International Excellence Scholarship 2027 | Study in United Kingdom — University of Nottingham
Nottingham’s Developing Solutions Scholarship tends to get all the attention from international applicants, but the university runs a separate, broader excellence award that rewards strong grades across its entire undergraduate and postgraduate intake.
About the Scholarship
The University of Nottingham’s International Excellence Scholarships reward high academic achievement with an automatic tuition discount. Undergraduates meeting a top grade threshold and outstanding postgraduate master’s students both qualify, with no separate scholarship essay required.
Scholarship Benefits
- GBP 5,000 automatic discount for undergraduates achieving AAA grades or the recognized international equivalent
- GBP 3,000 automatic discount for outstanding international postgraduate master’s students
- Additional UK International Postgraduate Excellence Award worth GBP 2,000 for students who completed their undergraduate degree in the UK
- Applied directly against first-year tuition fees with no application form
Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must be international fee-paying students starting year one of a full degree programme on a UK campus and must achieve AAA or the equivalent. Postgraduate applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic performance in their prior degree. Scholarships generally cannot be combined with other Nottingham awards.
Fields of Study Covered
The scholarship applies across nearly all of Nottingham’s undergraduate and taught postgraduate subject areas, from engineering and computer science to law, business, and the social sciences, with specific programme exclusions published on the funding pages.
Required Documents
- Confirmed offer for an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate course
- Final or predicted academic transcripts showing qualifying grades
- Passport and nationality confirmation
- English language proficiency evidence where required
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Apply for and accept a place on an eligible Nottingham course
- Confirm international fee-paying status
- Grades are automatically checked against the AAA or postgraduate merit threshold
- The highest eligible scholarship is applied directly to the first-year tuition invoice
- No separate scholarship application or essay is needed
Selection Process
There is no interview or written competition. Eligibility is determined automatically from the academic record submitted with the standard course application, checked against Nottingham’s published grade and merit thresholds.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
Because the award is grade-triggered rather than essay-based, the strongest strategy is simply submitting final transcripts as early and completely as possible. Students comparing Midlands universities might also look at the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship, Nottingham’s other flagship international award, for a fully funded alternative route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades do I need for the undergraduate award?
AAA at A-level or the recognized international equivalent for your qualification and country.
Can I apply if I am already partway through my degree?
No, the undergraduate scholarship is aimed at students starting year one of a full degree programme.
Do I need to submit an application form for this scholarship?
No, eligibility is checked automatically against your grades and fee status once you accept an offer.
Can I combine this with the Developing Solutions Scholarship?
No, Nottingham applies only the single highest-value scholarship a student qualifies for, not a combined total.
Is the postgraduate award based on a specific grade threshold?
It is assessed on overall academic excellence in the prior degree rather than a single fixed numeric cut-off.
Does the scholarship renew in later years of an undergraduate degree?
The published terms apply the discount to the first year of study; continuing eligibility should be confirmed directly with Nottingham.
Is the UK International Postgraduate Excellence Award separate from this one?
Yes, it specifically targets students who completed their undergraduate degree in the UK and is worth GBP 2,000 toward postgraduate tuition.
Does this scholarship cover living costs in Nottingham?
No, it only reduces tuition fees, and students must separately demonstrate the required maintenance funds for their visa.
Living Costs In Nottingham
Nottingham offers a mid-range cost of living compared with other major UK university cities, with purpose-built student housing widely available near both main campuses. The automatic International Excellence Scholarship reduces the single largest cost, tuition, leaving a more predictable overall budget.
Does the scholarship apply to joint honours degrees?
Most joint honours undergraduate programmes are eligible as long as the combined course meets the standard grade threshold, though it is worth confirming with admissions for unusual subject combinations.
Can I lose the scholarship if I repeat a year?
Continuing eligibility after an interruption or repeated year should be confirmed directly with Nottingham, since published terms focus primarily on the first year of undergraduate entry.