Dreaming of pursuing a top-tier degree in the United Kingdom without carrying a heavy financial burden? The University of Exeter Scholarship Programs 2027 represent one of the most exciting funding opportunities for high-achieving international students. As a proud member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities, Exeter commits over £8 million annually in funding, awards, and fee reductions for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD scholars. To celebrate Exeter’s rise to 136th globally in the QS World University Rankings, comfortably within the QS Global Top 150, they are offering 150 Exeter Excellence Undergraduate Scholarships and 150 Exeter Excellence Postgraduate Taught Scholarships worth £15,000 for students enrolling in 2027/28.
Whether your goal is to tackle climate change, advance data science, dive into humanities, or spearhead international business strategy, this comprehensive, SEO-optimized guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 2027 application intake—from eligibility criteria and hidden costs to step-by-step application advice and realistic living costs in USD.
Basic Information & Key Deadlines
The University of Exeter offers a versatile portfolio of global awards for entry in the 2027/2028 academic year. Funding ranges from partial fee waivers (£3,000 to £10,000) to landmark awards worth £15,000 or full-tuition coverage for select master’s and doctoral tracks.
- Host Institution: University of Exeter, United Kingdom
- Study Levels: Undergraduate (Bachelors), Postgraduate Taught (Masters), and Postgraduate Research (PhD)
- Target Audience: UK Domestic & International applicants (representing 150+ countries)
- Funding Schemes: Exeter Excellence Scholarships, Global Future Leaders, Country-Specific Regional Awards, and Partner Fellowships (e.g., Chevening, Commonwealth, MIPDaL Erasmus Mundus).
Key Deadlines for 2027 Intake
Deadlines vary according to your chosen program, regional residency, and study level:
- Postgraduate Taught (Masters) Round 1: Closes April 30, 2027 (Early applications open late 2026).
- Postgraduate Taught (Masters) Round 2 / Country Awards: Closes June 30, 2027.
- Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships: Applications open February 2027 and close September 17, 2027.
- External Partner Scholarships (e.g., Chevening / Commonwealth): Often close between November 2026 and January 2027.
Institution Details: The Exeter Advantage
Consistently ranked among the Top 15 universities in the UK and inside the top 150 globally (QS World University Rankings), the University of Exeter is celebrated for world-class teaching and unmatched student satisfaction. Located in the stunning South West of England, Exeter spans three distinct, beautiful campuses:
- Streatham Campus (Exeter): The university’s flagship green estate, recognized as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the UK.
- St Luke’s Campus (Exeter): Home to the Medical School, Nursing, and Education faculties.
- Penryn Campus (Cornwall): A hub for environmental science, renewable energy, mining, and creative ecology.
Exeter holds a TEF Gold Rating for student outcomes and experience, maintaining strong industry ties that ensure graduates enjoy exceptional global career placement.
Study Areas & Available Programs
Undergraduate *Round 1* Awards are being offered by the following departments:
Environment, Science and Economy
- Computer Science
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Ecology and Conservation
- Economics
- Engineering
- Finance and Accounting
- Geography
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Management
- Natural Sciences
- Physics and Astronomy
- Biosciences
- Clinical and Biomedical Sciences
- Health and Care professions
- Health and Community Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health and Sports Sciences
Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
- Arab and Islamic Studies
- Archaeology and History
- Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology
- Communications, Drama and Film
- English and Creative Writing
- Humanities and Social Sciences, Cornwall
- Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies
- Law School
- Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy and Anthropology
All University of Exeter UK campus-based Undergraduate (Bachelors) degrees in the above areas are eligible, except the following:
Ineligible programmes
The scholarship does not cover:
- BMBS Medicine.
- BSc Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Radiography).
- Dual LLB/Juris Doctor with the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
- Brickfields Asia College LLB Law.
- Degree Apprenticeships.
(Masters) *Round 1 Awards are being offered by the following departments:
Environment, Science and Economy
- Computer Science
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Ecology and Conservation
- Economics
- Engineering
- Finance and Accounting
- Geography
- Management
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Physics and Astronomy
- Biosciences
- Clinical and Biomedical Sciences
- Health and Care Professions
- Health and Community Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health and Sports Sciences
Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
- Arab and Islamic Studies
- Archaeology and History
- Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology
- Communications, Drama and Film
- English and Creative Writing
- Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies
- Law School
- School of Education
- Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy and Anthropology
All University of Exeter UK campus-based Postgraduate taught (Masters) degrees in the above areas are eligible, except the following:
Ineligible programmes – One Planet MBA; MRes Economics; MRes Finance (Pathway to PhD); MSc Island Biodiversity and Conservation; Clinical Psychology programmes delivered by Clinical Education, Development and Research (CEDAR); DEdPsych Educational Child and Community Psychology; MA International Film Business; Master of Public Administration (MPA) with Applied Study; Law programmes delivered by the University of Law, MA Law (SQE1), MA Law (Conversion), LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2), SQE Preparation Courses); MiPDAL Dual Masters in Intellectual Property Law
Postgraduate Taught (Masters) *Round 4: Postgraduate taught awards for January 2027 entry are being offered for the following campus-based Masters programmes in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy:
Business, Finance and Management
- MSc Business Analytics
- MSc Business and Management
- MSc Finance and Management
- MSc International Business and Strategy
- MSc Marketing Management
Computer and Data Science
Engineering
Only the programmes listed above are eligible. (Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, Degree Apprenticeships, fully online or distance learning programmes are not eligible.)
University of Exeter Scholarship Programs Benefits: What’s Covered?
Depending on the specific award scheme you win, financial benefits typically include:
Undergraduate Scholarship Benefits
- £15,000 tuition fee reduction.
- The scholarship is applied to international tuition fees.
- The award is recurring for each eligible year of study, subject to the scholarship terms and conditions.
- The duration depends on the length of the undergraduate programme.
Masters Scholarship Benefits
- £15,000 reduction in first-year international tuition fees.
- Opportunity to study at a globally recognised UK university.
- Access to research-based teaching and an international academic environment.
- Opportunity to develop academic, professional and leadership skills.
Important conditions:
- It is a tuition fee discount, not a monthly living allowance.
- The scholarship is awarded only for the first year.
- It does not cover tuition fees in subsequent years.
- It cannot be combined with another University of Exeter scholarship.
Postgraduate Taught (Masters) * Scholarship Benefits
- Financial awards of £3,000, £5,000 or £10,000.
- Helps reduce the cost of tuition fees for eligible Master’s programmes.
- Recognises and rewards outstanding academic achievement.
- Provides an opportunity to study at the University of Exeter.
- Access to high-quality teaching, learning and academic research.
- Opportunity to become part of an international academic community.
- Opportunity to connect with talented students and scholars from different countries.
Benefits Not Included
While Exeter scholarships offer substantial financial relief, partial scholarship recipients should budget out-of-pocket funds for:
- Remaining Tuition Balance: Any tuition amount exceeding your award value.
- UK Student Visa Fees: The standard visa application fee (approx. $630 USD).
- UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Mandatory NHS healthcare access fee (approx. $1,000 USD / £776 per year of study).
- International Flights: Round-trip travel to and from the UK.
- Daily Living Costs: Personal rent, groceries, and leisure (unless you hold a fully funded external stipend like Chevening).
Eligibility Criteria for the University of Exeter Scholarship Programs
While individual bursaries carry unique prompts, general eligibility rules for international applicants include:
Undergraduate Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have international student fee status.
- Hold a conditional or unconditional offer from the University of Exeter.
- Apply for an eligible undergraduate programme.
- Start directly in the first year of the programme in September 2027.
- Be self-funded students.
- Academic requirement:
- Applicants should have achieved or be expected to achieve academic results equivalent to GCE A-level grades AAB.
- Not eligible:
- Students progressing from the University of Exeter International Study Centre (ISC) International Foundation programme.
Selection Criteria
Students will be selected based on:
- Excellent academic performance.
- Academic and career ambitions.
- A clear plan for using the study opportunity effectively.
- Social responsibility.
- Willingness to participate in university activities and contribute to the Exeter community.
Masters Eligibility Requirements
You can apply if you:
- Have international student fee status.
- Have received a conditional or unconditional offer from the University of Exeter.
- Have an offer for an eligible campus-based Master’s programme.
- Will begin your studies in September 2027.
- Are a self-funded student.
- Have achieved or expect to achieve the equivalent of a UK Upper Second-Class Honours degree (2:1).
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be selected based on:
- Academic performance: Strong academic results and qualifications.
- Personal ambitions: Clear academic and career goals.
- Study plans: A clear plan for making the most of the Master’s opportunity.
- Social responsibility: Interest in contributing positively to society.
- Community engagement: Willingness to participate in university activities and contribute to the Exeter community.
Postgraduate Taught (Masters) *Round 4 Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have international fee status.
- Hold a conditional or unconditional offer for an eligible Master’s programme at the University of Exeter.
- Be starting their Master’s programme in January 2027.
- Not have applied in Round 1 or Round 2 of the 2026/27 Exeter Excellence Scholarship scheme for September 2026 entry for the same programme.
Academic Requirements
- Applicants are generally expected to have achieved or be able to achieve the equivalent of a UK upper second-class degree (2:1).
- Selection is based on academic merit and the information provided in the Master’s application.
- Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong academic performance.
- Clear academic and career ambitions.
- A well-defined plan for using the study opportunity.
- Social responsibility.
- Willingness to participate in the Exeter university community.
Required Documents for the Application
To ensure a smooth evaluation, prepare digital PDF copies of these documents early:
- Academic Transcripts & Certificates: Official records of all previous secondary or university degrees (translated into English).
- University Offer Letter: Proof of application/admission to the University of Exeter.
- Statement of Purpose / Scholarship Essay: A compelling essay (usually 300–500 words) articulating your academic goals, personal accomplishments, and community impact.
- Updated CV / Resume: Detailing academic projects, work history, and volunteer experience.
- Proof of English Proficiency: Valid test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or recognized equivalents).
- Academic Reference Letters: 1–2 strong references from professors or professional supervisors on official letterhead.
University of Exeter Scholarship Programs Step-by-Step Application Process
Navigating your Exeter scholarship journey requires managing both your course application and scholarship application smoothly:
1. Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Application Process
- Apply for an eligible undergraduate programme at the University of Exeter.
- Receive a conditional or unconditional admission offer.
- Complete the Scholarship Application Form.
- Submit a personal statement of maximum 300 words.
Personal Statement (Two Questions):
- Question 1 (150 words): What are your personal ambitions, and how will studying at Exeter help you achieve them? Explain your motivations and relevant experiences.
- Question 2 (150 words): How will you contribute to the Exeter university community? Explain the positive impact you want to make and how you want others to remember you.
2. Master’s Scholarship Application Process
- Apply for an eligible Master’s programme at the University of Exeter.
- Receive a conditional or unconditional admission offer.
- Complete the Scholarship Application Form.
- Submit a personal statement of maximum 300 words.
Personal Statement (Two Questions):
- Question 1 (150 words): What are your future ambitions, and how will studying at Exeter help you achieve them?
- Question 2 (150 words): How will you contribute to the university community through your studies, connections and activities?
3. Postgraduate Taught Master’s Application Process
- Apply for an eligible Master’s programme at the University of Exeter.
- Receive a conditional or unconditional admission offer.
- Complete the Scholarship Application Form.
- Submit a personal statement of maximum 300 words.
Personal Statement (Three Questions):
- What are your future ambitions, and how will studying at Exeter help you achieve them?
- What will you contribute to Exeter’s academic and campus community?
- How will you represent and promote the University of Exeter as a scholarship recipient?
Tips for a Successful Application
- Apply to Exeter Early: Do not wait until the scholarship deadline to apply for your academic degree. Obtaining a course offer early ensures your Student ID is ready as soon as scholarship portals open.
- Align with Exeter’s Core Values: Exeter places immense value on sustainability, global citizenship, and social impact. Weave these themes into your personal essay.
- Quantify Your Achievements: Rather than stating “I am a hard worker,” highlight metrics: “Graduated top 5% of my class,” “Led a community initiative that impacted 400+ families.”
- Proofread Meticulously: Ensure your essay is free of grammatical errors, tailored specifically to Exeter (don’t send generic statements!), and respects all word limits strictly.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students (in USD)
While living costs in South West England are generally lower than in central London, budgeting wisely is essential. Below is a breakdown of average monthly living costs in Exeter, converted to USD ($):
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (USD) | Notes |
| Accommodation | $650 – $1,100 | University halls vs. private shared student flats |
| Food & Groceries | $250 – $380 | Self-catering / grocery shopping at local supermarkets |
| Local Transport | $40 – $80 | Exeter is very walkable; bus passes for Penryn/Exeter |
| Utilities & Internet | $60 – $100 | Included in most university halls; extra in private housing |
| Books & Study Materials | $35 – $70 | Digital library resources help keep costs minimal |
| Social & Leisure | $150 – $250 | Gym memberships, student societies, dining out |
| Total Estimated Living Cost | $1,185 – $1,980 / month | Provides a comfortable student lifestyle |
Why Choose the University of Exeter Scholarship? (5 Reasons)
- Prestigious Russell Group Qualification: Gain a world-class degree from a university recognized internationally for research excellence and academic prestige.
- Generous Financial Support: With over £8 million allocated annually, international students enjoy significant relief from international tuition fees.
- World-Leading Sustainability Focus: Ranked among the global elite for environmental science and green policy, Exeter offers a vibrant ecosystem for future change-makers.
- Exceptional Graduate Employability: Rated in the UK Top 15 for university career services, opening direct pathways to global employers.
- Unbeatable Quality of Life: Enjoy living in one of the safest, greenest, and most scenic regions of the UK, combining rich history with modern coastal living.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I hold multiple scholarships at Exeter simultaneously?
Generally, the university allows students to hold only one major Exeter-funded tuition scholarship. If eligible for multiple, you will usually be awarded whichever scholarship carries the highest monetary value.
Are Exeter scholarships available for undergraduate international students?
Yes! While postgraduate taught programs receive a large share of funding, Exeter provides entrance bursaries, mature student awards, and sports scholarships for eligible undergraduate candidates.
What happens if I get a conditional offer from Exeter?
You can still apply for scholarship awards with a conditional offer. However, any formal scholarship awarded will remain conditional until you meet all academic and English language requirements.
Is work-study allowed while studying at Exeter?
Yes! International students holding a valid UK Student Visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university holidays, helping offset daily personal expenses.
Important Dates
For the September 2027 Master’s intake:
- Scholarship application deadline: 28 January 2027
- Scholarship results: By 25 February 2027
- Programme begins: September 2027
- You must apply for Master’s admission before submitting your scholarship application.
For the January 2027 postgraduate taught intake:
- Scholarship application deadline: 26 November 2026
- Scholarship notification: Within one month of application.
- Latest notification date: 10 December 2026
- Programme begins: January 2027.
