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Scholarships for Ethnic Minority Students in the UK
Numerous scholarships are available for ethnic minority students in the UK. Are you eligible?
Some organisations use terms like 'BME' (Black and Minority Ethnic) or 'BAME' (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) for these scholarships. Generally, the scholarships listed below are for students from all ethnic minorities unless specified otherwise. Unlike Student Loans, these do not need to be repaid.
This list is not exhaustive, so if none of these options apply to you, don't be discouraged. It's intended to give you an idea of available opportunities. Additionally, you can explore our guide on other sources of bursaries and scholarships.
What's in this guide?
Types of Financial Support
In this guide, the term 'grant' is used broadly to refer to any non-repayable funding. The awards listed here are not government-funded. All the terms are used interchangeably, but the key point is that none of these need to be repaid.
For those studying part-time, there is also information on part-time Student Finance.
Photo by Andre Taissin on Unsplash
Examples of Scholarships
1. Amos Bursary
1.1. Amos Bursary
Eligibility: African and Caribbean descent, Year 12 students applying to university.
Award: Financial support throughout university and post-graduation.
1.2. King's College & UCL Scholarships
Eligibility: For African and Caribbean students in Year 13 or on a gap year, applying to King's College London or UCL.
Award: Financial assistance of £1,000 annually for the entire duration of the course.
.
2. Bank of England Black Future Leaders Sponsorship Programme
Eligibility: First or last year university students of Black or mixed heritage with a household income under £50,778.
Award: At least £5,000 plus a summer internship.
Award: At least £5,000 plus a summer internship.
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3. Black Academic Futures – University of Oxford
Eligibility: Black or mixed heritage students with a postgraduate offer at Oxford.
Award: Course fees and living costs for 50 students.
4. Black Bristol Scholarship Programme – University of Bristol
Eligibility: Various eligibility criteria for different scholarships, typically Black or mixed heritage.
Award: Ranges from £1,000 to full tuition fee waivers and living cost grants.
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5. The Black Heart Scholars Programme
Eligibility: Students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
Award: Case-by-case funding for tuition, living expenses, and more.
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6. Claire Prosser Bursary, Journalism Diversity Fund
Eligibility: Underrepresented backgrounds in journalism.
Award: £5,000 and work experience opportunities.
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7. Diversity100 PhD Studentships – Birkbeck, University of London
Eligibility: PhD students from ethnic minorities.
Award: Tuition fees, living stipend, and research grants.
8. Frank Olufemi Akindolie Medical Scholarship
Eligibility: Ethnic minority medical students
Award: Offering £1,500 and mentorship.
.
9. Stormzy Scholarship for Black UK students – University of Cambridge
Eligibility: Black students with a confirmed place at Cambridge.
Award: £20,000 per year for tuition and living costs.
10. Toledo Scholarships – National Film and Television School
Eligibility: Ethnic minority students for NFTS master's programmes.
Award: Varies.
11. Geospatial Student Accelerator Scheme - Esri UK & Akama Fund
Eligibility: Students must identify as having Black or mixed Black heritage. Household income must be below £50,000 (supporting documentation required during the application process).
Award: There are two types of awards available. Ten students will be granted the full award, which is approximately £2,500 each. Fifty students will receive £300 to assist with purchasing items necessary for fieldwork.
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12. Law Society Diversity Access Scheme
Eligibility: Applicants must not have access to financial gifts or family loans. Should reside in England or Wales and plan to stay there while studying. Should have no more than £5,000 in savings. Must also meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Attended a non-fee-paying school
- First generation in their family to attend university
- Eligible for free school meals during school years
Award: Includes a bursary to cover the cost of the LPC or SQE, along with work experience and mentoring support.
13. BME Music Scholar's Fee Waiver - Goldsmiths University of London
Eligibility: Applicants must be from ethnic minorities and have domestic student status.
Award: The successful applicant will receive a full tuition fee waiver.
14. The Lord Blunkett Widening Access Awards – University of Law
Eligibility: Must have received an offer for an undergraduate degree at the University of Law, complete an online assessment, and achieve the highest score. Additionally, they must provide evidence of one of the following:
- Experience in care
- Family estrangement
- Refugee status
- Being a carer for a parent or sibling
- Disability
- Low income
Award: Various awards valued at £1,000 each.
15. The Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Scholarship
Eligibility: Must be new students from an ethnic minority starting a full-time course in fields such as:
- Law
- Finance
- Business
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Arts
- Mathematics
- Politics
- Charity
- Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
- Human Rights
- Disability and Neurodiversity
- Automotive (for women)
- Multi-sector disciplines
- Any industry encouraging Black and mixed-race female leadership in the UK
Award: Covers educational costs. Recipients will also have opportunities for mentorship and work experience in their respective fields.
16. Open Futures Scholarships for Black Students – Open University
Eligibility: Must identify as Black, have a household income of no more than £25,000 per year, be UK residents, and be eligible for domestic student status. They must be new undergraduate students without a prior higher education qualification, studying at least 30 credits per academic year.
Award: Fifty awards available, covering the full tuition cost of the qualification and providing a £500 study cost grant.
This list provides a starting point for exploring financial aid opportunities available to ethnic minority students in the UK. If you are ineligible for any of these, don't give up—many other scholarships, grants, and bursaries are available.
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