Lancaster University offers several scholarships and fee-reduction awards for international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
The exact award depends on your nationality, academic results, degree level, faculty, and fee status.
For international applicants, some major Lancaster University scholarships are awarded automatically after you apply and meet the relevant conditions, while others have their own eligibility rules.
This guide explains the main opportunities, eligible study areas, requirements, benefits, application process, and documents you should prepare.
Lancaster University Scholarship: Brief Description
- University: Lancaster University, United Kingdom.
- Location: Lancaster, England.
- Study levels: Undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes.
- Scholarships: Several university-funded awards are available rather than one single universal scholarship.
- International funding: Awards can take the form of tuition-fee reductions.
- Undergraduate awards: Selected international scholarships can provide £3,000 per year of study.
- Postgraduate awards: Selected international scholarships can provide £10,000 tuition-fee reductions, while excellence awards may be calculated as a percentage of tuition fees.
- Selection basis: Depending on the award, selection may consider nationality, country of domicile, academic achievement, fee status, programme, or offer status.
- Application method: Several major scholarships require no separate scholarship application and use information from the university application.
- English requirement: International students may need to demonstrate English proficiency according to the requirements of their chosen programme.
About Lancaster University
Lancaster University is a UK university with academic provision across four major faculties: Health and Medicine, Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Management, and Science and Technology.
Students can choose from a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate subjects, including business, computing, engineering, medicine, sciences, law, languages, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
The university also provides study-abroad, placement, foundation, integrated master’s, and other programme options in selected subjects.
Applicants should therefore check the individual course page because admission requirements and programme structures differ.
About Lancaster University Scholarship
- The term “Lancaster University Scholarship” refers to several funding opportunities rather than one award available to every applicant.
- International undergraduate students may be considered for the Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship.
- Eligible students from selected countries may be considered for the Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship.
- Eligible students progressing from the Lancaster University International Study Centre may qualify for a progression scholarship.
- International taught postgraduate students may be considered for the Master’s Excellence Scholarship.
- Students from selected countries may qualify for the Postgraduate International Regional Scholarship.
- Scholarship values vary according to the award, faculty, academic level, and eligibility criteria.
- Many major Lancaster scholarships are considered automatically through the university application rather than requiring a separate scholarship form.
Fields of Study
Lancaster University offers programmes across the following major academic areas:
- Accounting and Finance
- Business and Management
- Economics
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurship and Strategy
- Business Analytics
- Management Science
- Computing and Computer Science
- Cyber Security
- Data Science and related computing fields
- Engineering
- Chemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Biomedical Science
- Medicine and Surgery
- Sports and Exercise Science
- Environmental Science
- Ecology and Conservation
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Operational Research
- Architecture
- Design
- Creative Writing
- English Literature
- Film
- Fine Art
- Media and Theatre
- Languages and Cultures
- History
- International Relations
- Politics
- Philosophy
- Law
- Criminology
- Education
- Linguistics
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Health and Medicine
- Other interdisciplinary and combined-subject programmes
The university’s academic faculties cover these disciplines, while individual course pages determine the exact programme title, qualification, curriculum, and entry requirements.
Target Group
- International undergraduate applicants.
- International taught postgraduate applicants.
- High-achieving international students.
- Applicants from countries specifically identified by Lancaster University for regional scholarships.
- Students applying for eligible full-time programmes.
- Students who meet the academic conditions of their chosen scholarship.
- Applicants who satisfy the university’s international fee-status requirements.
- Students progressing from the Lancaster University International Study Centre where applicable.
- Applicants who meet the English-language requirements of their chosen programme.
- Students who receive and accept an eligible Lancaster University offer where the scholarship requires an offer.
Lancaster University Scholarship Benefits
- Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship: £3,000 tuition-fee reduction per year for eligible international students.
- Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship: £3,000 tuition-fee reduction per year for eligible students from specified countries.
- Postgraduate International Regional Scholarship: £10,000 tuition-fee reduction for eligible international students on qualifying taught postgraduate programmes.
- Master’s Excellence Scholarship: awards can reach a percentage of the programme fee depending on the faculty and academic achievement.
- Science and Technology Master’s Excellence Scholarship: awards can reach up to £9,000 for eligible students under the relevant scheme.
- Health and Medicine Master’s Excellence Scholarship: a 25% tuition-fee reduction under the stated eligibility conditions.
- Management School Master’s Excellence Scholarship: international students may receive up to 20% of the programme fee under the relevant scheme.
- Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Master’s Excellence Scholarship: a 20% fee reduction is available under the stated eligibility conditions.
- Some scholarships can be combined with another specified Lancaster award, but combination rules vary by scholarship.
- The scholarships reduce tuition costs, but students should separately budget for accommodation, food, transport, visa costs, insurance, and other living expenses.
The scholarship itself should not be described as an English-language scholarship.
English proficiency is normally an admission requirement, although Lancaster may offer pre-sessional English programmes to students who meet the relevant academic conditions but need additional language preparation.
Lancaster University Scholarship Duration
- Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship: £3,000 tuition-fee reduction for each year of study, subject to the scholarship conditions.
- Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship: £3,000 tuition-fee reduction for each year of study, subject to eligibility and the relevant scholarship conditions.
- International Study Centre Progression Scholarship: £3,000 tuition-fee reduction per year of undergraduate study for eligible students who progress from the International Study Centre.
- Master’s Excellence Scholarship: normally applies to the eligible taught master’s programme; the award is structured as a percentage or specified fee reduction according to the relevant faculty.
- Postgraduate International Regional Scholarship: £10,000 tuition-fee reduction for eligible taught postgraduate study.
- PhD/research degrees: the scholarships described above should not automatically be assumed to fund doctoral study; research applicants must check the separate funding opportunities available for their specific programme.
The exact length of a degree is determined by the programme rather than the scholarship.
For example, many UK taught master’s programmes are completed in one year, while undergraduate programmes vary in length and may include optional placement or study-abroad components.
Lancaster University Scholarship Requirements
Eligibility depends on the particular scholarship, so applicants should not assume that applying to Lancaster automatically guarantees funding.
Academic qualifications, international fee status, nationality or country of domicile, programme type, study mode, and offer conditions can all affect eligibility.
- Apply for an eligible Lancaster University programme.
- Hold the required international fee status where applicable.
- Meet the academic entry requirements for the selected degree.
- Meet any scholarship-specific academic grade requirement.
- Meet nationality or country-of-domicile requirements for regional scholarships.
- Choose an eligible programme and mode of study.
- Accept a conditional or unconditional offer when this is required by the scholarship.
- Meet the English-language requirement for the chosen programme.
- Provide accurate academic and personal information in the application.
- Satisfy any additional conditions attached to the particular scholarship.
- Check whether another Lancaster scholarship can be combined with the award you receive.
Admission Requirements by Degree
Undergraduate Degree
- Appropriate secondary-school qualification accepted by Lancaster University.
- Academic grades meeting the requirements of the chosen course.
- Subject-specific qualifications where required.
- Recognised English-language evidence where required.
- Personal details and educational history.
- Academic reference.
- Personal statement as part of the UCAS application.
- Any additional information requested for the selected programme.
- International students requiring a UK visa must satisfy the relevant immigration and English-language requirements.
Master’s Degree
- A recognised undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification.
- Academic performance appropriate to the chosen master’s programme.
- Subject-specific academic background where required.
- English-language evidence where required.
- Supporting documents specified by the individual course.
- A suitable personal statement or statement of purpose where requested.
- Academic or professional references where requested.
- Evidence of professional experience for programmes that require it.
- Additional requirements for professionally regulated or specialist programmes.
Postgraduate English requirements vary by programme.
Lancaster states that many postgraduate courses use different IELTS bands depending on the course, so applicants should follow the requirement shown on their specific course page rather than relying on one universal score.
PhD and Research Degree
- A relevant previous degree at the level required by the research programme.
- Academic preparation appropriate to the proposed research area.
- Research proposal where required.
- Evidence of English proficiency where applicable.
- Academic references.
- Relevant supporting documents.
- Evidence of research preparation or experience where requested.
- Any additional requirements specified by the individual research department.
Research-degree applicants should distinguish between admission to a PhD and eligibility for a scholarship because admission does not automatically provide doctoral funding.
Application Instructions
Step 1: Choose Your Degree
- Visit Lancaster University’s official course catalogue.
- Select the academic level: undergraduate or postgraduate.
- Compare courses within your subject area.
- Read the individual entry requirements carefully.
- Check whether your previous qualification is accepted.
- Review the programme structure and study mode.
- Confirm that the course is suitable for your academic background.
Step 2: Check Scholarship Eligibility
- Identify the Lancaster scholarship relevant to your degree.
- Check whether it is open to international fee-paying students.
- Review nationality or domicile requirements for regional awards.
- Compare the academic criteria with your qualifications.
- Check whether the programme is eligible.
- Review scholarship combination rules.
- Remember that eligibility differs between awards.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
For undergraduate study, full-time applications are normally submitted through UCAS Hub.
The application includes personal details, qualifications, an academic reference, and a personal statement.
- Create the appropriate application account.
- Enter your personal information accurately.
- Add your previous and current qualifications.
- Enter your English-language qualification if required.
- Prepare your personal statement.
- Arrange your academic reference.
- Select the appropriate Lancaster programme.
- Review every section before submission.
Step 4: Apply for Postgraduate Study
- Find the postgraduate programme on Lancaster University’s website.
- Read the course-specific admission requirements.
- Prepare your academic documents.
- Prepare your personal statement or supporting statement if required.
- Prepare references where required.
- Provide English-language evidence when required.
- Complete the university’s postgraduate application process.
- Upload the documents requested by the programme.
Step 5: Submit and Monitor Your Application
- Review the completed application before submission.
- Submit the application through the correct platform.
- Keep your application details and login information secure.
- Monitor communications from Lancaster University.
- Respond promptly if the admissions team requests additional information.
- Keep copies of submitted documents.
- Check your offer carefully if you receive one.
- Follow the scholarship instructions associated with your offer.
For many major Lancaster scholarships, there is no separate scholarship form because eligible applicants are automatically considered using information from their university application.
Step 6: Meet Your Offer Conditions
- Check every academic condition in your offer.
- Provide outstanding documents when requested.
- Meet the required English-language condition.
- Complete any required verification.
- Follow the instructions for accepting your offer.
- Check the scholarship information associated with your offer.
- Keep official copies of your admission and scholarship correspondence.
Documents Required for Registration
- Valid passport or appropriate identification document.
- Academic certificates.
- Academic transcripts.
- Current academic results where final results are not yet available.
- English-language test certificate where required.
- Personal statement or statement of purpose where required.
- Academic reference.
- CV or résumé where requested.
- Portfolio for relevant creative or design programmes.
- Research proposal for applicable research programmes.
- Evidence of professional experience where required.
- Additional programme-specific documents.
- Any documents requested by Lancaster University during the application process.
The exact document list varies by course, so applicants should use the requirements displayed on their specific Lancaster programme page rather than preparing a generic document package only.
Important Tips
- Check the exact scholarship: Lancaster has several awards, and their eligibility criteria are not identical.
- Verify your fee status: International scholarships normally require the appropriate overseas or international fee classification.
- Match the course requirements: Meeting a scholarship condition does not replace the academic requirements of the degree.
- Protect your academic record: Strong academic results are particularly important for excellence-based scholarships.
- Check nationality criteria: Regional scholarships are restricted to specified countries or regions.
- Do not assume IELTS is optional: Check the English requirement for your specific course.
- Use official information: Scholarship conditions can change, so verify the current award on Lancaster University’s scholarship pages before applying.
- Prepare documents early: Transcripts, references, language certificates, and other evidence can take time to obtain.
- Read combination rules: Some scholarships may be combined with particular awards, while others cannot be combined.
- Budget beyond tuition: A tuition-fee reduction does not necessarily cover living expenses, accommodation, travel, visa costs, or personal expenses.
Lancaster University Scholarship opportunities can provide meaningful tuition-fee reductions for eligible international students, but the appropriate award depends on the student’s degree level, academic profile, nationality, fee status, and programme.
The safest approach is to apply to an eligible course first, verify the scholarship conditions that apply to your situation, and use the official Lancaster University requirements as the final reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one Lancaster University Scholarship for all international students?
No.
Lancaster University offers several scholarships and bursaries, and eligibility varies according to factors such as study level, academic performance, nationality, fee status, faculty, and programme.
How much is the Lancaster University Scholarship worth?
The value depends on the award.
Examples include £3,000 per year for certain international undergraduate scholarships and £10,000 for the Postgraduate International Regional Scholarship.
Master’s Excellence awards can instead be calculated as a percentage of tuition fees.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
For several major Lancaster scholarships, no separate application is required.
Eligible students are automatically considered using information supplied during the university application process.
Can international undergraduate students receive a scholarship?
Yes.
Lancaster lists several scholarships for international undergraduate students, including the Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship and the Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship.
Can master’s students apply for Lancaster scholarships?
Yes.
Lancaster provides several funding opportunities for taught postgraduate students, including Master’s Excellence and International Regional scholarships.
The eligibility conditions differ between awards and faculties.
Does the scholarship cover living expenses?
The principal awards described here are tuition-fee reductions.
Students should therefore make separate financial plans for accommodation, food, transport, visa costs, insurance, and other living expenses.
Do I need IELTS to study at Lancaster University?
International applicants may need recognised English-language evidence, but the exact requirement depends on nationality, previous study, and the selected course.
Lancaster publishes separate requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants.
Can I apply for a scholarship before applying to Lancaster University?
For major scholarships that use automatic consideration, the university application is the basis for scholarship consideration.
Applicants should therefore identify the relevant scholarship while preparing their degree application.
Can I combine two Lancaster scholarships?
Sometimes.
Lancaster specifies combination rules for individual awards, and some scholarships can be combined with particular awards while others cannot.
Applicants should check the conditions of each scholarship before assuming that two awards can be held together.
Does Lancaster University offer scholarships for PhD students?
Lancaster offers funding opportunities for postgraduate and research students, but the undergraduate and taught-master’s scholarships described in this article should not automatically be treated as PhD funding.
Doctoral applicants should check the specific funding opportunities associated with their research area and programme.