Scholarships for EU Students in the UK: 2027 Guide

Scholarships for EU students in the UK remain available, but the award that suits one applicant may not suit another. Universities publish EU-specific tuition reductions, wider international scholarships and postgraduate awards that accept applicants from many countries. The deciding details are usually the course, level of study, nationality, country of ordinary residence, fee classification and start date.

For 2027 entry, there are several useful options to compare. The University of Essex lists an annual £5,000 reduction for eligible undergraduate students and a separate £5,000 award for eligible full-time taught Master’s students. Lancaster lists £3,000 per year for eligible EU undergraduates, while the University of Stirling advertises £5,000 per year for its Europe Undergraduate Scholarship from September 2027 or January 2028. Other universities publish reduced tuition figures rather than a cash award.

Here is the important distinction: a scholarship advertised as £5,000 may reduce the tuition invoice by £5,000, while another university may publish the final fee after its reduction. Compare what you would actually pay, not just the headline figure.

UK scholarships for EU students: 2027 comparison

The table compares UK university scholarships for European students with current information for 2027 or 2027/28 entry. Awards are subject to the provider’s full terms. A course may be excluded, and an award for one intake should not be assumed to cover another.

Some universities use “Europe” in an award name, but that does not mean every European country is covered. Bournemouth includes EU and EEA citizens and Swiss nationals under its published conditions. Stirling’s 2027 Europe award has its own list of EU member states, candidate countries and EFTA states. Always check the country list on the individual award page.

What types of scholarships can EU students apply for?

Most opportunities fall into a few practical categories. The name of an award does not always tell you how it is paid, so read the terms before treating it as money you will receive directly.

• University or EU-specific tuition discounts: reduce the course fee for eligible students, often automatically after the university assesses the course application.
• Academic and merit scholarships: reward grades, academic potential, achievements or a strong application. Some require a separate statement or selection process.
• Subject-specific awards: are attached to a faculty, department or course. They may consider relevant projects, experience, research interests or a portfolio.
• Performance scholarships: recognise ability in areas such as sport, music or performing arts. The award may include participation requirements.
• Country-specific schemes: are limited to named nationalities. GREAT Scholarships are one example, but the eligible country list changes by academic year.
• Fully funded postgraduate awards: may combine tuition fees with a living-cost grant. They are usually competitive and have strict course and application deadlines.

UCAS explains that scholarships commonly recognise academic ability or talent, while bursaries and grants based on personal circumstances are less common and may be one-off payments. Read its guide to scholarships, grants and bursaries for EU and international students for a broader explanation of the different award types.

Who is eligible for scholarships for EU students in the UK?

There is no single eligibility rule. An award may depend on EU nationality, ordinary residence, international fee classification, academic results or a combination of these conditions. Universities also distinguish between EU, EEA, EFTA and Swiss applicants, so the labels are not interchangeable.

• EU: European Union member states.
• EEA: EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
• EFTA: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
• Switzerland: outside the EU and EEA, but included in some university schemes.

Check whether an award requires a particular nationality, ordinary residence in a named country or international fee classification. Portsmouth, for example, requires eligible undergraduate applicants to be EU, EEA or Swiss nationals who have lived in one of those areas for the previous three years. Its postgraduate award has a narrower country list. Irish applicants should also check their specific terms rather than assume every EU award applies to them.

If a university assesses you in a fee category that the scholarship excludes, the award may not apply. Ask the university to confirm the category it will use for your course before comparing the final tuition amounts.

EU fee status after Brexit: what 2027 applicants should know

Fee status is one of the most important details when comparing scholarships for EU students in the UK. Some university awards are designed for applicants who pay international tuition fees; others use nationality, ordinary residence or a named country list. A tuition discount does not itself change a student’s official fee classification.

Since the end of the Brexit transition period, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals starting new courses have not automatically retained the old EU fee arrangements. Some applicants may still fit a Home-fee category, and Republic of Ireland citizens have separate arrangements. The relevant rules depend on nationality, residence and the UK nation where the course is based. Fee regulations differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and universities assess each applicant using the relevant rules and information provided with the course application.

There is an additional point for 2027 entry in England. On 1 October 2026, UKCISA announced adjustments to the regulations used to determine who can pay Home fees for courses starting from 1 January 2027. UKCISA said its detailed guidance would be updated in December 2026 and advised institutions to understand the revised dates before making firm decisions. This means older fee-status pages may not reflect every detail for a January 2027 start. Read the UKCISA update on Home-fee changes from January 2027 and check the university’s latest published assessment information.

For a general explanation of how fee categories work in England, see UKCISA’s Home-fee status guidance. This article does not determine an individual applicant’s fee status; the university makes that assessment.

Undergraduate scholarships for EU students

University of Essex: £5,000 each year

Essex offers an Undergraduate EU Scholarship for new EU students entering in 2027/28 who are classified as overseas students for tuition purposes. The award reduces annual tuition by £5,000. It can apply for up to three years for students entering Year 1, or up to four years for students entering Year 0.

Essex assesses eligible applicants through the university application, so there is no separate scholarship form. The award is available across all departments, subject to the full terms. Read the University of Essex undergraduate award conditions before calculating the total reduction for a course with a foundation year or a non-standard duration.

Lancaster University: £3,000 per year

Lancaster’s Undergraduate EU Scholarship is worth £3,000 as a tuition-fee reduction for each year of an eligible undergraduate course starting in 2027. The university says applicants are automatically considered when they apply. The scheme includes eligible international-fee students from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, with eligibility based on nationality or country of domicile.

The annual value can make a noticeable difference over a multi-year degree. Still, check the course page and scholarship conditions together. Do not assume that every course, placement year or study-abroad period is treated in the same way. See Lancaster’s Undergraduate EU Scholarship details.

University of Stirling: £5,000 per year

The Europe Undergraduate Scholarship at Stirling is open to eligible international students, including EU applicants, starting in September 2027 or January 2028. The published value is £5,000 off tuition for each year of study. The university states that eligible students are considered automatically.

The award covers EU member states, including candidate countries, and EFTA states, alongside several other named countries. Applicants must meet the university’s ordinary-residence and international-fee requirements and hold an offer for an eligible full-time undergraduate course at the Stirling campus. The award generally cannot be combined with another Stirling scholarship, apart from the stated sports-scholarship exception. Check the Stirling Europe Undergraduate Scholarship terms for the full country list.

Bournemouth University: tuition reduced to £12,075

Bournemouth University’s European Access Scholarship reduces eligible tuition fees to £12,075 for the 2027/28 academic year for students starting in September 2027. The university says it applies to eligible full-time undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses and is assessed automatically.

The published conditions include EU or EEA citizens and Swiss nationals who are ordinarily resident in an eligible country when they apply and enrol, hold an offer for an eligible course and are classified as international fee-paying students. The award can continue in later years if the student remains eligible, although future tuition fees and the value of the reduction may change. Read the Bournemouth European Access Scholarship conditions.

London Metropolitan University: EU Bright Futures

London Met’s EU Bright Futures Scholarship includes eligible EU students with overseas fee status starting a full degree in January 2027. The undergraduate tuition figure published for the scheme is £9,790 per year, with the scholarship value listed between £9,965 and £12,465 depending on the course. Postgraduate award values vary by school, with published figures from £1,900 to £10,250. The tuition reduction is applied automatically, but course and applicant conditions still apply. The current terms also state that applicants must not have applied for settled or pre-settled status before starting the degree. This is an intake-specific option, not a confirmed September 2027 award. Check the London Met EU Bright Futures details.

University of Portsmouth: EU tuition reductions

Portsmouth has extended its EU Scholarship to intakes through 2028/29. For undergraduate study, its dedicated EU scholarship page currently shows the 2027/28 tuition figure as “TBC”. A separate undergraduate fee page displays a 2027/28 range of £12,300 to £14,445 for EU residents, including the scholarship. Because the university’s pages do not show the same figure, treat the course page and written fee quote as the source to confirm before making a comparison.

For postgraduate taught and research courses, Portsmouth lists a discount of up to £6,000 for 2027/28 and 2028/29. This is not available to every EU applicant: the published postgraduate conditions name a restricted group of countries, including Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden. Check the Portsmouth EU tuition and scholarship page and the undergraduate tuition fee page together; do not assume the same conditions apply to every course or campus.

York and Newcastle: wider international awards that include EU applicants

Not every useful award has “EU” in its name. The University of York lists an International Undergraduate Achievement Scholarship worth up to £10,000 in the first year for 2027/28. Its published eligibility includes international students, including EU applicants. The amount is a first-year award, not an annual reduction across the whole degree. Check the York undergraduate scholarship list and the conditions for the chosen course.

Newcastle University’s 2027 Global Scholarships page says EU and international applicants can be considered for its award schemes. The university lists £7,000 undergraduate Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships for eligible international-fee applicants, with all EU member states included in the published country list. It also advertises selected Excellence awards of up to 50% of tuition fees. The £10,000 Future Leaders awards shown on the same page are country-specific, so do not assume they apply to EU applicants. Review the Newcastle Global Scholarships for 2027 and the Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship conditions separately.

Master’s scholarships for EU students in the UK

Essex Masters (PGT) EU Scholarship

For 2027/28, Essex lists a £5,000 tuition reduction for eligible full-time EU students on taught postgraduate courses who are classified as international students for fees. Part-time students can receive £2,500 in Year 1 and £2,500 in Year 2. The part-time total is therefore £5,000 across two years, not £5,000 in each year.

Essex uses the course application to assess eligibility and does not require a separate form for this award. Check the Essex Masters EU Scholarship information and confirm that the selected programme is included.

Oxford Clarendon Fund: open to all nationalities

EU applicants can also consider postgraduate scholarships that are not restricted to European students. Oxford’s Clarendon Fund is open to new Master’s and DPhil applicants from all nationalities and subject areas. It covers course fees in full and provides a living-cost grant for eligible full-time scholars. Part-time scholars receive a study-support grant instead.

There is no separate Clarendon application. Applicants must submit their graduate course application by the December or January deadline that applies to the chosen course. Selection is highly competitive and considers academic record, future potential and motivation. Meeting the deadline makes an applicant eligible for consideration; it does not guarantee an award. Read the Oxford Clarendon applicant information.

Gates Cambridge: full-cost postgraduate funding

Gates Cambridge is another major option for EU applicants because it is open to citizens of countries outside the UK who apply for an eligible postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship covers the University Composition Fee and a maintenance allowance, with additional support available under the programme’s terms. It is highly competitive and does not cover every Cambridge course. For 2027/28, applicants in the international round must meet the funding deadline set for their chosen course. Check the University of Cambridge Gates Cambridge information and the funding deadline for the specific course.

EU scholarships for postgraduate research and PhD study

Research applicants should check departmental studentships as well as general university awards. A research scholarship may reduce tuition, cover full course fees, provide a stipend, or combine several elements. The title “funded PhD” does not always mean that every cost is covered.

Essex publishes a Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship for eligible new EU research students entering in 2027/28. The award reduces tuition by £8,000 for each year of full-time research study, up to a maximum of £32,000 for a four-year integrated research degree. Eligible applicants are automatically considered through their course application.

Before accepting a research offer, check whether the advertised studentship covers the full tuition amount for your fee category, how long the award lasts and whether it includes a stipend. The Essex Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship page sets out the university’s current award conditions.

Can EU students get a bursary in the UK?

Yes, but bursaries are less common for EU and international applicants than university scholarships. UCAS explains that scholarships are often linked to academic ability, potential or talent, while bursaries and grants based on personal circumstances are less common and may be one-off payments.

For anyone searching for a bursary in the UK for EU students, the key is to read the provider’s definition. A bursary may be a one-off payment, a tuition reduction or an award linked to a particular course or student group. Universities do not all use the terms “scholarship” and “bursary” in exactly the same way.

To find an EU bursary, start with the university’s official scholarships and bursaries database. Filter by nationality, country of residence, course level and subject. Then check whether the award is open to new students, whether it is automatic and whether it can be combined with another university award.

If a bursary page does not clearly state whether EU applicants qualify, ask the university’s scholarships team. A short, specific question about your nationality, course and start date is more useful than assuming that a general bursary applies to every applicant.

GREAT and Chevening: do they apply to EU students?

GREAT Scholarships are country-specific rather than open to every EU applicant. For 2026/27, the British Council lists awards worth £10,000 towards one-year taught postgraduate tuition for students from 18 countries. France, Greece, Italy and Spain appear on the published list. The 2027/28 country and university list should be checked when the next cycle is published; the 2026/27 list is not proof that the same awards will continue for 2027/28. Start with the British Council’s GREAT Scholarships country list.

Chevening is another postgraduate scheme that may be relevant to applicants from selected European countries. It is not an EU-wide scholarship: applicants must be citizens of a participating country or territory and meet the programme’s other criteria. These include at least 2,800 hours of work experience gained after completing an undergraduate degree, a commitment to return to the country of award for at least two years, and applications to three eligible UK courses. The application window for the 2027/28 award closed in October 2026. As at 8 November 2026, that round is closed. Check the Chevening eligibility criteria and application timeline before planning for a later cycle.

Commonwealth Scholarships are not a general route for EU nationals. They are tied to eligible Commonwealth countries and programmes, so EU nationality alone does not establish eligibility.

How to apply for a UK scholarship or bursary

Start with the course and intended intake, then work backwards to the award. This avoids spending time on scholarships that exclude your subject, level or start date.

1. Check the full criteria. Confirm nationality, ordinary residence, fee classification, course exclusions and study mode.
2. Check the application route. Some awards are automatic; others need a separate form, statement or reference.
3. Record all deadlines. Course, scholarship and deposit dates may differ. A scholarship deadline can arrive first.
4. Prepare the requested evidence. This may include transcripts, certificates, a CV, references, a personal statement or proof of ordinary residence.
5. Calculate the actual fee. Check the amount left to pay and how many years the reduction covers.
6. Check whether awards can be combined. Some universities prohibit combining scholarships or discounts.

For example, Portsmouth lists a course with a £19,500 international tuition fee and a £6,500 EU Scholarship. The published fee after the reduction is £13,000. Another course may have a different starting fee, so a single headline figure will not tell every student what they will pay.

For a competitive award, replace generic claims with evidence. Explain why the course fits your academic background and refer to a relevant project, strong results, research experience, portfolio or subject-related work.

How to compare scholarship values properly

Compare like with like. A £5,000 first-year award is not the same as £3,000 per year across a three-year degree, and a reduced tuition figure is not the amount of the scholarship itself. Check whether the award is annual, one-off, full-fee or accompanied by a separate living-cost grant.

One detail applicants sometimes miss: a larger headline award can still leave a higher tuition bill if the original course fee is higher. Compare the final amount payable and the years covered, not just the biggest advertised number.

Frequently asked questions

Can EU students still get scholarships in the UK after Brexit?

Yes. UK universities continue to publish EU-specific tuition reductions and wider international scholarships that include eligible EU applicants. The conditions vary by nationality, ordinary residence, course, fee classification and start date.

Which UK universities offer scholarships for EU students in 2027?

Published examples include the University of Essex, Lancaster University, the University of Stirling, Bournemouth University and the University of Portsmouth. Newcastle and York also list wider international awards that include eligible EU applicants. Oxford’s Clarendon Fund is an option for eligible postgraduate applicants of any nationality.

Are there undergraduate scholarships for EU students in the UK?

Yes. Examples include Essex’s £5,000 annual award, Lancaster’s £3,000 annual reduction, Stirling’s £5,000 annual Europe Undergraduate Scholarship and the York International Undergraduate Achievement Scholarship, worth up to £10,000 in the first year.

Are there postgraduate scholarships for EU students?

Yes. Essex lists a £5,000 full-time taught Master’s award for 2027/28 and an £8,000 annual research-fee reduction for eligible postgraduate research students. Portsmouth lists a £5,000 award for eligible postgraduate taught and research applicants from specified countries. Oxford Clarendon is open to all nationalities on eligible Master’s and DPhil courses.

How do I apply for a bursary as an EU student?

Search the university’s official bursary and scholarship database, then check nationality, ordinary residence, course and fee conditions. Some bursaries are awarded automatically; others require a separate form or supporting evidence. If the terms do not clearly mention EU applicants, ask the university before relying on the award.

Are EU scholarships available for January 2027?

Some schemes include January 2027, but the award and course must both accept that start date. For example, Stirling lists a separate EU Undergraduate Scholarship for January 2027, while its Europe Undergraduate Scholarship applies to September 2027 and January 2028. Check the exact intake on the university page.

Can EU students apply for scholarships that are not specifically for Europeans?

Yes, where the published rules include EU applicants. York’s International Undergraduate Achievement Scholarship and Newcastle’s Global Scholarships are examples of wider international schemes that include eligible EU students. Oxford Clarendon has no nationality restriction.

Choose an award that matches your course and entry year

Scholarships for EU students in the UK cover undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research study, but the best option depends on nationality, ordinary residence, fee classification, course and start date. Compare the tuition left to pay and the number of years covered, then confirm the full terms with the university.

Scholarship amounts, eligible countries and entry dates can change. The university or awarding body’s current terms and the fee figure in the offer documentation take precedence over any summary in a guide.

For a wider view of published awards across study destinations, browse scholarship opportunities by destination and build your shortlist around the course you genuinely want to study.