The annual University of Leeds Ferguson scholarship

The University of Leeds Ferguson Scholarship is a competitive, fully funded award for students from eligible developing countries who wish to pursue a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK. Funded in partnership with the Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust, the scholarship typically covers full tuition fees and provides a maintenance grant. It is offered on an annual basis and aims to support talented students who demonstrate strong academic ability and a commitment to contributing to development in their home countries.

Scholarship benefits

The scholarship award includes:

• Tuition fees
• maintenance of £17,500
• return economy travel and other allowances.

Eligibility

To be considered for the scholarship, interested students must meet the following criteria:

1. Be from developing countries
2. Be ready to undertake a one-year taught Master’s programme of study in selected Schools, with areas of study related to the economic, social or technological development of the applicant’s home country.
3. Must hold, or expect to hold by September 2026, a First Degree at undergraduate level equivalent to at least a UK Upper Second Class Honours degree.
4. Should either have graduated with the appropriate First Degree or be in their final year of study.
5. Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the University’s English Language requirements by 2 February 2026.
6. Not have undertaken studies lasting one year or more in a developed country.
7. Be unable themselves, or through their families, to pay to study in the UK.

These awards are only available to applicants who are liable to pay academic fees at the International fee rate.

Field of study

Students in any of the following programmes are and not eligible:

1. Earth and Environment
2. Electronic and Electrical Engineering
3. Biological Sciences
4. Geography
5. History
6. Law
7. Languages, Cultures and Societies
8. Medicine
9. Media and Communication
10. Performance and Cultural Industries
11. Physics and Astronomy
12. Politics and International Studies
13. Philosophy, Religion and History of Science
14. Transport Studies
15. Leeds University Business School

Application deadline

The application deadline is on February 1st, 2026.

For more details visit the University of Leeds Ferguson scholarship website.