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 various scholarship options to help you finance your postgraduate dream.
UK Postgraduate Scholarship Options:
- Chevening Scholarships: Funded by the UK government, 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. Eligibility criteria include a strong academic background, leadership potential, and a demonstrable commitment to returning to your home country after your studies.
- University Scholarships: Many UK universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and the London Business School offer merit-based scholarships specifically for international postgraduate students. Research the 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. However, some exceptions exist.
- University Scholarships: Many US universities, including Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, Yale, MIT, and UC Berkeley, offer merit-based scholarships specifically for international postgraduate students. Research the scholarship opportunities offered by your chosen universities.
- External Scholarships: Look beyond the universities themselves. Explore scholarships offered by private foundations, professional organisations, or government agencies relevant to your field of study. Research Fulbright scholarships (US government-sponsored program for international exchange) and scholarships offered by Australian/New Zealand government agencies like Centrelink or the Ministry of Education.
How to Apply to Postgraduate Scholarships in UK and US:
- Start early: Scholarship application deadlines vary, so begin researching funding options well in advance of your program start date.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- Rhodes Scholarships: For students from specific Commonwealth countries (including Australia and New Zealand) to pursue postgraduate study at Oxford. Focuses on leadership potential and a commitment to public service.
University of Cambridge:
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships: Full-cost scholarships for outstanding applicants from outside the UK, with a focus on future global leaders.
- 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.
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.
- Developing Countries Scholarship Fund: Partial scholarships for international students (including ANZ students) from developing countries.
King’s College London (KCL):
- King’s Scholarships: Partial scholarships for outstanding international students across various postgraduate programs at KCL.
- 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.
US Universities:
Stanford University:
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars program: Fully-funded scholarships for outstanding graduate students from around the world, including ANZ students, across various disciplines.
- Arjay Miller Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) Fellowships: Need-based financial aid for MBA students at Stanford GSB.
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Ambani Fellowship: Supports Indian students pursuing graduate studies at Stanford.
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.
- Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship: Supports outstanding students from Asia to pursue postgraduate studies at Harvard and other top universities.
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.
- Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans: Supports immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate studies in the US, including programs at Columbia.
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 mentioned earlier, Fulbright grants can support postgraduate study at Yale for students from eligible countries (including Australia and New Zealand).
- Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt Grants: For students from developing countries pursuing Master’s degrees in specific fields at Yale.
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: Similar to UC Berkeley, financial aid is primarily need-based, but some merit-based awards exist for outstanding international students. Explore program-specific scholarship opportunities.
- UCLA Chancellor’s Award: A prestigious full-tuition scholarship for exceptional incoming PhD students at UCLA.
- Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships: US Department of Education program that can support postgraduate study in specific languages and regions, potentially relevant to programs at UCLA.
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.
- School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) Fellowships: Financial aid options for outstanding international students admitted to Master’s and PhD programs at SEAS.
- Benjamin Franklin Fulbright American Scholarships: Supports students from specific countries (including Australia and New Zealand) to pursue postgraduate studies in the US, including programs at UPenn.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):
- MIT Scholarships: Financial aid for international students is primarily need-based, but a few merit-based scholarships exist. 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.
- Marshall Scholarships: For British citizens with exceptional academic potential to pursue postgraduate studies at top US universities like MIT.
