University of Leeds Scholarships for International Students in the UK
The University of Leeds offers several scholarships to help international students reduce the cost of studying in the UK. For the 2026 entry, the university has made millions of pounds in scholarship funding available to international students starting undergraduate, Masters and foundation programmes.
These scholarships can provide tuition fee reductions of thousands of pounds, making the University of Leeds an attractive option for students looking for affordable ways to study at a leading UK university.
University of Leeds International Scholarships 2026
International students can find funding opportunities at different study levels. Some scholarships are awarded automatically, while others require a separate application.
The main opportunities include:
- International Undergraduate Regional Scholarship
- International Masters Regional Scholarship
- International Excellence Scholarship
- International Foundation Year scholarships
- Subject-specific scholarships
- Commonwealth and other external scholarships
The value and eligibility requirements vary depending on the programme and scholarship.
International Undergraduate Regional Scholarship
The International Undergraduate Regional Scholarship provides an automatic £5,000 reduction from the first-year tuition fee for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree in September 2026.
Students from several countries and regions are eligible, including Nigeria, India, Kenya, Egypt, Canada, Indonesia, Jordan, Singapore, Turkey and the USA, among others.
To qualify, applicants generally need to:
- Be classified as an international fee-paying student.
- Be self-funded or partially funded.
- Hold a conditional or unconditional offer for an eligible undergraduate course.
- Be entering Year 1 in September 2026.
- Hold a passport from an eligible country or region.
One major advantage is that no separate scholarship application is required. Eligible students are automatically considered and notified after receiving their course offer.
However, some courses, including Medicine and Surgery and Dental Surgery, are excluded.
International Masters Scholarships
International students applying for postgraduate study can also benefit from scholarships at Leeds.
The International Masters Regional Scholarship offers an automatic £6,000 tuition fee reduction to eligible international students beginning their Masters programme in 2026.
The university also offers International Excellence Scholarships, with awards worth £3,000, £6,000 or £16,000 for eligible international students. These competitive awards are designed to recognise strong academic achievement.
Students should check the specific requirements for their chosen programme because scholarship eligibility can differ by course.
University of Leeds Foundation Year Scholarships
Students who need an International Foundation Year before progressing to a degree can also find funding opportunities.
For September 2026 entry, the university lists an International Regional Scholarship worth £5,000 for eligible students from countries including Nigeria. The award is automatically applied as a tuition fee reduction if the student meets the requirements.
There are also International Foundation Year Excellence Scholarships worth £3,000 for eligible high-achieving international students. Unlike the regional award, this scholarship requires an application.
Who Can Apply for Leeds Scholarships?
Eligibility depends on the individual scholarship. However, international applicants are generally expected to have an offer from the University of Leeds and meet the academic and funding conditions attached to the award.
For academic excellence scholarships, strong grades are important. Some awards may also consider extracurricular activities, personal achievements and the applicant’s future goals.
Students should also remember that receiving a scholarship does not necessarily cover all the costs of studying in the UK. Many Leeds scholarships are tuition fee discounts, meaning students may still need to budget for accommodation, food, transportation, visa expenses and other living costs.
How to Apply for University of Leeds Scholarships
The application process depends on the scholarship.
For automatic awards such as the International Undergraduate Regional Scholarship and International Masters Regional Scholarship, eligible students do not normally need to submit a separate application.
For competitive scholarships, students may need to complete an application after receiving an offer.
Applicants should therefore:
- Choose an eligible University of Leeds course.
- Check the international tuition fees.
- Apply for admission.
- Review the scholarship requirements.
- Submit any required scholarship application before the deadline.
- Monitor their email for the scholarship decision.
Because deadlines and scholarship conditions can change, applicants should always check the university’s official funding pages before applying.
Final Thoughts
University of Leeds scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of studying in the UK. International students from countries such as Nigeria can benefit from regional scholarships, while high-achieving applicants may qualify for additional excellence awards.
With undergraduate, Masters and foundation funding available, prospective students should explore every scholarship option before deciding how to finance their studies.
For the latest scholarship requirements, eligible courses and application information, visit the University of Leeds international scholarships page.
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