Marshall Scholarship - British Marshall Scholarship (for students from the USA)

What the Marshall Scholarship gives you

You will receive a full scholarship for postgraduate study in the United Kingdom. It covers all your tuition fees as well as a monthly living allowance of approximately 1,690 EUR (£1,452 outside London, £1,781 in London). The scholarship also covers your return flights to the US in economy class, an annual book allowance, a thesis allowance, travel and research grants, as well as your UK visa and contributions to the National Health Service (NHS). The funding ranges from one year for a single master’s programme up to three years for a PhD. Each year, up to 50 scholarships are awarded by the British Government’s Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, which was established in gratitude for the American Marshall Plan following the Second World War.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a US citizen at the time of your application.
• Degree: You already hold a first bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year US college or university, or you will have completed one by the autumn of 2027.
• Grades: Your average mark is at least 3.7 on a scale of 4.0. Rounded-up average marks will not be accepted.
• Timing: In the 2027 term, you graduated after April 2024.
• No UK degree: You have neither completed a degree programme in the UK nor obtained a UK degree or an equivalent qualification.
• Field of study: Open to all Master’s degree programmes, although some places are reserved for STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The following are not eligible for funding: MBA programmes, second Bachelor’s degrees and professional qualifications in the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and law.

How to apply

You apply online via the Marshall System in one of eight US regions, either where you live or where you are studying. The application deadline is 29 September 2026 at 5pm in the time zone of your recommending institution. Your university must endorse your application, and you must submit three letters of reference. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview in November before the final decision is made.

How realistic are your chances?

This is one of the best-known scholarships for Americans studying in the UK. As a result, the field of applicants is strong and competition is fierce, even though the 3.7 minimum GPA requirement narrows down the selection. Grades alone are not enough to secure the scholarship. The selection panels place equal weight on academic achievement, leadership potential and your potential as an ambassador between the two countries, so you need a strong track record in all three areas. Applicants who are eligible for a STEM degree programme or a partner university and who can convincingly justify their choice of degree and career path stand out most clearly from the crowd.