Presidential Bursaries – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens
Closes26 Aug, 2026

The Presidential Bursaries at the University of Southampton are competitive funding awards for outstanding international PhD candidates. The Presidential Bursary provides a tuition fee reduction rather than full funding. In particular, it covers the difference between UK home fees and international tuition fees. Therefore, international PhD students pay fees closer to the domestic rate. However, the bursary does not include a living cost stipend. As a result, applicants often combine it with external funding or partial scholarships. Moreover, the financial support significantly reduces the overall cost of doctoral study, making research more affordable for eligible candidates.

🎓 Scholarship Snapshot

Here’s everything you need at a glance: the documents to prepare, what the award covers, and key dates so you don’t miss a beat. From transcripts and essays to tuition and living support, this gives you a clear picture of the Presidential Bursaries before you apply.

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seirra Leone, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, South-Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Study Fields

All fields

GPA / Grade

GPA 3.2

Languages

B2 German, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80

Tests

Study Levels

Doctoral, PhD

Total Scholarships

Transcripts

Yes

Degrees

Yes

Essay

Yes

Passport ID

Recommendation Letters

Result Date

Program Start

September 2026

Tuition Fee

Covered

Living Allowance

Yes

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

Health Insurance

Visa Assistance

📞 Contact Information

Call if you want a quick answer, send an email for detailed questions, or follow the university’s social channels to keep an eye on updates and reminders. Use whatever fits your style and timezone.

Scholarship Summary

Award Amount
Deadline26 Aug, 2026
LevelDoctoral, PhD
InstitutionTechnical University of Munich
CountryUnited Kingdom
ModeOnline
TypePartially funded

Apply Now

The Presidential Bursaries at the University of Southampton are competitive funding awards for outstanding international PhD candidates. The bursaries support high-achieving researchers who begin doctoral study at the university. In particular, the scheme reduces the financial gap between UK home tuition fees and international tuition fees. Moreover, it helps make the research study more accessible for talented international students who wish to join Southampton’s doctoral community.

Background and Purpose

The University of Southampton established the Presidential Bursary scheme to attract globally talented researchers and strengthen its international research profile. Therefore, it prioritizes candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and strong research potential. Typically, applicants hold a first-class undergraduate degree or an equivalent international qualification.

In addition, the bursaries support the University’s wider goal of increasing diversity within its doctoral programs. As a result, international researchers can integrate more easily into UK-based research environments. Furthermore, the scheme encourages collaboration between global scholars and Southampton’s research groups, which enhances innovation and academic impact across disciplines.

Presidential Bursaries Benefits

The Presidential Bursary provides a tuition fee reduction rather than full funding. In particular, it covers the difference between UK home fees and international tuition fees. Therefore, international PhD students pay fees closer to the domestic rate. However, the bursary does not include a living cost stipend. As a result, applicants often combine it with external funding or partial scholarships. Moreover, the financial support significantly reduces the overall cost of doctoral study, making research more affordable for eligible candidates.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must hold an offer for a PhD program at the University of Southampton. In addition, they must demonstrate strong academic achievement and clear research potential. Typically, faculties or doctoral schools identify suitable candidates during the admission process. Both UK and international applicants may be considered, although the bursary primarily supports international students. Furthermore, eligibility is based on academic merit and research excellence rather than a separate application in most cases.

Presidential Bursaries Application Process

Students do not usually submit a standalone application for the Presidential Bursary. Instead, they are considered automatically during the PhD admission process. In many cases, academic departments nominate eligible candidates, and the Doctoral College approves the final awards.

Therefore, applicants should ensure that their PhD application clearly highlights their academic achievements and research strengths. In addition, strong references and a well-developed research proposal improve selection chances.

Opportunities for Scholars

The Presidential Bursary supports doctoral research across all academic disciplines at the University of Southampton. As a result, scholars join a highly diverse and internationally connected research community. Furthermore, they benefit from collaboration with leading academics and research groups.

Consequently, recipients gain valuable experience in advanced research environments and contribute to high-impact academic work. In addition, the scheme helps prepare graduates for careers in academia, industry research, policy development, and international scientific collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for this scholarship?

International students who have accepted an offer for a PhD program and are due to start their studies between 1 August 2026 and 31 January 2027 can apply.

Is a separate scholarship application required?

No. Eligible candidates do not need to submit a separate application. Their faculty nominates them to the Doctoral College for consideration.

Can the bursary be combined with other funding?

In some cases, it may be combined with other scholarships or studentships, depending on the funding conditions of the awards involved. Applicants should check with their faculty for specific guidance.