Marshall Scholarships

Every Marshall Scholar has their university tuition fees paid and receives a monthly stipend for accommodation and living costs. The stipend rates are set by the UK government and reviewed every year; the rules for the 2027 competition give the 2025-26 rates as an indication, 1,452 pounds a month outside London and 1,781 pounds in London. The first payment is made on arrival in the UK.

The award also pays economy flights between the United States and the UK at the start and end of the scholarship, visa fees and the charge for access to the National Health Service, and allowances that support ambassadorial activity. The Commission also lists a book grant, a thesis grant, research and daily travel grants and, where it applies, a contribution towards a dependent spouse. The scholarship is not subject to UK income tax, but the US Internal Revenue Service may treat it as taxable income.

Candidates must be US citizens when they apply, and by the time the scholarship starts (September 2027 for the current round) must hold a first undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States. For the 2027 competition they must have graduated after April 2024 and have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.7 out of 4.0; rounded averages are not accepted, and only the GPA from the endorsing institution counts.

There is no age limit. Anyone who has studied for, or holds, a degree or equivalent qualification from a UK university is not eligible, and neither is anyone who took GCSEs or A levels in the UK; a study-abroad year in Britain without a UK degree does not count against you. US permanent residents who are not citizens cannot apply, and a US citizen whose first degree is from a university outside the United States is not eligible either. Dual British and US citizens can apply if they hold a US passport and meet the other rules.

The scholarship funds one of five routes: a one-year master's lasting at least ten months; two consecutive one-year master's degrees; one two-year master's; a PhD or DPhil at one university; or a one-year master's followed by the start of a doctorate in the second year. Doctoral scholars who start a PhD in year one receive three years of funding, subject to progress. Those who start a doctorate in year two are guaranteed two years, and a third is at the Commission's discretion.

Candidates choose a first and second course for each year of study, and must apply to and attend them in that order if selected. For the 2027 competition the Commission wants a wider spread of scholars across the four nations and the English regions, more places at partner universities and a broader mix of pathways, with a proportion of awards in STEM fields, so choices and pathway may be weighed in the final allocation.

Applications are reviewed at eight regional centres, based at the British Consulates-General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco and at the British Embassy in Washington. Candidates apply in one region only: either where their permanent home or place of work is, or where they are studying. Regional committees shortlist and interview, and their recommendations are reviewed and approved nationally.

The three criteria, academic merit, leadership potential and ambassadorial potential, carry equal weight. Under academic merit the committees also consider the choice of course and university.

A place at a UK university is not guaranteed. Selected scholars apply to their first-choice course for year one, if they have not already, and the decision rests with the university. If they are not admitted, they must apply to and attend their second choice, and the same applies in year two. Candidates for Oxford or Cambridge are asked to prepare their course application but not submit it until the result, unless the course deadline comes first, because the Commission assigns the college.

Two-year scholars must show they have completed year one before moving to year two. PhD candidates at Oxford or Cambridge in bioscience, medicine and related fields may also apply separately to the NIH Graduate Partners Programme for a jointly funded NIH Marshall award.