International scholarships
Explore the variety of scholarships and bursaries available to international Kingston University undergraduate and postgraduate students. Find out what opportunities are available for our international scholars.
Become an international scholar
Being awarded a scholarship is a great achievement.
A scholarship not only helps you financially, but also offers a rich student experience like no other.
At Kingston, you'll belong to our special scholars group, giving you the opportunity to benefit from:
- Attending our annual scholars' event, attended by senior staff, academics and the Mayor of Kingston upon Thames
- Boosting your career prospects through valuable networking opportunities
- Meeting other scholars from around the world
- Impressing future employers with your award
- Being a valued student ambassador for Kingston with opportunities to contribute to some of our marketing material and in-country activities
Kingston University has an amazing programme with a great learning environment that helps you adapt quickly and progress towards your academic goals. It is also one of the few universities to implement placements into the masters course I am on; this was important to me when I was searching for universities.
Faculty scholarships
Some faculty-specific and course-specific scholarships and bursaries are available:
- Faculty of Business and Social Sciences bursaries (postgraduate only)
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment (taught MSc courses only)
- Kingston School of Art (postgraduate only)
These awards are offered directly by the relevant faculty, so applications are made through them.
International scholarships
At Kingston University, we offer a small number of scholarships for international students. You must already have an offer to study a postgraduate course at Kingston University. These scholarships are not available to students who are currently enrolled on a Kingston University degree or foundation course.
The scholarships are worth £5,000 towards your first year tuition fees. If you are paying the full tuition fees in advance, you should deduct the £5,000 from your total fees. If you are paying by instalments, you will receive the £5,000 deduction on your final instalment.
Please apply using this application form. You will need to upload your offer email, a 500-word personal statement and a 1-minute video introduction of yourself, to support your application. Your personal statement should address:
- Why do you want to study at Kingston University?
- How do you intend to use your experience and knowledge in the future?
- Why are you a good champion for Kingston University?
- What are your long-term goals?
When I applied for a scholarship at Kingston, the entire process was seamless as they cater for all the various factors specific to international students. The quality of the correspondence from the University during this period made one feel as though I was already a Kingston University student.
How to apply for an international scholarship
PLEASE NOTE: Applications will open 1 April 2025
- You will find your Kingston ID number on your course offer email. It is a seven-digit number starting with K (e.g. K1234567).
- Your offer email (conditional or unconditional) from Kingston - saved as a PDF or Word document
- Personal statement (300 words maximum)
- A video introduction of yourself (1 minute maximum) - uploaded to YouTube, Box or similar website to share video files
Please note: we will not consider any incomplete applications. So make sure to include all of the relevant requirements before you submit.
- You will receive a confirmation email after you submit your International Scholarship application (same day). Please check your email junk folder if you haven't received it.
- The Scholarships Committee makes the final decision on applications and does not correspond with applicants. The decision of the committee is final.
- If you are successful, we will contact you by email. You will have to sign the contract and return it to us by the deadline. If you fail to reply on time, we will withdraw the scholarship. So please keep an eye on your emails.
FAQs about our international scholarships
We understand that you probably have a lot of questions when it comes to funding your studies at Kingston. We have collated some common answers below to help you:
The International Scholarships will be awarded on the following basis:
- Your reasons for wanting to study at Kingston University
- Your ability and enthusiasm to be a champion for Kingston and support us in our recruitment and marketing work
Applications are not on a first come, first served basis, so take your time.
Use your personal statement and video introduction to demonstrate your enthusiasm. Remember, your video should answer:
- Where are you from?
- Why do you want to study at Kingston University?
- How do you plan to be a champion for Kingston University?
- Tell us about your hobbies and interests
- Be creative and express yourself
Yes, you can apply for more than one Kingston University scholarship.
However, if you are awarded more than one Kingston University scholarship, you will only be able to accept one Kingston University scholarship.
You can also apply for one of our loyalty bursaries. You will find all necessary information and the application form on My Kingston (the University's intranet) after enrolment.
You can combine a scholarship from Kingston University with an externally awarded scholarship as well.
If you are paying by instalments, you will receive the £5,000 deduction on your final instalment.
If you are paying the full tuition fees in advance, you should deduct the £5,000 from your total fees (e.g. if your fees are £13,500 and you are awarded a £5,000 scholarship, you should pay £8,500).
Find out more about how to pay your fees on the international student finance page.
The scholarship must be used for the course and intake you include in your International Scholarship application
If you change your course or defer, you will lose your International Scholarship.
There are a lot of uncertainties with leaving home for a new place. Choosing an international student-friendly school and country is key to enjoying the full learning experience and developing professionally. This is what the scholarship at Kingston University provided me with.
Loyalty bursaries and discounts
If you are an international ('overseas fee' paying) student, you may qualify for one of our bursaries or alumni discounts:
The alumni discount is a 10% tuition fee discount for all Kingston University undergraduate students who are progressing to study one of our postgraduate courses. These include postgraduate taught, postgraduate research, PGCE, and MArch in Architecture courses.
You do not need to apply for this discount. If you are eligible, it will be applied automatically to your course fees invoice. If you’re paying via instalments, your final instalment will be reduced by the value of the discount.
The family bursary is a 10% tuition fee discount for international students with a direct family connection (defined as a sibling, parent, child or spouse) to a current or previous student enrolled at Kingston University. Both family members are entitled to receive the bursary, if they are studying at the same time.
Eligible students can apply after they fully complete enrolment, via My Kingston > International students > International loyalty bursaries. Submit the application form with evidence of your family connection (marriage or birth certificate (parent, sibling, child), plus your family member or spouse’s Kingston graduation certificate or ID number.
15 May 2025 is the last day to submit your application for the academic year 2024/25 (including September 2024 and January 2025). If approved, your final tuition fee instalment will be reduced by the value of the discount (or refunded in the case of a full tuition fee payment).
This bursary is a 10% tuition fee discount for international students who previously participated in a Study Abroad, International Summer School, or Exchange programme at Kingston University and are returning to do a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree course. Please note that preparation courses, such as pre-sessional English or short courses, are not eligible.
Eligible students can apply after they fully complete enrolment, via My Kingston > International students > International loyalty bursaries. Submit the application form to the International Office, along with the academic transcript/certificate from your Study Abroad, International Summer School, or Exchange programme.
15 May 2025 is the last day to submit your application for the academic year 2024/25 (including September 2024, January 2025 and March 2025 intakes). If approved, your final tuition fee instalment will be reduced by the value of the discount (or refunded in the case of full tuition fee payment).
- The 10% Alumni discount applies to Home, EU and International fee status students
- The 10% Family and Study Abroad, Summer School Exchange bursary applies to International fee status students
- Final decisions on eligibility will be determined by the University
- The discount cannot be combined with any other alumni or loyalty discount offered by Kingston University, including faculty, department or school discounts that may be available
- If you do not provide appropriate evidence as part of your loyalty bursary application, you will not receive the discount
- Preparation courses (e.g. short courses and pre-sessional English courses) are not eligible for the 10% discount
- The 10% discount does not apply to any undergraduate or postgraduate placement year fees (the 10% discount is only applicable for 'taught' years of study)
- The 10% Family bursary will only be applied to both family members if they are fully enrolled (‘current students') and studying at the same time. At the date of enrolment these criteria need to be met and cannot be reviewed retrospectively
Are you a postgraduate student from Thailand, Indonesia or Ghana?
You might be eligible for a GREAT scholarship, which provides financial support of £10,000 towards tuition fees.
External scholarships for students from outside the EU
There are external institutions that offer scholarships for international students who wish to study in the UK.
Please note, scholarships from partner institutions are not administered by Kingston University. Make sure you use the correct application form when you apply.
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations.
These scholarships are for students with an offer to study for a one-year master’s degree, who have been identified as potential future leaders across a range of fields, including:
- Academia
- Business
- Civil society
- Media
- Politics
- Religion
Please visit the Chevening website for more information about eligibility criteria and how and when to apply.
Through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), the British Government provides over 800 scholarships and fellowships for postgraduate study and professional development each year to applicants from Commonwealth countries.
These awards can cover:
- Master degrees
- Split-site scholarships for PhD candidates
All awards are made strictly on the basis of academic merit and the potential to contribute to the needs of the applicants' home countries. For further information, visit the GOV.UK website.
There are approximately 20 awards available each year for US citizens to study in the UK. These include scholarships for postgraduate study and scholarships and fellowships for lecturing and/or research.
For further information contact:
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017 3580, USA
Tel: 001 212 883 8200
Web: www.iie.org/Programs/Fulbright-US-student-program
The US-UK Fulbright Commission
Battersea Power Station
188 Kirtling Street
London SW8 5BN
Tel: +44 (0)20 7498 4010
Email: programmes@fulbright.co.uk
Web: www.fulbright.org.uk
British Marshall Scholarships are funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to help to finance Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the UK. Up to 40 scholarships are awarded each year for study at any UK university.
They cover two years of study, in any discipline, at either undergraduate or postgraduate level, including:
- Tuition fees
- Cost of living expenses
- A books grant
- Research and daily travel
- Air fares
- A contribution towards the support of a dependent spouse (if applicable)
For further information, visit the Marshall Scholarships website.
Additional information
Our scholarships are very competitive and we receive many applications every year. If you require a Student Visa, please proceed as soon as possible with further steps. For example, if you are a postgraduate student, you should pay your deposit to secure your CAS in time for your visa application.
Kingston University reserves the right to withdraw or amend a scholarship or bursary without prior notification. Scholarships and bursaries are offered subject to funding and availability.
Any questions?
If you have any queries about our International scholarships, the International Scholarships Department is here to help.
International Scholarships Department
Kingston University London
Yorkon Building 0019
Kingston Hill campus
Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7LB
United Kingdom
Call: +44 (0)20 3510 0746
