University of Derby Scholarships for International Students 2026-27

Ready to take your study abroad journey to the next level? The University of Derby offers a fantastic array of scholarships for International Students for the 2026-2027 academic year, making a world-class UK degree more accessible. These scholarships are generally available for full-time Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate programs across various schools and departments, offering support that primarily covers a portion of the tuition fees. Key opportunities include the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship (typically £2,000 off the first-year tuition fee) and the Full Payment Discount (£1,000 for paying fees in full), which can often be combined, providing a significant financial benefit. Furthermore, external options like the GREAT Scholarships and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships may also be available for eligible postgraduate students, potentially offering a greater fee reduction or even fully-funded study in select fields like Science and Technology, providing a valuable investment in your future.

In this blog, we provide a comprehensive guide to all the major University of Derby scholarships for the 2026-2027 intake, detailing the eligibility criteria, application process, and specific award amounts to help you secure your funding.

Types of University of Derby Scholarships

The University of Derby offers a variety of scholarships and discounts, primarily for International Students undertaking full-time undergraduate and taught postgraduate programs.

Here are the main types of University of Derby Scholarships and financial awards:

Category	Scholarship/Award Type	Primary Focus and Feature
University Discounts (Automatic)	Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship	Automatic tuition fee reduction for new, self-funding international students.
University Discounts (Payment)	Full Payment Discount	A discount awarded for paying the full annual tuition fee upfront (combinable with the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship).
University Discounts (Alumni)	International Alumni Discount	Fee reduction for former Derby graduates progressing to a higher-level degree.
External/Government	GREAT Scholarships	Significant fee reduction (£10,000) for Postgraduate Taught students from specific countries (e.g., India, China), supported by the British Council.
External/Government	Chevening Scholarship	A Fully-Funded Prestigious global scholarship for future leaders undertaking a one-year Master’s degree.
External/Government	Commonwealth Shared Scholarship	Often a Fully-Funded award for postgraduate students from Commonwealth countries in development-related subjects.

List of University of Derby Scholarships for International Students

The University of Derby offers a mix of automatic discounts and competitive external scholarships to help international students fund their studies. Below is a detailed list of the main scholarships and financial awards available for the 2026-2027 academic year, including their coverage and eligibility.

Scholarship/Award Type	Coverage/Amount	Eligibility Criteria
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship	GBP 2,000 reduction on the first-year tuition fee.	– Must be an Overseas fee-paying student and self-funding. – Enrolling in a full-time Undergraduate or Postgraduate Taught/MRes programme at a UK campus. – Must be studying at Derby for the first time. – Awarded automatically if criteria are met (no separate application needed).
Full Payment Discount	GBP 1,000 discount on the annual tuition fee.	– Requires full annual tuition fee payment to be made before or at the time of enrolment. – Applicable to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught programmes. – Combinable with the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship.
International Alumni Discount	25% reduction on the tuition fee.	– For students who have previously graduated from a University of Derby degree and are progressing to a higher-level full-time or part-time Taught Postgraduate degree (or 10% for PhD/DProf). – Not combinable with the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship (student receives the one with the higher value).
Merit-Based Scholarship	Typically GBP 5,000 off the tuition fee (Varies).	– Highly Competitive award for students demonstrating exceptional academic performance (exceeding course entry requirements). – Applicants often need to show excellence in extracurricular activities or employment in a personal statement. – Limited number of awards available, often targeted at specific regions/countries. – Requires a separate application for consideration. – Not combinable with external scholarships.
Sports Scholarships	Varies (Fee waiver/discount, worth up to GBP 1,000+), plus support package.	– For students performing at national or international level in a recognised sport (individual or team). – Provides financial support plus access to specialist coaching, physio, and strength and conditioning facilities. – Requires a separate application process.
GREAT Scholarships	Minimum of GBP 10,000 towards tuition fees.	– For Postgraduate Taught students from specific GREAT campaign countries (e.g., India, China, Ghana, Nigeria, etc.) in specific subject areas. – Requires a separate, competitive application. – Not combinable with any internal University of Derby discount/scholarship.
Chevening Scholarship	Fully Funded (covers tuition fees, travel, and a monthly living stipend).	– Highly prestigious, for aspiring Postgraduate leaders from Chevening-eligible countries. – Must have at least two years of work experience. – Requires a separate application through the Chevening website.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship	Fully Funded (covers tuition fees, airfare, and a living stipend).	– For Postgraduate Taught students from Commonwealth countries (low- and middle-income) studying development-related subjects at Derby. – Requires a separate application.

Also Read: Undergraduate Scholarships in the UK for Indian Students

Details of Top University of Derby Scholarships for International Students

Here are the details for the University of Derby’s top scholarships for International Students (2026-2027), presented in a detailed paragraph form.

Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship

The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is the University of Derby’s primary institutional award, automatically granted to most eligible international students to reduce the financial burden of a UK degree. It offers a reduction of £2,000 specifically against the first year’s tuition fee for overseas fee-paying applicants entering a full-time Undergraduate or Taught Postgraduate/MRes programme at a UK campus. Eligibility is generally simple: you must be self-funding your fees, be a first-time student at the University of Derby for a course starting in the September or January intake, and have successfully met your entry conditions; crucially, no separate application is required as it is automatically applied to your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) if you qualify. This scholarship is particularly valuable because it is combinable with the Full Payment Discount, allowing an eligible student to potentially save a total of £3,000 in their first year.

Benefits	£2,000 reduction on the first-year tuition fee.
Degree Level	Full-time Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate (including MRes) at a UK campus.
Eligibility	Must be an Overseas fee-paying student and self-funding. Must be a first-time student at the University of Derby.
Application Process	Automatic consideration upon applying for an eligible course and receiving an offer. No separate application is required.
Deadlines	Aligned with course start dates (e.g., September 2026 or January 2027 intake deadlines).
Official Link	Check the main University of Derby International Scholarships page.

Full Payment Discount

The Full Payment Discount is a straightforward financial incentive of £1,000 off the annual tuition fee, rewarded to any student who pays their fees in full and upfront. This is not strictly a merit-based scholarship but a significant discount offered to all full-time students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) who commit to paying their entire year’s tuition fee either before or at the time of official enrolment. The key benefit of this discount is its combinability with the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, meaning a new international student can secure both awards simultaneously, providing a combined saving of £3,000 off their first year’s fees, thereby significantly lowering their initial cost of study.

Benefits	£1,000 discount on the annual tuition fee.
Degree Level	Full-time Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate.
Eligibility	All fee-paying students who pay their full annual tuition fee upfront. Combinable with the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Application Process	Automatic when tuition fees are paid in full by the stipulated enrolment/payment deadline.
Deadlines	Fee payment deadline (usually before or at the time of official enrolment).
Official Link	Check the main University of Derby Fees and Finance page.

GREAT Scholarships

The highly competitive GREAT Scholarships are awarded in partnership with the British Council and the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign to support outstanding students from specific countries (typically China, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, etc.) to pursue postgraduate study. The scholarship provides a minimum of £10,000 towards the tuition fee for eligible one-year Postgraduate Taught Master’s programmes, often with a focus on subjects aligned with national priorities like Science and Technology. Unlike the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, this award requires a separate, rigorous application process, usually involving an essay and interview, and it is not combinable with any other University of Derby scholarship or discount.

Benefits	Minimum £10,000 towards the tuition fee.
Degree Level	Specific one-year Postgraduate Taught Master’s programmes (often Science and Technology).
Eligibility	Must be a citizen of an eligible GREAT campaign country (e.g., India, China, Nigeria). Must have an offer from Derby for an eligible course.
Application Process	Separate, competitive application submitted directly to the University of Derby after receiving a course offer.
Deadlines	Varies by country/year. Historically around April 2026 (e.g., April 23, 2026, for the September 2026 intake).
Official Link	Check the University of Derby’s GREAT Scholarships page and the British Council’s Study UK website.

Chevening Scholarship

The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s global fully-funded scholarship programme aimed at developing global leaders. It offers comprehensive coverage, including full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, and travel costs to and from the UK, enabling exceptional individuals from Chevening-eligible countries to study a one-year Master’s degree at the University of Derby. Eligibility is stringent, requiring applicants to demonstrate strong leadership potential, have a clear vision for the future, and possess at least two years of work experience; candidates must apply directly through the highly competitive Chevening website and commit to returning to their home country for a minimum of two years after graduation to utilise their UK education.

Benefits	Fully funded: Full tuition fees, monthly living stipend, return airfare, and additional grants.
Degree Level	One-year Postgraduate Taught Master’s degree.
Eligibility	Citizen of a Chevening-eligible country. Must have an undergraduate degree and at least two years (2,800 hours) of post-graduation work experience.
Application Process	Separate, highly competitive online application via the Chevening website. Must apply to three different eligible UK university courses.
Deadlines	Application: Typically August to early November 2025 (for the 2026-27 intake). Unconditional Offer: Typically July 2026.
Official Link	www.chevening.org/apply

Tips for a Successful University of Derby Scholarship Application

For scholarships that require a separate application (like the GREAT Scholarships, Chevening, Commonwealth, and Merit-Based awards), winning is highly competitive. Success hinges not just on excellent grades, but on how effectively you demonstrate your potential, commitment, and alignment with the scholarship’s mission. Here are the top tips for a successful University of Derby scholarship application for international students:

• Secure your conditional or unconditional offer of admission from the University of Derby before the scholarship application deadline.
• Only apply for scholarships (e.g., GREAT, Chevening) where you strictly meet all criteria (country, subject, degree level).
• Begin your essay/statement with a compelling, personal anecdote or a strong thesis statement, avoiding clichés.
• Directly address the prompt’s core focus (e.g., leadership, impact, future plans), don’t just summarise your CV.
• Use numbers, statistics, and specific results to back up claims of leadership or excellence (e.g., “raised £5,000,” “improved efficiency by 15%”).
• For external awards (e.g., Chevening), clearly link your Derby degree to your post-study development goals in your home country.
• Highlight how you exceed entry requirements and show evidence of future influence in your field or community.
• Eliminate all grammatical errors and typos. Ask a native or professional speaker to review your final draft.
• Note the submission deadlines carefully (especially for external awards like Chevening, which are often in November) and submit well in advance.
• Be concise and impactful. Adhere strictly to word counts and avoid repeating information already obvious in your application forms.

Why Study at the University of Derby for International Students?

The University of Derby is an attractive choice for international students due to its strong focus on career-readiness, high student satisfaction with teaching and support, a welcoming and affordable city location, and a dedicated effort to provide financial aid.

Here are the important reasons why international students should choose to study at the University of Derby:

• High Employability Rate: 96% of graduates are employed or in further study, showing a strong focus on career outcomes.
• Career-Focused Learning: Courses are industry-aligned and designed with employers, focusing on practical, job-ready skills.
• World-Class Facilities: Access to state-of-the-art, industry-standard equipment and specialist learning spaces for hands-on experience.
• High Student Satisfaction: Consistently ranked in the Top 25 in the UK for overall student satisfaction (e.g., Complete University Guide).
• Award-Winning Housing: Recognized for having some of the best university accommodation in the UK, offering a safe and welcoming start.
• Dedicated International Support: Comprehensive assistance with visas, cultural transition, and academic issues through a specialised International Student Centre.
• Generous Scholarships: Access to the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship (£2,000) and other discounts, significantly lowering the initial cost.
• Affordable City Living: Derby is known as one of the most cost-effective cities in the UK for students, offering lower living expenses than major metropolitan areas.
• Global Connections: Located in a hub of innovation with links to major global companies like Rolls-Royce and Toyota.
• Central UK Location: Excellent transport links and a multicultural community make it a diverse, accessible, and friendly place to live and travel from.

Also Read: Top 5 Law Scholarships in the UK for International Students

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