The University of Bristol has opened its “Think Big” scholarship scheme for international students starting in September 2026. Specifically, this funding is designed to help the brightest global minds afford a UK education, offering tuition fee waivers of up to £26,000. Consequently, it makes one of the UK’s top “Red Brick” universities accessible to students from developing nations.
Program Overview
This is Bristol’s flagship international scholarship. Therefore, the application process is centralized; one application covers you for multiple scholarship levels. By joining, you not only get financial aid but also join the “Think Big” development programme, which focuses on leadership and employability.
Key Benefits
The scholarship directly reduces the cost of tuition. Specifically, the awards are tiered:
- Postgraduate: Awards of £6,500, £13,000, or £26,000 per year.
- Undergraduate: Awards of £6,500 or £13,000 per year.
- Living Costs: A bursary of £3,000 for living costs is available for select applicants (priority given to refugees/asylum seekers).
- Simplicity: The award is deducted directly from your tuition fees.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, an applicant must be classified as an “overseas” student for fee purposes. Crucially, you do not need an offer of admission to apply for the scholarship, but you must have applied for a course.
- Status: Must be an international student.
- Course: Must apply to any full-time Undergraduate or Postgraduate program at the University of Bristol (excluding Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary).
- Timeline: You must have submitted your course application before applying for the scholarship.
Application Process
- Deadline: April 10, 2026 (Standard Deadline), but “Early Consideration” happens in January.
- Submission: You must apply via the Bristol International Scholarships portal.
- Requirements: A single application form with three short essay questions (max 200 words each) focusing on your achievements and goals.
