Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships to the UK

As part of the Fulbright US Student programme, our Postgraduate Student Awards provide the only scholarships available for academic work in any graduate programme at any recognised UK university.

Applications for 2025-26 US Postgraduate Awards are now closed. 

Click here to learn about the timeline after submission.

We offer a variety of awards in a range of disciplines in partnership with universities across the United Kingdom. Additionally, we offer an Open Award for postgraduate study or independent research projects in any recognized UK university. 

Our postgraduate awards generally include: 

  • Tuition waiver
  • A personal living allowance (stipend)
  • Sickness and accident coverage
  • Cultural enrichment programmes and events
  • Membership to national arts and culture organisations
  • Access to a global alumni network of collaborative engagement and cultural diplomacy, with over 300,000 academically and professionally accomplished members

The personal living allowance is intended to help cover the cost of living in the UK as a student and is subject to annual review.

Applications for 2025-26 are now closed.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must:

• Be a US citizen and a non-UK resident
• Hold a Bachelor degree or equivalent professional training/experience in a relevant field before departure to the UK

Dual US-UK citizens are eligible to apply.

The US-UK Fulbright program aims to foster cultural understanding between our two countries. Preference is therefore given to applicants who do not have extensive experience (six months or longer) in the UK.

Applicants with extensive UK experience should explain in detail how further experience in the UK will fulfil the Fulbright mission in ways that their prior visits did not.

Postgraduate Awards to the UK

What we're looking for

We are looking for applicants who can engage with the UK in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.

We assess more than your academic record. The best applications are from well-rounded students who can demonstrate:

  • Ambassadorial skills
  • Intercultural sensitivity 
  • Genuine desire to learn more about the UK and to share aspects of American culture
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Community involvement
  • Leadership potential

Plans to further the Fulbright mission and give back to the US upon returning

How to Apply

Choosing an Award

There are dozens of Awards available to graduate and recently graduated students each year. The UK is the most competitive Fulbright programme in the world, so it's important to apply for an Award that best fits your experience and interests.

Selection committees and interview panels will be looking for clear reasons for selecting your UK university preference. We expect candidates to conduct a thorough university search and to identify institutions that are a strong fit for their academic, personal and professional goals.

Review the available Awards through the main Fulbright US Student programme portal.

You can also search for a Fulbright programme adviser at your institution or alma mater, to discuss which Awards are a good match for you.

Application instructions

Fulbright Postgraduate Student Award applications for US citizens are facilitated by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

1.Follow the IIE Fulbright US Student Program guidance, including timelines and components and award-specific instructions.

Applications for 2025-26 are now closed.

Slate, the online application, is used by Fulbright programmes around the world, and Awards differ greatly from country to country. 

You must make a separate application to your chosen UK institution, the timeline, and deadlines for which will vary from the Fulbright application.

Application process

Interviews

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in February. Postgraduate Student Award interviews are by video call and cannot be rescheduled.

Notification

All applicants will be informed of their status by late April. The Fulbright Commission cannot comment or provide feedback on individual applications.

Postgraduate Awards to the UK timeline

In general, the Fulbright Postgraduate Student Award competition for US citizens follows the timeline below. Candidates must make their own independent applications to UK institutions.

See the timeline below for academic year 2025-26:

2 April 2024

Applications open

Tuesday October 8, 2024, 5PM Eastern Time

Applications close

February 2025

Shortlisted candidates invited to interview

April 2025

All candidates notified of their status

May - September 2025

Fulbright onboarding, including paperwork preparation

September 2025

Arrival and orientation in the UK

For full details, please consult the Fulbright US Student programme website.