Top schools in the US and UK that offer master’s scholarships and steps to achieving this.

Earning a master’s degree is an important step for expanding your education and career opportunities. However, the cost of a graduate program can be prohibitive without financial assistance. Master’s scholarships are a valuable resource for international and domestic students seeking to fund their further studies. This guide highlights some of the top schools in the United States and United Kingdom that offer robust scholarship packages for master’s students. It also outlines the application process and tips for competing applicants.

In the United States, several prestigious universities stand out for their generous master’s scholarship offerings. Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts is renowned worldwide for its academic excellence. Each year, Harvard awards over $30 million in scholarship funding to master’s students across its 12 schools. Applicants are automatically considered for need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships during the admission process. No separate application is required. Another elite institution with strong scholarship options is Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Stanford offers both need-based grants and merit-based fellowships for full and partial tuition coverage. Key programs that commonly provide full funding include the Master of Arts in Communication, Master of Arts in Education, and Master of Finance.

For public universities, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is amongst the most generous. The UM Master’s Fellowship provides $20,000 per year for two years of study to recruit top students across disciplines. Other competitive awards include the Dow Sustainability Fellowship and Rackham Merit Fellowships. The University of California system also distributes millions in annual funding for master’s students through campus-specific scholarships. For example, UC Berkeley offers full tuition scholarships through the Chancellor’s Fellowship, plus stipends for living expenses. Out-of-state public universities like the University of Washington in Seattle and the University of Texas at Austin also offer tuition discounts and stipends to recruit top international students.

Across the pond, leading universities in the United Kingdom have extensive scholarship pools to attract international master’s applicants. One of the most prestigious is King’s College London, which provides academic and merit-based scholarships up to £10,000 per year. Subject-specific awards tend to have March-April deadlines. The London School of Economics (LSE) likewise funds hundreds of students annually through scholarships named for faculty, departments, or outside donors. Awards range from a few thousand pounds to full tuition coverage. Another top Russell Group university, University College London (UCL), allocates over £6 million per year to graduate scholarships determined by academic excellence and financial need.

With a global reputation for research, the University of Oxford stands out for its wide scholarship opportunities at both the college and departmental levels. Annual value can reach £15,000 or a percentage of program fees. Top UK universities located outside London also fund a significant number of international students. For example, the University of Edinburgh offers over 140 named scholarships up to £10,000 each year for priority fields of study. The University of Cambridge provides over 300 scholarships through individual colleges and departments. Annual amounts range from a few thousand pounds to full tuition support.

For students seeking a master’s abroad, strong competition exists to secure external scholarship funding. Several best practices can improve your chances:

• Achieve the highest possible grades in your undergraduate degree. Scholarship committees prioritize top academic achievers.
• Take any required admission tests like the GRE or GMAT well in advance and score within or above the program average range.
• Ask recommenders who know you well to emphasize your leadership abilities, extracurricular engagement, research experience, and career potential in their letters.
• Highlight any work experiences, publications, or internships that make you stand out.
• Proofread your scholarship essays carefully for quality of writing and passion about the subject area. Have others review them as well.
• Meet all application deadlines, as missed deadlines can disqualify you from consideration.
• Research which external scholarship providers like Fulbright, Rhodes, or Gates Cambridge may fund your intended master’s study abroad.

With diligent preparation and a strong application, many international and domestic students can fully or partially fund their graduate pursuits through competitive master’s scholarships. The top universities profiled here offer robust funding opportunities to attract talented scholars worldwide.

All the best!