Westminster International Scholarships (University of Westminster, London)

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The University of Westminster, located in the heart of London, offers several scholarships for international students aimed at reducing financial barriers and recognising academic excellence. These include Masters-level and some undergraduate awards, part-fee or full tuition scholarships, and special scholarships tied to development potential or subject fields.

Eligibility Criteria

While criteria vary depending on which Westminster scholarship you apply for, typical eligibility requirements include:

  • International (Overseas) fee status: Applicants must be classified as international students (i.e. paying international/overseas tuition fees).
  • Offer of admission: Must hold an offer for a full-time course (usually for a Master’s programme or relevant undergraduate scholarship) beginning in a specified intake (e.g. September).
  • Strong academic record: Good undergraduate degree, often equivalent to UK 2:1 or higher, sometimes first-class for some “full” or high-value awards.
  • Subject eligibility / course type exclusions: Some scholarships exclude professional conversion courses, part-time study, research degrees (PhD) or certain professional qualification courses.
  • Development potential / merit / financial need: Many Westminster scholarships consider not just grades, but also the impact the scholar will have (on community, field, or home country), and sometimes financial need.

Scholarship Benefits

Depending on the scholarship, benefits may include:

  • Partial or full tuition fee waiver or reduction.
  • A fixed award (e.g. £3,000) towards first-semester master’s fees in some cases.
  • Some scholarships cover or contribute to living expenses, although full living stipends are less common.
  • Additional support like access to networking, internship opportunities, or employability services. (

Required Documents

In general, when applying for a Westminster international scholarship, you will need:

  • Proof of offer from the University of Westminster for the relevant course.
  • Academic transcripts and degree certificates. If current studies aren’t complete, transcripts to date.
  • English language proficiency documentation (if your first language isn’t English).
  • Personal statement: usually explaining career goals, academic interest, how you intend to use the education, possibly contributions to home country/community.
  • Letters of recommendation (academic or professional) or referees details.
  • Sometimes financial need proof (if required) or a description of your financial circumstances.

How to Apply

Here is a general process for applying:

  1. Identify which Westminster scholarship you qualify for (International Postgraduate Excellence Award; Westminster International Postgraduate Full Scholarship; GREAT Scholarships; etc.) via the Westminster scholarships / fees & funding page.
  2. Obtain an offer for the relevant full-time programme. Without an offer, you often cannot apply for the scholarship.
  3. Prepare your documents: transcripts, certificates, English test (if needed), personal statement, references, financial info if required.
  4. Submit the scholarship application by the scholarship’s deadline. Some require an application form; some are automatic; in certain cases you must submit additional form/evidence.
  5. Wait for decision: shortlisted applicants may be asked for more information; sometimes the decisions are made together with or after admission offers.

Link to Apply

You can find the Westminster scholarships and funding information on their official site:

Westminster University Scholarships & Funding – International Student Funding (University of Westminster)

Also, for specific awards like the International Postgraduate Excellence Award, you can see details here: Westminster International Postgraduate Excellence Award (Ukscholarships)

Relatable Examples

Here are a few hypothetical / illustrative examples to help you see how someone might successfully use these scholarships:

  • Example 1: Grace from Ghana
    Grace graduated with a First Class degree in Environmental Science. She applies for a Master’s in Sustainable Development at Westminster. She qualifies for the International Postgraduate Excellence Award (worth ~£3,000), puts together a personal statement showing her community work on clean water projects, and uses strong academic transcripts, recommendation letters. The scholarship covers part of her tuition fee which helps reduce the financial burden while she also secures a small grant for living expenses.
  • Example 2: Ahmed from Pakistan
    Ahmed is an overseas student, offered a place in Media & Journalism programme starting September. He applies for a GREAT Scholarship at Westminster, meets the academic criteria, sends in the scholarship form plus supporting documents, and his strong portfolio and leadership in student journalism help him win a £10,000 tuition fee award.
  • Example 3: Linah from Kenya
    Linah applies to a full-time Master’s course in London. Her degree is UK 2:1 equivalent, and she demonstrates in application how her studies will be used back home (e.g. improving education policy). She applies for the Westminster International Postgraduate Full Scholarship and receives tuition waiver plus modest living expense support since her application showed both merit and need.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without an offer: Many scholarships require you to already have an offer from Westminster. If you do so prematurely, your application will likely be rejected.
  • Missing deadlines: Deadlines are strict. Delaying often means missing the opportunity, especially for scholarships tied to specific intakes.
  • Weak or generic personal statements: Not tailoring the statement to explain why Westminster, why that programme, and what difference you will make.
  • Omitting required documents or having inconsistent records (e.g. transcripts not in English, missing references).
  • Not checking course or scholarship exclusions: Some scholarships exclude part-time, or certain professional conversion courses, or restrict to specific subjects. Be sure your selected programme is eligible.

Deadline

The exact deadline depends on the specific scholarship and intake. Some examples:

  • The International Postgraduate Excellence Award for September 2025 had a deadline of 2 June 2025.
  • For some GREAT Scholarships via Westminster, deadlines are in June.
  • Also note: for postgraduate September intakes, you should aim to submit your course application and scholarship application by 1-2 months before the start, or by the specific date indicated.

Always check the Westminster website for the current year’s deadlines for your programme and scholarship.

Final Thought

The Westminster International Scholarships represent a valuable opportunity for international students—especially from developing countries—to access high-quality education in London with financial support. However, these scholarships are competitive, and success depends not only on strong academics, but also on clear vision, demonstrated impact, and careful, timely preparation.

If you’re considering applying:

  • Start early: get your transcripts, English test, and references ready well ahead of deadlines.
  • Be very specific in your application: show how your studies will benefit you and your community, not just what you want from the programme.
  • Have backup plans: since funding is limited, explore alternative funding sources or part-fee options.

With the right preparation, a Westminster scholarship could be the stepping stone you need toward achieving your academic and career goals.

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