The allure of a prestigious postgraduate degree from a top university in the US or UK is undeniable. Institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, and Harvard offer world-class education and open doors to exciting career opportunities. However, the price tag can be daunting, particularly for Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) students. This guide explores international scholarships and global scholarships to help you finance your postgraduate dream.
UK Postgraduate Scholarship Options
Chevening Scholarships:
Funded by the UK government and administered by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Chevening offers full scholarships for one-year postgraduate taught degrees at a wide range of UK universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, King’s College London, and the University of Edinburgh. Both Australia and New Zealand are currently on Chevening’s eligible-country list, alongside a broad range of countries spanning the Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East. Eligibility criteria include a strong academic background, leadership potential, and a demonstrable commitment to returning to your home country after your studies. You apply directly through Chevening’s own portal.
University Scholarships:
Many UK universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and the London Business School offer merit-based scholarships specifically for international postgraduate students. Research the study options and scholarship opportunities offered by your chosen university, competition can be fierce, but the rewards are significant.
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC):
For students from Commonwealth countries, the CSC offers scholarships and fellowships for postgraduate study in the UK. Explore eligibility requirements specific to your home country (Australia or New Zealand).
US Postgraduate Scholarship Options Landscape
Limited Federal Options:
Unlike undergraduate studies, international students are generally ineligible for federal financial aid in the US. Some university-run exceptions exist, but these are administered by each institution individually.
University Scholarships:
Many US universities, including Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, Yale, MIT, and UC Berkeley, offer merit-based scholarships specifically for international postgraduate students. Academic merit, leadership and research potential are common selection criteria, research the scholarship opportunities offered by your chosen universities directly.
External Scholarships:
Look beyond the universities themselves. Explore scholarships offered by private foundations, professional organisations, or government agencies relevant to your field of study. Australian citizens can apply for Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships through the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, and New Zealand has its own equivalent bilateral Fulbright commission. Also worth researching: the American Australian Association Scholarships, which provide up to US$40,000 to support Australian students pursuing graduate-level study (Master’s, PhD or postdoctoral research) in the US, and funding offered by Australian and New Zealand government agencies such as Centrelink or the Ministry of Education.
How to Apply to Postgraduate Scholarships in the UK and US
Start early:
- Scholarship application deadlines vary, so begin researching funding options well in advance of your program start date, including checking university websites and any scholarship search tool they offer.
Strong application package:
- Craft a compelling application that showcases your academic achievements, research experience, and future goals. Tailor your scholarship essays to each program’s specific requirements, since the course you choose often determines which scholarships you can apply for.
Network and seek guidance:
- Connect with alumni or advisors at your target universities. Utilise resources offered by your home country’s government agencies or scholarship foundations, including relevant Australian Government resources for outbound students.
Spark Finance Postgraduate Scholarship
Spark Finance offers a $10,000 scholarship to one of its Australian or New Zealand customers each year. The student must be enrolled at an overseas university that is supported by Spark Finance, and complete the application on our website. Applicants must answer the following question in less than 500 words: what are your post-study goals, and how will your chosen degree help you achieve these goals?
Scholarship Opportunities at Universities in the US and the UK
UK Universities
University of Oxford:
- Clarendon Scholarships: Full financial support for outstanding applicants across various disciplines, from the arts through to the sciences, open to both domestic and international students.
- Rhodes Scholarships: Australia has its own Rhodes constituency, with nine scholarships awarded each year across state and territory committees, and New Zealand has its own constituency with three scholarships annually. Focuses on leadership potential and a commitment to public service, and supports study for up to three years depending on the course.
University of Cambridge:
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships: Full-cost scholarships for outstanding applicants from outside the UK, with a focus on future global leaders. Applicants should check the specific course, as availability can vary by program.
- Cambridge International Scholarships: Merit-based scholarships for international students (including ANZ students) across various postgraduate programs.
- Bill Gates Cambridge PhD Scholarships: Specifically for outstanding applicants from selected developing countries pursuing PhD studies at Cambridge.
London Business School (LBS):
While LBS doesn’t offer full scholarships, they provide several merit-based awards for international students, including:
- Saïd Foundation Scholarships: Partial scholarships for outstanding applicants with strong leadership potential.
- Women in Business Scholarships: Supporting female students pursuing MBA programs at LBS.
- Errol Damelin Scholarship: For South African students pursuing an MBA at LBS, not applicable to ANZ students.
University of Edinburgh:
- The Chancellor’s Doctoral Scholarship Programme: Full tuition fee scholarships for outstanding international students pursuing research degrees at Edinburgh.
- The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme: Supports talented students from Sub-Saharan Africa to pursue postgraduate studies at Edinburgh, not applicable to ANZ students.
- Developing Countries Scholarship Fund: Partial scholarships for international students from developing countries.
King’s College London (KCL):
- King’s Scholarships: Partial scholarships for outstanding international students across various postgraduate programs at KCL, and some awards also help with living expenses as well as tuition support.
- Denys Holland Scholarship: Supports postgraduate study in Law for students from developing countries.
- KCL India Scholarships: Specifically for Indian students pursuing postgraduate studies at KCL, not applicable to ANZ students. It’s also worth checking university-listed bursaries for other relevant postgraduate funding, and confirming whether a given award is open to international undergraduate students as well as postgraduate applicants, since eligibility varies by scholarship.
US Universities
Stanford University:
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars program: Fully-funded scholarships for outstanding graduate students from around the world, including ANZ students, covering full tuition and a living stipend for up to three years across any of Stanford’s graduate schools.
- Arjay Miller Scholars: A merit distinction awarded to the academic top 10% of each graduating MBA class at Stanford GSB, alongside the separate Frances and Arjay Miller Fellowship in Social Innovation, which recognises two students each year for contributions to social innovation. Neither is need-based financial aid.
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Ambani Fellowship: Supports Indian students pursuing graduate studies at Stanford, not applicable to ANZ students.
Harvard University:
- Harvard University Scholarships: Financial aid packages are often need-based, with limited merit-based scholarships available for exceptional international students. Explore program-specific scholarship opportunities.
- Fulbright Scholarships: US government-sponsored program offering funding for postgraduate study in the US, including programs at Harvard. Eligibility depends on home country.
Columbia University:
- President’s Fellows Program: Full financial support for outstanding PhD students across various disciplines at Columbia.
- School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) Scholarships: Merit-based scholarships for international students pursuing Master’s degrees at SIPA.
Yale University:
- Yale University Scholarships: Similar to Harvard, financial aid is often need-based, but some merit-based scholarships exist. Explore program-specific opportunities and research fellowships offered by Yale departments.
- Fulbright Scholarships: As above, Fulbright grants can support postgraduate study at Yale for eligible Australian and New Zealand citizens.
New York University (NYU):
- NYU Scholarships: Financial aid at NYU is primarily need-based, with limited merit-based scholarships for outstanding international students. Explore program-specific scholarship opportunities.
- Presidential Fellowships: Full tuition scholarships for exceptional incoming PhD students across various disciplines at NYU.
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley):
- Berkeley International Scholarships: Partial tuition scholarships for outstanding international students from various backgrounds.
- Graduate Division Fellowships: Several merit-based fellowships are offered by the Graduate Division at UC Berkeley for exceptional PhD students across disciplines.
- Fulbright Scholarships: Eligible students from Australia and New Zealand can utilise Fulbright grants to support postgraduate study at UC Berkeley.
Princeton University:
- Princeton University Scholarships: Financial aid is primarily need-based, with a limited number of merit-based scholarships for exceptional international students. Explore program-specific opportunities.
- The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs Fellowships: Financial aid options for international students pursuing Master’s degrees at the Woodrow Wilson School.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA):
- UCLA Scholarships: Financial aid is primarily need-based, but some merit-based awards exist for outstanding international students. UCLA generally does not offer merit- or need-based scholarships to international undergraduate students, postgraduate international students have meaningfully better access to funding, so explore program-specific scholarship opportunities at the graduate level.
- UCLA Chancellor’s Award: A prestigious full-tuition scholarship for exceptional incoming PhD students at UCLA.
- Departmental awards: Many departments at UCLA offer merit-based fellowships for graduate students based on research experience, academic record or achievements in their field of study.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn):
- The Wharton School Scholarships: Merit-based scholarships are available for international students pursuing MBA programs at the Wharton School of Business, including need-based fellowships awarded automatically as part of the admissions process.
- School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) Fellowships: Financial aid options for outstanding international students admitted to Master’s and PhD programs at SEAS.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):
- MIT Scholarships: Financial aid for international students is primarily need-based, but a few merit-based scholarships exist, and some students may still need to pay part of the overall cost themselves. Explore program-specific award opportunities.
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship: Supports students from developing countries pursuing Master’s or PhD studies in Science, Engineering, or Management at MIT, helping them build advanced knowledge to contribute to their home country after study. Not applicable to ANZ students.
Whatever course or field you’re aiming for, building a funding plan that combines a government-backed award, a university scholarship, and if needed a tuition loan gives you the best chance of covering both tuition and living expenses without last-minute financial pressure.
