Durham's £5,000 Scholarships Open Pathways for International Master’s Students

Inspiring Excellence: Durham University Supports Exceptional Scholars for 2025

Durham University has announced the launch of the Inspiring Excellence 5K Postgraduate Scholarship for 2025, a prestigious initiative designed to support outstanding international students pursuing higher education. This scholarship will provide 200 eligible students with a £5,000 tuition fee discount for full-time, one-year taught master’s programs commencing in September 2025. This merit-based scholarship aims to recognize exceptional academic achievements and significant potential in chosen fields. The scholarship amount will be directly applied to recipients’ tuition fees, reflecting Durham University's commitment to fostering global academic excellence and empowering future leaders. The Inspiring Excellence 5K Postgraduate Scholarship does not extend to Business School Masters, MBA programs, second-year postgraduate programs, PGCE, PGCERT (Education), MA in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects,

Executive MSc in Behavioural Science, research postgraduate programs, MSW in Social Work, and Graduate Diplomas. The scholarship application opened on March 14, 2025, with the first round closing on April 30, 2025. Scholars selected in the first round will be announced on May 12, 2025, and must secure their place by paying a deposit within two weeks. The second round of applications will close on June 8, 2025, with final results announced on June 16, 2025, and a waiting list confirmed by July 7, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to adhere to these deadlines and consult the university's website for detailed guidance.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must apply for a one-year, full-time (in-person) taught MSc, MA, LLM, or MDS qualification (excluding MBA programs).
• They must commence their master’s studies in September 2025.
• Applicants must secure an offer for a Master’s program by May 4, 2025, for the first selection, or by June 8, 2025, for the second selection.
• They must be classified as overseas students for fee-paying purposes.
• Applicants should meet or exceed the entry requirements for their chosen program.

Exclusions and Conditions:

• The scholarship is not available to students receiving other Durham University scholarships, except for the Durham International Scholarship (£5,000), which is available to students from Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Vietnam.
• Applicants must be self-funded and not supported by external sponsors or scholarship bodies.

Application Process:

• Applicants are required to complete and submit the Inspiring Excellence 5K postgraduate scholarship application form.
• The scholarship amount will be directly deducted from tuition fees and cannot be transferred or converted into cash.
• A separate application for the scholarship is mandatory.

Durham University has stated that this scholarship is highly competitive, and not all applicants will be successful. The selection panel will evaluate applications based on responses, nationality diversity, and program balance. Feedback will not be provided to unsuccessful applicants due to the high volume of submissions. Notably, students from Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Vietnam are eligible to combine the Inspiring Excellence 5K Scholarship with the Durham International Scholarship. This combination allows qualified students to receive a total tuition discount of £10,000. The Durham International Scholarship is automatically granted to eligible students from these countries, provided they fulfil all criteria and submit the necessary applications.

Overall, this scholarship reaffirms Durham University's dedication to recognizing and fostering global academic talent.

Editor's Note:

The announcement of Durham University's Inspiring Excellence 5K Postgraduate Scholarship for 2025 is a commendable step toward supporting deserving international students and nurturing global academic talent. By offering a £5,000 tuition fee discount to 200 exceptional students, the university not only recognizes academic excellence but also strengthens its commitment to fostering diversity and leadership across disciplines. However, the competitive nature of this scholarship underscores the need for applicants to carefully meet the criteria and deadlines. The inclusion of an additional opportunity to combine this award with the Durham International Scholarship for eligible students highlights the institution's dedication to expanding financial support.

Skoobuzz appreciates this initiative as it reflects the growing importance of creating accessible educational opportunities for scholars worldwide.