Key Highlights
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Scholarships available for international undergraduate and postgraduate students
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Undergraduate awards: £6,500 or £13,000 per year toward tuition fees
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Postgraduate awards: £6,500, £13,000 or £26,000 per year toward tuition fees
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Some awards include a £3,000 living cost bursary for eligible postgraduate applicants
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Open to overseas (international) fee-paying students across any eligible discipline (exceptions apply)
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Applications for 2025 have closed; the 2026 cycle opens in October 2025
Studying in the UK can be expensive — but the Think Big Scholarships by the University of Bristol aim to alleviate that burden for exceptional international students. Whether you’re applying for an undergraduate or master’s degree, this scheme offers competitive financial support and developmental opportunities to help you pursue your academic ambitions at a world-class institution.
Benefits
Depending on your level, Think Big offers:
Undergraduate
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£6,500 or £13,000 per year applied as a tuition fee waiver
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Awards are renewable annually for the standard duration of study if you continue to meet the scholarship conditions
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A £3,000 one-time living cost bursary for the first year (depending on eligibility)
Postgraduate
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£6,500, £13,000 or £26,000 per year toward tuition fees
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Some postgraduate recipients may also be eligible for a £3,000 living cost bursary in their first year, paid directly into their bank account once fully enrolled.
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Participation in the Think Big Career Accelerator & employability programmes for further support beyond finances.
All awards are applied as tuition fee waivers (i.e., direct deduction from your fees) rather than cash payments.
Check Also: University of Westmnister Postgraduate Excellence Award 2026
Eligibility
To qualify for the Think Big Scholarships, you generally must:
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Be classified as an international fee-paying student
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Have applied to an eligible full-time undergraduate or taught postgraduate programme at Bristol
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Undergraduate: all courses except Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science
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Postgraduate: eligible for one-year taught Master’s programmes, or in some cases, specific two-year programmes
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Submit the scholarship application (you do not need to have received an offer before the scholarship application)
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Not receive another Bristol tuition scholarship such that the total funding exceeds the full cost of tuition
Note: Some terms & conditions require continuing academic performance, and scholarship awards may not be transferable to other courses or deferred enrolment.
Check Also: University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) — A Boost for International Master’s Students
Application Process
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Apply to your chosen course at the University of Bristol’s application portal (link below)
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When the Think Big scholarship cycle opens (October), access the international scholarships portal and fill in the Think Big Scholarship application form (separate forms exist for Undergraduates and Postgraduates).
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The application form includes short essays (usually three). It is recommended that you complete it in one session. You can not “save” your application to continue later.
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The University assesses applications based on merit, leadership potential, and alignment with Bristol’s values.
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If awarded, your fee waiver (and bursary, where applicable) will be applied during enrolment.
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Recipients may also participate in the development programmes (such as Think Big Career Accelerator).
Tips from the official guidance:
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Ensure you fill the form correctly.
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The form cannot save progress — prepare your responses offline first.
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After submission, check your email (including spam folder) for confirmation.
Check Also: Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships — Fully Funded MSc Opportunities
Application Deadlines
For the 2026 entry cycle, the University signals that the application window is expected to open in October 2025. Always refer to Bristol’s official scholarship page for updated dates.
Official Application Link
Access all features, forms, and guidance via the official University of Bristol international scholarships pages:
🔗 University of Bristol International Scholarships University of Bristol
🔗 Application Guidance for Think Big Scholarships
