Overview / About the Scholarship
The International Postgraduate Scholarship is the premier financial award offered by Birmingham City University (BCU) to recognise and reward global academic talent. This scholarship is designed to make world-class education in the UK’s second-largest city more accessible by providing a direct reduction in tuition fees for self-funded students.
Unlike competitive scholarships that require additional essays or interviews, BCU utilises an automatic assessment model to simplify the process for international applicants. The value of the award is tiered according to your undergraduate performance: students with a First Class degree equivalent receive £2,000, while those with a 2:1 or 2:2 equivalent receive £1,500 or £1,000 respectively. This ensures that academic excellence is directly rewarded with financial support. By including this discount in the offer letter, the university provides students with immediate clarity about their financial commitments. For students applying via NWC Education, this scholarship serves as a guaranteed incentive that recognises their prior hard work and eases the initial financial burden of moving to the UK for advanced study.
Scholarship Value / Benefits
Merit-Based Discount: Direct tuition reduction of up to £2,000 based on your undergraduate grades.
Automatic Assessment: No separate application form or supplemental essays are required.
Immediate Financial Clarity: The scholarship amount is confirmed on your official offer letter.
Stackable Incentives: Can often be combined with the Prompt Payment Discount for additional savings.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, a candidate must:
- Be assessed as an Overseas fee payer (international status).
- Be a self-funded student (not sponsored by a government or third-party agency).
- Be entering a full-time taught Master’s degree for the first time in 2026.
- Hold an offer of admission for an eligible course.
- Note: Students progressing from BCUIC (International College) are typically subject to different progression scholarship rules.
Level & Field of Study
Level: Postgraduate Taught (Master's level only—MA, MSc, MBA).
Field of Study: Available across most disciplines, including Business, Computing, Engineering, Law, and Social Sciences.
Exclusions: Generally not available for PhD/Research degrees, PGCE, or Royal Birmingham Conservatoire courses.
Host University / Provider Info
Birmingham City University (BCU) is a modern, practice-based institution located in the heart of Birmingham, UK.
- Professional Focus: Known for strong industry links and a curriculum designed to produce work-ready graduates.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: BCU has invested over £340 million in its campuses, including the high-tech Curzon Building and Parkside Building.
- Diverse Community: Home to over 25,000 students from more than 100 countries, offering a vibrant multicultural experience.
Required Documents
As an automatic award, the assessment is based on your standard course application documents:
- Academic Transcripts: Showing your final undergraduate GPA/grades for merit tiering.
- Degree Certificate.
- Personal Statement: To support your course entry.
- Passport Copy.
- IELTS/PTE Certificate: Proof of English proficiency.
How to Apply
- Submit Course Application: Apply for an eligible full-time Master's program via NWC Education or the BCU website.
- Automatic Evaluation: The admissions team will review your transcripts against the merit tiers (£1,000, £1,500, or £2,000).
- Check Offer Letter: Your scholarship award will be automatically included in your official offer.
- Confirm Your Place: Accept the offer and pay the required 50% deposit to secure your scholarship and CAS.
- Deadline: No separate deadline; however, you must apply early enough to secure your CAS before the intake begins.
