Kent International Scholarship (Postgraduate Taught) - September 2026

Overview

The Kent International Scholarship is a tuition fee award for self-funded international students starting a taught master's degree at the University of Kent in September 2026. It gives you GBP 5,000 off your first-year tuition fees, which is a meaningful reduction on the cost of a one-year UK postgraduate degree. The University of Kent funds the award to support talented students from a defined list of countries who are paying their own fees.

One feature that sets this scholarship apart is how it is granted. There is no separate application form. If you hold an offer for an eligible course, are paying overseas fees yourself, and come from one of the listed countries, you are considered automatically. Eligible students who accept their offer by the deadline are contacted with a scholarship offer to accept. That makes it one of the simpler international awards to secure, as long as you meet the conditions and act before the cut-off.

The award applies to your first year of study and is taken straight off your tuition fees, so it lowers the amount you need to pay or show for your visa. It is aimed at full-time taught master's students, and a few course types are excluded, so it is worth checking that your specific programme qualifies before you count on it.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	University of Kent
Host Country	United Kingdom
Degree Levels	Master's (postgraduate taught, full-time)
Value	GBP 5,000 applied to tuition fees, first year only
Deadline	Accept your offer by 4 September 2026, 5pm BST
Eligible Nationalities	Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkiye, Vietnam
Official Website	Kent International Scholarship page

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You must hold an offer for a full-time postgraduate taught master's programme starting in September 2026 and be in your first year of the master's. The award covers taught master's degrees only; certificate, diploma, and short programmes do not qualify.

Nationality Requirements

You must be domiciled in one of the 14 eligible countries: Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkiye, or Vietnam.

Fee Status Requirements

You must be a self-funded overseas fee payer, paying your tuition directly to the university. Students who are sponsored or who are paying home fees do not qualify.

Excluded Programmes

Several routes are not eligible, including Kent Business School programmes (which have their own scholarship), master's degrees with an integrated pre-master's through Kent International College, distance learning, PCert and PDip programmes, the MA Peace and Conflict Studies international joint award, short-term programmes, and Epitech partnership programmes.

What the Scholarship Covers

• GBP 5,000 applied directly to your tuition fees.
• Covers the first year of your master's degree.
• Reduces the tuition amount you pay and need to evidence for your visa.
• Granted automatically to eligible students with no separate application form.

How to Apply

1. Apply to an eligible course. Submit your application for a full-time taught master's at Kent starting September 2026 that is not on the excluded list.
2. Confirm your eligibility. Check that you are domiciled in one of the 14 eligible countries and that you are a self-funded overseas fee payer.
3. Receive and accept your offer. Once you hold an offer, accept it by the deadline. There is no separate scholarship form to complete.
4. Wait for the scholarship offer. Eligible students who accept their offer by the deadline are contacted with a scholarship offer to accept.
5. Accept the scholarship. Confirm the scholarship offer so the GBP 5,000 is applied to your first-year tuition fees.

Required Documents

• Your academic transcripts and degree certificate for your course application.
• Proof of English language ability as required by your course.
• A copy of your passport to confirm your nationality and domicile.
• Any documents your course application requests, such as a personal statement or references.

Because the scholarship itself is automatic, you do not submit separate scholarship paperwork; the documents above relate to your course application and offer acceptance.

Key Dates & Deadlines

Stage	Timing
Apply for your course	As early as possible before the September 2026 intake
Accept your offer (scholarship deadline)	4 September 2026, 5pm BST
Course start	September 2026

The key date to protect is the offer acceptance deadline. If you accept after 4 September 2026, 5pm BST, you can miss the award even if you otherwise qualify.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Apply early and accept your offer well before the September deadline so you do not lose the award to timing.
• Confirm your course is not on the excluded list before you rely on the scholarship.
• Keep your contact details up to date so you receive the scholarship offer email and can accept it.
• Check whether a higher-value Kent scholarship applies to you, since a larger award supersedes this one.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming you must fill in a separate form; the award is automatic, but you must accept your offer in time.
• Applying for an excluded programme, such as a Kent Business School or distance learning course, and expecting this award.
• Listing a sponsor or paying home fees, which removes your eligibility as a self-funded overseas fee payer.
• Missing the scholarship offer email and letting the acceptance window pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Kent International Scholarship worth?

It is worth GBP 5,000, applied directly to your tuition fees for the first year of your taught master's.

Do I need to apply for the Kent International Scholarship?

No separate application is needed. It is awarded automatically to eligible students who accept their offer by the deadline, and you are then contacted with a scholarship offer to accept.

What is the deadline for the Kent International Scholarship?

You must accept your course offer by 4 September 2026, 5pm BST.

Who is eligible for the Kent International Scholarship?

Self-funded overseas fee payers domiciled in one of 14 countries, starting a full-time taught master's at Kent in September 2026 on a course that is not excluded.

Which countries qualify for the Kent International Scholarship?

Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkiye, and Vietnam.

Does the Kent International Scholarship cover full tuition?

No. It is a GBP 5,000 reduction on your first-year tuition fees, not a full fee waiver.

Can I get the Kent International Scholarship for a Kent Business School course?

No. Kent Business School programmes are excluded from this award but have their own separate scholarship.

Can I combine the Kent International Scholarship with another award?

It is generally non-stackable, though it may combine with progression discounts. A higher-value scholarship supersedes this award if you are granted one.

Does the Kent International Scholarship cover distance learning courses?

No. Distance learning programmes are not eligible, and the award is for full-time taught master's study.

Is the Kent International Scholarship available for the second year of study?

No. It applies to the first year of your master's only.