Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship 2027 | Study in United Kingdom — University of Portsmouth
A five-thousand-pound reduction landing entirely in year one changes the maths of a degree far more than the same amount spread thinly across three or four years. Portsmouth built its flagship international award around that logic.
About the Scholarship
The Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship is the University of Portsmouth’s main award for self-funded international students, applying a sizeable discount directly to first-year tuition. It runs alongside country-specific GREAT Scholarships and a smaller Vice Chancellor’s Global Development Scholarship.
Scholarship Benefits
- GBP 5,000 fee reduction applied to the first year of study
- GBP 10,000 GREAT Scholarship for eligible postgraduate students from Bangladesh and Pakistan
- GBP 2,500 Vice Chancellor’s Global Development Scholarship applied at registration
- Available on full-time, on-campus undergraduate and postgraduate courses
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be classed as overseas students for tuition fee purposes, apply as self-funded students, and enrol on a full-time, on-campus course for an eligible intake. The GREAT Scholarship carries its own, narrower nationality requirement tied to the specific countries confirmed each year.
Fields of Study Covered
The Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship applies broadly across Portsmouth’s undergraduate and postgraduate taught subjects, including pharmacy, computing, engineering, criminology, and business, while the GREAT Scholarship is usually limited to postgraduate taught programmes.
Required Documents
- Confirmed offer for an eligible Portsmouth course
- Proof of self-funded, overseas fee-paying status
- Academic transcripts
- Passport and nationality confirmation
- English language proficiency evidence where required
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Apply for and accept an offer on a full-time, on-campus Portsmouth course
- Confirm self-funded, overseas fee status with admissions
- The Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship is typically assessed and applied automatically at offer stage
- Students from GREAT-eligible countries should separately check the specific application window
- Review the Vice Chancellor’s Global Development Scholarship page for any additional criteria
Selection Process
The Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship is awarded based on self-funded, overseas fee status rather than a competitive essay process, while the GREAT Scholarship is capped and allocated competitively among applicants from the eligible countries.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
Since Portsmouth’s main award depends heavily on confirming self-funded status early, applicants should submit financial documentation alongside their course application rather than waiting until closer to enrolment. Students comparing South Coast options might also review the Reading Excellence Scholarship for a nearby alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship automatic?
For eligible self-funded, overseas fee-paying students on a qualifying full-time course, it is generally applied without a separate written application.
Can postgraduate students receive both the Chancellor’s and GREAT Scholarships?
No, Portsmouth applies the single highest-value scholarship a student is eligible for rather than combining multiple awards.
Which countries are currently eligible for the GREAT Scholarship at Portsmouth?
Bangladesh and Pakistan were confirmed as eligible for a recent intake, though the list is reviewed and can change each year.
Does the scholarship apply to part-time or distance-learning courses?
No, it is restricted to full-time, on-campus study.
Does the award cover accommodation in Portsmouth?
No, it only reduces tuition fees, and students must separately budget for housing and living costs.
What is the Vice Chancellor’s Global Development Scholarship?
It is a smaller, GBP 2,500 fee reduction applied at the point of registration, aimed at a different segment of international applicants than the main merit award.
Is there a minimum grade requirement for the Chancellor’s Scholarship?
Yes, eligibility depends on meeting Portsmouth’s published academic entry requirements for the chosen course, alongside self-funded fee status.
Can returning students qualify if they already started their degree elsewhere?
New entrants starting their first year of study at Portsmouth are the primary focus; continuing or transfer students should confirm eligibility directly with admissions.
Life On The South Coast
Portsmouth combines a working naval heritage with a growing tech and creative sector, and its coastal location keeps rent lower than nearby Southampton or Brighton. International students stretching the Chancellor’s scholarship further often find part-time work in the city’s hospitality and marine industries.
Does the scholarship apply to foundation year courses?
Foundation courses are usually treated separately from the main degree scholarship, so applicants starting on a foundation pathway should confirm eligibility directly with Portsmouth admissions.
Can international students work part-time while studying at Portsmouth?
Most student visa holders can work part-time during term time, subject to the hours permitted under their visa conditions, which helps supplement the scholarship for everyday costs.