The International Excellence Scholarship at the University of Leeds in UK 2026

The International Excellence Scholarship at the University of Leeds aims to reward high academic achievement and support eligible international students studying a taught Master's program starting in September 2026. There are 500 scholarships available, with values of £3,000, £6,000, or £16,000. The scholarship is designed to help international students join Leeds' multicultural campus and realize their academic potential.

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Quick Overview

• University: University of Leeds

• Host Country: United Kingdom

• Program Level: Taught Master's (starting September 2026)

• Number of Scholarships: 500

• Scholarship Values: £3,000, £6,000, or £16,000

• Application Type: Online form (takes about 15 minutes)

• Round One Deadline: 27 February 2026 (5pm GMT)

• Round Two Deadline: 15 May 2026 (5pm BST)

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Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the International Excellence Scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be classified as an international student for fee purposes

• Hold a conditional or unconditional offer for an eligible taught Master's course starting September 2026

• Be self-funded or partially funded (not fully sponsored)

• Demonstrate excellent academic achievement, typically a Bachelor's degree with 2:1 (hons) or equivalent

• Show professional and personal skills through work experience and/or extracurricular activities

Excluded Courses

• MBA programs – these have a separate MBA Excellence Scholarship scheme

• All fully-online Master's courses

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Scholarship Benefits

Monetary awards of £3,000, £6,000, or £16,000 are available, applied as a fee reduction for the first year of study.

Combining with Other Funding

• Can be combined with other scholarships (e.g., International Regional Scholarship or external funding) as long as total funding does not exceed 100% of tuition fees

• Can also combine with some School or Faculty scholarships

• Not transferable to other courses

• Cannot be deferred or used for maintenance, accommodation, or other costs

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How to Apply

Step-by-Step Application Process

• Step 1: Secure a Master's offer from the University of Leeds – either conditional or unconditional

• Step 2: Complete the online scholarship application (takes about 15 minutes)

• Step 3: You will need to provide:

• University of Leeds student ID

• University of Leeds application ID

• A 100-word personal statement (600 characters including spaces) explaining why you chose Leeds and why you should be considered

Important Notes

• If you have offers for multiple courses, you must submit separate applications for each course

• The scholarship is paid as a fee reduction for the first year only

• Cannot be deferred or transferred to another course

• If applying through an International Partner Agreement, only one scholarship may be accepted (the highest value)

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Application Deadlines

There are two rounds of applications for this scholarship.

Round One

• Deadline: 5pm GMT, 27 February 2026

• Notification: by 27 March 2026

Round Two

• Deadline: 5pm BST, 15 May 2026

• Notification: by 12 June 2026

Terms and Conditions

• Must check compatibility with any other scholarships or funding

• Scholarship cannot be used for maintenance, accommodation, or other non-fee costs

• Only one scholarship may be accepted if applying through partner agreements

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Why Choose the University of Leeds

• Prestigious Russell Group University: Leeds is a member of the UK's elite Russell Group of research-intensive universities

• Multicultural Campus: Join a diverse community of international students from around the world

• 500 Scholarships Available: Generous number of awards increases your chances of success

• Flexible Values: Awards from £3,000 to £16,000 to suit different needs

• Two Application Rounds: Multiple opportunities to apply

• Combine with Other Funding: Can be combined with regional or external scholarships

• Excellent Academic Reputation: Leeds is consistently ranked among the top UK universities

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Tips for a Strong Application

• Secure Your Offer First: Apply for admission to Leeds and obtain a conditional or unconditional offer

• Know Your IDs: Have your student ID and application ID ready before starting

• Craft a Strong Personal Statement: In just 100 words, explain clearly why you chose Leeds and why you deserve the scholarship

• Apply Early: Don't wait for the final deadlines – submit as soon as you have your offer

• Check Course Eligibility: Ensure your program is not an excluded course (MBA or fully-online)

• Multiple Course Offers: Submit separate applications for each course if you have multiple offers

• Verify Compatibility: Check that this scholarship can be combined with any other funding you may receive

Final Thoughts

The International Excellence Scholarship at the University of Leeds offers a fantastic opportunity for international students to receive significant financial support for their Master's studies. With 500 scholarships available ranging from £3,000 to £16,000, this is one of the most generous and accessible scholarship programs at a top UK university.

To apply, you must first secure an offer for an eligible taught Master's program starting September 2026. The online application takes just 15 minutes and requires your student ID, application ID, and a 100-word personal statement explaining why you chose Leeds and why you should be considered.

Two application rounds are available: Round One closes 27 February 2026 and Round Two closes 15 May 2026. The scholarship is applied as a fee reduction for the first year only and can be combined with other funding as long as total support does not exceed 100% of tuition fees.

If you are an international student with strong academic achievement and a passion for joining Leeds' multicultural campus, don't miss this opportunity to apply.

Good luck with your application

Apply Now

For complete and official information and to submit your application, visit the official University of Leeds scholarship application portal:

Apply for International Excellence Scholarship at University of Leeds 2026 UK