Scholarships at University of Surrey

The discount is awarded as a £2,000 fee waiver for eligible students in the first year of their studies.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible applicants must:

• Be an overseas fee-paying student for a full-time masters course starting in February or September 2026.

• Be self-funded (you must be paying for your studies independently rather than being sponsored. Students in receipt of an educational loan are eligible for this award).

• Not be in receipt of another scholarship from the University, such as the International Excellence Award or the Future Leaders scholarship (students can accept one University-managed scholarship of the highest value).

• Have paid the deposit via the applicant portal within 10 days of receiving an offer.

This scholarship is not open to students from the Surrey International Study Centre (SISC).

Students who are eligible for the alumni discount can have this scholarship in addition to the alumni discount (can combine the alumni discount and early payment discount).

*Excludes part-time and distance-learning courses.

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the University of Surrey is offering one £10,000 scholarship to students in India applying for one-year postgraduate courses starting in September 2026.

About GREAT Scholarships

The GREAT Scholarships 2026 programme, launched by the British Council together with over 60 UK universities, supports postgraduate students from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam in accessing world-class UK higher education opportunities. 

The scholarship programme offers financial support of a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects, at over 60 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible, applicants must: 

• Be a target country passport holder who is also a permanent resident

• Hold an unconditional offer for a full-time postgraduate course starting in September 2026

• Be active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the proposed subject area

• Be willing to embody the UK Higher Education experience, by attending lectures and tutorials and engaging with extra-curricular activities, and act as an ambassador for UK Higher Education, by promoting the value of studying at a UK HEI

• Represent the high standards of the GREAT brand by becoming an advocate for scholarships

• Be willing to attend a networking event of all UK-based GREAT scholars, to discuss experiences and capture perceptions of studying in the UK

• Be willing to demonstrate future contribution to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after graduating from UK higher education

• Be willing to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the GREAT scholarships, by sharing experiences of studying in the UK with future GREAT candidates and scholars.

Application deadline

• 29 May 2026

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the University of Surrey is offering one £10,000 scholarship to students in Kenya applying for one-year postgraduate courses starting in September 2026. 

About GREAT Scholarships

The GREAT Scholarships 2026 programme, launched by the British Council together with over 60 UK universities, supports postgraduate students from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam in accessing world-class UK higher education opportunities. 

The scholarship programme offers financial support of a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects, at over 60 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible, applicants must: 

• Be a target country passport holder who is also a permanent resident

• Hold an unconditional offer for a full-time postgraduate course starting in September 2026

• Be active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the proposed subject area

• Be willing to embody the UK Higher Education experience, by attending lectures and tutorials and engaging with extra-curricular activities, and act as an ambassador for UK Higher Education, by promoting the value of studying at a UK HEI

• Represent the high standards of the GREAT brand by becoming an advocate for scholarships

• Be willing to attend a networking event of all UK-based GREAT scholars, to discuss experiences and capture perceptions of studying in the UK

• Be willing to demonstrate future contribution to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after graduating from UK higher education

• Be willing to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the GREAT scholarships, by sharing experiences of studying in the UK with future GREAT candidates and scholars.

Application deadline

• 29 May 2026

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, the University of Surrey is offering one £10,000 scholarship to students in Spain applying for one-year postgraduate courses starting in September 2026. 

About GREAT Scholarships

The GREAT Scholarships 2026 programme, launched by the British Council together with over 60 UK universities, supports postgraduate students from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam in accessing world-class UK higher education opportunities.

The scholarship programme offers financial support of a minimum of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK. Students can apply for courses in a range of subjects, at over 60 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible, applicants must: 

• Be a target country passport holder who is also a permanent resident

• Hold an unconditional offer for a full-time postgraduate course starting in September 2026

• Be a target country passport holder who is also a permanent resident

• Be active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the proposed subject area

• Be willing to embody the UK Higher Education experience, by attending lectures and tutorials and engaging with extra-curricular activities, and act as an ambassador for UK Higher Education, by promoting the value of studying at a UK HEI

• Represent the high standards of the GREAT brand by becoming an advocate for scholarships

• Be willing to attend a networking event of all UK-based GREAT scholars, to discuss experiences and capture perceptions of studying in the UK

• Be willing to demonstrate future contribution to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after graduating from UK higher education

• Be willing to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the GREAT scholarships, by sharing experiences of studying in the UK with future GREAT candidates and scholars.

Application deadline

• 29 May 2026

This scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 fee waiver. It is open to self-funded international fee-paying students regardless of nationality or domicile, who are starting their studies with us in February 2026 and September 2026.

The scheme is application based and awards are decided by a scholarship awards panel.

All scholarships must be allocated before a CAS is issued. Please apply early. We are not able to consider applications if your CAS has already been allocated.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible, applicants must:

• Be an overseas fee-paying student

• Hold an offer to study a full-time masters programme*

• Be self-funded (you must be paying for your studies independently rather than being sponsored or in receipt of another scholarship)

• Not be from the Surrey International Study Centre (SISC)

• Apply for a scholarship before a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is issued. The award cannot be applied post CAS.

*Excludes part-time, distance-learning courses, MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSc Biotechnology and the MBA course.

The award is not deferrable (if applicants are deferring, they will need to reapply for the award. This will also be subject to the award availability).

This scholarship cannot be combined with the alumni or early bird discount.

For two-year postgraduate courses, the scholarship award is valid for the first year only.

Deadline

• February 2026 applications will close on 9 January 2026.

• September 2026 applications will close on 31 July 2026.

The scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 fee waiver. It is open to self-funded international fee-paying students regardless of nationality or domicile. The scheme is application based and awards are decided by a scholarship awards panel. The panel will assess previous academic performance, predicted grades and the personal statement to make their decision.

The scheme is application based, and awards are decided by a scholarship awards panel. Surrey must be your firm choice on a UCAS application to be considered for the award.

All scholarships must be allocated before a CAS is issued. Please apply early. We are not able consider applications if your CAS has already been allocated.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible applicants must:

• Be an overseas fee-paying student.

• Choose Surrey as your firm choice on your UCAS application.

• Hold an offer to study a full-time bachelors degree programme* at FHEQ Level 4 (first-year entry).

• Be self-funded (you must be paying for your studies independently rather than being sponsored or in receipt of another scholarship).

• The grades eligibility for applicants joining Surrey via Clearing is ABB (or equivalent).

• This Scholarship is not open to students from Surrey International Study Centre (SISC).

• Applicants in receipt of the International Excellence scholarship will not be eligible for any other Surrey Scholarship.

• Apply for a scholarship before a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is issued. The award cannot be applied post CAS.

*Excludes part-time and distance-learning courses.

The award is available for the first year of an undergraduate degree only.

The award is not deferrable to the following year (if applicants are deferring, they will need to reapply for the award. This will also be subject to the award availability).

Deadline

For September 2026, applications will close on 31 July 2026.

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping leadership, decision-making, and innovation across every sector of the global economy. The AI Pathfinders Scholarship supports candidates who are eager to explore the opportunities and challenges of AI, and who can demonstrate the potential to apply these technologies responsibly and strategically in their careers. It is open to applicants joining either the full-time or part-time MBA programme. While open to all MBA applicants, this scholarship is particularly aimed at, but not restricted to, candidates who wish to pursue our Artificial Intelligence Pathway.

This is a partial scholarship that covers 10–50% of tuition fees, depending on the applicant’s profile and interview performance. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so candidates who apply early in the admissions round have a greater chance of receiving an award. We do not charge for applications to the scholarship or the programme.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible:

• You must meet Surrey MBA entry requirements

• You must be self-funded, or receiving a partial sponsorship or loan.

Application deadline

• 15 July 2026

The Employer Partnership Scholarship is designed to make university-quality professional development more accessible to employers and their staff. The scholarship is open to candidates joining the two-year part-time MBA course. This scholarship allows the Surrey MBA to match employer contributions towards the tuition fee up to 40%. For example:

• Employer contribution: 30%

• Surrey contribution: 30%

• Student contribution: 40%.

The full fee (minus the Surrey scholarship) is split evenly over the two years of study. Employers will be invoiced once per year. Students (the employee) will have the following fee:

• Employers will be invoiced once per year.

• Students (the employee) will have the following fee structure for the structured part-time route

  • Deposit (£3,000)

  • First year

    • 1st Instalment October/November

    • 2nd Instalment January/February

  • Second Year

    • 3rd Instalment October/November

    • 4th Instalment January/February.

Employer benefits

• Block teaching of modules minimises disruption to the employee’s work

• Employees can begin to immediately apply what they’re learning to their role, benefitting the organisation from the start.

• Commitment to staff development promotes employee satisfaction, often reducing staff turnover

• Possible consultancy project collaboration.

• Employer investment and support in your professional development

• You can apply what you are learning and put it into practice straight away, making it much easier to include in your day-to-day practice.

• A network of peers to exchange ideas with, providing new perspectives.

• Reduced stress surrounding the financial burden often associated with undertaking an MBA.

Eligibility criteria

• You must meet Surrey MBA entry requirements

• You must be self-funded (this can include a PG Loan) and hoping to receive partial sponsorship from your employer (i.e., if you are fully funded via another scholarship or sponsorship, you cannot be considered).

• Open only to applicants for the two-year part-time route.

Application deadline

• 15 July 2026

The University of Surrey is located in the hometown of Lewis Carroll, the celebrated author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Carroll’s legacy of imagination, curiosity, and daring to see the world differently inspires entrepreneurial thinking.

This scholarship is designed for candidates who share this spirit: those who challenge assumptions, think creatively, and have the determination to turn bold ideas into thriving ventures. It is open to applicants joining either the full-time or part-time MBA programme. While open to all MBA applicants, this scholarship is particularly aimed at, but not restricted to, candidates who wish to pursue our Entrepreneurship Pathway.

This is a partial scholarship that covers 10–50% of tuition fees, depending on the applicant’s profile and interview performance. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so candidates who apply early in the admissions round have a greater chance of receiving an award. We do not charge for applications to the scholarship or the programme.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible:

• You must meet Surrey MBA entry requirements.

• You must be self-funded, or receiving a partial sponsorship or loan.

Application deadline

• 15 July 2026

At Surrey Business School we believe in breaking down barriers to inspire positive change. We have a significant number of scholarships available for talented individuals applying to our MBA programme.

Scholarships can cover between 10 – 50% of the total tuition fee and will be awarded on a rolling basis. Candidates who apply early in the admissions round may therefore have a greater chance of receiving an award.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible:

• You must hold a lower second-class degree or equivalent, alternatives may be considered, see entry criteria for more information.

• You must be a UK, EU or international student.

• You must be self-funded, or receiving a partial sponsorship or loan.

• You must be studying full or part time.

• EU and international students must comply with the English language requirements (IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall grade with 6.0 in each element or equivalent).

The Service Stewardship Scholarship is designed for candidates who aspire to lead in hospitality, tourism, and service-focused industries. It recognises individuals with a passion for customer experience, creativity in service design, and the ability to inspire teams to deliver world-class service: those ready to shape the future of service leadership.

It is open to applicants joining either the full-time or part-time MBA programme. While open to all MBA applicants, this scholarship is particularly aimed at, but not restricted to, candidates who wish to pursue our Hospitality Service Leadership Pathway.

This is a partial scholarship that covers 10–50% of tuition fees, depending on the applicant’s profile and interview performance. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so candidates who apply early in the admissions round have a greater chance of receiving an award. We do not charge for applications to the scholarship or the programme.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible:

• You must meet Surrey MBA entry requirements.

• You must be self-funded, or receiving a partial sponsorship or loan.

Application deadline

• 15 July 2026

This Women in Leadership Scholarship reflects the Surrey Business School’s commitment to empowering the next generation of women leaders. It recognises female candidates who have already demonstrated impact in business and who aspire to mentor, inspire, and support other women in their leadership journeys. This scholarship is open to candidates joining either the full-time or part-time MBA programme.

This is a partial scholarship that covers 10 – 50% of the tuition fee, depending on the applicant’s profile and interview performance. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so candidates who apply early in the admissions round have a greater chance of receiving an award. We do not charge for applications to the scholarship or the programme.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible:

• You must meet Surrey MBA entry requirements.

• You must be self-funded, or receiving a partial sponsorship or loan.

• Open only for female applicants.

Application deadlines

• 15 July 2026 - Full-time MBA.

The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship Programme celebrates Professor Lu's nine years of transformative leadership as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey. 

The scholarship will support postgraduate students nominated by our donors during their educational journey at the University of Surrey. The scholarship will provide £15,000, as a tuition fee reduction, for a full-time postgraduate programme, delivered in Guildford. 

The total value of the scholarship is £15,000. This award can be combined with an Academic Excellence Award: International Excellence Award February 2026.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible applicants must:

• Be an overseas fee-paying student from selected countries (please see a list of qualifying countries below)

• Have an offer for any postgraduate programme at the University of Surrey for February 2026

• Be from a low-income family background

• This award is not available for applicants on part-time; distance-learning programmes or sponsored students

Eligible countries

• China (an applicant must be a holder of a valid Chinese passport) - two scholarships. This scheme is generously sponsored by:

  • The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship supported by the MW Project

  • The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship

• Chinese descent (Chinese origin, regardless of applicants' nationality – please explain in your application how you fit this criteria) - two scholarships:

  • The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship supported by Li Lu

  • The Professor GQ Max Lu Global Scholarship supported by Gene and Sharon Chang.

Application deadline: -15 December 2025

This scholarship is awarded as a £7,500 fee waiver. It is open to self-funded international fee-paying students domiciled in specific countries.

The scheme is application based and awards are decided by a scholarship awards panel. The panel will assess previous academic performance, predicted grades (if applicable) and the personal statement to make their decision.

These awards must be allocated before a CAS is issued. We are not able to consider applications if your CAS has already been issued.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible applicants must:

• Hold an offer to study a full-time degree programme* at Surrey. This should be either a Bachelor degree at FHEQ Level 4 (first-year entry) or a full-time masters degree.

• Be self-funded (you must be paying for your studies independently rather than being sponsored or in receipt of another scholarship).

• If you are an undergraduate applicant, Surrey must be your firm choice on your UCAS application to be considered for the award.

• The award is not deferrable (if applicants are deferring, they will need to reapply for the award. This will also be subject to the award availability).

• Apply for a scholarship before a Confirmation of Acceptance Studies (CAS) is issued. The award cannot be applied post CAS.

• Be an overseas fee-paying student domiciled in one of the following countries:

Don't see your country or region on the list? Our £5,000 International Excellence Award is open to self-funded international fee-paying students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

*This scholarship is not open to students from Surrey International Study Centre (SISC) or applicants wishing to study MSc Pharmaceutical Science, or MSc Biotechnology. The grades eligibility for applicants joining Surrey via Clearing is ABB (or equivalent).

Please note:

• For two-year postgraduate courses, the scholarship award is valid for the first year only.

• For undergraduate courses, the scholarship award is valid for the first year only.

• Applicants in receipt of the Future Leaders scholarship will not be eligible for any other Surrey scholarship.

• This scholarship cannot be combined with the alumni discount.

Deadline

• February 2026 applications will close on 9 January 2026 (Postgraduate entry only).

• September 2026 applications will close on 31 July 2026.