University-specific scholarships for international students are scholarships offered directly by universities to help international students pay for tuition and other study costs. Unlike government scholarships such as Chevening or Fulbright, these awards are tied to a particular university and often require students to apply for admission before they can access the scholarship.
Many universities in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia have their own scholarship programmes for international students. Some are automatically awarded based on academic performance, while others require a separate scholarship application.
For students planning to study abroad in 2026 or 2027, checking the scholarship page of each university on their shortlist can reveal funding opportunities that may not appear on major international scholarship websites.
University-Specific Scholarships at a Glance
| University | Scholarship | Study Level | Benefit | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Manchester | Global Futures Scholarships | Undergraduate & Master’s | Up to £36,000 undergraduate; £19,000 for eligible African master’s applicants | Separate application after offer |
| University of Bristol | Think Big Scholarships | Undergraduate & Master’s | Up to £13,000 undergraduate; up to £26,000 postgraduate | Separate application |
| University of British Columbia | International Scholars Program | Undergraduate | Significant financial support based on need and merit | Application required |
| University of Melbourne | Graduate Research Scholarships | Master’s by Research & PhD | Full fee remission plus living allowance | Automatic consideration |
| UNSW Sydney | International Student Award | Undergraduate & Postgraduate | 20% tuition contribution | Application/admission process |
| UNSW Sydney | International Scholarships | Undergraduate & Postgraduate | Various awards, including tuition scholarships | Varies |
What Are University-Specific Scholarships?
University-specific scholarships are financial awards funded or administered by a particular university.
They may be offered to:
- International undergraduate students
- International master’s students
- PhD and research students
- Students from specific countries
- Students studying particular subjects
- Students with outstanding academic records
- Students with financial need
- Students demonstrating leadership or community involvement
Some scholarships are available to anyone who meets the university’s international eligibility requirements, while others are restricted to particular countries, programmes or faculties.
One important advantage is that university scholarship opportunities can be found directly through the institution’s own website. This means students do not always have to depend on large external scholarship databases.
Why Students Should Check University Scholarship Pages
Many international students search only for famous scholarships such as Chevening, Commonwealth, Fulbright or Erasmus Mundus.
However, universities themselves provide another major source of funding.
For example, the University of Manchester has announced more than 350 Global Futures Scholarships for students starting in September 2027, covering undergraduate and master’s applicants from several countries. The university says the total value of the awards is more than £6 million.
The University of Melbourne also has a large graduate research scholarship system. International applicants for eligible research degrees can be automatically considered for certain graduate research scholarships.
This makes the university’s own scholarship database an important part of any study-abroad funding search.
University-Specific Scholarships for International Students
1. University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships
The University of Manchester offers Global Futures Scholarships to international students starting their studies in September 2027.
The programme includes both undergraduate and master’s scholarships.
For 2027 entry, the university states that more than 350 partial merit-based scholarships are available, with awards totalling more than £6 million. Eligibility and award amounts depend on the student’s country or region.
For students from Nigeria and several other African countries, the university currently lists Global Futures funding for both undergraduate and master’s applicants.
For 2027 entry, the university says African master’s applicants can receive a scholarship worth £19,000, awarded as a reduction from international tuition fees.
Applicants must first apply for an eligible programme and receive an offer before they can access the relevant scholarship application.
Official scholarship page: University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships
2. University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships
The University of Bristol has its own Think Big Scholarship programme for international students.
Think Big scholarships are available for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and provide a reduction in tuition fees.
For the 2026 entry cycle, the university lists undergraduate awards of £6,500 and £13,000, while postgraduate awards include £6,500, £13,000 and £26,000. Applications for September 2026 entry closed on 10 April 2026.
The university has also stated that its 2026–27 Think Big Development Programme is being updated, with further information to be released.
Students interested in future intakes should therefore check the official Bristol scholarship page rather than relying on old deadline information.
Official scholarship page: University of Bristol International Scholarships
3. UBC International Scholars Program
The University of British Columbia in Canada offers the International Scholars Program for international undergraduate students.
The programme is designed for international students who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership qualities, community involvement and significant financial need.
UBC says applications for the September 2027 intake will open in early October 2026.
The university’s published dates show that international applicants seeking consideration for the International Scholars Program must apply to UBC and submit the award application by November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Applicants should begin preparing well before the deadline because the process includes admission, school nomination, financial information and essays.
Official scholarship page: UBC International Scholars Program
4. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
The University of Melbourne is another example of a university with substantial funding directly connected to its own graduate research programmes.
Its Graduate Research Scholarships are available to domestic and international students undertaking graduate research.
The scholarship can provide a full fee remission and a living allowance. The university currently lists a 2026 full-time living allowance of AU$39,500 per year, with different duration rules for master’s research and doctoral students.
International students applying for eligible master’s by research or doctoral programmes can be automatically considered for certain Graduate Research Stipend and Fee Offset Scholarships.
This is particularly important for students looking for fully funded or substantially funded PhD opportunities in Australia.
Official scholarship page: University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
5. UNSW Sydney International Scholarships
UNSW Sydney has a dedicated scholarship system for international students.
The university states that international students can access scholarships covering part or all of tuition fees, as well as awards that provide stipends for study-related expenses.
For students commencing Term 1, 2027, UNSW currently lists an international scholarship application with a closing date of October 30, 2026.
The university’s scholarship listing includes awards such as the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship, which can provide a full tuition fee scholarship for the minimum duration of an eligible programme, subject to the relevant criteria.
UNSW also offers the International Student Award, which provides eligible international students with a 20% contribution towards tuition fees for every year of their programme.
Official scholarship page: UNSW Scholarships for International Students
University Scholarships Can Be Automatic or Require a Separate Application
One of the most important things students should check is how the scholarship application works.
There are two common systems.
Automatic Consideration
Some universities automatically consider eligible students for scholarships when they apply for admission.
The University of Melbourne, for example, automatically considers eligible graduate research applicants for certain scholarships.
Automatic consideration does not necessarily mean every applicant will receive funding. Students still have to satisfy the university’s admission and scholarship requirements.
Separate Scholarship Application
Other universities require students to submit a separate scholarship application after applying for admission or receiving an offer.
The University of Manchester uses this approach for Global Futures Scholarships. Eligible applicants receive access to the scholarship application after meeting the relevant admission requirements.
UBC’s International Scholars Program also requires applicants to complete additional scholarship steps alongside their admission application.
Always check this before assuming that submitting a university application automatically enters you into every scholarship competition.
Where to Find University-Specific Scholarships
The easiest way to find these scholarships is to search the university’s own website.
Use searches such as:
University name + international scholarships
University name + scholarships for international students
University name + undergraduate scholarships
University name + master’s scholarships
University name + PhD scholarships
University name + faculty scholarships
You should also check the individual department or faculty.
Some funding opportunities are not displayed prominently on the university’s main international scholarship page. They may instead appear on a faculty, school, department or graduate research page.
For research students, this is especially important because funding may be connected to specific research programmes, supervisors or faculties.
University Scholarships Can Be Country-Specific
Not every university scholarship is available to students from every country.
For example, the University of Manchester’s Global Futures Scholarships have different eligibility rules depending on the student’s domicile. Its 2027 information specifically includes Nigeria among the African countries eligible for the relevant awards.
Students should therefore check:
- Country or nationality requirements
- Country of residence or domicile
- Degree level
- Academic requirements
- Eligible courses
- Tuition-fee status
- Scholarship deadline
- Admission deadline
- Whether an offer is required
- Whether a separate application is necessary
Department-Specific Scholarships Are Worth Checking
Students should not stop at the university’s central scholarship page.
Departments and faculties may have their own funding.
For example, the University of Melbourne provides scholarship information at the graduate research level and has numerous scholarships and prizes administered through the university and its academic areas. The university states that it offers more than 1,200 scholarships and prizes across its funding system.
At research level, students should search for funding using the name of their intended subject.
For example:
University name + engineering PhD scholarship
University name + business master’s scholarship
University name + computer science scholarship
University name + public health scholarship
This can uncover opportunities that a general scholarship search may miss.
What Do University-Specific Scholarships Cover?
The amount of funding varies considerably.
A university scholarship may provide:
- A tuition fee discount
- Full tuition fee coverage
- A living stipend
- Accommodation support
- Research expenses
- Travel funding
- Health insurance
- A one-time cash award
- A combination of tuition and living support
Students should never assume that a scholarship described as “fully funded” covers every expense.
Read the official terms carefully to determine exactly what is included.
Documents You May Need
Depending on the university and scholarship, applicants may need:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- CV or résumé
- Personal statement
- Scholarship essay
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of financial need
- Research proposal
- English-language test results
- Admission application
- Passport or identification document
- Evidence of leadership or community involvement
Research scholarships may require additional documents such as a research proposal and evidence of previous research experience.
How to Apply for University-Specific Scholarships
1: Choose Your Universities:” Create a list of universities that offer your preferred programme.
Step 2: Visit the Official University Website: Do not rely only on third-party scholarship websites. Go directly to the university’s official scholarship or funding page.
3: Check International Eligibility: Confirm that the scholarship accepts international students and check whether your country is eligible.
4: Check the Study Level: Make sure the scholarship is available for your intended level, whether undergraduate, master’s or PhD.
5: Check the Deadline: Some scholarship deadlines are earlier than the university admission deadline.
6: Check the Application Method: Find out whether you are automatically considered or need to submit a separate scholarship application.
7: Prepare Your Documents: Prepare transcripts, essays, recommendations and other documents early.
8: Apply Before the Deadline: Submit both the university admission application and scholarship application where required.
Important Tips for International Students
Do not wait until you receive admission before researching scholarships.
Some universities require scholarship applications before admission decisions are made, while others require an offer first.
Also, do not assume that every scholarship listed on an old blog is still open.
Scholarship programmes change frequently. For example, the University of Bristol’s official page currently states that its September 2026 Think Big applications are closed, while the University of Manchester is already publishing information for September 2027 entry.
FAQs
Can international students get scholarships directly from universities?
Yes. Many universities offer scholarships directly to international students. These can be merit-based, need-based, country-specific, subject-specific or research-based.
Are university-specific scholarships fully funded?
Some can provide substantial or full funding, but many are partial tuition discounts. Students must check exactly what each scholarship covers.
Do I need admission before applying for a university scholarship?
It depends on the university. Some scholarships require an offer of admission, while others allow students to apply for the scholarship after submitting an admission application.
Are university scholarships easier to get than government scholarships?
There is no single answer. Eligibility, funding levels and competition vary significantly between universities and scholarship programmes. Students should compare the specific requirements rather than assume one category is easier.
Can I apply for scholarships at several universities?
Yes. Students can generally apply to multiple universities and their eligible scholarship programmes, provided they meet each institution’s requirements.
Where can I find university-specific scholarships?
Start with the official scholarship and financial-aid pages of each university. Also check the relevant faculty, department and graduate research pages.
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