The Marshall Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to young Americans, financed by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission. Each year, up to 50 US citizens are selected to pursue a graduate degree at any UK university, in almost any field. The programme aims to support intellectually outstanding Americans. The selected recipients are expected to shape their country’s future while building lasting ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.
This listing covers the 2027 cycle, with applications closing in September 2026 for study beginning in Autumn 2027. Winners can choose between a one-year award (12 months) or a two-year award (22 months), the latter of which may be extended in limited cases for strong academic reasons.
Please note: this award is open only to citizens of the United States. It is not open to African or other international applicants. We include it here for reference and for readers who hold US citizenship; if you are searching for opportunities open to African students, check our other UK listings.
Scholarship benefits
- Full payment of university fees
- Cost-of-living expenses
- An annual book grant
- A thesis grant
- Research and daily travel grants
- Fares to and from the United States
- Where applicable, a contribution towards the support of a dependent spouse
- Choice of a one-year (12-month) or two-year (22-month) award, with limited third-year extensions possible for the two-year option
Eligibility checklist
✔ Be a citizen of the United States of America at the time you apply
✔ By September 2026, hold your first undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year US college or university
✔ Have a GPA of at least 3.7 on your undergraduate degree at the time of application (rounded GPAs are not accepted)
✔ Have graduated from your first undergraduate institution after April 2023
✔ Not hold, or have studied for, a degree or degree-equivalent qualification from a British university, and not have taken GCSEs or A Levels at a school in the UK
Application tips
- Confirm which of the eight US regional centres you must apply through you may apply in only one region, based on your permanent home, residence, employment or study location.
- Note that closing dates are set by each regional centre; do not assume every region shares the same cut-off, and work backwards from your specific deadline.
- Line up your recommenders early, recommendations must be submitted by the same 16 September 2026 deadline, at 5:00pm in your university’s time zone.
- Coordinate with your US institution’s fellowships office, since your application also needs institutional endorsement and submission (due 18 September 2026).
- Because the award is open to any subject, build a statement that clearly connects your intended UK programme to your longer-term goals and to what specific UK universities offer.
- Double-check that your GPA meets the 3.7 minimum exactly, rounding is not permitted.
- Read the official how-to-apply page carefully and start well before the deadline, as the multi-step regional and institutional process leaves no room for last-minute submission.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through one of eight regional centres in the United States, and each candidate applies in only one region. Applicants and recommenders must submit by 16 September 2026, and US institutions must complete endorsement and submission by 18 September 2026 both at 5:00 pm in the time zone of your university. Review the official guidance and full instructions before you begin at https://www.marshallscholarship.org/.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Marshall Scholarship?
Only US citizens who hold (or will hold by September 2027) a first undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year US college or university, with a GPA of at least 3.7, and who graduated after April 2023.
Can African or other international students apply?
No. The Marshall Scholarship is restricted to citizens of the United States. It is not open to applicants from African or other countries.
What does the scholarship cover?
It covers university fees, living costs, an annual book grant, thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, return fares to the US, and, where applicable, support towards a dependent spouse.
How long does the scholarship last?
The two-year award runs for 22 months and may be extended in limited cases, while the one-year award runs for 12 months and cannot be extended.
Which universities can I attend?
Any UK university, for a graduate degree in almost any field, with exceptions listed on the official website.
When is the deadline?
For the 2026 cycle, applicants and recommenders must submit by 16 September 2025, with institutional endorsement due 18 September 2026, both at 5:00 pm in your university’s time zone.