University of Birmingham - Poynting Scholarship for International Students

Poynting Scholarship for International Students

You will receive a scholarship of tuition fee reduction of about EUR 1,750 per year (GBP 1,500) to study physics at University of Birmingham in the UK. It is awarded for the standard duration of the course; for a three-year BSc degree, this amounts to up to approximately 36 months, bringing the total amount to several thousand euros. A higher level of funding, the ‘Poynting Excellence Scholarship’, grants applicants with outstanding school grades in their first year a reduction of approximately 3,500 euros (3,000 GBP). The scholarship is administered by the University’s School of Physics and Astronomy and is named after John Henry Poynting, the first professor of physics at the University of Birmingham.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You will be starting a degree in physics at the University of Birmingham, either a three-year BSc degree or a four-year MSci degree.
• Field of study: Physics only, including specialisations such as astrophysics, theoretical physics, physics with data science and physics with medical physics.
• Fee status: For the purposes of tuition fees, you are considered an international (foreign) student. Students of all nationalities may apply on this basis.
• Study year: You are starting your first year of study.
• Your UCAS choice: You list a physics degree programme in Birmingham as your first choice on UCAS, the central application system for higher education institutions in the UK.
• Grades (basic award): You don’t need any additional proof of achievement to get started. To keep the money in subsequent years, you must achieve an annual average of at least 70%.
• Grades (Excellence tier): To qualify for the higher-level place in your first year of study, you will need top marks, for example A*A*A* at A-Level, including Mathematics and Physics, or 7,7,7 at IB Higher Level, including Mathematics and Physics.

How to apply

No separate application is required. If you meet the entry requirements, the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy will automatically contact you during your first semester.

How realistic are your chances?

The Basic Scholarship is awarded to international students who list a physics degree programme in Birmingham as their first choice. There is no separate selection process to receive it; therefore, if you meet these criteria, you are automatically eligible. The ‘Excellence’ tier is more selective, as it requires top marks in mathematics and physics; it therefore recognises the best applicants. Please note that this scholarship is no longer listed on the university’s current funding pages. You should therefore check with the Physics Department’s admissions team to see whether it is still available for the year you are due to start your degree.