University of Edinburgh - John Orr Research Award

Benefit

You will receive a tuition-fee reduction of about 5,750 EUR (5,000 GBP) for one academic year on the Master’s programme in ‘Romance Languages’ at the University of Edinburgh. The amount will be deducted directly from your tuition fees, so you will not receive it in cash. The School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures awards one scholarship place each year. During the term of the scholarship, you will actively participate in the life of the postgraduate community and present your work to other students and staff. You will also have access to the university’s professional development and further education programmes.

Eligibility

• Degree: You are applying for the first time for a Master’s programme with taught modules or a research-oriented Master’s programme starting in September 2026.
• Field of study: Your area of specialisation is Romance literature, language or a dialect. The university is generally able to provide supervision for theses in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan and Italian. Theses in the field of linguistics are preferred, but are not essential.
• Grades: You hold a UK first-class degree or a 2:1 degree with distinction (or an equivalent qualification) at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level, or are due to obtain one.
• Nationality: Both applicants from the UK and from abroad are welcome to apply.
• Study mode: Both full-time and part-time students are welcome to apply.

How to apply

There is no separate scholarship application form. Apply for your Master’s programme by Sunday, 31 May 2026, and you will automatically be considered. Selection is based on academic merit, and the university will notify successful applicants by the end of July 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

Only one scholarship is awarded each year, and it is intended exclusively for Romance languages at a single university. Whilst the pool of eligible applicants is small, competition is nevertheless fierce as there is only one place available. If your degree subject is relevant – particularly linguistics – and you have achieved, or are expected to achieve, a ‘First Class’ or 2:1, you are a very strong candidate. You will be automatically considered; so simply apply for your degree programme by the deadline.