University of Westminster International Postgraduate Excellence Award 2027: £3,000 to £5,000 Off Your Master’s Fees

MoAre you dreaming of a Master’s in London? Westminster is offering international students a tuition-fee award worth up to £5,000 for the January 2027 intake. It is not full funding, but it is real money. The deadline is 30 November 2026, which is less than four weeks away. Read this guide, check your eligibility, and move fast.

Quick Facts

What Is This Award?

The award supports international students who have achieved academic excellence and show passion for their chosen field of study. Think of it as a discount on your tuition bill. You will not receive cash in your pocket.

There are two award levels:

• £3,000 for a standard one-year full-time Master’s.
• £5,000 for the two-year Master’s with Integrated Professional Year Experience.

Here is a handy detail. If you hold an offer for a two-year programme with professional experience and win this award, you receive the higher £5,000 amount. Compare it with other UK deals, such as the Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship.

Who Can Apply?

You can apply from any country, as long as the university classes you as an overseas fee-paying student. You must hold an offer for a full-time Master’s course starting in January 2027, and you need at least a UK Good 2.1 Honours degree equivalent. The university picks winners mainly on academic excellence.

Not sure how your degree converts? Use the Your Country pages or the overseas academic qualifications equivalency chart (PDF). For example, many applicants from Nigeria, India, Ghana, Pakistan, and Kenya check these charts before applying.

Who Cannot Apply?

You are not eligible if you are applying for a professional course such as RIBA Part III, a doctoral programme, an online or distance learning course, or a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma. You are also out if you already qualify for another fee discount, such as the alumni or partner student discount. Read the full terms and conditions (PDF) before you apply.

How Much Will You Really Save?

Let us be honest about the numbers. Westminster’s fees vary by course, so check your own course page for the exact figure. Third-party sites suggest standard taught Master’s fees sit around £17,000 a year, but treat that as a rough guide only. With that fee, a £3,000 award cuts your bill by roughly 18%. A £5,000 award cuts it by about 29%.

You will still need to cover:

• The rest of your tuition fees.
• London living costs (rent alone can swallow a big chunk of your budget). Our guide on how to find affordable universities abroad can help you plan.
• Visa and health surcharge costs.

Think of this scholarship as one piece of your funding puzzle, not the whole puzzle.

The £5,500 Deposit Rule

This part surprises many applicants. The award cannot go towards the £5,500 deposit needed to secure your CAS (the document you need for your student visa). The deposit is non-refundable, and it is deducted from your tuition fee at enrolment. So you need that cash ready, whatever happens with the scholarship. Read what to do after receiving a university admission offer to plan your next steps. See also Westminster’s page on international student deposits and CAS.

One exception is worth checking. The university says a deposit is not required if you hold a Westminster or external scholarship covering 50% or more of your fees, or a financial guarantee from a recognised sponsor. This award covers far less than 50%, so it will not qualify. Chevening would.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Pick your course. Browse the Westminster course search and choose a full-time Master’s starting in January 2027.
2. Submit your course application. The university’s postgraduate how-to-apply page lists the steps. Many courses ask for a personal statement, so see what a statement of purpose is and how to write one.
3. Get your offer. You must hold an offer to qualify for the award. If you need a reference, learn how to ask for a recommendation letter.
4. Apply for the scholarship. Log in through the official scholarship application portal.
5. Read your emails. Watch your inbox and spam folder for updates.

Key Dates for January 2027 Entry

Notice something? The course application deadline lands before the scholarship deadline. Do not wait until 30 November to start your course application. Track more dates in our list of scholarships and internships abroad with upcoming deadlines.

The Early Acceptance Award: A Possible Trap

Westminster runs a second January 2027 award, and the two interact. The International 2027 Early Acceptance Award gives £3,000 automatically, with no application, if you pay a minimum £5,500 deposit by 25 November 2026.

Here is the catch. You cannot combine the two awards. If you apply for the Excellence Award and pay your deposit by 25 November, you receive the Early Acceptance Award instead. For one-year courses, both pay £3,000, so nothing changes.

But what if you hold an offer for the two-year programme worth £5,000? The pages do not spell out how the awards work for you. Email the scholarships team before you pay your deposit, and ask which award you would receive. Their contact details sit on the scholarships page. Protecting a possible £2,000 difference is worth one email.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Apply early. Do not leave it until the final day. Portals slow down and mistakes happen.
• Know your grade equivalent. Confirm you meet the Good 2.1 standard before you spend time on the form.
• Show passion. The university says it wants students who show passion for their field. Tie your course choice to a clear goal, like a specific career or research interest.
• Keep documents ready. Transcripts, certificates, and your passport should be scanned and easy to find.
• Plan your deposit. Line up your £5,500 now, because the award will not cover it.

Other Funding Worth Knowing About

Do not stop at one option. Stack your chances.

• Chevening Scholarship: The UK government’s fully funded programme covers flights, accommodation, and course fees for a one-year Master’s at any UK university. Westminster lists the 2026 deadline as 6 October, so this round has closed. Watch the Chevening website for the next cycle.
• US student loans: Students with approved US loans can defer payment of the international deposit. See Westminster’s US loan FAQs.
• Other Westminster awards: Browse the full scholarships list for new postgraduate opportunities.
• Other UK Master’s funding: See the Martingale Foundation Scholarships 2027 and 12 fully funded scholarships and internships.

Official Resources

Final Word

This award will not pay for your whole Master’s, and it will not cover your deposit. Still, £3,000 to £5,000 off your tuition is a solid boost, especially in an expensive city like London. Check your eligibility today, send your course application before 20 November, and submit your scholarship application before 30 November 2026. Always confirm dates on the official Westminster pages, because universities can update them.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the award full funding?

No. It is a partial scholarship. You receive £3,000 off tuition for a one-year Master’s, or £5,000 for the two-year Master’s with Integrated Professional Year Experience. You must cover the remaining fees, living costs, and visa expenses yourself.

2. Can I use it to pay the £5,500 deposit?

No. The university says the award cannot go towards the £5,500 deposit that secures your CAS. The deposit is part of your tuition, so you pay it yourself, and the award applies to the rest. Plan for it early.

3. Can I combine it with the Early Acceptance Award?

No. Westminster says these two awards cannot be combined. If you pay your deposit by 25 November 2026, you receive the £3,000 Early Acceptance Award instead. Two-year programme applicants should ask the scholarships team which award applies before paying.

4. Which courses are excluded?

Professional courses such as RIBA Part III, doctoral programmes, online or distance courses, and Postgraduate Certificates or Diplomas are excluded. You also cannot hold another fee discount, such as the alumni or partner student discount.

5. What grades do I need?

You need at least the equivalent of a UK Good 2.1 Honours degree. Westminster selects winners mainly on academic excellence. Check the overseas equivalency chart or Your Country pages to see how your degree converts.