The UAL/ISH International Postgraduate Scholarship is a tuition fee award from the University of the Arts London (UAL) in the United Kingdom, one of the world’s leading institutions for art, design, fashion, media and the performing arts. It gives students from low-income economy countries a £10,000 reduction on the cost of a taught master’s degree.
For many talented African creatives, the cost of postgraduate study abroad is the single biggest barrier. This scholarship directly lowers that barrier — and with up to 288 awards available for the 2026/27 academic year, the odds are far better than for many other UK schemes.
The award applies to taught master’s courses across UAL’s six Colleges and Institutes, covering disciplines from fine art and architecture to fashion, communication and business. If you are aiming to build a creative career and you hold an offer from UAL, this is one of the most practical funding routes to consider.
Scholarship benefits
- A £10,000 tuition fee waiver toward a full-time or part-time taught master’s course at one of UAL’s Colleges and Institutes.
- Up to 288 scholarships available for the 2026/27 academic year.
- Applies to Grad Dip, M ARCH, MA, MFA, MRes or MSc qualifications starting in 2026.
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ You hold an offer to study a full-time or part-time taught master’s course at one of UAL’s six Colleges and Institutes starting in 2026/27.
- ✔ Your course leads to a Grad Dip, M ARCH, MA, MFA, MRes or MSc qualification.
- ✔ You are ordinarily resident in one of the listed low-income economy countries (check the official website for the country list).
- ✔ You qualify for the Overseas category of tuition fee status.
- ✔ You have achieved, or are predicted to achieve, an upper second-class honours degree or above at undergraduate level (recognised equivalent qualifications are accepted).
- ✔ You do NOT already hold a UK postgraduate taught qualification (or an equivalent-level qualification from the UK or abroad).
- ✔ You submit a personal statement answering the three required questions (maximum 350 words each).
Application tips for African students
- Apply for your course early. You must hold an offer before you can apply for the scholarship, so submit your UAL course application as soon as possible to leave time before the funding deadlines.
- Plan your three personal statement answers carefully. Each is capped at 350 words — draft them, cut the filler, and use concrete examples of your achievements rather than general claims about passion.
- Confirm your fee status. The award requires the Overseas tuition fee category; check that you fall under it before investing time in the application.
- Verify your degree equivalency. Use UAL’s International Academic Qualifications Equivalency document to confirm your degree meets the upper second-class (2:1) standard.
- Get documents certified and translated. Have transcripts and certificates officially translated into English and certified well ahead of time, as African institutions can be slow to issue them.
- Build a strong portfolio. Creative courses at UAL place heavy weight on your portfolio for the course offer itself, so polish it before applying.
- Watch the two rounds. Round 1 closes 27 March 2026 and Round 2 closes 26 June 2026 — aim for the earlier round to maximise your chances.
How to apply
First, secure an offer for an eligible taught master’s course at UAL. Once your offer is in place, the ‘my funding’ page on your UAL Applicant portal will display the scholarship application forms you are eligible for. There are two deadlines for autumn 2026 entry: 27 March 2026 (Round 1) and 26 June 2026 (Round 2). Download the application form and read the full instructions on the official page: UAL International Postgraduate Scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for this scholarship?
Students who are ordinarily resident in one of the listed low-income economy countries, hold an offer for an eligible UAL taught master’s course, and qualify for the Overseas tuition fee category. Check the official website for the full list of eligible countries.
What does the award cover?
It provides a £10,000 tuition fee waiver toward a full-time or part-time taught master’s course at UAL. It does not cover living costs, so plan for those separately.
Do I need an offer before applying?
Yes. You must already hold an offer on a qualifying course before you can apply for the scholarship, which is why UAL recommends applying for your course as early as possible.
What are the deadlines?
For autumn 2026 entry there are two rounds: 27 March 2026 (Round 1) and 26 June 2026 (Round 2).
Can I apply if I already have a UK master’s degree?
No. If you already hold a UK postgraduate taught qualification, or an equivalent-level qualification from the UK or abroad, you are not eligible.
What grade do I need?
You must have achieved or be predicted to achieve an upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or above at undergraduate level. Recognised equivalent qualifications are accepted.