St Leonards Masters Scholarship 2027: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

The St Leonards Masters Scholarship 2027 is a scholarship scheme offered by the University of St Andrews for international students applying for eligible postgraduate Master’s programmes.

The scheme includes several types of awards based on academic merit, wider achievement and financial need. Depending on the award, successful applicants may receive full tuition fee coverage, a stipend of £18,000 per year, a 75% tuition fee reduction, or a 25% or 50% tuition fee reduction.

For the 2027 entry, applications opened on 17 August 2026 and close on 3 February 2027. The university expects to notify applicants during the week commencing 22 March 2027.

Opportunity Overview

Detail	Information
Scholarship	St Leonards Masters Scholarship
University	University of St Andrews
Host Country	United Kingdom
Study Level	Master’s
Eligible Students	International students with Overseas fee status
Eligible Programmes	Selected one-year Master’s and eligible Master’s research programmes
Funding	Full or partial, depending on award
Maximum Stipend	£18,000 per year
Duration	One year
Application Opens	17 August 2026
Application Deadline	3 February 2027
Expected Notification	Week commencing 22 March 2027
Start Dates	August 2027 for MPP only, September 2027 or January 2028

The information above is based on the University of St Andrews’ official scholarship page.

What Is the St Leonards Masters Scholarship?

The St Leonards Masters Scholarship is part of the University of St Andrews’ postgraduate funding scheme. It is designed to recognize applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership or wider achievements, and, where relevant, financial need.

Applicants do not have to meet every criterion listed by the university. However, they must meet at least one of the stated criteria to be considered.

The scheme is particularly useful because one scholarship application can make an applicant eligible for consideration for several awards within the scheme. The university also states that applicants can automatically be considered for additional scholarships added to the scheme after they apply, without submitting another application.

The University of St Andrews describes its St Leonard’s Masters Scholarships as flagship funding opportunities for Master’s students across the university.

Benefits and Funding

The value of the St Leonards Masters Scholarship depends on the particular award offered.

Global Widening Participation Award

This is the strongest funding package listed on the international scholarship page and provides:

• Full tuition fees
• £18,000 annual stipend
• Standard room reservation

However, the university specifically states that accommodation fees are not included. Students are expected to use the maintenance funding to cover accommodation and other living expenses.

Therefore, although this award provides substantial financial support, applicants should not assume that every cost of studying in the UK is completely covered.

Leadership Award

The Leadership Scholarship provides:

• 75% tuition fee reduction
• Employability allowance of up to £2,000

The employability funding can support activities such as internships, placements, conference attendance and additional qualifications. The university states that this funding cannot be used for opportunities directly connected to the recipient’s course.

Excellence Award

The Excellence Scholarship provides:

• 25% or 50% tuition fee reduction
• Employability allowance

The exact award depends on the scholarship offered to the successful applicant.

What Is Not Automatically Covered?

Applicants should pay particular attention to the difference between the different awards.

The scholarship scheme does not mean that every successful applicant receives full funding. Some applicants may receive a partial tuition fee reduction rather than the Global Widening Participation package.

For the Global Widening Participation award, university accommodation is reserved but the accommodation fees themselves are not covered.

Travel costs and other personal expenses are not identified as benefits on the official scholarship page.

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is intended for prospective international postgraduate students who hold Overseas fee status.

The university states that there are no nationality or country restrictions, provided the applicant has Overseas fee status. This means applicants from different countries can be considered if they satisfy the academic and programme requirements.

Can Afghan Students Apply?

Yes, Afghan students can apply if they meet the scholarship and Master’s programme requirements and are assessed as Overseas fee-status students.

The official scholarship page states that there are no restrictions based on country. The important condition is that the applicant must hold Overseas fee status.

For Afghan applicants, this makes the scholarship particularly worth investigating because Afghanistan is not excluded by the scholarship’s geographical criteria.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must have applied for an eligible postgraduate Master’s programme at the University of St Andrews.

The university lists the following eligible programme types:

• One-year taught Master’s programmes, including MLitt, MSc, MRes and MPP
• One-year Master’s research programmes, including MSc (Res) and MSt (Res)
• Two-year Master’s research programmes with a taught element in the first year, including MPhil (taught) and MFA

For a two-year Master’s research programme, St Leonards funding is available only for the first year.

The scholarship is not available for:

• Doctoral degrees
• Postgraduate certificates
• Postgraduate diplomas
• Online programmes

The university also states that applicants must apply for a full-time postgraduate Master’s programme, although the scholarship page lists both full-time and part-time daytime study modes in its information. Applicants should therefore check their specific programme’s eligibility before applying.

Academic and Other Selection Criteria

The scholarship is assessed using a combination of academic merit, wider achievement and financial need where relevant.

Applicants are encouraged to explain the criteria that apply to their circumstances.

You may strengthen your application by providing evidence of one or more of the following:

• Demonstrated financial need
• Previous needs-based funding
• Living in a socio-economically disadvantaged area
• A first-class GPA
• Strong academic achievement
• Future leadership potential
• Leadership or achievement outside academics
• Achievement in areas such as sport, music, theatre or civic activities
• A physical, unseen or learning disability
• Membership of a minority group

You do not need to claim a criterion that does not apply to you. The important point is to provide clear evidence for the circumstances that genuinely describe your background or achievements.

Eligible Fields of Study

The scholarship is available across a wide range of schools and departments at St Andrews.

Eligible areas include:

• Art History
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Classics
• Computer Science
• Divinity
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• English
• Film Studies
• Geography and Sustainable Development
• History
• International Education Institute
• International Relations
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Medicine
• Modern Languages
• Music
• Philosophy
• Physics and Astronomy
• Psychology and Neuroscience
• Social Anthropology
• Business School

The Graduate School is also included in the university’s listed areas.

Applicants should still verify that their specific Master’s programme qualifies because some awards within the wider scheme may apply only to particular programmes.

Required Documents

The scholarship application requires supporting evidence.

Applicants should prepare:

• One academic reference
• One personal reference
• University transcripts
• Interim transcripts where a degree is still pending

This means applicants need two references in total.

Academic Reference

The academic reference can be the same as one of the references submitted with your study application.

If you cannot access the reference immediately, the university allows applicants to upload a holding document containing the referee’s name. The reference can then be provided to the Scholarships Team.

Personal Reference

The personal reference should normally come from someone who knows you well and is not a family member.

For example, it could come from:

• An academic adviser
• A current or former employer
• A senior person at an organization where you volunteered

The reference should support the personal qualities, achievements or financial circumstances described in your scholarship application.

The university advises against simply replacing the personal reference with another academic reference unless that academic can specifically comment on the relevant non-academic qualities.

Additional Documents for Sport and Music Applicants

Some applicants may need additional evidence.

Sport Leadership Applicants

Sport applicants must provide:

• Sport CV
• Video or video link

The university states that sport leadership applicants should be competing at an elite level, internationally or at world level, while representing their home nation.

Music Excellence Applicants

Music applicants must provide:

• Music CV
• Video link or audio file

These materials must be provided before the scholarship deadline.

Financial Need and Household Income

Applicants who want to be considered for scholarships based on financial need must provide information about their gross annual household income in GBP.

If the applicant’s income is not in GBP, an exchange rate may be required.

The application also asks for contextual information about the applicant’s financial circumstances.

Applicants who choose not to disclose their income and financial circumstances will not be eligible for scholarships that are specifically based on financial need.

Practical advice: If you intend to request consideration based on financial need, prepare accurate household income information before starting the scholarship application. Keep relevant evidence available in case it is needed.

English Language Requirement

The St Leonards scholarship page does not specify a separate English-language test requirement.

English-language requirements are generally connected to the applicant’s chosen Master’s programme and university admission requirements.

Therefore, applicants should check the English-language requirements for their specific St Andrews course rather than assuming that the scholarship itself automatically waives or requires IELTS or another test.

Official scholarship requirement: Not specified on the scholarship page.

Application Deadline

The application period for the St Leonards Masters Scholarship 2027 is:

• Opening date: 17 August 2026
• Deadline: 3 February 2027
• Expected notification: Week commencing 22 March 2027

These dates are published by the University of St Andrews.

Applicants should not wait until the final day. The scholarship requires references and academic documents, so delays in obtaining these documents could create problems close to the deadline.

How to Apply

The application process has two main stages.

Step 1: Apply for a Master’s Programme

First, apply to the University of St Andrews for an eligible Master’s programme.

The university says that you do not need to wait for an admission offer before applying for the scholarship. You can apply for the scholarship after submitting your course application.

Step 2: Receive My Application Login Details

After submitting the course application, allow up to three working days to receive login details for the university’s My Application portal.

Step 3: Open Scholarships and Funding

Log in to My Application and go to:

Scholarships and Funding → Scholarships and Funding Catalogue

Search for:

St Leonards Masters Scholarship (International)

Step 4: Complete the Scholarship Application

Provide the requested information about:

• Academic achievements
• Wider achievements
• Leadership
• Financial circumstances, if relevant
• References
• Transcripts
• Other supporting evidence

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Make sure the complete application and required supporting documents are submitted by 3 February 2027.

References sent separately must also reach the Scholarships Team before the deadline.

Important Tips for Applicants

Start the university application early

The scholarship application becomes available through My Application after you submit your course application. Waiting until close to the scholarship deadline could leave too little time for references and supporting documents.

Choose your evidence carefully

The university asks applicants to explain which criteria they meet. Do not simply list achievements. Explain what you achieved, what your role was and what evidence supports it.

Make the personal reference genuinely personal

The university specifically asks for a personal reference that can support your non-academic qualities or financial circumstances. Choose someone who can provide meaningful information about you rather than selecting a referee only because they have an impressive job title.

Be accurate about financial information

If applying for needs-based funding, provide household income information carefully. Do not estimate figures without a reasonable basis.

Do not assume every award is fully funded

The scheme contains different awards. The Global Widening Participation award offers full tuition plus an £18,000 stipend, while Leadership and Excellence awards provide partial tuition reductions and/or employability support.

Check your exact Master’s programme

The scholarship covers specific programme categories and excludes doctoral degrees, postgraduate certificates, diplomas and online programmes. Check your chosen course before preparing the scholarship application.

What Happens After You Apply?

The university expects scholarship outcomes to become available through the My Application portal by late March 2027.

Applicants can check:

Scholarships and Funding → View or continue my funding applications

Successful applicants will also receive an award letter.

Scholarship recipients may also be invited to share their experiences through written content, video recordings or university events and may participate as ambassadors for the university.

Is the St Leonards Scholarship Fully Funded?

Some awards within the scheme can provide very substantial funding, but the entire St Leonards Masters Scholarship scheme should not be described as universally fully funded.

The Global Widening Participation award provides full tuition fees and an £18,000 stipend, but accommodation fees are not included.

Other awards provide a 75%, 50% or 25% tuition fee reduction, depending on the award.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students apply for the St Leonards Masters Scholarship?

Yes. The international version is specifically intended for applicants with Overseas fee status. There are no country-based restrictions stated on the official page.

Can Afghan students apply?

Yes. Afghanistan is not excluded by the scholarship’s geographical criteria. Afghan applicants must meet the programme requirements and hold Overseas fee status.

Is the scholarship fully funded?

Not every award is fully funded. The Global Widening Participation award covers full tuition and provides an £18,000 stipend, while other awards offer partial tuition reductions and employability support.

How much is the stipend?

The Global Widening Participation award provides a stipend of £18,000 per year. Other St Leonards awards do not list the same stipend package.

Do I need an admission offer before applying?

No. You can apply for the scholarship after submitting your application for a place at St Andrews. You do not need to wait until you receive an offer.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline for the 2027 entry international St Leonards Masters Scholarship is 3 February 2027.

Is IELTS required for the scholarship?

The scholarship page does not state a separate IELTS requirement. Applicants should check the English-language requirements of their chosen Master’s programme.

Can I apply for a two-year Master’s research programme?

Yes, eligible two-year Master’s research programmes with a taught element in the first year can qualify. However, St Leonards funding is available only for the first year of a two-year Master’s research programme.

Final Thoughts

The St Leonards Masters Scholarship 2027 is an important funding opportunity for international students planning postgraduate study at the University of St Andrews.

Its main strength is the range of awards available. Some successful applicants may receive full tuition fees and an £18,000 stipend, while others may receive significant tuition reductions or employability funding.

For international and Afghan applicants, the absence of country restrictions is particularly important. However, applicants should carefully check their Overseas fee status, Master’s programme eligibility, references, transcripts and application deadline before submitting their application.

The best approach is to apply for the eligible Master’s programme early and then complete the scholarship application through the university’s My Application portal well before 3 February 2027.

Official Application

St Leonards Masters Scholarship (International) — University of St Andrews

OFFICIAL SOURCES

• University of St Andrews — St Leonards Masters Scholarship (International Students)
• University of St Andrews — Funding and Scholarships
• University of St Andrews — All Scholarships Catalogue

Related Articles & Internal Linking

I checked GlobalScholarshipsHub.com for existing content. The site currently has several UK scholarship articles that can support this topic. These are the closest verified internal-link opportunities I found:

• University of Exeter International Scholarships in the UK — useful for readers comparing UK university scholarships.
• Islam Scholarship at the University of Birmingham — relevant for international students researching Master’s funding in the UK.
• Loughborough University International Excellence Scholarships — another UK university scholarship option for international students.
• Scholarships for Afghan Students – Fully Funded — useful for Afghan applicants looking for international scholarship opportunities.