Durham Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 Open

Durham University, one of the world’s most respected institutions for academic excellence and innovation, has announced its Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 for international students. This competitive scholarship is designed to recognize outstanding global talent who aspire to make a real difference through advanced learning and research.

Whether you’re planning to study law, social sciences, data analytics, or the humanities, this scholarship gives you a chance to study at one of the UK’s top-ranked universities — while receiving generous financial support.

Overview of the Durham University Scholarship

The Durham Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship welcomes applications from international students enrolling in one-year, full-time taught postgraduate programs for the 2026–2027 academic year.

The Durham university scholarship is available in two categories:

• Inspiring Excellence 5k (PGT) – worth £5,000 in tuition fee reduction
• Inspiring Excellence 10k (PGT) – worth £10,000 in tuition fee reduction

Scholarship recipients are chosen based on academic excellence, motivation, and potential to contribute positively to both the university and the wider community after completing their degree.

Durham University Scholarship Value and Terms

• The scholarship value is applied directly as a tuition fee discount at enrollment.
• It cannot be deferred, transferred, or exchanged for cash.
• The award applies only to courses starting in September 2026.
• Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and adhere to Durham’s scholarship terms, including participation in university engagement and promotional activities such as webinars, open days, and student representation events.
• Awardees who defer or interrupt their studies may lose their scholarship eligibility unless approved by the faculty.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Durham Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship 2026, applicants must:

• Hold international (overseas) fee-paying status.
• Have applied to an eligible one-year postgraduate taught program (MSc, MA, LLM, or MDS) at Durham University.
• Begin studies in September 2026.
• Be self-funded, meaning they are not already receiving financial support or scholarships from Durham University or external sources.
• Meet or exceed the entry requirements for their chosen program.
• Demonstrate academic merit, leadership qualities, and a commitment to making a positive societal impact.

Note: The following programs are excluded — MBA, MSW, and MA in Theology and Ministry.

How to Apply?

Applicants must first apply to their chosen postgraduate program scholarship through Durham University’s Applicant Portal, which generates a Student ID required for the scholarship form.

After that, complete the Durham Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship Application Form available at the official link below: https://studyatdurham.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/.

Once submitted successfully, applicants will receive an automated email confirmation.

Application Timeline

The application process for the Durham Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 begins on 1 October 2025, inviting ambitious international students to apply early for the best chance of selection. The first-round application deadline is set for 16 January 2026, with results expected in February 2026.

Those who miss the initial round can still apply before the second-round deadline on 29 May 2026, with successful applicants to be announced in June 2026. Additionally, late applications and waiting list offers may be considered in July 2026, subject to availability. Candidates who apply early are strongly encouraged to do so, as early applications are more likely to be prioritized in the first round of selections.

Selection Process

The selection committee, consisting of key members of Durham University’s faculty, will assess applications based on the following criteria:

• Academic performance and credentials
• Clarity of motivation to study at Durham
• Demonstrated leadership or community engagement
• Nationality diversity and program balance.

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