Inspiring Excellence Scholarships

Recognising outstanding international students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

World top 100

QS World University Rankings 2027

49th for employer reputation

QS World University Rankings 2027

Explore your study options at a world top 100 university

Join our online Durham Global Gateway Series from 23 - 27 November.

Explore subject-specific presentations and discussions led by our academics. Receive guidance on the application process, learn about our distinctive college system, and hear from and connect with current students.

Book your sessions now

Achieve the outstanding

Our Inspiring Excellence Scholarships award £5,000 or £10,000 to exceptional, self-funded international students.

These prestigious scholarships are application-based and open to those applying to eligible undergraduate or postgraduate taught programmes at Durham University for the 2027-28 academic year.

Students These highly competitive partial scholarships are offered in two award types:

Inspiring Excellence £5K - £5,000 in tuition fee discount (per year for three-year undergraduate programmes)
Inspiring Excellence £10K - £10,000 in tuition fee discount (per year for three-year undergraduate programmes)

Selection is based on the applicant's scholarship application responses, academic achievements and potential to make a positive impact after completing a degree at Durham University. In addition, nationality diversity and balance across programmes will also be considered in the selection process.

Explore your options with confidence

Join us for a series of engaging virtual events from 23 - 27 November. Create your own personalised event experience by choosing from a wide range of online open day sessions.

You can explore your future study options at Durham via subject-specific sessions, hear first-hand experiences, and access guidance, inspiration and practical advice to make informed decisions. Some sessions will be repeated to accomodate different time zones.

I feel very proud to be an Inspiring Excellence Scholar. A panel sat down and decided to invest in my education. I don’t take that for granted. It’s not only a financial aid, but also a vote of confidence in me.

Shreeyanshi Gagrani, Inspiring Excellence Scholar

MSc - Criminology and Criminal Justice

Postgraduate scholarships

To be eligible for the Durham Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be self-funded and not in receipt of any other scholarship, funding award, or sponsorship from Durham University or any external organisation.
  
  Durham alumni are welcome to apply for the Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship; however, the scholarship cannot be combined with the Durham University Alumni Discount. Successful applicants will be asked to choose from one of these awards.
- Be classified as overseas student for tuition fee purposes.
- Hold a valid Durham Student ID
- Have applied to a one-year, full-time (in-person) taught MSc, MA, LLM or MDS qualification
  
  MBA, MSW programmes and MA in Theology and Ministry are excluded
- Meet or exceed the entry requirements for the programme applied for at Durham University.
- Commence postgraduate studies at Durham University in September 2027.
- Not be progressing to Durham University via the Durham University International Study Centre.
- Submit Durham Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship Application Form.

Apply for our £5K or £10K scholarship

Please ensure you have submitted an academic application, with all supporting documents, via the postgraduate online application portal for one of our eligible programmes.

Postgraduate applications

Search and apply via your chosen programme's page.

Undergraduate scholarships

To be eligible for the Durham Inspiring Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be self-funded and not in receipt of any other scholarship, funding award, or sponsorship from Durham University or any external organisation.
- Be classified as overseas student for tuition fee purposes.
- Hold a valid UCAS Personal ID.
- Have applied to full-time in-person undergraduate programme at Durham University.
  
  BA (Hons) in Theology, Ministry and Mission and BA (Hons) in Theology and Religion are excluded from this scholarship scheme.
- Select Durham University as Firm Choice by the UCAS reply deadline.
- Meet or exceed the entry requirements for the programme applied for at Durham University.
- Commence undergraduate studies at Durham University in September 2027.
- Not select Durham University as Insurance Choice.
- Not be admitted to Durham University through Clearing.
- Not be progressing to Durham University via the Durham University International Study Centre.
- Submit Durham Inspiring Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship Application Form.

Apply for our £5K or £10K scholarship

Please ensure you have submitted an academic application, with all supporting documents, via UCAS for one of our eligible undergraduate courses.

A large group of students against an old stone building

UCAS Applicant Portal

Apply for undergraduate study.

I would tell everyone planning to apply to Durham to do it. Enjoy the beautiful views, the Cathedral, and the autumn breeze when you walk to classes. The way the course is taught at Durham, especially with the inclusion of seminars and workshops and a diversified class with students from all over the world, makes for a healthy discussion and real effort into the topics we discuss.

Srijan Pant, Inspiring Excellence Scholar

MSc Law and Finance