is being released in stages.
University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students – Undergraduate
International undergraduate applicants have several scholarship opportunities, particularly those with strong academic results.
International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship
The International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship is designed for international students who demonstrate strong academic achievement.
For eligible students, the award is worth £5,000 per year as a tuition fee discount. The University says applicants who achieve the equivalent of two grades above the standard A-level entry requirement for their chosen course can qualify.
For example, if a course requires grades equivalent to ABB, an applicant achieving the equivalent of AAA may qualify, subject to the University’s assessment of the international qualification.
One major advantage is that there is no separate scholarship application for eligible students. The University automatically considers qualifying applicants.
This can make the scholarship particularly useful for students who have strong academic records but do not want to complete an additional competitive scholarship application.
Chancellor’s International Scholarship
Another important award is the Chancellor’s International Scholarship.
For eligible international undergraduate students beginning in the relevant intake, the scholarship provides a £3,000 tuition fee discount per year. The University states that eligible students are automatically considered based on their academic achievement and course entry requirements.
The scholarship does not cover every programme. For example, certain courses, including Medicine and LLB Maitrise, are excluded under the published terms.
Applicants should therefore check the scholarship conditions alongside the requirements of their chosen degree.
International Citizens of Change Scholarship
The International Citizens of Change Scholarship is a more competitive undergraduate opportunity.
For the September 2026 intake, the University offered 10 awards worth £10,000 per year for up to three years to eligible international fee-paying undergraduate students. Applicants were required to make Leicester their firm choice and submit a short video addressing questions about their goals, degree and contribution to the University community.
Applications for the September 2026 intake have closed.
For students targeting September 2027, the University has stated that information will be published around mid-October 2026, so prospective applicants should monitor the next intake information.
University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students – Postgraduate
Postgraduate applicants also have several opportunities, including merit-based awards and scholarships aimed at particular countries or regions.
International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship
The International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship provides a £5,000 tuition fee discount for eligible international students undertaking qualifying Master’s-level study.
For the 2026–27 cycle, applicants needed a qualification equivalent to a UK First Class degree and had to meet the University’s other eligibility conditions. The scholarship applies to eligible full-time campus-based Master’s courses and PGCE programmes.
Importantly, applicants do not normally need to submit a separate application. Eligible students are automatically considered when they apply for the course.
This means that academic performance can have a direct financial benefit even when a student does not apply for a named competitive scholarship.
Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship
The Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship provides a £3,000 tuition fee discount to eligible international students.
It applies to qualifying Master’s and PGCE programmes for specified intakes. Like the undergraduate Chancellor’s award, eligible applicants are automatically considered rather than submitting a separate scholarship application.
Students should remember that these awards generally reduce tuition fees rather than providing money for living expenses.
Global Excellence Scholarship at the University of Leicester
The Global Excellence Scholarship is one of the most notable postgraduate opportunities for international students.
For the 2026–27 academic cycle, the University offered 10 scholarships worth £7,000 each to eligible international fee-paying postgraduate students. Applicants needed to hold an offer for an eligible full-time Master’s programme and have a qualification equivalent to a UK First Class degree. Applicants domiciled in India were excluded from this particular award.
Unlike automatically awarded scholarships, this scholarship requires an application.
Candidates are asked to submit a short video of no more than two minutes. The published criteria focus on areas including:
- Academic and personal achievement
- Future plans
- How the chosen Master’s programme supports those plans
- Realism and feasibility
- Creativity
- Potential impact
For applicants targeting January or April 2027, the published deadline is 6 November 2026, with winners scheduled to be announced on 25 November 2026.
How to Apply for the Global Excellence Scholarship
The basic process is:
- Apply for an eligible Master’s programme at the University of Leicester.
- Receive an offer to study.
- Confirm that you meet the scholarship eligibility requirements.
- Prepare your short video.
- Complete the scholarship application form.
- Submit the application before the relevant deadline.
- Wait for the University’s decision.
Application link: University of Leicester Global Excellence Scholarship application form
Always verify that the application form is still active and that your chosen intake is eligible before submitting.
Africa Development Scholarship
The Africa Development Scholarship is particularly relevant to postgraduate applicants from eligible countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
For the September 2026 intake, the University announced two full tuition fee waiver scholarships for eligible international-fee-paying students from the region undertaking a full Master’s degree. Certain programmes, including PGCE and postgraduate diplomas, were excluded.
This is substantially different from a standard partial tuition discount.
A full tuition fee waiver means the scholarship covers the applicable tuition fee, although students should not automatically assume that accommodation, food, travel, visa costs and other expenses are covered.
For the September 2027 intake, the University says information about the Africa Development Scholarship will be published around mid-October 2026.
Therefore, African students planning to apply for 2027 should prepare their academic documents early and monitor the University’s scholarship information when the new details are released.
GREAT Scholarship at the University of Leicester
The University also participates in the GREAT Scholarship programme in partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign.
For the 2026 intake, Leicester offered a £10,000 tuition fee scholarship to an eligible student from Pakistan applying for a one-year postgraduate course, excluding PGCE programmes.
The important point for international applicants is that GREAT scholarships are country-specific. Therefore, seeing a GREAT Scholarship advertised by Leicester does not mean that every international applicant can apply.
The eligibility requirements for each annual cycle should be checked carefully before preparing an application.
Who Can Apply for University of Leicester Scholarships?
Eligibility depends on the specific scholarship, but common requirements include:
International fee status
You generally need to be classified as an international student for tuition-fee purposes.
Being a citizen of another country does not automatically mean that every scholarship will apply to you. The University’s fee-status rules and individual scholarship terms determine eligibility.
Academic achievement
Many Leicester scholarships are merit-based.
Strong grades can therefore be important, particularly for awards such as the undergraduate and postgraduate merit scholarships.
Course eligibility
Not every programme qualifies for every scholarship.
Some awards exclude Medicine, specific foundation programmes, PGCE courses, postgraduate diplomas or other programme categories.
Offer from the University
For many University scholarships, you must first apply for an eligible course and receive an offer.
This is an important point because students sometimes search for a scholarship before applying to the university itself.
Nationality or country restrictions
Some scholarships are specifically designed for applicants from particular countries or regions.
Examples include country-specific GREAT awards and the Africa Development Scholarship.
How to Apply for University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students
The application process depends on whether the scholarship is automatic or competitive.
Step 1: Choose your degree
Start by selecting the undergraduate or postgraduate programme you want to study.
Check the academic requirements, course duration, tuition fee and available intake.
Step 2: Apply to Leicester
Submit your university application and provide the required documents.
Depending on the programme, this may include academic transcripts, certificates, English-language evidence, references, a personal statement and other supporting materials.
Step 3: Check scholarship eligibility
Once you know your course and application status, review the scholarships available for your intake.
Pay close attention to:
- Nationality restrictions
- Academic requirements
- Course exclusions
- Application deadlines
- Whether a separate application is required
Step 4: Prepare additional materials
If the scholarship requires an essay, personal statement, video or other submission, prepare it specifically for the award.
Do not simply copy your university application.
Step 5: Submit before the deadline
Scholarship deadlines can be earlier than university admission deadlines.
Submitting your university application early gives you more time to identify suitable funding opportunities.
How Much Money Can You Save?
The financial value varies considerably.
For example, a £3,000 scholarship reduces tuition by £3,000, while a £5,000 award provides a larger reduction. A £7,000 or £10,000 scholarship can significantly reduce the cost of a Master’s degree.
A full tuition fee waiver can provide an even larger reduction because it removes the applicable tuition charge.
However, students should also budget for living costs.
For 2026/27, the University lists international undergraduate tuition fees generally between £22,200 and £26,550 per year, depending on the course, with different arrangements for Medicine.
This illustrates why even a £3,000–£10,000 tuition discount can make a meaningful difference to an international student’s budget.
Can You Combine University of Leicester Scholarships?
You should not assume that multiple University scholarships can be combined.
For several of its awards, Leicester states that students may hold only one University of Leicester scholarship, with the higher-value award applying where more than one University scholarship is offered, unless the specific terms say otherwise.
This is important when planning your finances.
For example, if you qualify for both a £3,000 award and a £5,000 award that cannot be combined, you should budget based on the applicable scholarship rather than adding both figures together.
External scholarships may have different rules, so students should examine the terms of each funding source separately.
Tips for Winning Competitive Leicester Scholarships
Although no strategy can guarantee a scholarship, applicants can improve the quality of their applications by preparing carefully.
Maintain strong academic performance
Academic results are central to many Leicester scholarships.
If your scholarship is merit-based, make sure your academic achievements are presented clearly and accurately.
Explain your future plans
For competitive scholarships such as Global Excellence, simply saying that you want a Master’s degree is unlikely to provide enough context.
Explain:
- What you want to accomplish
- Why your chosen programme matters
- How the degree fits into your career plans
- What impact you hope to make after graduation
Be specific
Avoid generic statements such as “I want to change the world.”
Instead, describe the specific problem you want to address and the skills or knowledge you expect to gain from your programme.
Prepare your scholarship application early
If a scholarship requires a video, essay or personal statement, do not wait until the final day.
Give yourself enough time to review your application for clarity, accuracy and relevance.
Read the terms and conditions
This is one of the most important steps.
A scholarship may look suitable based on its headline value but still exclude your country, programme, intake or study mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Leicester offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. The University offers several scholarships and tuition discounts for international undergraduate and postgraduate students. These include merit-based scholarships, Chancellor’s scholarships, the Global Excellence Scholarship, the Africa Development Scholarship and other country-specific opportunities. Availability changes by intake.
Can international undergraduate students get a full scholarship?
A full tuition fee waiver has been offered to selected international undergraduate students. For the September 2026 intake, Leicester announced 30 full tuition fee waivers as part of a five-year programme offering 150 waivers in total. Applications for that intake have closed.
Students targeting a future intake should wait for the new scholarship terms rather than assuming that the 2026 conditions will remain unchanged.
Is IELTS required for a Leicester scholarship?
A scholarship itself may not have a separate IELTS requirement, but you must satisfy the University’s admission and English-language requirements for your chosen course where applicable.
Therefore, students should distinguish between university admission requirements and scholarship requirements.
Can students from Africa apply?
Yes, African students can be eligible for several international scholarships, depending on their country, course and study level. The Africa Development Scholarship is specifically designed for eligible students from Sub-Saharan Africa, while other Leicester scholarships have broader international eligibility.
Does a Leicester scholarship cover living expenses?
Not necessarily. Many University scholarships are tuition fee discounts or waivers rather than complete funding packages. Students should separately budget for accommodation, food, transportation, travel and other living costs.
Final Thoughts on University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students
The University of Leicester Scholarships for International Students provide several ways to reduce the financial cost of studying in the UK. Opportunities include undergraduate merit awards, Chancellor’s scholarships, postgraduate merit funding, Global Excellence Scholarships, the Africa Development Scholarship and selected full tuition fee waivers.
The most important step is to identify the scholarship that matches your study level, nationality, course, academic background and intake. Some awards are automatic, while others require a separate application and additional materials.
For students planning to start in 2027, it is especially important to watch for updated scholarship information as Leicester releases new details for the next academic cycle.
Start by choosing your Leicester course, applying for admission, checking your scholarship eligibility and preparing your funding plan early. If you are applying for the currently available Global Excellence Scholarship for an eligible January or April 2027 Master’s intake, use the official application form provided above and submit it before the applicable deadline.