Studying in the United Kingdom costs real money, and tuition fees for international students can run into the tens of thousands of pounds.
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) knows this, which is why the university hands out more than 1,400 scholarships every year to students from over 80 countries.
If you are planning to start a Bachelor’s or Master’s course at NTU in 2027, this guide walks you through every scholarship on offer, the exact deadlines, and how to apply without wasting your shot.
Why NTU Scholarships Are Worth Your Attention
NTU does not just offer one blanket scholarship. It runs a whole scheme with multiple award types stacked together, so one application can put you in the running for several awards at once.
The university reduces your tuition fee directly once you enrol, and awards range from a flat £2,000 off to a full 50% reduction, depending on the scholarship and your circumstances. For a Master’s course priced around £18,300, a 50% award could save you over £9,000 in your first year alone.
That is not pocket change. It is the difference between struggling through your studies and actually affording to focus on them.
If you want a sense of scale, some UK universities go even further for select applicants — Imperial College London’s scholarships are worth up to £15,000 a year for international students, so it is worth comparing a few schools before you commit.
Who Can Apply
Before you get excited about the figures, check that you tick these boxes:
- You must hold an offer for an eligible Bachelor’s or Master’s course at NTU.
- You must be classed as an international student for tuition-fee purposes.
- You must be starting a new course in January 2027 or September 2027 (current NTU students cannot apply).
- You must not already be fully sponsored by an employer, government, or funding body, since sponsored students are not eligible for an International Scholarship award.
One important note: NTU explicitly states it will not accept scholarship essays written with ChatGPT or any other AI tool. The panel wants your own voice, so write the essay yourself. If you have not yet secured your course offer, it is worth reading up on what to do after receiving a university admission offer before you move on to the scholarship stage.
Comparing other UK universities with strong international scholarship schemes? You may also want to check the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships 2027, a complete guide for African applicants.
Deadlines You Need to Know
Here is where timing really matters. NTU has already opened applications for January 2027 entry, and the deadlines are tight.
| Intake | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 2027 | Wednesday, 30 September 2026 | Earlier applicants get considered first |
| January 2027 | Saturday, 31 October 2026, 16:00 GMT (final) | Applications after this date miss the cycle entirely |
| September 2027 | Not yet published | NTU says the scheme “will open a little later in the year” |
If you apply after the September deadline but before the final October deadline, your application automatically rolls into the next round. But miss 31 October at 4:00 pm GMT, and you are out for this intake. Results are usually shared within three to five weeks after each deadline closes. If you are tracking more than one opportunity around this window, this roundup of ten scholarships and internships abroad with October 2026 deadlines is worth a look.
The Full List of Scholarships on Offer
NTU Excellence Scholarships
These are the headline awards, and they are competitive, meaning the strength of your application decides whether you get one.
- 50% scholarship: Depending on your course fee, this saves you between £9,150 and £12,500 off your first-year fee. Undergraduate students also get £3,000 off each year after that.
- 25% scholarship: This saves you between £4,525 and £6,250 off your first-year fee.
Looking for comparable undergraduate awards elsewhere in the UK? You may also want to check the University of Leeds Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship.
Country and School Scholarships
NTU also runs scholarships tied to specific countries or academic fields. These change from year to year, so always double-check your country’s listing, but for the current cycle, postgraduate awards include:
- £4,000 for applicants from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Latin America and the Caribbean, Malaysia, the Philippines, Serbia, and Turkey.
- £5,000 for applicants from Europe, Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
- A 50% tuition reduction through the Taiwan STEM Scholarship.
- A 50% tuition reduction through the Women in Computer Science award.
Merit-Based Awards
These reward strong academic records without requiring the full essay. If you qualify, you simply fill in your personal details and tick a box. Current Master’s-level awards include:
- Bangladesh High Achievers Award: £3,000
- China Star Scholarship: £3,000
- India Prestigious University Award: up to £4,000
- Sri Lanka High Achievers Award: £3,000
- Sub-Saharan Africa High Achievers Award: £3,000
- Thailand High Achievers Award: £4,000
If your field is more specialised, it can also be worth checking field-specific UK awards like the University of Reading Frank Palmer Award for MA Applied Linguistics and MA TESOL applicants.
Open to Everyone
Two awards are not tied to any particular country, so applicants from any continent can apply for them at Master’s level:
- NTU International Merit Scholarships: £3,000
- NTU International Scholarships: £2,000
Want to see another Master’s scholarship with no country restriction? You may also want to check the Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship 2027, worth £10,000 off your Master’s in the UK.
Sibling Loyalty Reward
If you have a sibling already studying, or about to study, at NTU, you could get a 20% tuition discount. You need to email international@ntu.ac.uk with both your and your sibling’s birth certificates along with your NTU ID numbers. For January 2027 entry, this must be claimed by 18 December 2026.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Applying is simpler than most scholarship processes you have probably dealt with before. Here is how it works:
- Secure your course offer first. You cannot apply for a scholarship without already holding an offer from NTU.
- Complete one application form. You do not need separate forms for each scholarship. One submission considers you for every award you qualify for.
- Write your 500-word statement. This is your chance to stand out. Talk about your achievements, your goals, and what drives you. NTU’s own advice is blunt: they are not hunting for perfect grades; they want to hear your authentic voice. If you are unsure how to approach it, this breakdown of a statement of purpose versus a personal statement is a useful starting point.
- Submit before the deadline. Use the official scholarship application form.
- Wait for the outcome. Results typically arrive within three to five weeks of the deadline you applied under.
🔗 Official Application Link: Apply for NTU International Scholarships here
If you only want to be considered for a merit-based award, you can skip the essay. Just fill in your personal details and tick the relevant box.
A Few Things That Catch Applicants Out
- Your scholarship cannot cover your advance payment. It only applies once you have enrolled and met every condition of your offer, including the advance payment.
- You can only apply once per academic year, per offer. There is no second chance to revise or resubmit once a decision has been made.
- Deferring your course to a later academic year cancels your scholarship. You would need to reapply for the new intake, and a previous award does not guarantee a future one.
- If you receive an external scholarship too, the combined value of both awards cannot exceed 50% of your first-year tuition fee.
Keeping your options open across several UK universities? You may also want to check the Martingale Foundation Scholarships 2027, which fund fully funded Master’s and PhD study in the UK.
Other Scholarships NTU Points You Toward
NTU’s scholarship page also signposts a few major external scholarships that United Kingdom universities commonly support:
- Chevening Scholarships, the UK government’s fully funded master’s programme — see our complete Chevening Scholarship 2027/2028 guide for eligibility and how to apply.
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, for candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
- Entente Cordiale Scholarships, for French students pursuing law or environmental studies in the UK: britishcouncil.fr
These are run independently of NTU, so you apply to them directly rather than through NTU’s own scholarship form. If you are aiming even higher, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 is another fully funded, highly selective route worth knowing about.
Looking for a January 2027 intake scholarship elsewhere in the UK too? You may also want to check the University of Portsmouth Chancellor’s Global Academic Merit Scholarship, worth £5,000 off your January 2027 tuition.
Official Resources
- Full scholarships page: ntu.ac.uk/international/scholarships
- Eligible courses list: ntu.ac.uk eligible courses list
- Contact: international@ntu.ac.uk or +44 (0)115 848 2999
If NTU’s scheme does not end up being the right fit, it is also worth browsing a broader roundup of 12 fully funded scholarships and internships for international students in 2026/2027 to see what else is out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for multiple NTU scholarships at once?
Yes. You only need to submit one application form, and NTU automatically considers you for every scholarship you are eligible for. You do not need to fill out separate forms for the Excellence Scholarship, country awards, or merit-based awards.
Can I use AI to write my scholarship essay?
No. NTU explicitly states it cannot accept essays written by ChatGPT or similar tools. You can use AI to check spelling or polish your writing, but the essay itself must reflect your own authentic voice and experience.
What happens if I miss the 31 October deadline?
If you miss the final 31 October deadline for January 2027 entry, your application will not be considered for that intake. You would need to wait for the September 2027 scholarship scheme, which NTU says will open later in the year.
Will my scholarship cover my advance payment?
No. The scholarship only applies as a reduction to your tuition fee once you have enrolled and met every condition of your offer, including paying the advance payment yourself first.